West Seattle, Washington

23 Tuesday

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month : 06/2018 319 results

West Seattle Tuesday: HALA hearing, tunnel-toll comment, Avalon project, Whale Trail, Big Band, more!
June 5, 2018 10:39 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Tuesday: HALA hearing, tunnel-toll comment, Avalon project, Whale Trail, Big Band, more!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Submarine passing a short time ago – photo courtesy Lynn Shimamoto)

Very busy day/night on the peninsula! Here are the highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SENIOR RESOURCE AND WELLNESS FAIR: Multiple-vendor event under way now and continuing until 12:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle. (4217 SW Oregon)

HALA HEARING: City Councilmembers will be at Chief Sealth International High School tonight for a formal public hearing on the proposed Mandatory Housing Affordability upzoning. If you want to speak, signups start at 5:30 pm. The event starts at 6 with a presentation and then it’s public comment time right afterward. In the auditorium. If you want a refresher, see our story on yesterday’s City Council discussion of what’s proposed for West Seattle/South Park. (2600 SW Thistle)

AVALON PROJECT OPEN HOUSE: Last month, we reported on what SDOT is now planning for the SW Avalon rechannelization and repaving project, which includes a few blocks of 35th just south of Avalon. Luna Park-area businesses remain concerned about parking removal. 5:30-7:30 pm tonight at American Legion Post 160 HQ, you can stop in and talk with SDOT reps about the project – concerns, questions, whatever you have. (3618 SW Alaska)

TUNNEL-TOLLING HEARING: This is a two-part event – informational open house 5:30-6:30 pm, then a meeting to take public comment, starting at 6:30 pm. The Washington State Transportation Commission has to make the final decision about what tolls will be charged when the tunnel opens later this year, and public comment is the next step in the process, as explained here, along with the options under consideration. This is at High Point Community Center. (6920 34th SW)

WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: All interested in making the peninsula safer for bicycling are welcome to join WSBC for the monthly meeting, 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House High Point. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)

THE WHALE TRAIL: Love whales? See them inland tonight! The Whale Trail‘s special event this month features photographer Stephen Rink, as previewed here. 6:30 pm doors open, 7 pm presentation at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), all welcome – tickets here, or at the door if it’s not sold out. (5612 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE BIG BAND: You are invited to tonight’s free West Seattle Big Band performance at Bridge Park, 7 pm. (3204 SW Morgan)

CHIEF SEALTH IHS PTSA: Last meeting of the year, 7 pm in the Confucius Center on the Chief Sealth IHS campus: “We’ll be voting in new officers, updating our organizations Standing Rules, and voting on the 2018-19 Budget. We’ll go over our accomplishments and what we are hoping for in the next school year!” (2600 SW Thistle)

WHAT ELSE IS UP? See our complete calendar here.

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GRATITUDE: Dog owner’s thanks after rescue at Lincoln Park
June 5, 2018 9:31 am
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Jann wanted to share this story and gratitude for those who helped search for and rescue their dog last Saturday – from passersby to a search/rescue organization you might not have heard about:

Murphy bolted after a squirrel while we were on a walk at Lincoln Park. I could not catch him and witnessed his little pointed ears disappear over the cliff side. By the time I arrived at the edge, I heard him rolling down the hill through the brush, but was not able to see him. Then there was no sound except kids playing, birds chirping, and waves crashing – it was deafening and I was stunned.

The first help I received was from two women walking a Golden Retriever. They looked all over the top side of the cliff and then walked all the way down the trail to the beach. We searched along the beach trail for any signs of Murphy – nothing. I would like to thank them for the time they spent assisting in the search.

After an hour of searching two times up and down the trail to the beach, with no signs or sounds of Murphy, and a muddled thought process, I phoned the non-emergency number for the Seattle Police Department at around 10:45 AM. I do not recall the dispatcher’s name, but she was very kind and patched me through to the Saturday duty officer for Animal Control. Again, without pencil and paper, I do not recall the officer’s name, but he was equally kind and texted me the contact number for Washington State Animal Response Team.

Gretchen answered for WASART, whose motto is “Helping animals & their Owners in Disasters”. We talked through the scenario and possible consequences which gave me some hope. She advised that 1) the available rescue team was in Enumclaw, and with the I-5 closure, it would a minimum of 3 hours for them to arrive, 2) she needed pics of the area and 3) permission from Lincoln Park Staff to conduct to park the truck with equipment. Gretchen advised me to continue to search as long as possible and that it might be the next day before any help would be dispatched.

Next, I phoned my husband who was working on a project in Everett. He headed home and I met him there at about 1:30. We returned to the LP and the location on the cliff – still no sounds or sight of Murphy, even with the aid of binoculars. We headed down the trail, searched all the way past the accident location, and then we caught a break.

A couple walking a white pit bull/boxer mix asked if they could be of help. The woman said she thought she heard a dog bark on the hillside. We walked to the location, which was just below where Murphy went over the side. My husband could not hear the bark, but I could, It was intermittent and we were now 5 hours after the fall. It was tough to tell if the bark was on the cliff side, the beach, or in the park, but the couple was pretty sure it sounded like the cliff side to them – that was really a ray of hope. The couple took my cell number and said they would text if they saw Murphy on the North beach trail. About 10 minutes later, they returned and advised that the trail they had planned to walk was too steep, but they would keep an eye out along the beach. We want to thank them as we may not have located Murphy or given up without their assistance.

