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year : 2018 3707 results

SEEP STOPPED: Action finally taken at chronic water-on-road spot at California/Orchard
January 19, 2018 9:53 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Utilities | West Seattle news

That long-running sight at California and Orchard in Gatewood – water (or ice, on the December day we photographed it) on the road, coming from the southeast corner – may finally be a thing of the past. It’s been a problem for some time – you can even see it in Google Street View from last fall. Some neighbors contended that it had to be a pipe break of some time, but Seattle Public Utilities investigated and was adamant that its tests showed it was groundwater. That assessment even wound up marked on the sidewalk at the corner:

SPU says it’s a “seep” like so many others around the city, from a water source in the ground – springs, for example. You’ve probably seen them in other spots around West Seattle; one that comes to mind is along California Way between Harbor SW and Hamilton Viewpoint. SPU told us they’ve identified more than 150 “surfacing groundwater” spots around the city, and shared this map:

SDOT and SPU have been collaborating to investigate trouble spots like these, though even once they’ve been identified, finding a way to fix it – and/or the money to do so – can be a challenge.

In the California/Orchard case, neighbors had been working with City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, insisting something had to be done about the chronic water on the road, which also was leading to moss/algae growth on the sidewalk. Initially, the city said all it could do was be sure that SDOT salted/sanded the spot when it froze over. But then came a breakthrough, Herbold reported this week: “Drainage and Wastewater operations staff discovered an abandoned stormwater pipe. This allowed SPU to correct the problem of the water collection because they could use the abandoned stormwater pipe as a connection to newly route the water away from the street surface.” She added that, “The observations of residents in this area monitoring the occurrence of this accumulation of water was critical to the identification of a solution.”

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Car break-in; murder, robbery case updates
January 19, 2018 8:06 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight, starting with a reader report:

FAUNTLEE HILLS CAR PROWL: Kris e-mailed today to report a car prowl earlier this week:

Our car was parked at the corner of 40th Avenue SW and Director SW overnight on January 15. On January 16, I walked out to see the hatch and passenger door ajar. Sometime during the evening the car was prowled. Nothing of significant value was taken and the police were notified … In the past few days, I have recovered some of the items along Barton Avenue SW.

And from the many court cases we are continuing to check on, two updates:

WESTWOOD MURDER-CASE UPDATE: When last we mentioned the two defendants charged in last year’s murder of Edixon Velasquez in Westwood, they were set for trial relatively soon. According to court documents, they have since agreed to have the case pushed back a few months, and in court today, the readiness hearing for Anna Kasparova and Abel Linares was rescheduled for March 23rd, with trial tentatively set for April 25th.

SOUTH DELRIDGE ROBBER PLEADS GUILTY: A plea agreement this week for 22-year-old Aaron K. Knox, one of two men charged last summer with stealing a 58-year-old man’s bicycle at gunpoint in the 9200 block of Delridge Way SW. Knox has no criminal history but pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery; hr will be sentenced February 16th. Court documents say prosecutors will seek to have him sent to prison for three years and five months.

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Sweet art at South Seattle College
January 19, 2018 6:31 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Puget Ridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

A sweet scene in the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Pastry & Baking Arts Department this afternoon. The photo is from SSC’s Ty Swenson, who explained that Chef Instructor Christopher Harris and students were “working on a Chihuly-inspired sugar sculpture for a Chihuly Garden & Glass employee party at the Museum of Flight.” They were scheduled to finish by 5 pm and take it over in time for the party. The department is part of SSC’s renowned Culinary Arts program.

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Sign of the times?
January 19, 2018 3:51 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Development | Seen around town | West Seattle news

We all know development is happening at a fast pace. And in some cases, it’s a bit repetitive – in the 5200 block of California SW, four side-by-side parcels are proposed for nine townhouses each. And we just noticed one parcel has this sign:

(Our favorite reaction on Twitter, where we shared this a little bit earlier: “When templates attack!”)

