West Seattle, Washington
14 Sunday
Thanks to JayDee for the photo. Coincidentally, another reader had emailed, wondering about the name of the area toward the left of the photo, which looks like a foothill-level peak amid a field of snow. Cross-referencing with some maps hasn’t resulted in an ID yet. Do you know? Thanks! Meantime, on with the highlights for today/tonight:
GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: 1-7 pm, Peace Lutheran Church in Gatewood is hosting a blood drive – walk-ups are welcome, but note that it’ll be closed for a break 3-4 pm. (39th/Thistle)
DROP-IN TAX HELP: It’s free, and it’s available at Delridge Library 2-6:30 pm. Our calendar listing explains what to bring. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
GIRL SCOUT COOKIES, DAY 4: After school, you’ll find them on sale around the peninsula and elsewhere, as the 2-week cookie-sales season continues. Check locations and times here.
FAMILY STORY TIME: 6:30 pm at High Point Library – for kids of all ages. (3411 SW Raymond)
PUGET RIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 7 pm at Puget Ridge Cohousing. A note for attendees: “If you are driving, please park on 18th and enter through the pathway entrance by the resident parking lot (by the mailbox). There will be signs directing you to the common house.” (7020 18th SW )
WEST SEATTLE QUILTERS: 7 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building. All quilters welcome! (4217 SW Oregon)
QUIZFIX TRIVIA: 7:30 pm at The Skylark, all ages, free trivia with prizes. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SEE THE FUTURE … by browsing our complete calendar!
Family and friends are remembering Catherine Carfrae Rhodes. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:
Catherine Carfrae Rhodes, age 92, of Seattle, passed away on February 24, 2019 at Providence Mount St. Vincent West Seattle.
Catherine was born June 22, 1926 in Seattle to William Watt Carfrae and Catherine Grant Carfrae (born: Barnet), originally of Fife and Edinburgh, Scotland. Catherine was the last remaining Carfrae of her generation.
She is survived by her 5 children: Lorren Gregory Fladseth; William Christopher Fladseth, John Scott Fladseth, Alexandra Grant Bazemore (born: Fladseth), and Leslie Catherine Markey (born: Rhodes); 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Catherine was a lifetime resident of West Seattle and loved Alki Beach, living there for many years of her life. Other than a short time in San Diego, Catherine was a devoted resident of West Seattle, attending Lafayette Elementary, James Madison Middle School, and West Seattle High School, graduating in 1944. In the late 1950s, after working at Darigold, Catherine worked at KING TV as a Secretary to the VP of Sales.
Catherine was closest to her children, enjoyed music, reading and a “good cup of tea.” Even on a limited income, she donated to several charities for 30+ years; ASPCA, Humane Society of King County, Paralyzed Vets, and Disabled Artists (mouth and foot painters).
In the words of her favorite song, her children lovingly release Catherine on her final Sentimental Journey and pray that there is comfort and relief for her: “Gonna take a sentimental journey, gonna set my heart at ease; gonna make a sentimental journey, to renew old memories. Sentimental journey home.” May you rest in peace, mom.
Per Catherine’s wishes, there will be no memorial service. She will be laid to rest on March 11, 2019 at the Forest Lawn Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, please make in-memoriam donations to Providence Mount St. Vincent/WEST SEATTLE.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:58 AM: Good morning! No incidents to report.
FERRY REMINDER: The Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is on a two-boat schedule as announced yesterday.
8:27 AM: Still no incidents on this sunny, cold morning. One of our standard requests/reminders – if you see something we’re not reporting and can contact us safely/legally (not behind the wheel!), our 24/7 hotline is 206-293-6302 – thank you!
8:41 AM: Police were just dispatched to this:
Collision on Fauntleroy Way SW at SW Oregon St blocking two SB lanes. Use caution. pic.twitter.com/71PCt48LbX
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) March 4, 2019
No SFD dispatch, though, so apparently no major injuries.
9:50 AM: Belated note to say that cleared. Meantime, there’s another comment discussion today about the Alaskan Way/Dearborn 99 exit and buses … checking into how that’s being monitored.