I phoned Gretchen to advise that we thought we knew where to find Murphy on the cliff side. At 2;45, Gretchen phoned and advised us to go home and wait for a call from the rescue team with an ETA of that was at 6:00 PM. We were home for only 45 minutes when Gretchen phoned to say that team members were arriving at LP in about 15 minutes – 3;45.

While we were driving from the Admiral District – trying to not go too fast – Matthew from WASART phoned to say he would meet us at the NE driveway. We arrived, met Matthew and two other team members, Joe and Vallen. We headed to the cliff side to watch for movement and listen for barking. My husband stayed behind to advise the park staff that the crew was onsite.

At first we heard just an occasional bark, but I recognized it as Murphy and the team was sure it was coming from the cliff side. Then we heard some whimpering, and finally, a regular stream of barking. At that point, we were 6 hours and 15 minutes into the emergency. While the team was gearing up, two couples stopped to ask about what was happening, and all four of them stayed with me to provide moral support. My husband was still at the LP maintenance office looking for staff. The moral support from the by-standers was very welcome as I had spent much of the day wracked with guilt and thoughts of never again seeing our dog alive and well.

Vallen volunteered to rappel the cliff which at the lip is 90 degrees with a down slope of 80 to 90 degrees. It is covered with snags and poison oak. At approximately 50 ft below the lip edge, Vallen radioed that he found Murphy. However, he did not advise my dog’s condition. It was not until Vallen was about 20 ft below the top that we saw his yellow safety helmet with my little Toto Dog – he looks just like Toto – tucked under Vallen’s arm – Murphy’s little button eyes and pointed ears.

Once they reached the top, I broke down in tears (teary right now as I write) All of the by-standers applauded and we shook hands. I even hugged the two women who stood by me. My husband arrived just in time to see Vallen and Murphy hit topside. Thank you to the by-standers who waited so patiently with me and kept up conversation in order to keep me calm.

Other than being covered with pollen, a case blood shot swollen eyes, and complete exhaustion, Murphy is good. Thank you to SPD, Animal Control, our unidentified WS neighbors walking through the LP, and WASART!! They all were a part of the rescue and an invaluable network. We are still in a little disbelief that we have our dog – so thankful!!! WASART is non-profit. They are a terrific support and rescue group when a pet owner is hopeful or when all hope seems lost. The WASART website is: www.washingtonsart.org.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday watch, including bus trouble and downtown demonstration
June 5, 2018 7:02 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday watch, including bus trouble and downtown demonstration
 |   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. No incidents reported so far in/from West Seattle. But there’s been one transit alert – the 6:41 am Route 55 didn’t run.

TONIGHT: As previewed here, two of tonight’s major events in West Seattle involve transportation – a public hearing on Highway 99 tunnel tolling, and an informational open house on the current proposal for SW Avalon Way rechannelization/repaving.

7:29 AM: Another Metro alert, though after-the-fact “Metro Transit Alert -Route 113 to downtown Seattle due to leave 26 Av SW & SW 116 St at 7:04 AM will not operate this morning.”

7:34 AM: If your destination is downtown, note that SDOT reports a street protest at 2nd/Madison.

8:57 AM: Thanks for the text. A #57 bus is stuck at 49th/Charlestown after going up over the curb.

9:08 AM: Meantime, back at the downtown protest, police say they’ve ordered those in the street to disperse, and are working to remove those who didn’t. According to a Twitter photo, the protest is aimed at ICE.

9:23 AM: SPD says the downtown streets have reopened after they arrested protesters who didn’t disperse.

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Denny International Middle School’s gift for the Dalai Lama
June 4, 2018 9:53 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The photos and report were shared tonight by Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark:

On a recent trip to Dharamshala, India, to meet with the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, at his residence in exile, Ms. Lori Markowitz presented His Holiness with a Denny sweatshirt as a gift from the entire Denny International Middle School community! He was pleased to see our logo includes the words, “We love all immigrant and refugee families” and was very supportive of our school motto, “We All Belong!” He sent a message of encouragement back to all the Dolphins to develop increased hope, compassion, and love in our community and in our world.

Here at Denny, we are very proud of our Youth Ambassadors program, which inspires our scholars to make a positive difference in our community. Ms. Markowitz has been an incredible supporter of our school by partnering with us to launch and continue Youth Ambassadors and by helping us to make powerful connections locally and around the world. We are inspired by the words of hope, compassion, and love from the Dalai Lama—and very grateful to Ms. Markowitz for helping us to make this powerful connection!

In the spirit of compassion,
Jeff Clark, Principal, Denny International Middle School

Ms. Lori Markowitz gave the following insight into her historic trip:

“What a wonderful way to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Youth Ambassador program born during the seeds of Compassion conference April, 2008. Meeting his Holiness the Dalai Lama in India at his residence in exile was an honor and privilege I will certainly cherish for the rest of my life. To be able to travel with two of the very first Youth Ambassador students made the experience that much more memorable and powerful.

“The messages his Holiness shared with us will remain close to our hearts. Habib and Olivia (remarkable Youth Ambassadors who I’ve had the privilege of working with for many years) will indeed continue to be ambassadors of hope, kindness and love.