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LIFE-SAVING LESSONS: Suicide-prevention training for parents/guardians
January 19, 2018 2:55 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Health | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Schools are places where not only can students learn, but also parents and guardians. A potentially life-saving lesson is coming up in a few weeks at West Seattle High School, and it’s so important that we are mentioning it here as well as adding it to the WSB calendar:

On February 7th from 6 to 8 pm, please join us for our first annual LEARN™ Suicide Prevention Training for parents and guardians. The LEARN™ steps are designed to help empower individuals to play a role in recognizing peers, friends, and family who might be having thoughts of suicide, and to know how and where we can refer those individuals to keep them safe. Come learn about how to talk about suicide with your children and their friends! All parents/guardians welcome. This training is offered free of cost. Food and refreshments will be provided.

Questions? Contact Kari Lombard (School Nurse) at KRLombard@seattleschools.org or Mallory Neuman (Counselor) at MLNeuman@seattleschools.org.

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HOUSE ON THE MOVE: Nickel Bros plans Alki ‘rescue’ tonight
January 19, 2018 12:40 pm
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

12:40 PM: Seven weeks after moving an old log house across West Seattle, the “house-rescuing” firm Nickel Bros is about to save another local house. The 55-year-old house in our photo, at 1262 Alki SW, will be trucked off the site around midnight tonight and taken to a barge that will be waiting at Don Armeni Boat Ramp. That means road and parking restrictions for a few early-morning hours – you might already have seen the signs. From here, Nickel Bros tells us, this house will be going to a new owner in British Columbia. It would otherwise have been demolished to make way for the new SolTerra development that’s planned for the site; Nickel Bros says the developer asked them to try to find new owners for other houses at the project site too (including the one in the background of our photo above) – you can see the other listings here.

8:09 PM: In comments, readers have pointed out that this is the former home of Fred and Marjorie Dau, best remembered for Admiralty House Antiques (which closed in 2013 in the North Admiral building that now holds the restaurant Mioposto). We will be on Alki Avenue later tonight to cover the move.

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Alki Community Council: 59th/Admiral; beach signage; more…
January 19, 2018 10:53 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Toplines from last night’s Alki Community Council meeting:

(WSB photo, December 2017)

59TH/ADMIRAL: The ACC discussed the intersection as a followup to recent changes made by SDOT as part of the ongoing Admiral Way Safety Project, as well as advocacy by the Traffic Safety Task Force set up by parents at nearby Alki Elementary. A key point of discussion was getting a full traffic signal – which the parents want – versus keeping the pedestrian-activated light on Admiral and stop signs on 59th. ACC president Tony Fragada will ask that the SDOT project manager come to their next meeting; he’s also hoping to talk with West Seattle-residing at-large City Councilmember Lorena González, who chairs the committee that oversees safety.

NOISE ENFORCEMENT: Jesse Robbins, who initiated the project that eventually led to Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s survey showing a high level of vehicle-noise concerns in the area, was back to visit (backstory is in our coverage of November’s ACC meeting). As previously reported, he and colleagues are working on a potential technology solution to the challenges that police say get in the way of enforcing noise laws (needing to hear/record/prove the violation, for example). He said they’ll be testing at an Eastside park twice in the next two weeks. Meantime, as previously reported, SPD is under orders to report to the City Council in March about enforcement-related issues; Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Ron Smith said those contributing to the report include the City Attorney’s Office, regarding the state of noise laws and how they could be amended, and financially focused personnel to look at how the issue might be addressed in the SPD budget. Robbins says they would like to run a test at Alki this summer, but that depends on how the SPD report turns out.

CRIME TRENDS: Nothing of note to report so far since the start of the year, Lt. Smith said, but 2017 did bring a bigger reduction in crime in the Southwest Precinct than other precincts in the city, he said. (You can crunch crime numbers from neighborhood level to citywide level any time by going here.)

MORE ALKI SIGNAGE? This was a community-member-led discussion on whether Alki might benefit from more signs, whether to remind people about the laws prohibiting dogs on the beach or to educate people about birds in the area (similar to The Whale Trail and Seal Sitters signage about marine mammals). Department of Neighborhoods rep Yun Pitre suggested this could be proposed for funding via the Your Voice, Your Choice process that’s under way now. The ACC will look into having a Seattle Parks rep come to a future meeting to discuss not only signage but also chronic issues with trash pickup at the beach.