(February photo: L-R, team members Khaim Vasser-Fontenot, Clarissa Perez, Nassir Sayda, Logan Webster; coach Matt Baudhuin)
One month ago, we reported on the Chief Sealth International High School Ethics Bowl team’s historic state championship – not just the first time CSIHS had won, but the first time a public high school had won. They’re hoping to travel to North Carolina for the national competition next month, and it will take community contributions to make that happen. So a crowdfunding campaign is under way and is halfway to the goal – if you can help send them to state, just go here.
This hasn’t been circulated widely by SDOT yet, but a postcard has landed in some mailboxes with the date for the promised open house before work starts on the next big road project in West Seattle — repaving and rechannelization of SW Avalon Way, plus repaving of three blocks of 35th SW and one block of SW Alaska. The postcard reiterates what SDOT announced a little over a month ago, that construction might start as soon as April. The open house is scheduled for 5:30-7 pm Thursday, March 14th, at American Legion Post 160 in The Triangle (3618 SW Alaska). If you’ve missed previous updates, these maps show exactly how the project will change channelization and parking; these maps show what kind of repaving will be done and where; project toplines were also featured in our January 30th update.
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Area residents gathered Wednesday night to hear details about a $1 million settlement requiring Seattle Iron & Metals to make changes in response to long-standing concerns with water/air pollution and safety.
The community briefing, held on the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Georgetown campus, focused on the details of the January settlement between SIM and Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, in cooperation with the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition.
Last August, we covered a similar DRCC briefing following the barge fire at Seattle Iron and Metals that prompted a great deal of community concern. Safety concerns stemming from that incident were part of the Wednesday night discussion, which included representation from numerous area entities, including SIM itself.
(WSB photos)
In the heart of The Junction, just south of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, about 20 people of all ages gathered at midday today, for a quiet demonstration billed by organizers as a “community circle.”
The demonstration was simple – signs, chalk art, face painting. Organizers told us about it via a social-media event page in which they said they want to counter “uncovered hate” via a “physical circle of humans representing community, love, and our protecting of our LGBTQIA family.”
So far five people have registered campaigns for the District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) Seattle City Council seat in the August primary, and we’ve received the first announcement of a candidates’ forum at which you can see them side by side. SpeakOutSeattle says it’s presenting the forum 7-8:30 pm Thursday, March 21st, at American Legion Post 160 (3618 SW Alaska):
SpeakOutSeattle (SOS) is holding its first forum to hear from the candidates for Seattle District Council Position 1 for candidates to answer questions relating to public safety, homelessness and addiction/mental illness issues facing Seattle.
The event will be moderated by an independent moderator, Juan Cotto, and the candidates will stay after the event to talk to constituents and accept donations and/or vouchers.
Refreshments will be served for free. We hope to have a good turnout. This is a great opportunity to ask questions of candidates and see who is most responsive to the needs of our community.
Organizers say all five candidates who have registered campaigns so far have accepted the invitation:
Jesse Greene
Lisa Herbold
Brendan Kolding
Phil Tavel
Isaiah Willoughby
The formal filing period is in May, so the primary field won’t be finalized until then.
After hours of delays on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run of Washington State Ferries, both ferries are still running up to half an hour late, according to WSF. And another problem in the system has led to a decision to run a two-boat schedule tomorrow (Monday, March 4th). Here’s the WSF announcement:
Because of an unexpected mechanical problem with the M/V Wenatchee and a lack of available standby vessels, the Fauntleroy/Vashon Island/Southworth route must operate on a two-boat schedule with the 124-vehicle capacity Cathlamet in the number 1 position, and the 90-vehicle capacity Sealth in the number 2 position. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and consider giving themselves extra time.
We’re told today’s delays, attributed by WSF in part to an “earlier drill,” indeed involved a rescue-boat drill early this morning, with engine trouble for the drill boat resulting to a need for a second rescue boat to be launched to help out.
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Reignwolf, the blues-rock brainchild of Canadian-turned-Seattleite Jordan Cook, played a rowdy in-store performance at Easy Street Records on Thursday night.
This week the band released their first full-length album, “Hear Me Out,” and played the show and album-signing at Easy Street before playing a sold-out show on Friday at the Sunset Tavern.