“The Dalai Lama believes compassion and love need to be emphasized daily and included in the school curriculum. The idea is, if children are intentionally taught to be generous and joyful and to nurture empathy and mutual understanding (not in a religious manner) they will have a happier, healthier life. We saw many Tibetan wind horse flags representing goodwill, inner strength, and positivity, ‘Others Before Self’ — the kind and giving spirit was palpable. The Youth Ambassador program is dedicated to cultivating compassion, providing unique learning experiences, building strong school communities, and investing students in a broader movement for positive change.

“Giving his Holiness the Denny International Middle School ‘we all belong’ sweatshirt as a gift was truly an honor! Currently, the Youth Ambassador program is embedding a civics and compassion curriculum allowing students to become more engaged citizens involved in making their own neighborhoods better areas to live and thrive in, a vital component of a thriving democratic society.”

We reported on the Youth Ambassador program at Denny back in 2015.

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Notice the new art in the West Seattle Junction?
June 4, 2018 8:23 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

If you’ve been in The Junction since Friday, you might have noticed the new art in Pegasus Book Exchange‘s window (4553 California SW). Erika Bass sent a photo and report today, explaining its origins:

Check out the new public art piece, Paper Words, hanging in the window at Pegasus Book Exchange in the West Seattle Junction. The large papercut was created by teenage students in Erika Bass’ Creating Public Art class at Southwest Community Center’s Family Learning Program. The words and images were chosen by the students in response to visiting Pegasus and in celebration of this treasured West Seattle business.

The student artists in Erika’s photo are, from left, Fiona Hewitt, Asha Navaratnasingam, Lilah Christianson, Margot Lange, Ciaran O’Rourke, Elliott Custer. Not pictured, Oscar Callahan.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police search in Fauntleroy
June 4, 2018 6:30 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

Thanks for the tips. The police response near the Fauntleroy ferry dock followed a report of a suspected prowler who took off running when confronted by a resident, officers told us at the scene. A 911 call and search ensued; a person believed to be the suspect was found and taken into custody, pending ID confirmation by the resident.

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FOLLOWUP: More on Roxhill Elementary building’s future, post-EC Hughes move
June 4, 2018 5:58 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

5:58 PM: Another of this week’s major meetings is Thursday, when community members are invited to Roxhill Elementary to find out about the “programs and services” that will be moving into the building after the elementary students move to EC Hughes. After we received and published the announcement last week, we asked Seattle Public Schools for more details. That request has gone unfulfilled to date – but we just found some information while checking the most recent Superintendent’s Friday Memo on the district website, something we don’t read as often as we should: “Interagency at Youngstown, BRIDGES and other special education services will move in to Roxhill building thanks to BEX IV.” Interagency Academy (also mentioned by a commenter) is, as described on the district website, a “network of small, alternative high schools spread out across Seattle designed to support students who need different supports than comprehensive schools offer.” The Youngstown Cultural Arts Center site is one of 11 locations. BRIDGES is short for Building Real-life Independent Daily Living and Gainful Employment Skills, according to its SPS page. It’s described as “designed for young adults with disabilities ages 18-21 who continue to need special education services outside of a 9th-12th grade setting/curriculum in order to meet their own unique post-secondary transition goals.” We’ll find out more at Thursday’s meeting (6 pm June 7th, Roxhill library, 9430 30th SW).

ADDED 9:19 AM: We finally got a district response this morning, from associate superintendent Michael Tolley, who adds some context for some of these programs moving:

This fall, construction to build a new Wing Luke Elementary (WLE) school on its current site will begin. While under construction, WLE will be temporarily housed at Original Van Asselt (OVA). Therefore, all of the programs and services currently located at OVA will be moved to other buildings throughout the district, including the Roxhill building. Multiple Special Education services, including BRIDGES and In Tandem, will move from OVA to Roxhill. The Interagency programs currently at the Youngstown Cultural Art Center will also move into Roxhill.

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FOLLOWUP: No arrest yet in Alki Avenue murder
June 4, 2018 3:21 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Saturday night photo by WSB’s Christopher Boffoli)

On the second day after the murder along Alki Avenue SW, near Luna/Anchor Park [map], no arrest yet – and no new (public) information from Seattle Police. The victim was stabbed around 10 pm Saturday night and died at the scene. Along the Alki Trail, where his body remained for hours while investigators worked the scene, a memorial that started with a few flowers by Sunday evening grew today – including extensive tagging on the trail/sidewalk.

Police won’t say anything more than describing the investigation as “active and ongoing”; as noted in our Saturday night coverage, they don’t believe it was a random killing. It’s the second murder in West Seattle in less than a month, after the deadly shooting of 44-year-old Lorenzo Marr at West Seattle Stadium on May 8th, also still unsolved. The Alki victim’s name has yet to be released; police described him as in his mid-20s. If you have any information, you can call the SPD tip line at 206-233-5000 – or 911.

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VIDEO: West Seattle/South Park HALA upzoning recap today, before public hearing Tuesday
June 4, 2018 1:59 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle housing | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

That’s the Seattle Channel video of this morning’s City Council meeting recapping the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) toplines for District 1 – West Seattle and South Park – before tomorrow’s public hearing. No new info, but if you’ve lost track of where the plan stands, it might be a helpful refresher. Here’s the slide deck they used; here’s the online map that you can use to look up how your neighborhood might change under the proposal.

