West Seattle, Washington
17 Saturday
One year after Jim Theuer‘s death, family and friends plan to gather to celebrate his life next Sunday. Here’s the announcement:
JIM (James) THEUER Memorial
WEST SEATTLE BOWL
Sun, Aug 19, 2018 2-3:30 pm
(lived Aug 4, 1957-Aug 17, 2017)Jim Theuer died last year – Aug 17, 2017 – in Virginia, his home for 25+ years. Yes, the Jim with the unpronounceable last name who went to Alki Elem, Madison & West Seattle High. In Seattle, Jim worked at Quesnel’s (yes, on Beach Drive) and at UPS.
At some time in Virginia, Jim went by JT (no time wasted on his last name). In Virginia, Jim worked and did voiceovers at firm whose customer of note was Domino’s Pizza. Jim also did Rodney Dangerfield bits until you laughed/cried. In Virginia, Jim got married and had a son, John. Sadly, the marriage did not last, but Jim’s love for his son did, and Jim had primary custody of John, when John was 13.
Jim/JT is survived by his son, John, of Winchester, VA, and Jim’s mother and sisters, all in the Puget Sound area, and a host of nephews and nieces. Jim was a pro bowler for a short time, so come and remember him in his element. Mom Suzanne, sisters Diane, Sally & Janice and Jim’s son John will be there, set up on 4 lanes.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
Meet Pearl and Jam. David Hutchinson – who photographed them Sunday – reports that Jam was Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network‘s “first new harbor seal pup of the 2018 season,” resting with mom Pearl “on a rock just offshore from one of our local beaches. … If you see them at any of our West Seattle beaches, please keep back, keep people and pets away, and call the Seal Sitters’ Hotline at 206-905-SEAL (7325).” Meantime, he shared this announcement:
SEAL SITTERS’ LAST TRAINING OF THE YEAR – AUGUST 25TH
Seal Sitters is a member of NOAA’s West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network. We are responsible for responding to any marine mammal on West Seattle beaches from Brace Point through the Duwamish River including Harbor Island.
All new volunteers are required to take a 2-hour training session. Our last training of 2018 will be held in the front meeting room at the Alki UCC, 6115 SW Hinds (MAP), on Saturday, August 25th from 10 AM – Noon. This will be followed by a short Q&A opportunity. Topics covered will include: The Marine Mammal Protection Act, life in a harbor seal rookery, what is Seal Sitters’ role in NOAA’s network, information on the most common marine mammals in our local waters, your role as a volunteer in a challenging urban environment. Also discussed will be volunteer opportunities as a hotline operator, first responder, and scheduler.
IF YOU DON’T LIVE IN WEST SEATTLE – While all the different groups operating in Puget Sound are part of NOAA’s Network, each group functions separately and provides its own training. Our training would only qualify you to volunteer within the area mentioned above.
If you plan on attending, an RSVP is required. Please include in your email the full names of everyone who will be attending. If any of these are minors, include their ages. A parent or guardian must accompany all minors to the training and when they are on the beach. Seating is limited, so be sure to register early to reserve your place.
To RSVP: SealSitters.Outreach@msn.com
Almost exactly a year after “standing for peace” on the Delridge/Oregon overpass, Hate-Free Delridge members and friends returned there this evening. This time, the goal was to show support for immigrants and refugees.
It’s now been two years since the group formed in response to a racist, threatening note left at the home of a local family.
Here are some fast facts about Seattle’s immigrant/refugee population.
(Added: WSB photo, looking toward Vashon from Lowman Beach)
As this increasingly smoky day moves into late afternoon, an air-quality alert just arrived by e-mail, from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and health agencies around the metro area:
Air pollution is increasing due to wildfire smoke and may cause health problems.
We expect air quality to reach levels that are UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS overnight and into tomorrow in many areas. A high pressure system is pushing upper-level wildfire smoke down. Smoke from British Columbia and the Cascades is continuing to build in the Puget Sound region today. Winds tomorrow afternoon could help clean the air. Thankfully, we don’t expect this to last as long as it did last summer. We are forecasting for GOOD to MODERATE air quality Wednesday and beyond.
Wildfire smoke can cause a range of health problems:
Chest pain
Fast heartbeat
Coughing
Stinging eyes
Irritated sinuses
Headaches
Asthma attack
Trouble breathingSensitive groups should take precautions, including: children, older adults, and people that are pregnant, have heart or lung issues (such as asthma and COPD), or that have had a stroke.
