day : 19/02/2019 10 results

(WSB file photo, future park site at 48th/Charlestown)

That’s the “landbanked” city-owned site of a future park at 48th SW/SW Charlestown. You might recall that you were supposed to be able to share your thoughts about the site at a drop-in booth during the West Seattle Farmers Market back on February 10th …but the weather got in the way. A new date and location are now set – this Sunday, also in The Junction, also during the Farmers’ Market, but indoors – 10 am-2 pm (February 24th) at the Senior Center of West Seattle, 4217 SW Oregon. So drop by at some time during that window, even if you only have a few minutes to spare, and talk with Parks reps about what amenities you’d like to see at the new park. Whether you do or don’t stop by on Sunday, you can also comment online via this survey.

West Seattle scene: Commercial crew @ Thriftway

February 19, 2019 7:21 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS beverages

That’s the scene we found inside West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) at midday today after a reader texted us wondering about that video crew. We learned at the store that they were shooting a commercial for a flavored water called Hint – and after noting that Hint is based in San Francisco, we sent an inquiry wondering what led to the choice of location. Here’s the reply we received from Katherine at Hint:

We are excited as it will be our first commercial for Hint Kids. Why Seattle? Well who wouldn’t love to be in Seattle? ;-)

Actually the production company we are working with is based in Seattle and were able to source locations in their area for our commercial. They will be coming down here tomorrow to finish up the non-grocery store portion at our corporate offices in San Francisco.

I hope your readers will enjoy spotting their favorite store when the ad runs…they will have the inside scoop.

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VIDEO: In case you missed the mayor’s State of the City address…

February 19, 2019 5:10 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

In case you missed Mayor Jenny Durkan‘s second State of the City address today – there it is on video. You can also read the transcript here, beneath highlight links. Of neighborhood note:

-The mayor mentioned WS three times – first, “…touring small businesses in Hillman City, Georgetown, and West Seattle” (we covered visits last year in February and in November); second and third, these back-to-back transportation references:

… We will expedite bringing light rail stations to Ballard and West Seattle.

This spring, we’ll expand our first-last mile shuttle from beyond West Seattle to South Seattle, so we can connect more people to transit. …

-Speaking at North Seattle College, as she referred to the expansion of the Promise free-tuition program that started at its sibling school South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) and is expanding systemwide with the help of the recently passed levy, the mayor announced something new: Assistance for Promise students who need help covering other costs such as textbooks.

-She also announced that Seattle Colleges will be a partner in a new paid-internship program connecting Promise students with major employers including Harbor Island’s Vigor Industrial.

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FOLLOWUP: Regional matchups set for West Seattle High School basketball teams

February 19, 2019 3:44 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand, from WSHS teams’ district-tournament games last weekend)

As reported here Monday, both West Seattle High School teams are on to regional competition, after winning their third-place district-tournament games. Now we know who/when/where they’re playing next:

–WSHS girls, Friday night (February 22), 6 pm, vs. Meadowdale, at Garfield HS (400 23rd Ave.)
–WSHS boys, Saturday night (February 23), 6 pm, vs. Eastside Catholic, at Issaquah HS (700 2nd Ave SE)

You can see the full regional game lists here (girls) and here (boys).

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FOLLOWUP: More about West Seattle’s 2 weekend armed robberies

February 19, 2019 2:21 pm

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| Crime | West Seattle news

As reported here in West Seattle Crime Watch coverage, police investigated two armed robberies over the weekend. Today, we obtained the police-report narratives with details on both, while confirming that no one’s been arrested yet in either robbery:

SOUTH DELRIDGE: This holdup on Sunday night was a street robbery, according to the police report. The victim approached an officer in the 9000 block of Delridge Way SW around 10:42 pm Sunday night to say he had been robbed at gunpoint “a block or so south.” The officer drove south and spotted a suspect at 20th/Cambridge who refused to stop and kept his hand in a position that had police suspecting he was holding a gun. Eventually this turned into a foot pursuit but officers lost track of the suspect around 17th/Cambridge, and the ensuing K9-included search didn’t lead to an arrest. The victim told police that the robber got away with his iPhone.

(Saturday night photo by WSB’s Christopher Boffoli)

35TH/AVALON SALON: You might recall the description we published after this Saturday night holdup included an umbrella. The narrative adds one more detail – the 40ish robber held that umbrella in front of his face. The officer who wrote the report began by noting Salon Maison (4435 35th SW) “did not appear to have been robbed as patrons were still getting their hair styled” but then spoke with a witness who described herself as “in shock.” She told police the robber -who came in around 5:30 pm – showed a “silver handgun with brown or wood grip” and said, “I’m sorry to do this but I need all your money.” He took all the cash in the register except what police noted were “several $1 bills.” At least one surveillance camera caught an image that appeared to be the robber – umbrella and all.

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SNOW AFTERMATH: Extra time to prioritize projects you think should get Neighborhood Street Fund money

February 19, 2019 1:08 pm

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| How to help | Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

The recent snow hit right in the middle of the prioritizing process for what those map markers represent – proposed Neighborhood Street Fund projects, first mentioned here three weeks ago. So today, there’s word the city has extended the deadline, and also rescheduled a snow-canceled meeting in our area. You now have until Friday, March 1st, to rank the 20+ projects in West Seattle/South Park that are up for a share of the grant money – just go here. And/or – if you want to help do that ranking in person, you can go to South Park Hall at 6:30 pm next Monday (February 25th).

