West Seattle, Washington

09 Tuesday

56℉

month : 01/2019 292 results

SCREENING: ‘Crazywise’ at Highland Park Improvement Club on Friday
January 16, 2019 10:40 pm
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 |   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.

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Remembering Paul F. Gaige, 1940-2019
January 16, 2019 8:01 pm
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 |   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)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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HALA UPZONING: See the 10 changes suggested for West Seattle’s part of the plan
January 15, 2019 11:58 pm
|      43 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

ORIGINAL REPORT, 11:58 PM TUESDAY: More than tbree years have passed since then-Mayor Ed Murray proposed the upzoning plan eventually named HALA Mandatory Housing Affordability,to affect commercial and multifamily property citywide, as well as other property in the city’s “urban villages.” Now it’s moving toward a final vote, expected in mid-March. First, councilmembers will consider potential amendments to the plan. Wednesday morning at 9:30 am, they will look at 10 amendments proposed for West Seattle, as well as 1 for South Park, plus dozens in three other City Council districts. From the agenda documents, here are short descriptions of the 10 amendments proposed to modify what HALA MHA upzoning would otherwise do in West Seattle:

1-1

Intersection of SW Carroll St and Beach Dr SW
Do not rezone the Residential – Commercial node at the intersection of SW Carroll St and Beach Dr SW.

That’s the area by Weather Watch Park, best known businesswise for La Rustica.

1-2 through 1-6

Single-family zones within the West Seattle Junction Residential Urban Village: Modify all proposed rezones from Single-family within the West Seattle Junction Urban Village to Residential Small Lot.

Otherwise, the single-family-zoned areas there are slated for upzoning to Lowrise 1.

1-7

West Seattle Junction Residential Urban Village: Triangle Area
Increase proposed maximum heights of Neighborhood Commercial zones within the Junction triangle area from 75′ to 95′.

The Triangle area went through its own planning process early this decade.

1-8

Area west of Fauntleroy, south of SW Graham Street
Reduce the proposed zone designation in the Morgan Junction Urban Village south of SW Graham Street and northwest of Fauntleroy Way SW to a less intense Lowrise multifamily zone designation.

That would be LR2 instead of LR3.

1-10

Area bounded by SW Barton, Barton Pl SW and 21st Ave SW
Reduce the proposed zone designation within the Westwood-Highland Park Urban Village in the area generally between SW Barton Pl and Delridge Way SW from Lowrise multifamily to Residential Small Lot.

Here’s an explainer of RSL and other zoning designations.

1-11

26th Ave SW between SW Barton & SW Roxbury ST
Reduce the proposed zone designation within the WestwoodHighland Park Urban Village along 26th Av S from Lowrise multifamily to Residential Small Lot.

(Close-up maps for each proposed amendment are toward the start of this document from the meeting packet.) The council will discuss these, and the amendments proposed for three other council districts, at Wednesday morning’s meeting (9:30 am, City Hall, live coverage as usual via Seattle Channel) with more discussion planned February 8th. An evening public hearing is planned February 21st, and then the council is scheduled to vote on amendments February 25th.

ADDED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: The video of today’s council committee meeting is now available online.

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Extreme Risk Protection Orders explained, plus community concerns and police updates, @ West Seattle Crime Prevention Council
January 15, 2019 9:31 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

If you have a crime/safety trouble spot to surface to local police, the monthly West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting is the place. Just a handful of community members showed up tonight. Here’s what they heard, and said:

CAPTAIN’S UPDATE: Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis gave the “2018 synopsis” including a reduction in crimes against people, but a small increase in property crime – +2.8% – that would have been worse if not for stepped-up action. As he does at every WSCPC meeting, he pleaded for community members to “help us help you,” including by not leaving items in cars, reporting everything that does happen, and surfacing “ongoing issues.”

UPDATE ON HAMILTON VIEWPOINT ASSAULT: Capt. Davis was asked about the assault we reported last Saturday at the North Admiral park. It wasn’t a random attack, he said, but instead was an altercation with a “specific story line” and the person who wound up with a “bump on his head” had been “drinking heavily.” No arrest reported.

Read More

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CRIME WATCH: Stolen burgundy Jeep Cherokee
January 15, 2019 8:17 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Stolen-vehicle report from Kris: “My Jeep was stolen from Top Hat overnight. 1998 Jeep Cherokee, burgundy, plate # 767-ZZV. Email to: kriswantsyou@gmail.com” And of course call 911. (Stolen cars are often brought across the city/county line, in both directions, so we’ll publish North Highline reports like this one when we get them.)

