West Seattle, Washington

18 Thursday

55℉

day : 16/01/2019 9 results

SCREENING: ‘Crazywise’ at Highland Park Improvement Club on Friday
January 16, 2019 10:40 pm
|    Comments Off on SCREENING: ‘Crazywise’ at Highland Park Improvement Club on Friday
 |   Health | Highland Park | West Seattle news

“It’s a mythology to think there’s the ‘normal’ and the ‘abnormal’.” So says one of the people you’ll hear from in the feature-length documentary “Crazywise,” directed by Phil Borges and Kevin Tomlinson. It’s screening at Highland Park Improvement Club this Friday night (January 18th). For $10 at the door, you’re invited to:

7:00 PM: Mix & Mingle (light hors d’oeuvres provided, beverages for purchase)
8:00 PM: Screening of CRAZYWISE
9:30 PM: Discussion & Q&A w/ Director Phil Borges

About the Film:
What if a psychological crisis was seen as having the potential to be a positive transformative experience, instead of a “broken brain”? Human-rights photographer Phil Borges witnessed how indigenous cultures around the world often identify “psychotic” symptoms as an indicator of shamanic potential. Back in the US, Phil follows two young Americans diagnosed with mental illness.

HPIC is at 1116 SW Holden.

Share This

Remembering Paul F. Gaige, 1940-2019
January 16, 2019 8:01 pm
|    Comments Off on Remembering Paul F. Gaige, 1940-2019
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

The family of West Seattle native Paul F. Gaige is sharing this remembrance with the community:

Paul Fritz Gaige
05/28/1940 – 01/13/2019

Paul Fritz Gaige went to Heaven filled with light and joy to be in the presence of his Savior at 9 pm on Sunday 01/13/19 at Columbia Lutheran Home in Seattle.

A West Seattle native, Paul was a Boy Scout in 1952 and was included in a Time Capsule event at Alki Beach’s Statue of Liberty constructed as part of a national campaign to recognize the 40th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. This time capsule is to be opened in 2052.

Leaving West Seattle HS early, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1957 and served on the U.S.S. Frontier in Long Beach, CA, San Diego, CA, Australia, and Okinawa, Japan. He then relocated to San Jose, CA in 1962 and 10 years later became an Insurance Investigator in Hong Kong. Returning to Seattle in 1974, Paul had a career at Bethlehem Steel Mill in West Seattle and learned the art of Kung-Fu in Seattle’s Chinatown. After the Steel Mill closed down, he returned to college and became a Graduate of Seattle University with a degree in Criminal Justice while an active member and President of the Honors society. In the 1990s he began a new career as the Director of Social Services Program for DARP, a Drug, Alcohol and Recovery Program in Pioneer Square, Seattle changing the lives of thousands of people, assisting with housing and resources to stay safe and sober. The Seattle Union Gospel Mission’s “Ed G” remembers Paul Gaige’s work at DARP as a program that “broke most people’s hearts” as it “was for the ultimate broken men dying of alcoholism.”

His mother was Mrs. Glenavier Cady Marks Gaige (1917-1997), active in the West Seattle Eagles and Eastern Star and wife of Mr. Judson Melvin Gaige (1908-1976), former Boeing Supervisor who also enjoyed being active in the Eagles Club and Freemasons in the 1950s through 1970s.

He is survived by two sisters, Nancy Gaige Jones and Gail Gaige Cochran, a niece in Boston, a niece in Texas, a nephew in Germany, 5 children (Michael Gaige deceased in 1974) former wife Elena, 7 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make an online donation to the Seattle Union Gospel Mission or volunteer at your local homeless shelter in his remembrance.

His son Nick Gaige would like to thank the the staff at Columbia Lutheran Home, Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue, ICU at Issaquah Swedish Hospital, Veterans Administration Seattle, VA RN Jacqueline Hurd, VA Dr. Simha Reddy, VA Social Worker Kim Brown, Providence Hospice team RN Pamela Simpkin and Social Worker Chisako Wells, who took great care of him in his final season of life.

Special thanks to Pastor Jon Smith of City Church/ Churchome Seattle, Traci Jones with Champions Centre Tacoma/Bellevue, Law Offices of Jenny Ling PLLC, Carol with CookiesByCookies, Karl Kamakahi with LeafChews Seattle, Chaplain Mary Lindberg and Rev. Earl Grout of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle.

