West Seattle, Washington
26 Friday
(WSB photo: Admiral Way Viewpoint, May 2018)
Back in May, when reader questions led us to ask Seattle Parks about the almost-viewlessness of some viewpoints like Admiral Way, they told us they were “pausing any view trimming while we review and update our viewpoint and tree trimming policies.” That process is happening now, and the city’s advisory Board of Park Commissioners got a briefing at its meeting this past week:
It’s the last big topic of the meeting, 1 hour and 33 minutes into the video (which you also can watch on the Seattle Channel website if the embedded version above doesn’t work for you). The briefing was presented by Parks’ Kathy Nyland and Jon Jainga, who brought along this document explaining where things are at:
They explained that a Viewpoint Advisory Team has been convened and has already met twice. It’s focusing on the 16 officially designated-by-the-city viewpoints (five of which are in West Seattle – Admiral Way [Belvedere], Charles Richey, Emma Schmitz, Hamilton, Rotary), though a fair amount of discussion at the meeting kept sidetracking to issues such as how to get other parks treated as viewpoints. But Parks can barely take care of what they already have: “We’ve got a maintenance problem and a capacity problem,” said Nyland. She and Jainga explained that not only does Parks have too few maintenance crew members for the 280,000 trees in the system, the work at some steeply sloped parks is too dangerous and requires hiring specially trained tree experts. Plus, they added, rules and practices have changed, and even if they had enough staff, they couldn’t do some of what used to be OK for maintaining views (tree-topping was mentioned). So they’re talking about what they can do, and where. Maybe figure out ways to have environmentally sustainable and not-labor-intensive landscaping in some areas, Jainga suggested, noting that Seattle is now a Bee City and a Bird City, among other things.
Interim Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams elaborated on the cost issue, saying Parks has to make decisions such as, maintain viewpoints or maintain ballfields? Money also factors into those considerations, he said, because organizations pay to use fields, while “views are free.”
The briefing document says Parks is considering using four viewpoints as “pilot” sites to try out whatever they come up with, adding, “This will allow us to ‘course correct’ as necessary before implementation across all designations.” The proposed “pilot” list includes Admiral Way and Hamilton Viewpoints.
WHAT’S NEXT: The Viewpoint Advisory Team is meeting again on October 10th and 24th (6 pm at Parks HQ downtown, open to the public) and after that is expected to return to the Parks Board with a final report and recommendations.
You might know Jim Sander best for his quirky Pigeon Point neighborhood signs. At the 27th annual Southwest Library community art showcase, you can see his salute to a notorious chapter in West Seattle (and beyond) history – if the name Rolf Neslund isn’t instantly recognizable, catch up here. Other art at the show – which you can see at the library during its regular hours for the next month – doesn’t have quite that level of backstory:
Above, the balloons are by Jeff Ferry, the orca by Adrienne Salzwedel. The next work is by John deMars:
Here’s one of the artists on hand for this afternoon’s opening reception, Gordon Miller:
His work is titled “Three Tree Point.” Volunteers served refreshments at today’s reception:
Another component of the showcase: Free all-ages art classes at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) on the next five Saturdays – see the list here!
Three sightings of note, in case you wondered too:
CAMP LONG: We received multiple questions late today about a big gathering at Camp Long that has police directing traffic. Hundreds of members of Ethiopian Orthodox churches from around the region are at the park for the annual observance of Meskel (Finding of the True Cross). The city’s Special Events Committee agenda from August notes that this is an annual event that has “grown to require (a) Special Event Permit.” Erika J. Schultz of The Seattle Times photographed the celebration at Camp Long two years ago (scroll down this page).
BEACH DRIVE: Beach Drive Blog noted a sizable turnout of motorcycle riders at Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook this morning. The occasion: The local edition of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, raising money and awareness for men’s health issues.
PUGET SOUND: Thanks to JayDee for this Saturday photo:
That’s the SS Cape Intrepid, a ready-reserve ship long moored in Tacoma, headed out on sea trials, last seen on the MarineTraffic.com tracker as it entered open ocean outside the Strait of Juan de Fuca last night. (JayDee also contributed a photo of this ship almost exactly nine years ago!)