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Get a ‘Clue’! West Seattle High School production starts Wednesday
January 15, 2019 6:34 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

You’ve played the game – now see the show! This year’s student-directed production at West Seattle High School, “Clue,” opens tomorrow (Wednesday) night, the first of three nights you can see it (January 16, 17, 18), 7:30 pm curtain each night. Isabella Hale is directing; tickets are $10 at the door, no reservation required.

(That promo is student-produced too, by Jonah Elbaum.) Find out more at westsidedrama.com. WSHS is at 3000 California Avenue SW.

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POST-VIADUCT PM COMMUTE #2: Tuesday afternoon/evening watch
January 15, 2019 4:05 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(TUESDAY MORNING COVERAGE HERE)

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

4:05 PM: Good afternoon! We’re watching the PM commute again today. No specific issues right now. Most recent regional overview from WSDOT: “Travel times are pretty tame at the moment.”

4:49 PM: All’s still well. Keeping an eye on downtown too. And the forecast – now a “slight chance of rain” tomorrow morning, a little higher chance Wednesday afternoon, then “likely” on Thursday.

5:40 PM: Bus report tweeted by Randy:

5:51 PM: If you are headed OUT of West Seattle, heads-up – just heard a dispatch for a two-car “blocking” crash on the eastbound high bridge. Exactly where, haven’t heard, but hope it’s off to the side as the drivers are reported to be “arguing with each other.”

6:05 PM: Police were unable to find the crash scene, so apparently they moved on.

6:16 PM: If you head this way on 4th Avenue S., heads up about a Seattle Fire response at 4th/Stacy (map) just south of downtown. “Burning pile of debris” is the report. Reportedly on the north side of the street so SB traffic not too likely to be affected.

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Construction progress and other updates after second weekday morning of #Realign99
January 15, 2019 1:46 pm
|    Comments Off on Construction progress and other updates after second weekday morning of #Realign99
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Highway 99 tunnel | West Seattle news

(Photo by Long Bach Nguyen)

Again this morning, the second weekday of the #Realign99 three-week Highway 99 closure for the viaduct-to-tunnel transition, multiple transportation agencies had reps available for reporter questions on a conference call. Here are the toplines:

CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS: WSDOT’s Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program deputy administrator Dave Sowers said, as he did yesterday, that work is “overall progressing very well.” The main reason for shutting this entire stretch of Highway 99, you’ll recall, is to do work tying the tunnel’s on- and off-ramps to the rest of the highway. One key point of interest for West Seattleites is the Dearborn offramp from 99 – which will become the key pathway into downtown for northbound traffic not using the tunnel – which is going to take a bit of time beyond the three-week “realignment closure.” Sowers said today that the projection remains “a week to 10 days” beyond the tunnel opening. Among other components of that part of the project, they have to pour concrete and give it two weeks to cure, then stripe it, he explained. He said they might have an estimate by the end of next week, adding “I can’t tell this group enough how motivated we are to get that ramp open as soon as possible.”

TRAFFIC WATCH: WSDOT and SDOT both said traffic patterns were similar to Monday (earlier than usual). We asked about West Seattle Bridge volume stats; that information might be available by day’s end.

TRANSIT WATCH: Total Water Taxi count for Monday (both directions) was 2,872, compared to 779 on the same day last year. This morning’s West Seattle count was 1,200 riders, up from 334 on the same date last year but down a bit from Monday. Still plenty of capacity, stressed Metro’s Jeff Switzer – same with the Pier 2 parking lot, which is only filling about a fifth of its 250 spaces so far. Switzer also had updated Metro bus stats: For all of yesterday they used “standby” coaches for 55 trips, handling 1,500 passengers, mostly for the C Line, E Line, and Route 120. This morning they used standby buses for 19 trips. One word of caution from Switzer: Metro volume usually peaks at midweek so don’t let any low-volume trip today fool you!

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Seen off West Seattle: U.S. Coast Guard escorts for Fauntleroy ferry
January 15, 2019 12:44 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Mark Dale sent the photo from Gatewood. He’s one of several people who asked about that sighting this morning – U.S. Coast Guard “response” boats escorting a Fauntleroy-bound ferry. We checked with USCG District 13 public affairs – no incidents, no threats, they told us. So apparently just training.

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YOU CAN HELP! 2 ways to be part of first auction for Denny International Middle School
January 15, 2019 12:06 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP! 2 ways to be part of first auction for Denny International Middle School
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Denny International Middle School‘s first-ever auction could use your support. There are two ways to help, as explained in this announcement:

We are the Denny International Middle School PTSA (Parent, Teacher, Student Association) and would like to ask for your support with our 2019 First Annual Live Auction, “Mardi Gras.” This event will be held at the Highland Park Improvement Club on February 9th at 5:30 pm and will feature a live big band, games, great local items to bid on, authentic New Orleans cuisine; your ticket includes beer and wine.