Funeral services will be held at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

Share This

Learn about SR3 @ Thursday’s Alki Community Council meeting
January 16, 2019 6:45 pm
|    Comments Off on Learn about SR3 @ Thursday’s Alki Community Council meeting
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo by David Hutchinson)

Maybe you’ve noticed that distinctive vehicle in and around West Seattle. Find out more about the organization behind it at tomorrow’s Alki Community Council meeting. Here’s the announcement:

The next regular monthly meeting of the Alki Community Council will be held Thursday (1/17) at the Alki UCC Church, 6115 SW Hinds, 7–8:30 pm.

Included on the evening’s agenda will be a presentation by Casey Mclean, Executive Director and Veterinary Nurse of SR3 (SEALIFE Response, Rehab and Research). The group’s mission is to improve the health and welfare of marine wildlife in the Pacific NW, and one of the ways they are doing that is by building the first rehab center dedicated exclusively to marine animals in this region. Current plans are for the facility to be located on Harbor Avenue south of Salty’s.

Casey assisted with and performed necropsies on a number of the shot California sea lions that washed ashore in West Seattle late last year.

SR3 is online at sealifer3.org. Also on tomorrow’s ACC agenda: Two HALA Mandatory Housing Affordability items affecting Alki.

Share This

POST-VIADUCT PM COMMUTE #3: Wednesday afternoon/evening updates
January 16, 2019 3:45 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times / WS-relevant traffic cams / Water Taxi schedule, other helpful info HERE)

3:45 PM: We’re on PM commute watch now. Trouble spot reported by Jim Edwards:

SB West Marginal way down to one lane approaching Highland Park Way. Construction material spill (chunky mud) covering Left GP and left turn lane. Sweepers and Commercial Enforcement on scene.

4:39 PM: No incidents of note but general assessment, I-5 traffic is heavy both ways.

4:56 PM: Not an unusual alert from Washington State Ferries, but since we’re tracking the PM commute: “There is an estimated 60-minute wait for drivers departing Fauntleroy due to heavy vehicle traffic boarding the vessels.”

5:27 PM: And now, no extended wait. … The “low bridge” is closed right now so maritime traffic can pass through. Remember that the PM period when the Coast Guard agreed to limit bridge openings is 2-5 pm.

5:44 PM: After about 20 minutes of being closed to surface traffic, the low bridge has reopened.

Share This

WEDNESDAY UPDATES: From today’s post-AM-commute media Q&A call – train trouble, construction progress, gratitude …
January 16, 2019 2:34 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news

From today’s daily media conference call with transportation-agency reps:

THE TRAIN DEBACLE: SDOT’s rep on the call, Matt Beaulieu, says they’re still sorting out what exactly factored into this morning’s BNSF blockage on lower Spokane Street (tracked in our morning traffic coverage). He and Metro rep Jeff Switzer acknowledged that the agencies were not given a heads-up by BNSF that the blockage was about to happen – their first word, Beaulieu said, was from police on the ground, who helped divert traffic away from the blocked section of lower Spokane as best they could. They’re “still working on the relationship,” he said, saying they “did make a connection today” and are in “a dialogue.” We had asked SDOT’s Heather Marx about BNSF coordination during last week’s pre-Viaduct-closure City Hall briefing, and she had said that, unlike the limited low-bridge openings deal with the U.S. Coast Guard, they had no deal with BNSF.

METRO AND WATER TAXI: Switzer noted the delays caused by the train situation, and otherwise described delays systemwide as ranging between 10 and 35 mites this morning. Overall, more riders are catching buses earlier. They’re also seeing increased call volumes at Metro’s call center, so if you call with a question and hear what might be a long wait time, there’s an option to request a callback rather than waiting on hold.

(WSB photo from Seacrest this morning)

The Water Taxi had another triple-last-year day on Tuesday, with 2,520 riders overall, but still plenty of capacity, both on the boats and in the temporary Pier 2 free parking.

CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS: WSDOT‘s Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program deputy administrator David Sowers said the on- and off-ramp areas at Royal Brougham have been “completely excavated,” and that the offramp to Dearborn – which isn’t projected to be ready to open until at least a week after the tunnel does – “continues to progress very well” too. Today they’re paving the Dearborn connection to 1st Avenue, where part of the south end of the elevated Viaduct was demolished last weekend; striping work was on today’s agenda too. The dry weather has been “very helpful” and they’ve completed most of the needs-to-be-done-in-dry-weather work – but if the rain that’s expected tomorrow and beyond isn’t a major deluge, the work “will not be affected.” Sowers also invited everyone to keep checking out the construction cams.