Basically, the plan would upzone all commercial/multifamily property in the city – and other types, within urban-village boundaries, while also expanding some of those boundaries – while requiring developers to either include a certain percentage of “affordable housing” or pay the city a fee in lieu of that. No date is set for the council’s vote on the plan yet, and the citywide appeal of the Environmental Impact Statement remains scheduled for hearings later this month. Tuesday night’s public hearing in West Seattle is at 6 pm (speaker signups start at 5:30) in the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium, 2600 SW Thistle, as previewed here last night.

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Camp Second Chance updates: More housing placement; renewal decision soon; unmet needs
June 4, 2018 11:58 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Myers Way | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

With a new case manager on the job, housing placements from West Seattle’s only city-sanctioned encampment have increased dramatically.

That was part of the information shared at the monthly Camp Second Chance (C2C) Community Advisory Committee meeting on Sunday.

The city’s permit-renewal decision still hasn’t been announced – technically for a second year at the city-owned Myers Way Parcels, though it’s been almost two years already since the camp moved there in July 2016, initially without authorization. But it’s apparently imminent.

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From housing to rowing, 5 for your West Seattle Monday
June 4, 2018 9:59 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news

(Anna’s Hummingbird, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Here’s how the first full week of June begins!

COUNCIL REVIEWS HALA MHA UPZONING: As noted last night in our look ahead to tomorrow’s public hearing, the City Council, as the Select Committee on Citywide Mandatory Housing Affordability, meets at 10:30 this morning to review how the proposal would affect West Seattle and South Park. (Today’s meeting is at City Hall, while Tuesday night’s hearing is in West Seattle.) Seattle Channel will stream today’s meeting live, along with the Channel 21 cablecast. (600 4th Ave.)

LEARN TO ROW! The Duwamish Rowing Club has sessions this month, for both youth and adults, and the first one starts tonight – this one’s for adults:

DRC will be offering 3 three weeklong learn-to-row classes this June. Two sessions will be for adults and one session for youth, ages 10 to 18.

For Adults (ages 18 and older): Session #1
· Monday, June 4th at 6-8 pm
· Wednesday, June 6th at 6-8 pm
· Saturday, June 9th at 12 to 3 pm

No experience necessary; we teach everything you need to know. Adult classes are for 18 and up. $60 for three classes (7 hours of instruction) – scholarships available. Please contact rowdrc@gmail.com if the fee is a hardship. Cash or Check to ‘SPARC’, sorry no credit cards.

Tonight is dry-land training, at South Park Community Center. (8319 8th Ave. S.)

DANCE CLASSES: Balorico starts summer sessions at Kenyon Hall, 6 pm tonight. (7904 35th SW)

WEST SEATTLE BOOSTER CLUB: Last meeting of the school year for the West Seattle Booster Club, 7 pm at the West Seattle High School library. (3000 California SW)

PUGET RIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 7 pm at Puget Ridge Cohousing, all welcome. This month’s guest is South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) communications director Ty Swenson. (7020 18th SW)

Something for the calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thanks!

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CONGRATULATIONS! Big win for Greater Seattle Youth Girls Bowling All-Stars, led by West Seattleite
June 4, 2018 9:04 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Thanks to Bri’Anna for the photos and report:

After five matchplay games, 10 baker games, and two days of cheering, the Greater Seattle Youth Girls Bowling All-Star team, coached by Jessica Buchanan, took first place at the Interassociation All-star Extravaganza in Longview, WA. Three-year all-star and West Seattle High School sophomore Evan Smith helped lead the girls to victory as the Greater Seattle team captain. West Seattle Bowl is her home alley (and also for returning youth all-stars Ruth Magaña and Kyle Jonson).

Evan is extremely proud and excited to bring home a big win for West Seattle Bowl and the Greater Seattle bowling association! Kenmore Lanes is where the Greater Seattle USBC Board of Directors has their home office, so the perpetual plaque will be hung there until next year’s event.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday watch
June 4, 2018 7:02 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday watch
 |   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 and welcome to the first full week of June. No incidents reported in/from West Seattle so far this morning.

7:20 AM: Crash reported on NB I-5 at the bridge.

7:55 AM: That’s finally cleared.

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HALA upzoning, tunnel tolls, Avalon changes – all at once
June 3, 2018 9:39 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Highway 99 tunnel | Transportation | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

We’ve told you about all three of these already – but since they’re happening pretty much simultaneously this Tuesday night (June 5), consider this a sort of two-night warning:

Tuesday slide deck by WestSeattleBlog on Scribd

HALA UPZONING, DISTRICT 1 PUBLIC HEARING: The Mandatory Housing Affordability proposal to upzone all commercial/multifamily-zoned property in the city, as well as parcels in “urban villages” (some of which would expand their boundaries) is moving toward a City Council vote later this year. The process includes public hearings outside City Hall, and Tuesday night is the one for District 1 (West Seattle/South Park), scheduled for 6 pm at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle). If you’ve got something to say about the upzoning proposal – for, against, or otherwise – this is the time and place to say it. You can get caught up in advance tomorrow (Monday) when the council, meeting as the Select Committee pondering the upzoning plan, discusses the District 1 proposal at 10:30 am at City Hall (live on Seattle Channel, of course). But for the public hearing, show up at the CSIHS Auditorium on Tuesday – here’s the agenda; the slide deck is above.