The Alki Community Council meets on the third Thursday most months, 7 pm at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds).

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West Seattle Friday: Duwamish River Chocolate Fest, theater, basketball, music…
January 19, 2018 9:09 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Kersti Muul: Harbor-seal pup nicknamed ‘Uno’ by Seal Sitters, snoozing on the West Seattle shore)

Cheerful thought of the day … spring is only two months away. And the weekend is only hours away. Friday highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

JAZZ AT SALTY’S: The Dave Holo Trio performs 5-8 pm at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor) – more here. Music with a view! (1936 Harbor SW)

DUWAMISH RIVER CHOCOLATE FEST: Eat chocolate and drink beer to support the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition! As previewed here, tonight’s the night – 5:30-8 pm at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse and Cultural Center in West Seattle. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

BASKETBALL: Two teams are home tonight – Seattle Lutheran High School, vs. Rainier Christian, girls’ varsity at 6 pm, boys’ varsity at 7:30 pm (4100 SW Genesee); Chief Sealth International High School, vs. Bainbridge, girls’ varsity at 7 pm, boys’ varsity at 8:30 pm (2600 SW Thistle).

THE BREWS BROTHERS: Acoustic folk, rock, and blues at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm. (5612 California SW)

‘PEERLESS’: Second night for ArtsWest‘s new production, directed by Sara Porkalob. 7:30 pm curtain. (4711 California SW)

LOCAL ARTISTS … at The Skylark, 8:30 pm. See the list here. $10 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

AT THE PARLIAMENT: Eli, Night Ships, Western War, performing “Seattle-style indie rock.” 9 pm-midnight at Parliament Tavern. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

WHAT ELSE? See it all here.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday watch
January 19, 2018 7:07 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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

7:06 AM: Good morning. Just checked around, and no incidents are reported in/from West Seattle so far this morning.

SATURDAY ALERT: Whether you are participating or not, be aware that the Women’s March 2.0 will bring thousands to Capitol Hill and downtown tomorrow. Metro has issued this alert, saying it’s adding extra buses as needed on routes including the C Line. Here’s the SDOT traffic alert.

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FOLLOWUP: C & P Coffee Company proprietors still hopeful despite property status changing to ‘pending’
January 18, 2018 9:40 pm
|      36 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

10 days after the owners of 5612 California SW – whose tenant has been C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) since 2003 – put it on the market, a purchase is pending. We checked in with C & P’s proprietors after a reader called our attention tonight to the listing‘s status having changed to “pending feasibility.” Co-proprietor Cameron Moores told us by e-mail that the “pending” offer wasn’t theirs – they also just found out about it this evening. But she says they’re not giving up hope: “Still seems within the realm of possibility … There are so many moving pieces.” And they “are still looking for investors,” which they had been doing even before launching a crowdfunding campaign last week. You can reach them at candpco@comcast.net.

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DESIGN REVIEW: Third meeting ordered for 4417 42nd SW after ‘consistency’ concerns
January 18, 2018 8:25 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(Rendering by Nicholson Kovalchick Architects)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Junction Landing – the apartment building proposed for 4417 42nd SW – will have to come back for a third Southwest Design Review Board meeting.

Concerns about consistency of exterior-material use were a big part of what led to the 4-1 board vote tonight to require another review.

The project plan has 58 apartments and 4 live-work units in a 4-story building, and 29 off-street parking spaces beneath it. It was reviewed by all four members of the current board, chair Matt Zinski, Don Caffrey, Alexandra Moravec, and Crystal Loya, plus past and fill-in board member Robin Murphy. In attendance from the city Department of Construction and Inspections was the project’s assigned planner, Sean Conrad.

ARCHITECTS’ PRESENTATION: Steve Fischer and Chie Yokoyama from Nicholson Kovalchick Architects presented the project (see the design packet here). As Fischer noted, the same local owners/developers built Junction Flats on the same block (separated from this site by the West Seattle Eagles‘ east parking Lot).

