day : 18/09/2018 10 results

STILL MISSING: Have you seen Jackie?

TUESDAY NIGHT: It’s now a day and a half since we reported that SPD was asking for help finding missing West Seattle resident Jackie Dupras, and her daughter says Jackie has not yet been found, and they are searching and posting flyers. She is described as “74, diagnosed with dementia and increasing memory issues, 5’3″, 135 lbs., reddish gray hair, green eyes.” Last seen Sunday in North Admiral, in the 1900 block of 46th Ave SW. Call 911 if you have information.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Here’s the poster her family has made:

West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen black eBike

Dennis hopes you can help find his stolen eBike:

On the 10th of this September I was working out at the YMCA at 3622 SW Snoqualmie St and when I went out to the bike rack, the chain had been cut and the bike was gone. I estimate that the theft occurred at about 5 PM on that day.

It’s a 2013 black OHM with a BAFANG motor connection. It says OHM on the frame. It’s a 20” frame with 28” wheels. It has a Topeak bag on the back where the battery is stored. It has a little tiny brass bell on the handlebars and a brown Brooks saddle with a rain cover.

The folks at the bike shop told me that oftentimes someone will ride an eBike and then dump it when the battery runs out since they can’t charge it at that point.

The SPD incident # is 18-341341.

DEVELOPMENT: What happened at West Seattle’s second-ever Early Design Community Outreach meeting

The second West Seattle project to have an early-stage meeting as part of the city’s new Early Design Community Outreach process is 5616 California SW, proposed for eight townhouses to replace a 93-year-old house. As was the case for the first West Seattle project in the process, 1772 Alki SW, the meeting for this one drew a single-digit turnout – three community members. Two representatives of Cone Architecture talked with the three attendees for an hour at the 4 pm Monday meeting in the community room at High Point Library. They said they had sent postcards to nearby residents, as required by the city, including a URL for an online survey about the project, but that had only drawn one response.

One of the attendees, Jim Guenther, suggested it might have been a bigger draw if the project team instead had planned an open house at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), which is next to the project site. (The architects said their firm has been talking with C & P about the project.) The talk was almost as much about the process as the project; one of the other attendees was Deb Barker, president of the Morgan Community Association and retired land-use planner, who suggested that 4 pm on a weekday was not a time many could work with.

The architects did show “massing” renderings for three possible ways the townhouses could be arranged on the site. They also explained that the project is strictly residential, though the site could have had a commercial component too, and that it has five parking spaces because that’s all that’s required given its proximity to “frequent transit” (RapidRide stops nearby). They also said the “exceptional tree” on the site is staying – “we have embraced and want to” protect it. Barker suggested that impervious surface be minimized on the site.

If you’re interested in the project but couldn’t get to the meeting or hadn’t heard about it, you’ll have another chance to comment when the design proposal becomes officially available for Administrative Design Review (no public meetings in that part of the process but the city will announce it in the Land Use Information Bulletin).

(LATE-NIGHT P.S.: Since we published this, a third West Seattle project has been added to the Early Outreach list – 5009 Fauntleroy Way SW, three rowhouse units and three single-family houses. No meeting date yet.)

VIADUCT NOTES: Another Highway 99 closure this weekend; plus, bus routes’ future

Two Alaskan Way Viaduct/Highway 99-related notes on this day after The Big Announcement (WSB coverage here) that the AWV’s permanent shutdown for the tunnel transition (and then demolition) won’t happen until January 11th:

ANOTHER CLOSURE THIS WEEKEND: WSDOT confirms that another Highway 99 closure north of the West Seattle Bridge is planned this weekend, this time northbound, according to spokesperson Laura Newborn. When we checked with her this morning, she was awaiting confirmation on the Friday night (September 21) start time (update: 9 pm), but added that “WSDOT plans to open up the NB ramp at Royal Brougham so NB SR 99 will be accessible after the Seahawks game on Sunday.” That’s assuming the closure doesn’t end early, as last week’s southbound closure did.

BUS ROUTING AFTER THE PERMANENT CLOSURE: Looking ahead to its next “service change” this Saturday, Metro created timetables with information about what happens to the 12 routes that use the Alaskan Way Viaduct, once it closes. Below are the links to PDFs of each timetable and the language each respectively contains regarding rerouting during the Highway 99 closure:

C Line

(During the Highway 99 closure) … the C Line will be rerouted through SODO via 4th Ave S, and via 2nd Ave and 3rd Ave south of Columbia St. The C Line will continue to operate via 3rd Ave midtown.