HIGHWAY 99 TUNNEL TOLLS, WEST SEATTLE PUBLIC HEARING: The last big decision before the Alaskan Way Viaduct makes way for the Highway 99 tunnel is: How much will the tolls be? The Washington State Transportation Commission gets to make the decision, but would first like to hear what you think. We previewed the proposed options when the West Seattle public hearing was announced. This too is Tuesday night, 5:30-6:30 pm informational “open house”; 6:30-8 pm, meeting for your feedback. It’s at High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW).

SW AVALON WAY RECHANNELIZATION/REPAVING: Two weeks ago, we brought you first word of the updated plan for rechannelizing and repaving SW Avalon Way – and a few blocks of 35th SW and SW Alaska just to the south – next year.

As with the early version of the plan a year earlier, it still takes away some parking on SW Avalon, and Luna Park businesses are girding for a fight. Whatever you think of the newest plan, Tuesday night is also when SDOT is coming to West Seattle to take comments and answer questions about it, 5:30-7:30 pm at the American Legion Post 160 hall (3618 SW Alaska).

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From refugees to river, Explorer West 8th-graders take on issues near and far in this year’s ‘Change the World Project’
June 3, 2018 8:11 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

For a fifth year, before heading on to the next phase of their education, Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) 8th-graders are working to change the world.

Teacher Tim Owens is again leading them through sustainability-related projects, on topics of the students’ choice.

With summer break nearing, the projects’ biggest events have just happened: Project presentations, first to younger students and then to adult panels, and a big assembly for the whole school.

We were invited to visit last Wednesday afternoon, which started with the assembly. It tackled four topics that were among those on which the students were focused this year:

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UPDATE: Emergency response in The Junction
June 3, 2018 6:53 pm
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police | WS breaking news

6:53 PM: Just in case you’re in the area and wondering: Though a response happening right now at 42nd/Alaska was dispatched as “scenes of violence” (formerly “assault with weapons”), scanner traffic indicates the incident did not involve any injury after all. However, police are looking for a suspect, and so we’re on the way to find out what the call is about.

7:02 PM: A sergeant at the scene would only say that this started as some kind of argument and they’re trying to sort out the details.

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UPDATE: Seattle Fire response at 34th/Roxbury
June 3, 2018 5:21 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

5:21 PM: SFD has a “full response” headed to 34th/Roxbury for a possible house fire. More to come.

5:24 PM: This turned out to be an “illegal burn in a back yard.” All but one unit dismissed.

5:38 PM: And that one, Engine 37, was getting ready to leave when we arrived. The captain tells us the resident was trying to dispose of a stump by burning it. Very smoky.

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Morgan Junction Community Festival 2018 to fetch Bark of Morgan comeback
June 3, 2018 4:46 pm
|    Comments Off on Morgan Junction Community Festival 2018 to fetch Bark of Morgan comeback
 |   Pets | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

What a summer this will be for West Seattle dogs and the people who love them. First, we had news of the PAWrade preceding next month’s West Seattle Grand Parade in the Junction. Now, the Morgan Junction Community Festival – less than two weeks away – is bringing back the Bark of Morgan! From festival communicator Susan Madrid:

The Morgan Community Association is pleased to announce the return of the Bark of Morgan Dog Show at the Morgan Junction Community Festival on June 16, 2018. Our thanks to Morgan Junction businesses Pet Elements and The Wash Dog for sponsoring the event.

The Bark kicks off at 1:45 pm with the Pooch Parade through the festival grounds followed by several audience applause-judged contests.

This is the 13th year of the popular festival, held in and around Morgan Junction Park in West Seattle. As in past years, the Festival and the Bark of Morgan will occur rain or shine!

Here are the Bark of Morgan details:

1:45 pm – Pooch Parade:

Leashed dogs and their humans assemble by 1:30 pm north of Morgan Junction Park in SW Eddy Street. Contestants will traverse through the festival grounds back to Eddy Street. Costumes are encouraged.

2:00 pm – Canine Contests:

The contests take place north of Eddy Street after the Parade. Contest categories are:

• Cutest Puppy
• Loudest Bark
• Smallest and Largest Dog
• Best Trick
• Best Costume
• Best Owner/Dog Lookalike

Three winners will be awarded for each contest. Contest winners are based on the audience applause-o-meter as certified by Festival Master of Ceremonies.

The Morgan festival, 10 am-4 pm Saturday, June 16th, will also include live music, Bubbleman, and more. WSB is a co-sponsor again this year and we’ll have more info in the days ahead!

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CONGRATULATIONS! West Seattle Little League announces All-Star teams
June 3, 2018 2:44 pm
|    Comments Off on CONGRATULATIONS! West Seattle Little League announces All-Star teams
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

From Kathy Powers at West Seattle Little League:

Please join us in congratulating the following players and coaches who will represent WSLL on our All-Star teams.

We hope you will come to cheer them on during our District Tournaments. Our 11/12 team will play at Bar-S in West Seattle starting 7/6/18 at 6 pm. Our 9/10 and 10/11 year old teams will play at PacWest starting 6/30/2018.