Reignwolf has played big shows around the world since 2012, opening for bands like Black Sabbath and playing Sasquatch and Bumbershoot, but hasn’t had an album until now. (See this profile from the Seattle Times).
At Easy Street on Thursday night, Cook said it was special for him to play at the store because “without (owner) Matt Vaughan, there would be no Reignwolf.” Vaughan was an early champion of the band, even letting Cook play music on the roof of the Easy Street van at Sasquatch in 2012.
At one point during the show, Cook literally climbed the walls at Easy Street and played songs while his band accompanied him from the stage (with flashlight/spotlight provided by Vaughan, at lower left):
Toward the end of the show, the staff at Easy Street opened the east-facing door/window as the band played on:
Fans could attend the performance by pre-ordering a copy of the new album:
Videos of the performance are below. Here’s the band on the main stage, as seen from the upper balcony:
Here’s Cook playing from up high (with Matt Vaughan wielding the flashlight/spotlight at lower-left):
And here is the end of the band’s set, as seen from just outside on California Avenue:
Upcoming ESR in-store shows are listed on the shop’s website.
He was known – affectionately – as “Rotten Ralph,” and now his family is sharing this remembrance of Ralph R. Kennicott with the community:
“Rotten” Ralph Ruel Kennicott passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on February 21st, 2019 at the age of 82.
Ralph was born in Hagerman, Idaho on January 16th, 1937. While he was young, his family moved to Washington and settled in West Seattle.
He proudly joined the Navy Reserves before graduating from West Seattle High School in 1955. He raised his family in West Seattle and was the first of 3 generations to graduate from WSHS. During his early life, Ralph enjoyed bird hunting and fishing with his buddies. He was known for his quick wit and humor, earning him the affectionate nickname of “Rotten Ralph.”
In 1983, Ralph married Tanya, the love of his life. After his retirement, they moved to Belfair, WA (2002). There he enjoyed entertaining family and friends at their beach house, “Casa de Crab,” continuing to fish and catch crab and clams. The oysters, however, were safe from his pursuits.
Ralph is survived by his wife Tanya; children Robin (Mark) Olson, Michael (Michele) Kennicott, Alison Newquist, Lisa (Tom) Tomlinson, Emily (Michael) Duckum, and Shawn (Carrie) Kennicott; 20 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial will be held in Belfair on March 23rd, 2019. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Providence SoundHomeCare and Hospice, 360-493-7981.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
Another local student served as a legislative page in Olympia this week. The photo and announcement arrivd in the WSB inbox:
Lachlan Swanson, a student at Madison Middle School, served as a page this week in the Washington State House of Representatives. Sponsored by State Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon (D-West Seattle), Lachlan is the son of Emily and Keith Swanson of Seattle.
Pages assume a wide variety of responsibilities, from presenting the flags to distributing amendments on the House floor. Pages support the efficient operation of the Legislature while also receiving daily civics instruction, drafting their own bills, and participating in mock committee hearings.
Find out more about the House Page Program by going here.
(Photo by James Bratsanos)
Happy first Sunday of March! Highlights:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Winter’s end is in sight and newness abounds. Last week, for example, this bagel maker debuted – and sold out. See what’s new today, 10 am-2 pm in the street, in the heart of The Junction. (California between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
GIRL SCOUT COOKIES: While you’re in The Junction, you’ll spot cookie booths – elsewhere in West Seattle, too, pretty much all day and into the night. Check locations and times here.
LOOKING FOR A HOME? WSB sponsor Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Real Estate West Seattle is spotlighting this open house near Lincoln Park, 2-4 pm today. (4431 SW Kenyon Place)
CAMP 2ND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: All are welcome at the monthly meeting of the community advisory committee for the city-authorized encampment in southeast West Seattle, 2 pm at Arrowhead Gardens. (9200 2nd SW)
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: RandomPlay featuring Andrea Lynne, 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)
SEATTLE SWING DANCE CLUB: Starting at 4 pm at the Masonic Center, lessons and dancing – more info in our calendar listing. (4746 40th SW)
RIPPIN CHICKEN: Soulful night at Parliament Tavern, 8 pm. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
SEE THE REST OF WHAT’S UP TODAY, TONIGHT, BEYOND … via our complete calendar!