Route 21

(During the Highway 99 closure) … Route 21 will be rerouted through SODO via 4th Ave S, and via 2nd Ave and 3rd Ave south of Columbia St. All Express service will operate exclusively via 3rd Ave midtown; Local service will remain unchanged midtown

Route 37

(During the Highway 99 closure) … Route 37 will be rerouted through SODO via 4th Ave S, and via 2nd Ave and 3rd Ave south of Columbia St. All Route 37 service will operate via 3rd Ave north of Columbia St during this time.

Route 55

(During the Highway 99 closure) … Route 55 will be rerouted through SODO via 4th Ave S, and via 2nd Ave and 3rd Ave south of Columbia St. Route 55 will operate via 3rd Ave, but otherwise remain unchanged midtown.

Routes 56 and 57

(During the Highway 99 closure) … routes 56 and 57 will be rerouted through SODO via 4th Ave S, and via 2nd Ave and 3rd Ave south of Columbia St. Both routes will operate via 3rd Ave, but otherwise remain unchanged midtown.

Route 113

(During the Highway 99 closure) … Route 113 will be rerouted through SODO via 4th Ave S, and via 2nd Ave and 3rd Ave south of Columbia St. Midtown, Route 113 will shift operation from 1st Ave and 2nd Ave to 3rd Ave.

Route 120

(During the Highway 99 closure) … Route 120 will be rerouted through SODO via 4th Ave S, and via 2nd Ave and 3rd Ave south of Columbia St. Route 120 will operate via 3rd Ave, but otherwise remain unchanged midtown.

Routes 121, 122, 123

(During the Highway 99 closure) … routes 121, 122 and 123 will be rerouted through SODO via 4th Ave S, and via 2nd Ave and 3rd Ave south of Columbia St. Midtown, the three routes will shift operation from 1st Ave and 2nd Ave to 3rd Ave

(added) Route 125

(During the Highway 99 closure) … Route 125 will be rerouted through SODO via 4th Ave S, and via 2nd Ave and 3rd Ave south of Columbia St. Midtown, Route 125 will operate exclusively via 3rd Ave.

Since the timetables have language suggesting that the permanent AWV closure was expected to start around the end of this month, some might be confused, so we contacted Jeff Switzer of Metro, who reiterates, “The printed timetables for the 12 routes that use the viaduct will be accurate at the time the tunnel opens. The interim pathways defined during the closure are set, however, additional bus stops are under consideration. Buses will continue to use the viaduct and their current paths, and riders can expect the same trip duration, until the viaduct closes.” The mention of “additional” stops dovetails with what Metro deputy general manager Terry White said at yesterday’s media briefing, that stops are still being finalized.

FOLLOWUP: The work that’s being done during Southwest Pool’s limited-schedule month

September 18, 2018 5:20 pm
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: The work that’s being done during Southwest Pool’s limited-schedule month
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | Westwood

As reported here Friday, Seattle Parks cut short the planned monthlong closure of Southwest Pool, citing permit/contract trouble. But it’s operating on a limited schedule during the month instead. So what IS being worked on during that time? Parks has updated this post with info, including:

SPR will take advantage of the pool’s reduced operating schedule to conduct a complete interior LED conversion to the facility, including changing approximately 430 fluorescent tubes to LED. This effort will reduce the facility’s lighting energy consumption by 55%. This project will help us meet the City’s goal of reducing energy consumption by 20% by 2020, as set out by the Seattle Climate Action Plan. SPR will complete this project prior to the pool returning to its full operating schedule on Monday, Oct. 15.

The limited schedule, meantime, can be seen here (PDF).

Early equinox-sunset watch! Join Alice Enevoldsen on Wednesday at Solstice Park

(WSB photo, fall 2017 equinox sunset watch)

Though fall doesn’t officially arrive until Saturday, Alice Enevoldsen‘s season-change Autumn Equinox Sunset Watch is happening a few days early – join her tomorrow (Wednesday, September 19) at Solstice Park. As always, it’ll be a fun, free, educational way to celebrate the arrival of the new season. Details are here; directions and map to Solstice Park are here. She’ll be there starting around 6:30 pm regardless of the weather (unless there’s a steady downpour, which is not in the current forecast); the sun is expected to set shortly before 7 pm. (P.S. Here’s why this is happening a few days pre-equinox.)