9/10 Team – Manager Matt Schlede
Ari Fein-Wallace
Bryce Alonzo
Felix Law
Jack Freeborne
Jack Madden
Jacob McCall
Kainoa Goldman
Leo Bronk
Max Cooper
Otis Schlede
Owen Fahy
Rafael Fein-Wallace
Ryan Typpi

10/11 Team – Manager Otis Moore
Andrew Rhinehart
Caden Ross
Cameron Fitterer
Cody Buehring
Cody Sazama
Duncan Monnin
Hudson Harding
Henry Newgard
Ivan Moore
Jesse LaBella
Jones Kasperson
Lincoln Scott
Reese Holmes

11/12 Team – Manager Mike Fahy
Blake Taft
Bobby Trigg
Caden Fahy
Elijah Palmer
Jake Daily
Joe Sherick
Mathew Henning-Dierickx
Matthew Hazlegrove
Miles Gosztola
Parker Eley
Robbie Foisy
Simon Vance
Tristan Buehring
Wyatt Glover

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Memorial service June 16 for Erma Couden, 1915-2018
June 3, 2018 10:35 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

A memorial service is planned June 16 for Erma Martin Couden, whose family and friends are sharing this remembrance of her long and eventful life:

Erma Martin Couden, an exemplar of love and peace, the matriarch of an extensive family, a former public-school teacher and librarian and a longtime activist in church and civic affairs, died May 24, 2018, at Horizon House in Seattle. She was 103.

In addition to her own accomplishments, Erma devoted herself, with her husband, Elliott N. Couden, to family matters and to the advocacy of civil rights and local heritage preservation, all grounded in the pursuit of caring human connections.

“I like to know people,” she reflected in 2010. “Love is basic in our lives and being positive. I think that is what I want people to do, is to find the positives.”

Erma Fannie Martin was born Jan. 13, 1915, in the town of Irondale, near the Missouri Ozarks, to William Henry Martin, stationmaster for Missouri Pacific Railroad, part-owner of the town bank and co-owner of a gas and oil distributorship, and his wife, Lulu Vahrenkamp Martin, homemaker and daughter of the town baker.

Fittingly, given Erma’s lifelong values, one of her ancestors was William Paca, a signer of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Lulu made sure that Erma and her younger sister, Alma, received post-secondary educations at Lindenwood College for Women (now Lindenwood University) in St. Charles, northwest of St. Louis, and both became teachers.

Erma received a bachelor’s degree in English literature and her teaching certificate from Lindenwood, a course of study that included a year at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

In the summer of 1936, Erma met her future husband on a blind date. He was handicraft director for the Greater St. Louis Boy Scout Council’s summer camp in Irondale. With his guitar, Elliott serenaded Erma with “It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie,” and a lifelong relationship was born.

Erma taught high-school English and advised the yearbook in Irondale before joining Elliott in Seattle. The two were married July 24, 1940, at First Methodist Church, Seattle’s oldest church.

They became deeply involved with Moral Re-Armament (MRA), an international moral and spiritual movement with “four absolutes”: honesty, purity, unselfishness and love.

In 1941, Erma and Elliott moved to the south end of West Seattle, between White Center and Arbor Heights, where Elliott sold real estate in the Fairchild Addition. They had a son in 1942 and daughters in 1943 and 1946 and joined Fauntleroy Church in 1948.

Erma became credentialed to teach in Washington and starting in 1951 was a third-grade teacher and later the librarian at West Seattle’s E.C. Hughes Elementary School.

It was a busy life. After school hours and on Saturdays, Erma worked as bookkeeper and manager of Elliott’s real-estate and insurance office in White Center. She also cooked dinners and made many of her children’s clothes.

Erma was a Sunday school teacher, Girl Scout leader, Job’s Daughters adviser and summer-camp cook. She served on YMCA and church boards and Seattle Public Schools advisory committees. She and Elliott ran dances and senior activities at Chief Sealth High School and advised the Fauntleroy Church youth group.

Challenges, including personal threats and financial pressures, came to the Coudens because of Elliott’s leadership roles with the Church Council of Greater Seattle and Seattle Human Rights Commission to support open housing in the 1960s. At one point, Erma returned to teaching after Elliott’s real-estate business plummeted as a result of his activism. She retired in 1975.

Erma also provided behind-the-scenes help to Elliott when he founded the Southwest Seattle Historical Society in 1984 and while he served the organization over the next 20 years until his death at age 93. He often credited Erma’s love, support and encouragement for his success.

The Coudens lived in Fauntleroy/Westwood, Admiral, and Alki, settling in later years near Morgan Junction. They supported South Seattle Community College, took time to get to know their grandchildren and great-grandchildren and traveled to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Canada and nearly every U.S. state.

Erma moved to Horizon House in February 2012, making new friends and becoming known for her capacity to smile, love and reach out to newcomers.

Besides Elliott, she was predeceased by sister Alma Rice (2014). She is survived by son William M. Couden (Judith), of Vallejo, Calif., granddaughter Nancy Williams of Poulsbo, great-grandchildren Luke, Sam and Abbie, and grandsons Rich Couden of Bothell, and Ron Couden of Seattle; daughter Virginia C. Stimpson, of Seattle, grandson Steven of Seattle, granddaughter Jennifer (Scott) Soule of Port Angeles, and great-grandchildren Maria, Kenny and Michael; and daughter Barbara Couden-Ochs (Steffen), of Boquete, Panama.