To purchase tickets visit: dennyinternationalmiddle.tiptopauction.com/auction2019

The objective of the PTSA is to bring additional funding to our school that supports an increase of after-school programs, technology, club offerings, sports and to assist teachers with classroom educational development, as well as support other scholar activities. PTSA funds are used to benefit all scholars and organizations at Denny International Middle School.

Although we have received exciting donations from local businesses and organizations in the community, a truly successful auction requires parent and family participation and donations. Can you create a themed basket for the event? Some ideas include: Travel Basket, Martini Party, Grillmaster BBQ, Picnic Set, Spa Glamour, Chocolate Decadence (wine and fine chocolates), Pet Treat Basket, Music to My Ears (cd collection), Tee Time (golf theme), Home and Garden (tools and seeds), A Day at the Beach (towels, sunscreen, toys, snorkel gear), Family Movie Night (popcorn, DVD, theater candy). We request NEW AND UNUSED ITEMS ONLY PLEASE, unless you are creating a vintage basket.

Are you a season ticketholder for a sports team or a theater with a few dates you will not be attending? Donate your tickets and the Auction Committee will create a basket with them and add team swag.

We ask that you consider donating to our worthy cause by January 23, 2019. Donations may be dropped off or mailed to the school, located at 2601 SW Kenyon Street, Seattle, WA 98126, ATTN: PTSA AUCTION, or arrangements can be made for a volunteer to pick up your donation. Please contact Angelica Mendoza at angiemg2002@yahoo.com or Susan DeFant at sldefant@gmail.com to make arrangements. Your donation may be tax deductible.

Thank you in advance for your kind consideration. We appreciate and need your support!

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7 for your West Seattle Tuesday
January 15, 2019 9:09 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Glaucous-Winged Gull photographed by Robin Sinner at Emma Schmitz Park, with The Brothers as a backdrop)

Highlights of what’s happening for the rest of your Tuesday:

LEARN TO PAINT: Free watercolor-painting class for people 50+ starts today at South Park Community Center, 10 am. Details in our calendar listing. Call to see if there’s room. (8319 8th Ave. S.)

BABY STORY TIME AT 2 LIBRARIES: Two chances, on both ends of West Seattle, to enjoy story time with your up-to-1-year-old this morning. Both at 10:30 am – at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) and at West Seattle aka Admiral Library (2306 42nd SW).

DINE OUT TO BENEFIT STUDENTS: 4 pm-10 pm at Mioposto Admiral, it’s a dine-out benefit for Lafayette Elementary – part of the proceeds will be donated. (2139 California SW)

JOIN THE WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS! Practices start tonight – varying times and skill levels – here’s our preview.

HOPE PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 6:30 pm, Hope Lutheran School invites you to learn about its preschool program. (4456 42nd SW)

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: 7 pm at the Southwest Precinct, it’s your chance to talk with local police about neighborhood crime/concerns. Also, city attorney precinct liaison Joe Everett talks about Extreme Risk Protection Orders. (2300 SW Webster)

WESTSIDE DANCE CLASSES: A new series starts tonight at the Senior Center of West Seattle – details in our calendar listing. East Coast Swing at 7 pm, Cha Cha at 8:15 pm. (4217 SW Oregon)

SEE WHAT ELSE IS UP … via our complete calendar!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Second post-Viaduct weekday – AM coverage
January 15, 2019 5:29 am
|      63 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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

5:29 AM: Good morning! Welcome to a foggy Tuesday. Among the things you should know as we start coverage for the second weekday of three weeks without Highway 99:

RIDE2: King County says “Customers can again request trips for Ride2 West Seattle using the app or via phone calls. Our contractor is monitoring the system after making fixes last night.”

5:54 AM: The fog is expected to hang around through the entire commute – a “dense fog advisory” through 9 am.

6:10 AM: High bridge looks busy. Regionally, travel times are reported to be “above average,” so people are commuting earlier again today.

6:26 AM: Texter says police are out watching the new 4th Avenue temp bus lane. SDOT did send us a revised map (PDF) of the lane as it exits the eastbound West Seattle Bridge.

6:34 AM: Thanks to the texter who just let us know that two buses, Routes 50 and 37, got into a bit of a scrape on Alki:

I am just leaving to catch the water taxi shuttle for the water taxi into downtown and there is a bus collision, it’s on 61st and Alki Ave.

It hasn’t started to cause any trouble but just wanted to let you all know! Not too bad, looks like one of the buses clipped the other and knocked off the side mirror.

6:45 AM: Also on the topic of buses, Colleen reports via Twitter that her C Line was full from The Junction and skipped the remaining WS stops. One other Twitter report, from Mary: “6:10 #56 almost full before reaching California Ave. New early crowd for sure.”