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WESTSIDE AWARDS 2019: Who should win? West Seattle Chamber of Commerce opens nominations

February 19, 2019 11:07 am

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

It’s a springtime tradition – the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce celebrates local businesses and community advocates by presenting the annual Westside Awards at a breakfast event. This year, that’ll happen on April 30th – and today, the nominating process is open! Go to this page on the Chamber website to suggest nominees for Westside Business of the Year, Westside Emerging Business of the Year, Westside Not-For-Profit of the Year, Westsider of the Year. Criteria include:

*Nominees will have made a major or visible contribution in the past year that reflects commercial growth and achievement, innovation, creativity or community involvement.

*Contributes and promotes the economic growth, stability and improvement of West Seattle.

*Gives generously of themselves and/or staff in time and resources in community activities.

*Consistently excels in customer service and business conduct.

Past winners are listed here; nominations are open until March 15th.

P.S. Tickets for the April 30th breakfast are on sale, too – go here.

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6 possibilities for your West Seattle Tuesday

February 19, 2019 10:08 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Another “snowbird”! Yellow-rumped Warbler, photographed by Greg Harrington)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

‘NEVER AGAIN IS NOW’: Day of Remembrance events at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), 10:30 am panel discussion, noon keynote speech by Mark Mitsui, president of Portland CC. All welcome. At Brockey Center on the south side of campus. (6000 16th SW)

ENVISIONING SEATTLE’S SMALL-LOT ZONING FUTURE: 5:30 pm at Southwest Library, with local architect Matt Hutchins:

Seattle is going to change thousands of residential lots from “Single Family” to “Residential Small Lot” (RSL) as part of the MHA zoning reform. The rules covering RSL designations have been rewritten, and there are many questions about how it will affect our neighborhoods such as South Park, Highland Park, and the Junctions.

All welcome for a discussion of those questions and more. (9010 35th SW)

NAVIGATION TEAM @ CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: As previewed here on Sunday, city Navigation Team members including Sgt. Eric Zerr are the scheduled guests at tonight’s 7 pm meeting of the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council. At the Southwest Precinct, whose leadership will be there as always with local crime/safety updates. All welcome. (2300 SW Webster)

ADVOCACY FOR BIRDS AND CLIMATE – WHAT YOU CAN DO: 7 pm lecture at Senior Center of West Seattle. Registration required – details here. (4217 SW Oregon)

UNPLUGGED – A MUSICAL GATHERING: Acoustic musicians welcome at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

PARLIAMENTALITY PRESENTS: “A night of groove-driven adventures,” 9 pm at Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

MUCH MORE … see all the listings on our complete calendar!

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Seen this stolen teal Accord wagon?

February 19, 2019 9:00 am

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| Crime | West Seattle news

That’s Sascha‘s teal-color 1993 Honda Accord wagon, stolen sometime Sunday night/Monday morning near Alki Avenue SW/60th Avenue SW. Plate number BDJ4620, bumper stickers for The Beer Junction and Lake Chelan Mountain View. If you see it, call 911.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday watch, first morning for new 99 exit ramp, with bus changes

February 19, 2019 5:59 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

5:59 AM: Good morning! As announced late Monday, the new exit ramp from NB 99 to the south end of downtown – taking you to Alaskan Way or Dearborn to 1st Ave. – opened overnight. It’s on the right side of the “live” WSDOT camera above. Its opening means Metro buses are moving to their “interim” routes too. Meantime, here are other cameras we usually feature:

(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)

One incident to report so far: A crash blocking one lane of NB 5 on the south side of downtown, parallel with 4th/Dearborn.

6:09 AM: That’s clear. Back to the new ramp; one Route 56 rider says her bus did NOT shift over this morning.

6:50 AM: That may have been a “one-off,” as Metro suggests, as it’s even sent an advisory that the former Alaskan Way Viaduct routes will switch over. Meantime, the availability of the new NB 99 ramp has not yet led to the old pre-Viaduct-closure backup on the EB West Seattle Bridge exit, but traffic flow isn’t quite at the “new normal” level yet since this is a break week for Seattle Public Schools.

6:55 AM: Via scanner, we’re hearing that traffic police are assigned to the newly busy 1st/Dearborn intersection.

7:30 AM: The bridge ramp to NB 99 is still flowing well, on this first morning of increased 99 usability; the new exit ramp downtown remains wide open too.

8:59 AM: We noted on Twitter that bridge backups were visible around 8 am. By 8:30, that seemed to have eased. Also of note, this Metro update with more details on the bus changes facilitated by the opening of the new NB 99 exit ramp to Alaskan Way/Dearborn/1st. One commenter asked about the earlier mention that this still isn’t permanent – if you’ve missed previous reports on that, this “pathways” map explains the long-term plan.

9:31 AM: One more transportation note – the new carshares we mentioned after a West Seattle sighting back in December, LimePods, are available to all in Seattle as of today, per email we just received from the company’s PR firm.

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