Our periodic check of files in notable West Seattle criminal cases has turned up a significant development in one: 26-year-old Keelan T. Malone has been found incompetent to stand trial in last June’s burglary/sexual assault near 13th/Roxbury, and sent to Western State Hospital for attempted restoration of competency. We reported in July that the competency evaluation was ordered, two weeks after two charges were filed against him, burglary with sexual motivation and indecent liberties. The evaluation results were presented at a hearing this past week during which Superior Court Judge Sean O’Donnell ordered Malone sent to Western State for up to 90 days. The next hearing in the case is set for December 20th.
2:08 PM: A “rescue extrication” response (formerly “heavy rescue”) is on the way to 47th/Charlestown, where a vehicle is reported to have gone through a fence and overturned. Updates to come.
2:14 PM: Charlestown is closed in both directions at the scene.
2:19 PM: WSB’s Christopher Boffoli is on scene. Vehicle right-side up; photo added. Everyone is out of the vehicle, per SFD. No word on injuries.
2:25 PM: Update from Christopher: “Looks like everyone is out ok with no serious injuries. An eyewitness tells me the car was headed eastbound up the hill and for whatever reason could not make it up and came down backward.” (If you’re indoors – it’s been raining for a while.)
As covered here this past week, the mayor’s budget plan is out and the City Council‘s review is on. One night before the first big public hearing next Thursday, West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold will speak to the Southwest District Council. Besides discussing the budget process (which she is also updating on her website), she is also planning to talk about where the “vacant building” enforcement stands. She’s one of three guests on the agenda for Wednesday’s SWDC meeting, 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building (4217 SW Oregon, upstairs).
(Saturday sunset, photographed by Jamie Kinney)
Welcome to the last day of September! Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, see what’s fresh, in the street in the heart of The Junction. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
VICTOR JANUSZ: Live music at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), 10 am-2 pm. (1936 Harbor SW)
MEET THE CREATOR OF TIMEBANKS: 1 pm at Neighborhood House High Point, as previewed here last week, West Seattle Timebank hosts Dr. Edgar Cahn, who founded and leads TimeBanks USA. All welcome! (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
SELF-DEFENSE CLASS: 1-3 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle – details here including registration info. UPDATE: Class is full. (4217 SW Oregon)
MEET THE ARTISTS: 2-3 pm at Southwest Library, meet your West Seattle neighbors who are showing their work in the 27th annual Southwest Artist Showcase, at its opening reception. Enjoy coffee and dessert while you’re there! (9010 35th SW)
‘NIGHTINGALE’ MUSICAL: 3 pm performance in the chapel at Providence Mount St. Vincent:
In celebration of Florence Nightingale’s 200th birthday, Nightingale by Pamela Gerke brings Nightingale’s story to life through original music and scenes of her life in a 2-act musical that reframes and makes relevant her image for modern audiences.
Thanks to Ted Johnson for the photo from last weekend’s Admiral UCC performance. Admission free. (4831 35th SW)
MARC SMASON: Live music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)
‘SKELETON CREW’: A matinée performance today for the new production at ArtsWest, 3 pm. Check to see if tickets are available by going here. (4711 California SW)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 5:38 PM: After tips (thank you), we went to the 3600 block of 60th SW, in South Alki, where police were on the scene after a person was found dead. So far, it does not appear to be a homicide investigation; after the officer on scene said he couldn’t comment to media, we contacted SPD media relations, and they have no word of a homicide investigation there (or anywhere else). Neighbors told us the body was found by a landscaper who had been working in the sloped back yard of a house while its residents were away this afternoon, near the SW Spokane stairway between 60th and 61st [map]. A vehicle from the King County Medical Examiner’s Office (at right in our top photo) arrived while we were there; it will be up to them to identify the person and determine the cause of death.
8:05 PM: We have just learned from family and friends of Jackie Dupras, the 74-year-old West Seattle community activist missing for two weeks, that they have been told she is the person they found. Jackie’s husband Ed Dupras said the Medical Examiner came to their house this evening to tell him. As we have reported, Ms. Dupras had been diagnosed with dementia. Her husband says authorities believe she may have become disoriented after wandering into that area and unable to find her way out. Family and friends had been searching and posting/sharing flyers since news of her disappearance started circulating week before last.
The photo is from Scott, who found that bike on 26th SW between Genesee and Alaska: “Been here since last last evening [9/28]. Have moved it into my yard on 26th for safekeeping.” Let us know if it’s yours.
