West Seattle, Washington
23 Friday
WSDOT has just gone public with two new videos of/about the Highway 99 tunnel, as its completion and opening approach. The video above is described as work as the double-deck highway inside it was finished. Below, a narrated clip explains the next phase of work:
Now crews are installing and testing the tunnel’s operational and safety systems. It’s a big job. Inside the tunnel there are:
*More than 300 cameras to monitor traffic and security at all times as part of an incident-detection system.
*Automatic ventilation systems designed to keep air quality and visibility high.
*Automated sprinkler systems designed to put out a fire quickly at its source.
Together, these systems will make the SR 99 tunnel one of the “smartest” tunnels ever built. This video explains how the critical air quality and fire safety systems work together:
Read more here.
As we’ve been reporting, and as WSDOT reiterates today, the tunnel *might* open as soon as this fall. When it’s pronounced ready to go, the Alaskan Way Viaduct will be shut down and two to three weeks of work to finish connections to the tunnel will commence. (We reported more about that – and the status of tunnel-toll-decisionmaking – recently here.)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
6:52 AM: Good morning. One transit alert so far this morning – an after-the-fact alert – Metro announced at 6:25 am that the 6:02 am Route 55 bus “did not operate.”
As for traffic incidents, none yet in or from West Seattle.
7:38 AM: Stalled vehicle in outside lane on EB bridge at exit to I-5.
7:55 AM: SDOT says that has cleared.
8:45 AM: Crash reported at Delridge/Orchard. (Added) Metro says this is delaying buses.
The Seattle School Board has announced its three finalists for superintendent, and wants you to be part of the process of figuring out who gets the job.
From left, in district-provided photos, are former Montana state Superintendent of Public Instruction (now a consultant) Denise Juneau, Harrison School District 2 Superintendent Dr. Andre D. Spencer of Colorado, and Ann Arbor (Michigan) Superintendent Dr. Jeanice Kerr Swift. Short bios for all three are here.
On April 4th, the school board expects to vote to start negotiating with its preferred candidate. But before they decide who that will be, here’s how they invite you to weigh in:
*This Thursday (March 29th), 5-8:15 pm, the three finalists will “present and answer questions … sequentially,” as explained here, in a public forum at district HQ (3rd/Lander in SODO). If you can’t be there in person, you can watch on cable channel 26 or via a district-website livestream.
*You’re then asked to use these short survey forms to send in your evaluations of the three:
–This one for Denise Juneau
–This one for Dr. Andre D. Spencer
–This one for Dr. Jeanice Kerr Swift
Here’s more background on the search for a successor to Dr. Larry Nyland, who has been superintendent since 2014, when José Banda left after 2 years.
Thanks to James Bratsanos for the view of tonight’s golden-hearted sunset. Still a bit soon to tell for sure, but the forecast suggests some sunshine for all that fun stuff planned next Saturday.
The report and photos are from coach Rob Wright:
Wanted to pass along the news about our basketball team’s championship (Sunday)! Our girls won the Seattle city championship in the 13-year-old SELECT division out of Hiawatha Community Center. We had an undefeated season, capped off with a 30-15 victory in the championship game versus Magnuson Community Center. The girls did an incredible job all season!
From left to right / bottom to top:
Ciera Jorge, Lauren Wright, Wynn Larsen, Emily Larsen, Katie Williamson, Olivia George, Jadyn Watts, Kaydinse Peirsol, Sophia Hyde, MiQueen Gaines, Coach Rob Wright, Coach Jeff Larsen
Which West Seattle public schools will be included in the district’s BEX V levy, which goes to voters next February as the six-year BEX IV expires? As mentioned here last night, the School Board has a work session coming up Wednesday, in advance of April public meetings – and there’s information of interest in the Wednesday agenda information that has just gone public. The 92-page document full of stats and maps includes two key pages with updates on which schools are under consideration and why:
Priority schools with regards to capacity (needing more room) are on page 48. The list includes four elementaries in our area – Alki, Lafayette, Roxhill, and West Seattle – as well as Madison Middle School:
Priority schools with regards to facilities condition (in bad shape) are on page 54. That list also includes Alki, Lafayette, and Roxhill, as well as the old Schmitz Park, plus Boren STEM K-8.