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King County Public Health closes Pho Aroma temporarily after illness outbreak
January 18, 2018 5:49 pm
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Health | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

ORIGINAL THURSDAY REPORT: Seattle-King County Public Health announced this afternoon that it has closed Pho Aroma (5605 Delridge Way SW) temporarily because of an illness outbreak. On Tuesday, the department said, it “learned of 3 ill persons from one meal party that became ill after consuming food and beverage from the restaurant on January 13.” While visiting the restaurant on January 17th, the report continues, “investigators identified 2 employees who experienced similar symptoms after the ill customers’ meal date of January 13.” The department’s report continues:

We do not have laboratory confirmation of the pathogen responsible for the illness, but symptoms are suggestive of norovirus. Often in norovirus outbreaks, no laboratory testing is done. The exact food or drink item that caused the illness has not been identified, though this is not uncommon for norovirus outbreaks where multiple food items may be contaminated.

The Health Department adds, “The restaurant is working cooperatively with Public Health; they closed on January 17 to allow time to complete a thorough cleaning and sanitizing of the restaurant.” Department staff will revisit the restaurant before clearing it to re-open. Full details on its investigation are here.

UPDATE: As noted in comment discussion below, the Public Health website notes that the restaurant reopened on January 19th.

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FOLLOWUP: Genesee Hill/Lafayette Elementary boundary changes get School Board approval
January 18, 2018 4:28 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Genesee Hill | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The “Scenario F” proposal to move part of the Genesee Hill Elementary attendance area into the Lafayette Elementary attendance area got final approval from the School Board last night. After a reader question, we just checked and just confirmed that via the recording of last night’s meeting (you can see the unanimous vote here). Current GH students in the affected area will be “grandfathered” if their families want them to stay at that school. The plan is meant to provide some relief for GH, the district’s most populous elementary and now 50+ students over “seat capacity,” per the district, while Lafayette is 100+ students under capacity. More background is in our report from two weeks ago; before the final scenario was settled on, we covered a briefing at GH last October.

P.S. Incoming kindergarteners’ families are asked to enroll them as soon as possible because schools already are making staffing and other decisions – you can do that now. GHES has two tours scheduled – 9 am January 25th and 9 am February 7th. Principal Gerrit Kischner noted in his enrollment-period announcement, “If you do have an older child currently attending Genesee Hill and you live in the zone that is shifting to Lafayette, you must apply for Genesee Hill during Open Enrollment, which runs for a short period between February 5 and February 16th.” Lafayette’s next kindergarten tour, meantime, is on the school calendar for 2:30 pm February 8th.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Car break-in; 2 purse-snatching suspects charged
January 18, 2018 2:54 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

In West Seattle Crime Watch today – first, a reader report:

CAR PROWL: Dennis reports a car break-in overnight on the northeast corner of 8th SW/SW Cloverdale [map]: “Nothing of value in the car.”

Next, a followup:

(Photo tweeted Saturday night by @culinaryfaerie)

JUNCTION PURSE-SNATCHING FOLLOWUP: After reporting this in bits and pieces, we finally have the police report with full details of the circumstances in last Saturday night’s Junction “purse-snatching” incident. It says the victim was sitting in the Junction Starbucks with her laptop and purse on the table in front of her just before 6 pm when three people ran in, grabbed her purse off the table, and ran out with it. The first 911 call said two people including the victim chased after the purse-grabbers. As we reported, police found and arrested three suspects.

The two adult suspects are now charged so we’re identifying them: The police report says 19-year-old Alonso Roman was found about three blocks away, in the alley east of the 4500 block of 41st SW, with the victim’s purse. Police also found a felony arrest warrant for him in a residential-burglary case. In this case, he’s charged with two misdemeanors, theft and receiving stolen property. The other adult suspect, 19-year-old Delino Olebar, was found about a block further east, near Jiffy Lube, and police found three misdemeanor warrants out for him. They say he gave them a false name at first; he is charged with theft and false reporting, both misdemeanors. The juvenile suspect was found on the other side of Alaska, near Bank of America. Roman and Olebar were booked into the King County Jail, and the jail register says they’re still there now; the juvenile suspect was released to his parents. The victim told police the only thing missing from her purse when she got it back was a pair of earbuds.