The memorial service for Erma will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 16, 2018, at Horizon House, 900 University St., Seattle.

Remembrances to Fauntleroy Church, UCC, 9140 California Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98136-2598 and Southwest Seattle Historical Society, 3003 61st Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98116-2810.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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Options for your West Seattle Sunday
June 3, 2018 6:30 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Three views of a Great Blue Heron at Constellation Park during Saturday’s low tide, photographed by Gary Jones)

Here’s what’s up for today/tonight, starting with a reminder:

I-5 CLOSURES CONTINUE, BUT … As we verified on Saturday, you CAN take the NB I-5 exit from the eastbound West Seattle Bridge to get to I-90. Otherwise, closures are scheduled to continue until early Monday.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm in the street in the heart of The Junction, see what’s fresh! (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

BENEFIT BRUNCH FOR ONE MILLION TAMPONS: 10:30 am-1:30 pm at South Park Hall, karaoke/waffle brunch to benefit the One Million Tampons campaign to get menstrual products to those who need them. (1253 S. Cloverdale)

ALKI LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: 1-4 pm (arrive by 3:45 pm), this weekend’s round of free tours at historic Alki Point Lighthouse! (3201 Alki SW)

CHECK THE CHIP: Lien Animal Clinic offers you the chance to come in during a 2-4 pm event today and check to see if your pet’s microchip info is accurate/up to date – or, if your pet’s not chipped, change that! Treats, prizes, tours. (3710 SW Alaska)

CAMP 2ND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Curious about what’s happening at West Seattle’s only city-sanctioned encampment – and/or, have a concern? 2 pm, all are welcome at the monthly meeting of C2C’s Community Advisory Committee, at Arrowhead Gardens. (9200 2nd SW)

CHORUS IN CONCERT, AND BIDDING DIRECTOR FAREWELL: 3 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church:

The director of the Seattle Metropolitan Singers, John Gulhaugen, is retiring after 12 years of leading this group of amateur women singers. John has spent much of his life tied to music – from earning a BA in Music from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, to singing with the Seattle Opera Chorus, to directing the music at Peace Lutheran Church in West Seattle, to challenging the Seattle Metropolitan Singers to improve the depth and breadth of their singing. John plans to relax during his free evenings, and maybe take up singing in a group for himself.

The concert program “Encores” will include songs from the past 12 years of concerts, including such pieces as “A Girl’s Garden,” “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” “Hotaru Koi,” and “The Storm is Passing Over.”

At this concert, the Seattle Metropolitan Singers will also introduce the incoming director of the group.

A farewell reception will be held after the concert.

(3050 California SW)

CORREO AEREO: Live Latin/world music performance at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)

PREVIEW THE WEEK AHEAD! Browse our complete calendar.

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UPDATE: Man stabbed to death along Alki Avenue SW
June 2, 2018 10:12 pm
|      140 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police | WS breaking news

(WSB photos by Christopher Boffoli)

10:12 PM: Police and fire are headed to Alki/Harbor for a report of a possible stabbing. More to come.

10:16 PM: Per scanner, police are closing Harbor to traffic NB where it turns into Alki.

10:19 PM: Victim has life-threatening wounds, also per scanner. Other routes to Alki might be closed because of the search – such as California Way and Bonair – so avoid the area.

10:40 PM: WSB’s Christopher Boffoli is at the scene and says the victim has died. This is the second homicide case in West Seattle in less than four weeks, since the deadly shooting at West Seattle Stadium on May 8th. Last year, there was one murder at Alki – we noted that May 23rd marked one year since 23-year-old Jordan D. Thomas was shot and killed at 62nd/Alki; that case remains unsolved.

10:53 PM: No arrest(s) reported so far. No clear description of the killer(s), either, but police are reported to be canvassing for surveillance video in the area as well as potential witnesses.

11:44 PM: After resolving a communications problem, we’re receiving images and information again from our crew at the scene. If you are having trouble placing where this happened, the victim is on the Alki Trail, just to the right of the right edge of the photo above; Christopher says it’s directly across the street from 1140 Alki SW. Also note, roads into the area remain closed.

12:05 AM: Christopher reports that homicide and CSI personnel continue arriving. He meantime is expecting a briefing soon from an SPD public-information officer who has arrived and is getting briefed.

12:35 AM: Christopher has just talked with SPD spokesperson Det. Patrick Michaud, who says the victim was in his mid-20s. Police do not believe this was a random attack. Nor do they have a description of suspect(s) or vehicle. Det. Michaud also confirms there is an additional crime scene at which they recovered a glove, and says police are interviewing witnesses and friends of the victim as well as reviewing surveillance and dash-cam footage from the area. If you have any information, you’re asked to call SPD’s homicide/assault tip line at 206-233-5000.

1:35 AM: Added above this line, Christopher’s video of what Det. Michaud told him at the scene.

SUNDAY NIGHT NOTE: No new information today. Sometime between this morning and evening, someone left a few flowers at the scene, the only hint of what happened last night:

We will be following up with police again tomorrow.