Roxhill, as we’ve been reporting, is being moved this fall to E.C. Hughes Elementary, which is being remodeled. Alki and Lafayette have long been mentioned as strong candidates for rebuilds. BEX (Building Excellence) levy projects aren’t always rebuilds, though – they also have included, over the years, additions and extensive remodels. You’re welcome to sit in on the board work session Wednesday, 4:30-7:30 pm at district HQ in SODO (3rd/Lander). Then, as also mentioned last night, the West Seattle feedback meeting is set for 6:30 pm Tuesday, April 3rd, at Madison (3429 45th SW). Here’s the full levy timetable, also from the newly released Wednesday board agenda:
• April 2018: Community Meetings Discuss Capacity & Assessment Criteria/Board Guiding Principles
• May 2018: Community Input/Feedback Summary to Board/Planning Team
• June 2018: Home Language Focus Groups Meetings
• June 2018: Community Input/Feedback Summary to Board/Planning Team
• Sept. 2018: Community Meetings to Present Recommended Levies Scope
• Oct. 2018: Community Input/Feedback Summary to Board/Planning Team
• Oct./Nov. 2018: Levies 2019 Public Hearing between Board Intro and Action
• Oct./Nov. 2018: News release on School Board Action
• Dec. 2018: “A Report to the Community” Brochure Distributed to Community
• Jan. 2019: “Levies Information 2019” Brochure Distributed/Posted
• Feb. 2019: News Release on Election Outcome
Election Day will be February 12, 2019.
(WSB photo, taken this morning)
Thanks to Kenneth for the tip that the sign’s up at EC Hughes Playground (2805 SW Holden), where play-area renovations are starting soon. We first reported last fall that Seattle Parks decided the play equipment needed to be replaced, after inspections done following the discovery of wood damage in a similar structure at Lincoln Park South Play Area.
The sign does not mean work at EC Hughes is starting soon, though. We checked in with Parks’ project point person Libby Hughes, who tells WSB that two public-outreach meetings are planned, in April and June (dates/times/locations soon), and construction is expected to start this fall, “after school starts.” The goal of the project, she says, is “to renovate the play equipment with structures that meet current safety standards and are accessible to children of all abilities, ages 2-5 and 5-12 years, and to make some ADA improvements for access to the play area.” The EC Hughes wading pool is not involved in the project. Hughes adds that she’s also working on yet another play-area renovation in West Seattle, “similar scope and timeline” – Puget Ridge Playground (6029 21st SW). More details on that one soon.
The photo above is from an unexpected followup to a recent West Seattle Crime Watch reader report. At right is Yzzy, whose mom Alex reported a smash-and-grab during their regular Saturday morning Morgan Junction coffee run – taken from the wheel well was a special World War II aviation-themed bag that Yzzy cherished. At left in the photo is Deb, who had read the report and subsequently e-mailed to say:
I work at Vulcan (Paul Allen’s company) and we have a WWII museum, Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum in Everett. I reached out to our team there and they have come through with a gift bag for Alex’s daughter (see photo). We hope this gift bag, including 4 passes to the museum, will brighten her day and reaffirm there are good folks out here in the world!
So we connected them, and requested a followup report, which Alex sent after their Saturday morning meetup. If you recognize Yzzy, her mom explains why:
Yzzy was so happy with all the gifts from the Vulcan folks. Deb was wonderful – one of those people that really listen & talk with & connect with younger folks. It just filled my heart up to watch them chat. I made a connection with a West Side neighbor as well – something that is hard for me, as I’m not much of a people person.
Deb even recognized Yz from the Blog posts of bake sales for disaster relief over the years – and offered to help bake for the next fundraiser.
We talked about Yzzy’s love of WWII planes, her great-grandfather being part of the 82nd airborne & the Market Garden operation. (Ever see “A Bridge Too Far”?)
Deb told us about all the things Vulcan does and the WWII ship recently discovered by their endeavors (of course – Yzzy knew the name & that it had been part of the Midway operation).
We’re planning a family trip up to the Everett Flying Heritage Museum in a month or two & promised to take pics & let Deb know about that adventure.
The negative of the smash & grab turned around into such a positive! An affirmation of our wonderful West Seattle community. Thank you Deb. Thank you Vulcan. Thank you West Seattle Blog.
And a few words from Yzzy herself:
When I got my bag stolen, I was kind of in shock. Since I had never had that sort of thing happen to me before, I didn’t know how to react. When my mom told me about Deb & Vulcan, I couldn’t be happier!
Knowing that someone, and their co-workers, went out of their way to do this for me, makes me want to do this sort of thing when I grow up.
(As her mom mentioned – and as we have covered over the years – Yzzy’s giving nature already is in evidence.)