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SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: Now seeking 2018 performers!
January 18, 2018 12:51 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB file photo)

As mentioned in our coverage of the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s recent meeting, organizers of the ANA-presented Summer Concerts at Hiawatha are gearing up to plan this year’s series. This announcement is just in from Stephanie Jordan:

The Admiral Neighborhood Association (ANA) is now accepting performer submissions for our 2018 Summer Concert Series at Hiawatha Park!

The ANA Summer Concert Series at Hiawatha is a free, family-friendly outdoor concert event held outside the Hiawatha Community Center on Thursday evenings in the summer. The series is produced by the Admiral Neighborhood Association in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Associated Recreation Council, and through the generous sponsorship of community businesses. Last year’s lineup can be viewed on the ANA website.

We are seeking performers for the following dates: July 19th, July 26th, August 2nd, August 9th, and August 16th.

Interested artists should provide:

1. a brief description of your musical style
2. links to website/music/video or other resources that will help us know your music better
3. contact information, including email
4. your fee for a 90-minute set
5. preferred dates (and any dates you are unavailable)

Please send all information to HiawathaConcerts@gmail.com . The committee will accept submissions through February 28th, 2018.

If you or your business is interested in sponsoring the 2018 ANA Summer Concert Series at Hiawatha Park, please contact Dave Weitzel at dave@weitzelconstruction.com.

We would also love to hear from community members! Tell us what you’d like to see more of, recommend your favorite performer or style of music, or just say hello!

You are welcome to comment below with recommendations, and/or e-mail the same address mentioned above – HiawathaConcerts@gmail.com – to reach Stephanie and the committee. This will be the 10th year for the series, launched in 2009!

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BIZNOTE: West Seattle couple opens Uncle Eddie’s in South Park
January 18, 2018 11:15 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   South Park | West Seattle news

A year ago, we reported on the South Park commercial buildings bought and being renovated by West Seattleite John Bennett and business partners. One of the renovated spaces – South Park Hall – was leased and opened by West Seattle entrepreneurs. And today is opening day for another new business with West Seattle proprietors. It’s Uncle Eddie’s, and Michael Goldsmith tells us about it:

Uncle Eddie’s is an all-ages public house located in South Park at the corner of 14th Ave South and Cloverdale. It’s an independent, local family-owned business. My partner Keasa and I live in Highland Park. Keasa is a full-time architect here in Seattle (she did the plans and design) and I have worked for Elliott Bay Brewing Company for the past 17 years, most recently as their Operations Manager.

Uncle Eddie’s isn’t just about beverages – its website notes, “We have partnered up with the uber-talented Chef Jed Lutge to create an excellent menu of drool-worthy appetizers, hearty grilled sandwiches, house-made soups, and salads available for lunch and dinner.” Hours at 8601 14th Ave. S. are 11 am-midnight Sunday-Thursday, 11 am-1 am Friday/Saturday, kitchen open until 10 pm.

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West Seattle Thursday: RapidRide route art walk, Alki Community Council, Design Review for 4417 42nd SW, music, theater, more…
January 18, 2018 10:15 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Tuesday photo by Jim Borrow)

Another day/night with several chances to jump into (more) community involvement – among other possibilities. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

RAPIDRIDE H LINE ROUTE ART WALK: The conversion of Metro Route 120 into RapidRide H Line in 2020 will include public art. This afternoon you’re invited to join neighbors and the chosen artists for a walk/ride along part of the route to brainstorm. Meet at 2:30 pm at Roxhill Elementary School (30th/Roxbury) and/or 3:30 pm at Delridge/Henderson – with a bus ride to Delridge/Trenton inbetween if you want to be part of the entire event. Details here.