YES, THAT WAS A CAR ON THE VIADUCT … but not an unauthorized car, explained WSDOT’s Laura Newborn – it was a security vehicle. Please stay off the Viaduct until the planned February 2-3 celebration, WSDOT reiterates.

COMMUTE TRENDS OVERALL: Today, around the region, saw trends similar to Monday and Tuesday – people traveling earlier, and higher travel times than usual in the earlier hours as a result. Tomorrow’s expected rain could affect things dramatically. But otherwise, keep up the good work, all stressed – “people are doing a little bit of everything” and that’s what’s really helped, some buses, some light rail, some Water Taxi, some time-shifting, some working from home, it’s all adding up, and particularly if you can keep doing things differently, you’re making it a little less hellish for those who absolutely can’t.

Share This

Goodwill launches pickup service for part of West Seattle
January 16, 2019 1:39 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Almost four months after its dropoff spot closed because of impending redevelopment, Seattle Goodwill has just announced it has launched pickup service in part of West Seattle – zip codes 98116, 98126, 98136 (updated) 98146. (Here’s a zip-code map.) “The simple act of cleaning out your closets and donating to Goodwill will help others with free job training and education programs,” says Goodwill, which will make pickups between 9:30 am and 2:30 pm, on days you can schedule in advance by going here. The items have to be left outside your residence; the driver can’t go inside. Also, if you want to schedule a donation pickup for a business, school, or church, they ask that you call instead – 206-583-8099. Here are the guidelines for how to get your donations ready.

Share This

8 for your West Seattle Wednesday
January 16, 2019 12:33 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Jim Borrow – 10 am view from Upper Alki)

Busy morning so our highlight list is a bit late, but it’s all happening tonight:

FREE GROUP RUN: Celebrate one more night of good weather by running with West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor). Meet at the shop at 6:15 pm. No charge. (2743 California SW)

KIWANIS OPEN HOUSE: 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle:

Members of the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle invite you to our OPEN HOUSE. It promises to be an evening of camaraderie, refreshments, and information about the role of Kiwanis in our community. Please join us to learn how you can help local children through an established international organization. Program starts at 6:30 and ends by 7:30 PM.

(4217 SW Oregon)

YOUNGSTOWN TALKS LIGHT RAIL: Residents of North Delridge’s Youngstown neighborhood organized a community-specific briefing with Sound Transit, 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm quarterly meeting at The Kenney (WSB sponsor) – agenda information is in our calendar listing. All welcome. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

WORDSWEST LITERARY SERIES: 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor)!

We’re hosting exciting young writers E. J. Koh and Juan Carlos Reyes, who will muse on “Past and Future Selves”: the intangible apparitions that haunt our everyday lives. Our Favorite Poem will be provided by local physical therapist Fawn Coussens, whose business is located in the Junction next to Than Brothers Pho.

Free, all welcome. (5612 California SW)

OPEN MIC: Sign up at 7, perform at 7:30 at Great American Diner and Bar. Alan Sobel hosts. Free. (4752 California SW)

‘CLUE’ AT WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL: As previewed here Tuesday, tonight’s your first of three chances to see the student-directed production at WSHS, 7:30 pm curtain, $10 admission at the door. (3000 California SW)

PARLIAMENT TAVERN TUNES: Tonight at 9 pm, Grateful Dead Jam! “Core quartet with guests and surprises! Come early to sign up.” No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

THERE’S MORE … see it all on our complete calendar.

Share This

VIDEO: Seattle Police report breakthrough in last year’s Luna/Anchor Park-area murder
January 16, 2019 9:44 am
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(June 2018 WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)

Seattle Police have just released a video that says they’ve made a breakthrough in last June’s murder of 22-year-old Jonathan C. Pecina near Luna/Anchor Park. Pecina was stabbed to death after what police described then, and again now, as an argument with someone else. In this new video updating the case, SPD has a direct message to the killer: “This case will never go away. We have your DNA.”

They are also still seeking more tips, via the Homicide Unit office at 206-684-5550, or their tip line at 206-233-5000.

Share This

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday AM watch, third Highway 99-less weekday
January 16, 2019 5:30 am
|      74 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times / WS-relevant traffic cams / Water Taxi schedule, other helpful info HERE)

5:30 AM: Good morning! No incidents to report so far on this third post-Viaduct weekday morning.

5:39 AM: Someone just texted (we’re at 206-293-6302) to report a helicopter over/near east West Seattle. Flight tracker and radio communication verify it’s just the TV helicopter (the one shared by 4/5) monitoring traffic again, and it’s now headed away, northward. …Noted a few minutes later while monitoring TV, 7’s helicopter (which doesn’t show on trackers) is still here.