(WSB photo)
Thanks to Rae for the tip: The Goodwill donation station in West Seattle will be gone after today. It’s been there for six and a half years, but the site at 4746 Fauntleroy Way SW has since been slated for redevelopment and the project (a 300+-unit, two-building mixed-use plan that cleared Design Review in April) is ramping up. When we went over to confirm after getting the tip, the Goodwill attendant told us they’re closing at 4 pm today, so if you’ve been meaning to take something there – you have just a few more hours. He also said they’ve been looking for a replacement site in West Seattle for months but have yet to find one. With Goodwill’s departure, Northwest Center will have the lone take-donations-to-a-truck spot in West Seattle (4712 44th SW) for now
Big haul last Sunday for the latest Recycle Roundup! Judy Pickens just sent the results:
Despite it being a Seahawk Sunday, the September 23 Recycle Roundup collected 13.5 tons of recyclables – in the top three since Fauntleroy Church teamed with 1 Green Planet in 2010 for this event. An estimated 475 vehicles came through the line to offload all manner of things now on their way back to the resource stream. Watch for the next roundup in April.
(Alki photo by Laura Goodrich, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Sort of a quiet Saturday. So our highlights include some regular weekly events that otherwise usually just linger on our calendar. But first:
TRAFFIC ALERTS: Two reminders – barrier work today closing inside lanes on the Fauntleroy end of the West Seattle Bridge, and scheduled-for-the-entire-weekend work closing the offramp from NB I-5 to the bridge and Beacon Hill.
Now, here’s what’s up:
TAI CHI AT THE BEACH: Just a few more Saturdays to enjoy this free (by donation) class until it goes on hiatus! 9 am near Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza, with teacher Caylen Storm. (61st SW/Alki SW)
SEATTLE DESIGN AND PRINT GRAND OPENING: 9 am-3 pm, visit Seattle Design and Print, a new-and-not-far WSB sponsor, for its grand-opening celebration, including a 20 percent discount on services. (2445 4th Ave. S.)
WEST SEATTLE LINUX USERS GROUP: 9 am, regular every-two-weeks meetup at the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) – details here. (9140 California SW)
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE DROP-OFF: You are invited to be part of the Southwest Library‘s 27th annual Artist Showcase! Today’s the last of three days for you to do that by visiting the library (open 10 am-6 pm) to sign up while dropping off up to three pieces of your visual art. (9010 35th SW)
BIKE CLUB: Meet at Ounces in North Delridge for the weekly hour-or-so-long ride, 12:30 pm. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
(added) ‘LET’S TALK RACE’ SERIES: 1-6 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, another installment in the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association series: “13th and U.S. Policies.”
What is justice? What is freedom? Who decides? This half-day event will explore these questions and the intersections of policy and institutionalized racism through the film “13th.” The film will be screened in two segments, followed by dialogue and storytelling to deepen our understanding of how the 13th amendment and U.S. history play a role in perpetuating systemic oppression.
(4408 Delridge Way SW)
OLG SCHOOL ART WALK: 6-9 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center:
Please join the West Seattle community as we celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe School and amazing local artists as we host our First Annual Art Walk. Tasty food, local beer and wine, and music from the Garfield High School Jazz Quartet will be present for your enjoyment!
Tickets available here or at the door. (3401 SW Myrtle)
HUMMINGBULL: 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), this is the “musical project of Seattle native singer-songwriter Timothy Smith … a lyric-centric songwriter (who) urges the audience to think deep, to ask big questions.” (5612 California SW)
‘SKELETON CREW’: 7:30 pm, the second weekend continues for the new production at ArtsWest. See if tickets are available by going here. (4711 California SW)
WEST END GIRLS … “a Drag Extravaganza,” hosted by Cookie Couture, 8 pm at The Skylark. Lineup and ticket info in our calendar listing. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
WHAT ELSE? See our complete calendar!
The West Seattle High School Wildcats have their first victory of the year after going downtown Friday night to play the Franklin HS Quakers. Final score: 51-8. That’s also the first WSHS win under new-this-year head coach Jeff Scott. Next Friday (October 5th), the Wildcats are home at Southwest Athletic Complex at 7 pm vs. Ingraham.
Big win for Chief Sealth International High School tonight, but the Seahawks didn’t really run away with it until the last quarter of their 40-24 victory over Ballard at Southwest Athletic Complex. Among those cheering in the stands, members of the Sealth Class of 1968, celebrating their 50-year reunion:
The game started in sunshine, and head coach Ted Rodriguez had reason for a sunny outlook right from the start.