TRIANGLE ROUTE TASK FORCE: The Washington State Ferries citizens advisory committee with reps from Fauntleroy, Vashon, and Southworth meets at Fauntleroy Church‘s Fellowship Hall, 4:30-7 pm. UPDATE: Here’s the agenda. (9140 California SW)

WESTSIDE NEIGHBORS NETWORK MOVIE NIGHT: Interested in WNN? Join them for dinner and a movie, 5:30 pm – and you get to help choose the movie! Details including location are in our calendar listing.

DENNY/SEALTH JAZZ CONCERT/FUNDRAISER: 6-9 pm, enjoy the work of talented student musicians from Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School at Great American Diner and Bar in The Junction. Free admission; food and beverages available for purchase, and donations accepted, but not required – more info here. (4752 California SW)

WRITING CIRCLE WITH HUGO HOUSE: 6-7:30 pm support for writers @ West Seattle (Admiral) Library. (2306 42nd SW)

DESIGN REVIEW FOR 4417 42ND SW: Second and possibly final Southwest Design Review Board meeting for ~60-unit apartment complex in The Junction, as previewed here. 6:30 pm at Senior Center/Sisson Building. Includes a public-comment period. (4217 SW Oregon)

WEST SEATTLE TIMEBANK: Learn about timebanking at this month’s meeting! Starts with a potluck at 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building. (4217 SW Oregon)

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm at Alki UCC. Agenda includes an update on the Alki noise-enforcement project, SDOT changes at 59th/Admiral, possible signage improvements at Constellation and Alki Beach Parks. All welcome. (6115 SW Hinds)

PUNK ROCK AEROBICS: Second Thursday night for this new 7 pm class for “all bodies” at Highland Park Improvement Club. (1116 SW Holden)

OPENING NIGHT FOR ‘PEERLESS’: New play at ArtsWest, 7:30 pm curtain, a few seats left as of publication. (4711 California SW)

AT PARLIAMENT TAVERN TONIGHT: 9 pm-midnight, Horse & Tiger – “soul music with absolute power. Featuring members of True Loves.” No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

AND THERE’S MORE! Check our complete-calendar page.

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YOUTH SPORTS: West Seattle YMCA signup time for basketball, indoor soccer
January 18, 2018 9:31 am
|    Comments Off on YOUTH SPORTS: West Seattle YMCA signup time for basketball, indoor soccer
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

We’ve been featuring registration announcements for youth-sports programs – and today, we have two from the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor):

Youth Basketball: 6th – 8th Grades

Extend the winter basketball season and continue to advance your skills with the Y! Master the fundamentals of the game while focusing on sportsmanship, teamwork and building healthy habits that last a lifetime. Sign up here.

Indoor Soccer: Pre-Kindergarten – 1st Grades

Indoor soccer is an exciting, fast-paced sport played in a gymnasium rather than on grass or turf. In this league, players will have the opportunity to sharpen their soccer skills in passing, dribbling, shooting, defense and teamwork. Sign up here.

The seasons run from February 26 through April 21, with one practice during the week and one game on Saturdays. Take advantage of early registration rates by signing up soon!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday watch
January 18, 2018 6:48 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday watch
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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

6:48 AM: The weather has calmed considerably since the early-morning storm; as noted here, almost 100 Arbor Heights homes are without power. As for traffic, we’ve checked around and no incidents are currently reported in/from West Seattle.

POST-COMMUTE NOTE: We monitor traffic around the clock and appreciate hearing about trouble if you see something that’s not already being covered here – when you can call/text safely and legally, our 24-hour hotline is always the best way to reach us immediately, 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Stormy early morning; Arbor Heights power outage
January 18, 2018 1:00 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

1 AM: Just in case you wondered … yes, that was thunder, and lightning. So far we’ve seen at least two big bolts to the west, not long after a short but major downpour. While the basic forecast didn’t mention thunderstorms, they were in the regional “forecast discussion.”

6:40 AM: Thanks for the tip – the City Light map says almost 100 Arbor Heights homes lost power overnight because of a downed tree. The current projected restoration is around 8 am.

7:22 AM Power’s back.