(Tug and barge passing Alki, photographed by Jim Borrow)
Quick look at highlights for the rest of your West Seattle Monday:
DINE OUT TO HELP THE HELPLINE: All day – until closing at 10 pm – MOD Pizza‘s new West Seattle restaurant is giving a portion of proceeds to help the West Seattle Helpline. Just show the special flyer, which you can do via your phone – it’s linked in our calendar listing. (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW)
LAST CHANCE TO REVIEW LOCAL PARK/STREET $ SUGGESTIONS: The fifth and final District 1 meeting for you to look at potential local projects in Your Voice, Your Choice – ideas for spending city $ on streets/parks. Just stop by Southwest Library between 5:30 and 7:30 pm. Here’s the list of what you’ll be considering. (9010 35th SW)
FAMILY STORY TIME: 6:30-7 pm at High Point Library – bring kids of all ages. Free and fun. (35th SW/SW Raymond)
HOLY WEEK SERVICES: Our seasonal list includes services throughout the week, from the churches that have sent us their schedules – not too late for us to add more (send info ASAP to editor@westseattleblog.com).
Hunger is no match for generosity. Local youth-soccer organization Highline Premier Football Club is hoping you can help reach a goal, by filling a goal:
On Wednesday, March 28th from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm, help HPFC fill an entire soccer goal with non-perishable food items. Players and families throughout the evening will accept your donations outside Walt Hundley Playfield, located at 3200 SW Myrtle Street, and just blocks from the West Seattle Food Bank. Simply drive up, give, and go.
Tryouts begin April 24th for players born 2009-2010 and run through the beginning of May for older age groups. For the complete tryout schedule and to register, visit highlinepremier.com/tryouts.
HPFC is the official Premier Development program of Highline Soccer Association (HSA) and the place for players looking for a year-round soccer experience. HPFC welcomes athletes looking to elevate their soccer experience, in an environment focused on individual development, advanced technical training, fluid team play, and engagement in community.
HSA represents more than 4,000 youth soccer players from the communities of Des Moines/Midway, Sea-Tac, West Highline, and West Seattle. The Association is made up of two Recreational Soccer Clubs, West Seattle Soccer Club and Highline Soccer Club; a Select Soccer Program, HSA Select; and the Premier Development program, Highline Premier Football Club.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
6:55 AM: Good morning and welcome to a rainy Monday morning. No incidents reported in or from West Seattle so far. But there’s a ferry alert – the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is down to 2 boats:
The #3 vessel Issaquah is out of service with a steering issue until further notice. The following sailings are canceled: 6:40 am from Vashon, 7:05 am from Fauntleroy, 7:30 am from Vashon to Southworth, 7:55 am from Southworth, 8:15 am from Vashon, and the 8:45 am from Fauntleroy. Two-boat service on the regular schedule is in effect until further notice.
(Two LimeBikes, photographed at Seacrest this week)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
You’ve seen them. Maybe you’ve even taken rides on them. Seattle’s bike-share bicycles were one big topic at this month’s West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting, which also included discussions of the money that’s not being spent (yet) on the on-hold Fauntleroy Boulevard project, and light-rail planning.
First, the bike-share briefing, with SDOT’s program manager Joel Miller, who started with some backstory, going back to the scrapped docked-bike program Pronto: “One of the big lessons learned from Pronto is that you don’t launch a bike-share system in Seattle in October.” So the new dockless bike-share program launched in July and is still in a pilot period, with three companies: LimeBike (green), Spin (orange), and oFo (yellow). You can take the bicycles door to door, or, for example, “door to transit.”
They started with 500 bikes and now have about 10,000 bikes on the street, according to Miller.
(WSB photos)
Big birthday party this afternoon at Highland Park Improvement Club for a longtime community mainstay – Martha Mallett celebrated her 90th birthday! After a few warm words for partygoers, led them in a cheer of sorts:
She’s been involved since the 1950s with the historic community center, which is getting close to its centennial.
Highland Park-residing City Councilmember Lisa Herbold was among those at HPIC to honor Martha.
The councilmember read a special city proclamation declaring today “Martha Mallett Day” and detailing Martha’s many accomplishments:
As the proclamation noted, Martha’s decades of involvement with HPIC date back into the 1950s! Memorabilia including photos were on display at the party:
She was also serenaded with “What a Wonderful World.”
P.S. Due in no small part to Martha’s efforts, collaborating with neighbors, HPIC remains a thriving community organization/center to this day, with a variety of weekly and monthly events you can browse here.