UPDATE: Employers connect with potential employees @ West Side Job Fair 2018

September 18, 2018 11:46 am
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: Employers connect with potential employees @ West Side Job Fair 2018
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

11:46 PM: Work local! Organizers tell us they have a “steady stream” of potential employees moving through the second West Side Job Fair, continuing until 1 pm at Great American Diner & Bar (4752 California SW) in The Junction.

Above are West Seattle Chamber of Commerce board chair Pete Spalding and CEO Lynn Dennis and WS Junction Association executive director Lora Radford – their organizations are presenting the Job Fair in partnership with WorkSource. Just bring copies of your resumé and get ready to talk with local businesses and organizations who are there hoping to fill more than 100 jobs.

P.S. We’re the West Side Job Fair’s media sponsor, and also want to remind you that year-round, local (West Seattle/White Center/South Park) businesses are welcome to post job listings, free, on WSB – just follow the JOBS link on our site menu.

5:25 PM: 116 jobseekers participated today!

West Seattle businesses: Great Harvest closing in The Junction

Thank you for the tips. That note on the door of Great Harvest Bread Co. in The Junction (4709 California SW) confirms it’s closing. Since it’s closed on Tuesdays, there was no one there to talk with when we went by a little while ago, but the note says:

To all of our wonderful and loyal customers:

After 16 1/2 years in business the time has come for us to hang up our aprons. Due to doubled rent in 2017 and personal family reasons, our family must move on to the next chapter in our lives. We appreciate each and every one of our customers. We have met some amazing friends during our years in West Seattle. We will miss you and we can’t say thank you enough for supporting our family-run business. As we close our doors, it is time for another family-run business to take over and serve this wonderful community. Stay tuned for the details to come.

Friday, September 21st, will be our last day of business. Again, thank you all for EVERYTHING!!!

The Pals Family

Though Great Harvest is a chain, as explained on the West Seattle store’s website, they have operated under a “Freedom Franchise,” explained as “we get to run our business in a way that meets our community’s unique needs.”

West Seattle Tuesday: West Side Job Fair, Dog Days of Summer, WS Crime Prevention Council, more!

September 18, 2018 9:04 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Tuesday: West Side Job Fair, Dog Days of Summer, WS Crime Prevention Council, more!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Great Blue Heron, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Highlights as we wade into your Tuesday!

WEST SIDE JOB FAIR: Bring your resumé – multiple copies – and get ready to interview on the spot as 30+ West Seattle employers interview for 100+ jobs. 10 am-1 pm at Great American Diner and Bar in The Junction. Presented by the West Seattle Junction Association and WS Chamber of Commerce; WSB is the media sponsor. (4752 California SW)

YMCA PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSES: 10 am-11 am and 4:30-5:30 pm, you’re invited to open houses for the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) preschool at the Schmitz Park school building. (5000 SW Spokane) and a 10-11 am open house for the Y’s preschool at the Louisa Boren STEM K-8 building. (5950 Delridge Way SW)

PEDESTRIAN AND MOBILITY FAIR: Geared toward seniors but all are welcome, 11 am-1 pm at Alki Beach Bathhouse, lunch provided. Find out ways to help be sure you can keep getting around! (2701 Alki SW)

DOGS IN THE POOL: Today’s the first session of the Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club‘s annual Dog Days of Summer, with the pool open to dogs after it’s closed for the season to humans. 5-7 pm. (11003 31st SW)

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: First meeting after summer break. Your concerns and questions for local police are at the heart of tonight’s agenda – it’s your chance to bring them up outside of a 911 call. 7 pm at the Southwest Precinct. (2300 SW Webster)

CHIEF SEALTH IHS PTSA: First meeting of the year for the Chief Sealth International High School PTSA, 7 pm in the Confucius Center on campus. (2600 SW Thistle)

UNPLUGGED: All acoustic musicians/singers are welcome! At C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

SEE WHAT ELSE IS UP … on our complete calendar!

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday watch

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

7:06 AM: Good morning! No incidents reported so far in/from West Seattle.