Stay indoors when possible.
Limit your physical activity outdoors, such as running, bicycling, physical labor, and sports.
Close windows in your home, if possible, and keep the indoor air clean. If you have an air conditioner, use the “recirculation” switch. Use an indoor air filter if available.
If you do not have an air conditioner, consider finding a public place with clean, air-conditioned indoor air like a public library or a community center.
Avoid driving, when possible. If you must drive, keep the windows closed. If you use the car’s fan or air conditioning, make sure the system recirculates air from inside the car; don’t pull air from outside.
Schools and daycare providers should consider postponing outdoor activities or moving them indoors.N95 or N100 rated masks can help protect some people from air pollution. These masks are usually available at hardware and home repair stores. Please check with your doctor to see if this appropriate for you. More information here.
For more information on ways to reduce your exposure, see the Washington Department of Health’s Smoke From Fire tips.
Air quality conditions may change quickly. Check the air quality forecast regularly at the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s website.
As always, check with your health care provider for more specific questions and concerns.
After questions about that white truck facing uphill in the downhill lanes of SW Morgan near 40th SW, we went over to check. Police say the driver lost control of the truck’s forward gears several blocks east – the first report was from 31st/Sylvan – and tried traveling in reverse gear for a while, but that didn’t work out too well, as some trees and other vehicles were hit along the way, including the purple-and-gold van in the photo. No injuries reported; police were directing traffic until the truck could be moved.
The day got busy early, so no highlight list, but if you haven’t checked our calendar, two events of note are still to come:
DEMONSTRATION – Hate-Free Delridge plans a show of support for immigrants and refugees by sign-waving on the Delridge/Oregon overpass, 5:30-7 pm, and all are welcome to join. Details in our calendar listing.
DINNER: No need to cook tonight – you can support the West Seattle High School football program at a barbecue dinner that starts at 6 pm at the West Seattle Eagles (4425 California SW). Entertainment and silent auction too. Cost and menu are in our calendar listing.
An alert just in for West Seattle Water Taxi riders:
The Water Taxi will be using the Spirit of Kingston, its smaller back-up vessel, on the West Seattle route through Wednesday. The Doc Maynard has been removed from service for vessel repairs. Riders are strongly encouraged to arrive early for their evening commute.
First – as reported here Saturday morning – police released still images of a person they say is the suspect they’re seeking in Thursday night’s High Point bus-stop murder. This morning, they have released video from Metro bus security cameras. Police said Friday that they believe the 37-year-old victim (who has not yet been publicly identified) and his killer were involved in a “disturbance” on board before exiting the bus on the west side of the 35th and Morgan intersection, where the shooting happened. Here’s the description of the suspect: “16-21 years old, 5’7” to 5’9”, has a thin build, and was last seen wearing a dark gray hoody & jeans.” If you have any info on his identity, the SPD tipline is 206-233-5000, or call 911.
Thanks for the texts about the Medical Examiner and police near 55th/Alki earlier this morning, after someone was found dead on the beach. The scene was cleared by the time we got there but we’ve since been able to confirm with police that they believe this was a death by suicide. No other details except that there was an initial medical call to the area at 6:25 am.
As always, when we report a case of suicide, we include a reminder that the Crisis Clinic has a 24-hour hotline, 206-461-3222.
(Added: Seattle Fire Department photo)
8:52 AM: You might have noticed the big Seattle Fire response headed for Harbor Island. Two people were reported to have fallen off a boat, per SFD radio, and were picked up by a Global Diving and Salvage boat. One person is reported to be conscious, one unconscious. No other word on the circumstances nor on what boat they fell from. Rescue crews are staging at Terminal 18 on the east side of Harbor Island.
9:15 AM: SFD says one of the two rescued people has gone to Harborview “in critical condition.”
9:50 AM: A commenter says one of the people had actually gone into the water to rescue the other one.
4:16 PM: SFD has more details – including confirmation of the heroic rescue by a T-18 worker – here.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:06 AM: No incidents reported so far in/from West Seattle.
8:05 AM: Crash reported at 35th/Avalon. SDOT says all SB lanes of 35th are blocked and one NB lane.
8:10 AM: Here’s a screengrab from the SDOT traffic cam, looking south on 35th from Fauntleroy:
8:20 AM: SFD has left and one southbound lane of 35th is now open, as shown on the SDOT live-video camera (accessible via the traffic map).
8:36 AM: All lanes of 35th/Avalon are now clear.
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