When voters passed Seattle Public Schools‘ BEX (Building Excellence) IV levy in 2013, it included money for the new Genesee Hill and Arbor Heights Elementaries. In 2007, BEX III funded the Madison Middle School (3429 45th SW). Before that, the school board gets a briefing this Wednesday (March 28th) on where the levy-planning process stands. Last public discussion of what might be in BEX V was back in December, at which time, we reported, six West Seattle school sites were being considered for “major projects” – Alki, Boren STEM K-8, Lafayette, Madison, Roxhill, and Schmitz Park. Here’s the district announcement of the April 3rd community meeting (6:30-8:15 pm), with info on how to comment if you can’t be there.
Community-council meetings and district-council meetings are seldom “vote on something” type meetings. Far more often, the centerpieces are “did you know?” type presentations, as well as a chance for community advocates to share what they’re up to. And those were the components of this month’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting last Wednesday night at Highland Park Improvement Club.
Though the weather was better than the night of the February meeting – when snow was falling (remember?) – the turnout was lighter. Chair Mat McBride had booked one main guest, from an organization we hadn’t previously heard of, though it’s been active for some 30 years:
KING COUNTY DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTER: Nilda Brooklyn visited to talk about the two main things this organization does: Direct mediation services (inside and outside the legal system), and training.
(Images courtesy West Seattle Garden Tour)
Only three months until this year’s West Seattle Garden Tour – and today, the WSGT has just unveiled the art you’ll see on this year’s poster:
West Seattle Garden Tour announced today the artwork titled Garden Fantasia [photo above] by Edgewood artist Doreen Koch Allen [photo right] has been selected as the winner of this year’s annual art competition.
Ms. Allen is best known for her exuberant, color-infused paintings. Working primarily in watercolor and mixed media, inclusive of pastels and acrylics, her creations are often whimsical and playful. Ms. Allen’s deep love of nature and its offerings of detail, pattern, texture, and color are elements often found in her work. Frequently she listens to music while painting outdoors, surrounded by her extensive gardens, which will usually influence the direction of her artwork.
Her process for Garden Fantasia involved painting many successive layers to establish an interesting underpainting. From that point, she pulled out desired images through negative painting, bringing to the forefront the resulting positive shapes, blooms and botanical elements. The 40” high x 30” wide piece was painted in acrylics and uses a variety of found objects to imprint the canvas, replicating interesting textures found in nature.
Garden Fantasia will be featured on the 2018 Garden Tour’s official poster and ticket book. Ms. Allen will also receive a $500 cash prize. West Seattle Garden Tour will auction the artwork on the day of the tour, Sunday, June 24, 2018. Bids will be taken in one of the gardens from 9 am to 5 pm. Proceeds will benefit the year’s designated beneficiaries, which will be announced in early April.
Thanks to Porter Hammer for the report and photos from the West Seattle High School baseball team’s most-recent win, including an explanation of a factor unique to WSHS home games:
West Seattle High School varsity baseball got the win versus Seattle Prep this past Friday March 23rd. They won 4-3 in a back-and-forth battle. Kai Osaka had a hit that looked like a home run, but the umps didn’t see it that way, so it was ruled a “Hiawatha Double”…but he later scored on a Jordan Berridge deep sacrifice fly.
Alex Pastrana [fielding in above photo] did hit a home run, and it was the go ahead run that won the game. Very solid pitching by Anthony Coats [top photo] and Jackson Sullivan closed it out. Sullivan got the team on the board with a RBI, and later Ulysses Hammer had an RBI “Hiawatha Double.” Jaquan Buchanan made a clutch catch in centerfield to end the game.
This was the first Metro League win that counts in the standings for new WSHS Head Baseball Coach Bryan Tupper. The team is now 3-1 on the year after dropping a heartbreaker at Garfield High School earlier in the week.
Note: A “Hiawatha Double” is the nickname for a ground rule for High School baseball games played at Hiawatha. Because there are no fences like a typical field, if the baseball is hit inside of the running track that circles the field and then rolls out, the team playing defense throws up their arms and the hitter/baserunner must stop at second base. The team is considering use of the temporary fences in the future, but for now they play without them until a decision is made.
The team’s next home game is tomorrow (Monday, March 26th) at Hiawatha (2700 California SW, just north of WSHS), vs. Franklin HS. See the full season schedule – including past results – here.
Not everyone is kicking back on this Sunday morning! Sam sends the photos from Highland Park Elementary, explaining what the people in the photo above were warming up for:
After 4 years of work, phase one is finally nearing completion on Highland Park elementary’s new playground plan. We are moving wood chips into place as we await the contractor to finish pouring concrete.
Those years of work that Sam mentioned have included volunteer work, community fundraising, and grant-seeking – all so the kids have a better place to play.
(Barred owl in Fauntleroy Park, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
First Sunday of spring! From our calendar and inbox …
VIADUCT *NOT* CLOSING: As announced Saturday afternoon, the inspection is done and there’s NO closure today.