Sealth star #8 Dontae McMillan got his first TD with 7:36 to go in the first quarter. With a two-point conversion, the Seahawks led 8-0, and that held until midway through the second quarter, when the Beavers kicked a field goal. It was 8-3 but not for long.
The teams swapped possession shortly thereafter, with Sealth #6 Jalonie McMillan recovering the ball on a fumbled punt, followed by a Ballard interception, and then a safety adding two points for Sealth, bringing the Seahawks’ lead to 10-3 – until the Beavers had a huge TD run with 2:42 to go in the first half, tying the score 10-10.
The Seahawks answered fast with their own big TD run and went into halftime ahead 16-10.
Ballard briefly took the lead with 3:51 left in the third quarter, 17-16. How briefly? Sealth’s Dontae McMillan scored a TD on the kick return. With the two-point conversion, Sealth was up 24-17 and never looked back. They added two more TD-plus-two sets, starting with this one:
Another Sealth TD. With 2-pt conversion, now 32-17 CSIHS over Ballard with 8:10 left in the game. pic.twitter.com/qRJVlee7NI
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) September 29, 2018
And at just under 7 minutes left in the game, the next 6-plus-2 widened the Sealth lead to 40-17. Ballard managed a TD with :22 left but it was too little, too late, and the Seahawks finished with the 40-24 triumph.
That brings Chief Sealth to 3-2 and puts them atop the Metro League‘s Sound Division. Next Friday at 7 pm, they’re on the road, playing Lakeside at Northwest Athletic Complex.
(Texted photo – thank you!)
7:26 PM: A “full response” is arriving at a house in the 9000 block of 17th SW [map]. First crews on scene are seeing “heavy smoke” from a basement window.
7:31 PM: Crews confirm a fire in the basement and have water on it.
7:35 PM: Texted photo added. SFD is searching the house – no word of injuries so far.
7:40 PM: The fire is declared “tapped.”
7:50 PM: Some units have been dismissed. But note that there’s SFD apparatus on both Barton and Henderson in the vicinity, so avoid the area.
8:15 PM: Firefighters at the scene tell us no one is hurt – no one was home when the fire started. Damage is mostly to “contents” in the basement. Cause is under investigation.
6:38 PM: Perfect night for a Wine Walk … second one this year presented by the West Seattle Junction Association, and another sold-out event. More than a dozen Junction businesses are hosting wineries; the WSJA photo above is from CAPERS, where Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) is pouring. (Our other winery sponsor, Welcome Road, is featured too, pouring tonight at Carmilia’s boutique.) Here’s the full lineup. Watch for word of more Wine Walk action next year, and remember to get your ticket(s) early!
8:59 PM: And as it wraps up – from the loft at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor), where the wine was from Mercer Wine Estates:
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
A week and a half after the big news that the Alaskan Way Viaduct will close forever on January 11th, with three weeks of Highway 99-less-ness to follow before the new tunnel opens (and other traffic effects beyond that), the West Seattle Transportation Coalition got a high-level briefing.
Leading that briefing last night: WSDOT’s Viaduct/99 project boss Brian Nielsen, SDOT’s downtown-mobility director Heather Marx, and King County’s Chris Arkills.
There were a few new bits of information – but even the not-so-new info bears hearing over and over as the 99-less period approaches.
Marx began with the overview that getting around the city is about to change – “it’s not going to be super-fun, for a few years” – with the promise that after those “few years,” things will be much better.
She showed the five pillars of how “downtown mobility” will be managed.
She made way for Nielsen, who promised specifics on “what’s going on in the Viaduct program now and the next couple years.” The number 5 figured into his early going, too – 5 things that have to be completed before the tunnel can open.
Just in from SDOT:
Saturday morning, we’ll be closing (the inside lanes along) 500 to 1000 feet of the Fauntleroy Expressway portion of the West Seattle Bridge. Approximately 9 Jersey Barriers struck in a recent vehicle collision must be moved back into their protective alignment.
What you can expect:
Our Roadway Structures team will maneuver and realign the jersey barriers, in an area currently coned and taped off.