6:59 AM: Our crew is now at the Water Taxi dock to see how things are going. First three sailings: 113, 60, 120. That first one was more than yesterday, but since both boats hold 200+, there’s still plenty of room. And if you don’t have anyone to drop you there and can’t get to a bus/shuttle, usage of the temp (free) lot at Pier 2 did not get anywhere close to maxing out Monday, so that’s an option (entrance is across from the Harbor Ave 7-11).

7:13 AM: 81 people on the 7:05 Water Taxi. And reps at the dock confirm Pier 2 has plenty of room to park. The bridge, meantime, looks full, but in our experience, this seems to be the start of peak time anyway.

7:44 AM: City traffic engineer Dongho Chang has tweeted bicycling stats from Monday. Major jumps from comparable dates the past two years – 1,666 riders counted yesterday.

8:06 AM: The roads definitely peaked early. Meantime, more West Seattle Water Taxi numbers – 190 at 7:25, 99 at 7:40, 165 at 8 am.

8:34 AM: Bridge and I-5 are still busy – if you’re trying to avoid jams you probably need to wait at least another hour. Also remember that the Coast Guard has agreed to limit low-bridge openings for marine traffic between 7 and 10 am and 2 pm and 5 pm – there was one low-bridge opening around 6:30 on Monday – so if you avoid the low bridge because of the unpredictability, it might be more feasible here during Highway 99-less-ness.

8:48 AM: Looking ahead, the rain is now expected to stay away until Thursday morning. So we’ll likely have two rainy commutes, and then next Monday is the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.

8:57 AM: If you are headed northbound beyond downtown, take note – three lanes of NB I-5 are blocked near Northgate by a semitruck on its side.

9:04 AM: Our crew is back from spending the past few hours at the Water Taxi dock and reports, “It’s slick out there.” … Got questions? We’ll be on the multi-agency media conference call again at 11:30 (yesterday’s participants included WSDOT, SDOT, Metro, Sound Transit) so let us know.

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Beware of icy roads and paths again Tuesday morning
January 14, 2019 11:22 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

The frosted fishing pier at Seacrest was the clearest photo we got of the slickness that caused some trouble around West Seattle on Monday morning. With a similar forecast for Tuesday, and patchy fog already out there with near-freezing temps tonight, you’ll want to be extra careful whether driving, riding, or walking. We asked SDOT what’s planned; spokesperson Dawn Schellenberg replied, “Our crews will be out tonight treating right-of-way as needed.” If you encounter an icy patch of public path/road that needs attention, call 206-684-ROAD. (And then please let us know so we can include it in our coverage, which will start again Tuesday at 5:30 am.)

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Celebration of life planned January 26 for Scott Rasmussen
January 14, 2019 10:35 pm
|    Comments Off on Celebration of life planned January 26 for Scott Rasmussen
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends invite the community to celebrate the life of Scott Rasmussen one week from Saturday:

There will be a Celebration of Life for our wonderful friend Scott Rasmussen on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 3:00 PM at the Chelan Café in West Seattle….one of his favorite spots!

We ask that you bring your good memories of Scotty to share. Please also bring any favorite photos you have of Scotty, as well as a few copies in case others would like to have one. There will be food at the Celebration, as well as a “No Host” bar.

Come raise a toast to Scotty, the “Mayor of Alki,” and all the great memories he created for us!

Saturday, 1/26/19 @ 3:00 PM
Chelan Cafe
3527 Chelan Ave SW
206-932-7383

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

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CONGRATULATIONS! West Seattle dentist Dr. George Naden celebrates retirement
January 14, 2019 7:06 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Health | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

After more than 38 years practicing dentistry in West Seattle – the first half of that with his dad – Dr. George Naden is retiring. We were invited to stop by his retirement celebration Sunday afternoon at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center.

Dr. Naden isn’t just a dentist – he’s also a rower, runner, bike rider, and skier, and musician. He co-founding the Tangletown String Band, with which he played at the party.

Dr. Naden says he’s not sure what most he’s looking forward to in retirement – just sure that new adventures await. *His practice at 4000 SW Admiral Way has been taken over by Dr. Igor Tverskoy. (Thanks to his longtime hygienist Shelley Lebert for letting us know about the celebration – her work at the practice goes back to George’s dad Dr. Tom Naden, who retired in 1999!)

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UPDATE: House fire west of The Junction
January 14, 2019 5:56 pm
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: House fire west of The Junction
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

5:56 PM: What started as a mid-size SFD call has just upsized to a “full response” for a house fire in the 4400 block of 46th SW. Radio communication describes the fire as centered in the house’s attic.

6:12 PM: Added a photo from WSB’s Katie Meyer, who reports smoke but no visible flames.

6:15 PM: WSB’s Patrick Sand reports that it was a small attic fire, is out, and firefighters are winding down their operation.

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