PALM SUNDAY SERVICES: Our West Seattle Easter Etc. guide includes listings from many local churches, today through Easter. (And we’re still adding – please e-mail info to editor@westseattleblog.com.)
WEST SEATTLE LITTLE LEAGUE: 9 am is the start of the second day of play for WSLL, and you’re invited to see the Minors and Majors teams as the Jamboree continues today until about 7:30 pm. Bar-S Fields are on Alki Point. (64th SW/SW Admiral Way)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: First market of spring, 10 am-2 pm in the street in the heart of The Junction. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
INTERSECTIONS FESTIVAL – WORKSHOPS AND PERFORMANCES: The final day of the first-ever Intersections Festival at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center includes workshops at 12:15 pm as well as two performances – noon and 1:15 pm. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
LANE NORBERG: His Under the Trees Spring Tour stops at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) 3-5 pm today. (5612 California SW)
‘HIR’ FINALE – SOLD OUT: Just in case you were thinking of going to the closing performance of “Hir” at ArtsWest at 3 pm today, sorry, we checked and it’s sold out as most recent shows have been! (4711 California SW)
MEMORIAL BONFIRE: Dealing with the loss of a loved one? Providence Hospice of Seattle invites you “to gather for a Memorial Bonfire at Alki Beach Park to share stories and remember loved ones who have died.” 6-7:30 pm at the fire pits near the Bathhouse. (2701 Alki SW)
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE CHOIR CONCERT: Free concert at 7 pm at Olympic Hall on the south end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. Program details here. (6000 16th SW)
THERE’S MORE … on our complete calendar.
That’s a photo tweeted by Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best showing West Seattle resident Emilia Allard, co-coordinator of Saturday’s Seattle March For Our Lives, onstage at Cal Anderson Park. As you’ve probably heard, the march from Capitol Hill to Seattle Center was peaceful and uneventful. Other West Seattleites were there too – Kevin Callahan sent this photo:
Ebony Lee sent this photo of a group from Sanislo Elementary on Puget Ridge:
And this photo is from before she headed to the march, with a sign bearing a message many of the adult participants exhorted:
As for what the crowd was like, PNW Medium Format posted a time-lapse on YouTube, from video recorded at 4th and Pine; also via YT, aerial video from KING 5. The march in Seattle was one many coast to coast in support of the main march in Washington, D.C., which was led by students who survived last month’s massacre in Parkland, Florida; here’s a satellite photo of the D.C. event.
WHAT’S NEXT? The March 14 walkouts (WSB coverage here, with 13 local schools represented) and Saturday’s marches were the only events planned – now organizers and supporters vow to push for their legislative priorities, listed here.
8:05 PM: At HQ here in Upper Fauntleroy, we lost power a few minutes ago for something more than a flicker. Checking around on Twitter, other areas – Morgan Junction, South Delridge, Gatewood, for starters – confirmed it happened there too. And via scanner, we’re hearing a report of something that sounded like “an explosion” near Delridge/Thistle – emergency responders are checking.
8:18 PM: Still a mystery. We went to Delridge/Thistle to look around, nothing in view, power on. No outages have turned up on the SCL map. Strange because in our decade-plus of tracking outages, almost invariably, a flicker in one place accompanies an outage elsewhere. We’re attempting to reach a City Light spokesperson.
8:31 PM: Just talked to an SCL spokesperson. They don’t know what caused it either, but have crews headed this way to investigate.
9:35 PM: City Light says their crews found out what happened: “The cause was due to a blown lightning arrester (equipment failure).”
In blue, meet your Southwest Lacrosse Club Titans girls’ team, taking the field for the first time ever, this morning at Pathfinder K-8 on Pigeon Point.
As reported here earlier in the week, it’s a relaunch of the Titans’ girls’ program, and all the players are from West Seattle.
It was a spirited game – and it ended with the Titans on the losing side against the Wolfpack (in purple), whose girls won 6-5, but you could argue the new team, coached by Ayesha Cochran, is a winner, no matter what.
4:29 PM: Just in from WSDOT via Twitter: The Alaskan Way Viaduct has reopened early, and its inspection is fully finished, so NO closure will be needed on Sunday.
6:37 PM: And in case you’ve missed our recent reports of government officials saying the Viaduct’s permanent shutdown might be as close as September, something similar is reiterated in the WSDOT news release about the conclusion of today’s inspection: “These twice-yearly inspection closures help make sure the road remains safe for drivers until the new SR 99 tunnel opens. The new tunnel may open as early as this fall.”
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