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Morgan Community Association: From HALA and mural money, to where Lowman Beach’s crumbling seawall stands
January 17, 2018 9:41 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The lower-level meeting room at The Kenney was full for tonight’s Morgan Community Association meeting, and everybody there had the chance to vote on some big decisions – including spending thousands of dollars:

MORGAN NEIGHBORHOOD FUND: MoCA has no dues but does have this fund that resulted from the settlement of the neighborhood appeal of the project that became the Viridian Apartments. In settling the appeal, its developers agreed to donate $25,000 to MoCA, though the organization was not a party to the appeal. MoCA has never done anything with the money, but now has two applications for a share of it.

Vice president Phil Tavel presented the applications – one for restoring and protecting the mural behind the California/Fauntleroy Starbucks/Peel & Press/etc. building.

(WSB file photo)
P&P (WSB sponsor) proprietor Dan Austin has been exploring the project for 2+ years; the family that owns the building has committed some money, and told Austin they have no plans to sell the building. The family says it’ll contribute $3,000; the total cost, Austin says, would be about $10,000 – $8,500 with a discount the artist has offered – and he’s applied for $5,000 from the fund.

The other proposal to spend some of the money was for contributing to the HALA Mandatory Housing Affordability Final Environmental Impact Statement citywide-coalition appeal, which MoCA and dozens of other community groups around the city are supporting. The coalition has raised about $15,000 so far; MoCA is proposing contributing $5,000 from the fund.

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What award-winning writer Jesmyn Ward told Chief Sealth IHS students
January 17, 2018 6:42 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle books | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Tonight, award-winning writer Jesmyn Ward, visiting Seattle from Mississippi, is speaking at Benaroya Hall downtown. Local students and teachers got the chance to hear from her this morning at Chief Sealth International High School. The report is courtesy of Sealth faculty member Katie Hubert, who also shared the student-made photograph above:

Jesmyn Ward, two-time National Book Award winner, fielded questions from an assembled group of about 150 students and their teachers.

Ward, a first-generation college graduate, spoke of her youthful self’s academic drive and the encouragement she received from her parents. They wanted her to study “practical subjects” as an undergrad, but, “I didn’t feel the love, you know, when I was studying other subjects. And so, even though I thought I was disappointing my parents, I decided I would study what I love. That’s why I majored in English.”

She said her intention following graduation was to take a couple of years off, then, “take the LSAT, and do something smart with my life.” But life had other plans. “Six months after I graduated from college, my brother died. He was 19 years old, and he was coming home from work, and he was hit from behind by a drunk driver.”

“It was at that moment that everything changed for me. All these concerns I had about what people expected of me because I’d gone to college, all of a sudden those things didn’t matter any more.” She realized she didn’t have “infinite time.”

“Anyhow, I asked myself, if you die tomorrow, or next week, what did you do with your life that would give it meaning, and the immediate response was, writing. I want to write stories.”

She answered questions from students ranging from her favorite authors (James Baldwin and William Faulkner), books she found influential (As I Lay Dying and Their Eyes Were Watching God), and whether her life or formal education were more influential. (Her formal education.) She described her writing process (she doesn’t use an outline), how to combat writer’s block (do an exercise such as having two characters meet at a coffee shop), and how to end a chapter (make sure there’s tension).

Ward won her first National Book Award in 2011 for her second novel “Salvage the Bones,” and her second one in 2017 for “Sing, Unburied, Sing”; she is the first woman to win two NBAs for fiction. She also received a MacArthur “Genius Grant” last year.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Junction business burglarized
January 17, 2018 4:14 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Mason at the Antique Mall of West Seattle e-mailed to say burglar(s) hit the store earlier this week:

The incident occurred sometime between 11:30 pm Monday night and 6:00 am Tuesday morning at the front entrance of the Antique Mall of West Seattle (4516 California Ave SW). The intruders made their way into the store after drilling out the front-door lock. It is suspected that they did not stay long as only the front few cases were disturbed and the number of items reported to be missing is minimal. This does of course further raise concern for potential future attempts at our store and other stores in the Junction as this sort of crime is becoming more frequent.

We have re-keyed the locks and readjusted our security system. Of course we don’t keep any cash in store after hours and we suggest that other area businesses update/increase their security as well.

If you have any information for police, the incident number is 18-019526.

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