5:47 AM: Weather, by the way, still dry. First possibility of any rain is this afternoon, more likely it’ll hold off until tonight.

5:50 AM: We’re tweeting bridge snapshots this morning, since the live cams don’t archive. Getting busy!

6:25 AM: Commenter J reports 4th Ave. exit bus ramp has lots of violators, no police monitors this morning. Meanwhile, we’re headed to the Water Taxi dock shortly to see how that’s going. And here’s the latest bridge snapshot for the record. Even busier.

6:42 AM: After we mentioned the 4th Ave. ramp situation on Twitter, Nichole tweeted back that she saw police getting into position nearby. … For the first time this week, we’re hearing about a train delay on the surface under the bridge. We asked SDOT about this last week – bottom line, they say BNSF didn’t make any commitments to changing policies during Viaductlessness.

6:54 AM: West Seattle Water Taxi dock seems quieter this morning, according to our reporter, who’s just arrived, his third morning there. 100 on most-recent run. Earlier #’s not available yet. (Water Taxi schedule, shuttle schedule, other info all here!)

7:07 AM: Just under 100 on most-recent Water Taxi departure. Meantime, bike commuting remains up; West Seattle-residing Seattle Times transportation reporter Mike Lindblom reports via Twitter that the counter on the bridge shows 137 so far this morning, and that the bridge trail has been de-iced “but nearby asphalt still frosty.”

7:16 AM: Here’s the surface-Spokane train-related jam (we took a screengrab of a nearby camera that’s one of those featured on our full traffic-cams page):

7:28 AM: Direct link to “live” camera here. We’re watching it to see when the train is finally clear – but that hasn’t happened yet. … Related alert for Route 50:

7:39 AM: Commenter Moon Kitten advises, “You can get around the train hold up if you go up E Marginal and cross over to 1st Ave on Hanford! I was stuck as well and went up E Marginal and crossed over to 1st Ave… then back down S on 1st.”

7:45 AM: Train finally cleared in the last few minutes:

(At 7:40 am, it was still there – 7:43 am as per timestamped image, gone.)

7:55 AM: In the meantime, per the Twitter log, the “low bridge” was just open for 17 minutes. Not a good morning for surface (non-high bridge) traffic overall. The openings 7-10 am were supposed to be limited to the largest vessels, so we’re going to check what just passed. (Update: Can’t tell from MarineTraffic.com.)

8:01 AM: Sunrise beauty shot from our Water Taxi dock crew, featuring the MV Doc Maynard:

8:12 AM: The train stop has been the morning’s biggest headline in the area. In the big picture regionally, WSDOT reports “NB I-5 backup into SEA longer than normal.”

8:16 AM: Newest numbers from our Water Taxi watcher: 74 at 7:50 am, 156 at 8:05 am.

8:19 AM: Just dispatched, police to a crash reported at Delridge/Findlay. Cars in center lane, per scanner, no serious injuries.

8:38 AM: Trouble at the east end of the Roxbury corridor – SFD dispatch to a car-fire call, SDOT tweets “collision on 1st Ave S at Olson Pl SW blocking all SB lanes and NB right lane.”

8:51 AM: Bridge still busy (here’s another moment-in-time screengrab for the record and later comparison).

8:54 AM: The 1st/Olson/etc. situation may be an issue for a while. Reader just texted this photo:

So beware, if you are headed through the east end of the Roxbury corridor, to/from South Park and/or the 509 intersection there. (Added – a closer view that also shows a school bus apparently involved.)

SFD has been cleared and no medic units involved so apparently no serious injuries.

9:13 AM: SDOT says one southbound lane is getting through at the 1st/Olson/Myers scene … Our Water Taxi dock crew is back. Here’s a pic of the temp Pier 2 parking lot:

9:51 AM: Most-recent update from SDOT was that most lanes were open again at the Olson/Myers/1st scene. We’ll be following up on the crash later. … Eastbound bridge still busy; here’s the latest addition to this morning’s moment-in-time screengrabs so we have comparisons for future dates.

10:05 AM: Crash reported at California/Juneau. Two SFD units dispatched.

10:25 AM: That crash involves a car on sidewalk plus a truck. 1 person to hospital. Photo to come. SB side of California; traffic getting by in center lane.

11:25 AM: There’s the pic. On our way back from post-traffic-watch errands, we passed the scene again; truck gone, car being towed. SDOT sent an Incident Response Team truck, too.

Share This