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What Jack Miller wants you to know about his West Seattle Junction development project, Husky Deli’s future home
June 2, 2018 9:31 pm
|      99 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

On Friday, we brought you an update on The Junction’s next mixed-use project, the one we discovered in city files three months ago – 4747 California SW, with an “all-West Seattle team” planning the development, including property owner Jack Miller, best known as Husky Deli‘s proprietor. As you saw in our Friday report, the packet for the upcoming Design Review meeting confirms Husky Deli will move into the new building when it’s done. And today, Jack Miller sent us this first-person explanation of his plan:

The Heart and Soul of Husky Deli and the West Seattle Junction
By Jack Miller

(WSB photo, 2017)

It’s been more than three months since the news broke about our plan to build a new building so that we can move Husky Deli four doors south in the West Seattle Junction. Since then, I’ve been truly honored to hear so many positive reactions. It’s also been a good chance to hear the questions people have about the project. I hope this little article will provide some answers and perspective for anyone who is interested.

Our goal, of course, is to keep Husky Deli going in the Junction and to give the next generations of our family a chance to shape it in their own image and make it a success.

Many people know that Husky has been around since 1932, when my grandfather, Herman Miller, bought a tiny grocery store called Edgewood Farms that operated in what is now the card section of Northwest Art & Frame. Right away, he put in an ice-cream machine in the front window, and then a soda fountain. Fresh-sliced meats and cheeses soon followed, and by the end of World War II, my dad, John, and my uncles had turned it into a full-fledged deli.

My dad moved Husky two doors north to our present location in 1969, three years after I started working here. In 1975, when he had a heart attack, I left college to fill in, and I’ve been here ever since. Just like society, Husky has evolved, and now we focus on ready-made convenience foods while still keeping the traditional deli, ice cream and specialty items. My kids have lived through all this and are grown up now, Kate (and husband Tom), John, and Tony – run a lot of the business day to day. Just like me, they love Husky, they love the Junction, and they’re the future.

But the future isn’t the exact footprint where we are now. Anyone who comes into Husky knows that we still look a lot like 1969 and that the structure needs some basic work, from the cramped restrooms to the up-and-down flooring to everything in between. My brother, Joe, who owns the building, has no plan to develop it anytime soon, and with the new Seattle minimum wage and other increasing costs, and being a small business we will be unable to shut down our business for an extended period of time to remodel. At the same time, we all agree that we need the ability to serve the ever-growing West Seattle population by updating and streamlining the Husky.

To make that happen, we are looking to move four doors south to where Sleepers furniture store and Bikram Yoga (which some of you remember was Junction Feed & Seed) are located. Those two buildings have a lot of the same big challenges that the current Husky building has. The buildings are in bad shape from top to bottom, and they are not landmark historical buildings worth saving.

So our plan is to start anew. The only way we see for us to put together enough capital for my children to create the Husky of the future and to stay in the Junction is to tear down these two buildings and construct a taller one on that combined site, with apartments on the top to help pay for the new Husky down below.

On first thought, this plan might not sound like something that would reflect the Junction’s low-scale character. We all have seen other tall buildings recently go in and start to create the feeling of a narrow corridor. That’s not what I want to create, and I don’t think it’s what most people want in the Junction. We think it’s important to keep, as much as possible, the feeling of our small-town, downtown West Seattle. So we want to create something different that really focuses on the Husky’s shop space instead of the upper levels.

The apartments above the store are set back to minimize the visual impact along California Avenue, and retain the historical retail storefront height. The project will contain a commercial kitchen and ice cream plant so we can continue to prepare our own food and make ice cream on site. (And yes, we will make sure that the beautiful Eric Grohe mural on the south side of the yoga building gets either reproduced or replaced with and updated mural on our new structure.)

We have been talking with the Junction Neighborhood Organization (JuNO) about our plan, and they want us to put together a building that sets a good example for future new buildings on that side of the Junction. That makes perfect sense to me. We are planning something with good neighborhood qualities and hopefully anything built after us will follow suit.

My biggest concern is that Husky will continue on in our family and serve the overall family of West Seattle – that we can maintain the traditions started by my grandfather 86 years ago, that we can update everything but still keep it cool, and that my kids can have the chance to feel like it’s theirs, too, so that they will put their heart and soul into it.

The Junction is all about heart and soul. It’s about actively local ownership, where you can meet the people who own and run the stores, where there’s an active business association that puts on really good activities, and easy transit (even light rail, which will come sooner than we think). It’s also about the common feeling that it’s our main neighborhood business district – the hub of our small town in the big city.

Throughout West Seattle, a lot of older folks who have lived here forever have sold their homes for huge amounts of money to younger families who moved in from all over the country. They were not originally West Seattle kids, but they really want to embrace West Seattle, and the character of the Junction, and want to be a part of it.

All of that sort of seeped into me as I grew up. My dad wanted us at Husky all the time. Even if we were running around in the backroom, he wanted us close-by. We helped make ice cream in the middle of the night. He had us running back and forth with ice-cream scoopers getting people cones because he wanted us active in it all.

We are blessed in the fact that we have been here long enough that we are a big part of the community.

When we move a few doors down the street, it might be a new building, but it’s going to be the same people. It’s become a huge comfort zone for me, being in West Seattle with all these people that we know. I know my kids agree, and I trust that West Seattle will feel the same way.

Thanks for reading this. If you have any questions or comments about our project, I would love to hear from you. Drop in the store and say hi anytime.

Again, as we reported Friday, the first Southwest Design Review Board meeting for the 4747 California SW project is now set for July 19th. The draft packet for that meeting, as linked in our Friday update, can be seen here (PDF).

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