September 29 | 7 AM – 3 PM
500 to 1000 feet of WB and EB left lanes of Fauntleroy Expressway, just E of 35th Ave SW
Excited about Halloween yet? You can get in the spirit starting Monday by bringing your dog to Dutchboy Coffee in Highland Park – in costume. (Your dog, not you, although you’re certainly welcome to dress up too.) Dutchboy proprietor Jenni Watkins shares the rules:
To participate, the Pupstomer must be in costume at the shop within the month of October. Each Dogstume (dog in costume) will be photographed at Dutchboy Coffee and will be judged on originality, quality, and pizazz. All pupstomers’ pics will be on Instagram for all to vote.
Jenni adds that there are prizes: “A fancy custom dog collar made by local artist Angelia, a drink for the human, and a picture of the lucky dog in costume on our wall for all to see.” Judging will happen on Halloween, and the winner will be announced November 1st. Dutchboy is on the southeast corner of 16th SW/SW Holden.
Having a Halloween/harvest contest, event, etc.? Let us know – for our calendar and our annual Halloween Etc. event guide, launching soon – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Today, we welcome a new WSB sponsor: Seattle Design and Print, having its grand opening tomorrow.
During the grand opening on Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm, you’ll see the store, meet the Seattle Design and Print team headed by manager Sarif Ahmed, and receive 20% off your order for standard prints and posters just for stopping by.
Sarif says that after 16 years of working passionately for a major print company, “we decided to start our own company. Our own goal is to provide a high-quality, affordable product with the care and dedication that you deserve, without the hassles of the big chain printers.” Seattle Design and Print offers a full line of print products such as posters, signs, and banners, along with copying and graphic design.
Sarif has lived in West Seattle since 2007. He says, “We are proud to be the preferred print provider for the Georgetown Arts and Cultural Center, and look to make many more partnerships that benefit local businesses and organizations.” Seattle Design and Print also offers a full line of banners and he invites all local groups to email or give him a call.
Seattle Design and Print is at 2445 4th Ave. S., Unit 104, open 8 am to 6 pm Mondays-Fridays, 9 am-3 pm Saturdays, 206-535-7955.
We thank Seattle Design and Print for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
Two more West Seattle businesses hit by crime.
(WSB photo)
STARBUCKS BREAK-IN: Thanks for the e-mailed tips on this. The sign above warns customers that the back entrance at the Morgan Junction Starbucks is closed (the store itself is open). Both the store and police confirm the break-in early this morning. The burglar(s) got in by breaking door glass. No other details available so far.
TOSHI’S ROBBERY: After our report last night on a shoplifting-turned-robbery incident at Home Depot on Delridge, a commenter mentioned Toshi’s Teriyaki in Westwood Village had been robbed earlier in the evening. We followed up this morning with SPD; they tell us it was a tip-jar robbery and that a “female suspect … was later located on a Metro bus and taken into custody.”
(Thanks to Al for the photo of one of those ubiquitous, industrious spiders)
Highlights of fall’s first Friday!
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE DROP-OFF: You can be part of the Southwest Library‘s 27th annual Artist Showcase! Today’s the second of three days during which you can stop by the library (open until 6 pm tonight) to sign up while dropping off up to three pieces of your visual art. (9010 35th SW)
FRIDAY AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES: “Good Will Hunting” is this afternoon’s movie at the Senior Center of West Seattle, 1 pm, $1 members/$2 nonmembers. (4217 SW Oregon)
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION WINE WALK: Tonight’s 5 pm-start event is sold out! Just mentioning as a reminder, in case you do have tickets.
FOOTBALL: Chief Sealth IHS homecoming game at 5 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) vs. Ballard. West Seattle HS plays Franklin at Memorial Stadium downtown (401 5th Ave. N.) at 7:45 pm. Also, tonight’s West Seattle Stadium (4432 35th SW) game is O’Dea vs. Seattle Prep, 7 pm.
ALKI SKATING! The Alki Community Center has resumed Friday night skating, 5:45-7:45 pm. (5817 SW Stevens)
EVE AND DAY: 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), “an acoustic duo featuring warm harmonies and a unique chemistry.” (5612 California SW)
‘SKELETON CREW,’ NIGHT TWO: 7:30 pm, it’s the second weekend for the new production at ArtsWest. You can check ticket availability here. (4711 California SW)
LOOK AHEAD TO THE WEEKEND – AND BEYOND! Our complete calendar is back up and running.
9:38 AM: Thanks for the texted photo. That crash is on NB 35th at Thistle. No major injuries, as SFD closed out of the call fairly quickly. We will check on it shortly.
9:53 AM: One of the vehicles hasn’t cleared yet.
| 31 COMMENTS