The photo is from Nancy, reporting that another of the 25+-year-old murals in The Junction has been vandalized: “I wake up each morning to look at this awesome mural and this morning when I pulled up the blinds, this is what I saw. How disappointing.” The mural on the parking-lot-facing north side of the building at 4520 44th SW depicts a scene at the swimming hole that preceded Colman Pool on the shore at Lincoln Park; the vandalism is tagging done in white paint on the swimming-hole midsection of the mural. This is one of the murals that community volunteers hope to be able to restore, with an ongoing fundraising campaign. Meantime, the West Seattle Junction Association has been made aware of the vandalism, and we will follow up next week.
Ruth Harper and Kelsey Timmer, Seattle Department of Transportation
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Area residents gathered on Thursday night to share opinions and hear from SDOT team members regarding the proposed West Seattle Junction Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) plan (see our meeting preview and the city’s detailed project website for background information).
The public hearing, held at the Senior Center of West Seattle and hosted by SDOT, lasted 90 minutes and offered a chance for the public to give verbal and written comments about the proposal and to ask questions of SDOT staff.
If you have comments about the RPZ plan, there’s still time — you can submit them through March 15 with this online survey, by sending email to westseattleparking@seattle.gov or by calling 206-684-4103. Officials emphasize that “all methods of commenting are treated equally.”
The map of the proposed plan for the Junction area, between Hudson/Dakota and 39th/45th, looks like this:
(Added: WSB photo)
6:38 PM: Seattle Fire has a “full response” on the way to 4611 35th SW, which is Brookdale West Seattle. The first units on scene haven’t found anything yet but have “occupants evacuating” as a precaution, per radio communication. More to come.
6:45 PM: SFD says this turned out to be paper towels that caught fire in a microwave at the senior-living building. They’re downsizing the response.
7 PM: Our crew at the scene has confirmed that the fire is out, no injuries were reported and everyone is back in the building.
100 people are competing in cube-puzzle-solving during a big event today in West Seattle. They’ve filled the Masonic Center in The Junction since early this morning.
The “West Seattle Favorites” competition is about more than Rubik’s Cubes – as co-organizer David Brown noted, there’s a wide variety of “twisty puzzles” and challenges in solving them – here’s the list for today – including doing it by touch and memory:
We caught part of that competition on video:
As spelled out on the competition website, competitors have to play by the rules of the World Cube Association.
This is scheduled to continue until about 5:45 pm, and spectators are welcome – no admission charge.
12:34 PM: Thanks to Marco for tweeting the photo – that Girl Scout troop is outside West Seattle Trader Joe’s until 2 pm, one of multiple locations and times you’ll find Girl Scout Cookies over the next two weeks. Just use the finder on the Girl Scouts of Western Washington website. Here are the cookies they’re offering this year. (Is your troop out selling too? Send us a pic!)
ADDED 1:18 PM: This troop’s at Admiral Safeway until 2:
Thanks to Patrick for tweeting that photo.
(WSB photos)
9:33 AM: Congratulations to the West Seattle High School girls for another successful season. The season finale just finished at the Tacoma Dome, with the Wildcats bringing home the 6th-place trophy from the state 3A tournament after a 38-33 loss to Snohomish HS. This was the third consecutive year they made it to state; many of the regulars are seniors. Details and photos when we get back to HQ.
ADDED 1:53 PM: The game began with one of the WSHS seniors, #4 Kelsey Lenzie, singing the anthem, part of which we recorded:
Kersti Muul sent that hummingbird photo with the note, “Little Anna’s on the last stages of building her nest. A welcome reminder for people to check before the zealous spring pruning!” Since the weekend sunshine may have many outside pruning, as well as cleaning up what the February snows brought down, we asked her if there was more to say and show about what and who to watch for. She shared this, photos included:
Anna’s hummingbirds start nesting as early as December and can go through June. They love yards that have bright flowers (this one is in a camellia bush). They also nest where there are feeders because of the reliable, safe and close food source.
Look for tiny nests (see photo of my finger with an old nest for scale) usually on slightly downward facing [often forked] branches over an open space that have cover, but are also accessible to the fast-flying beauties. The nests are very delicate; they are constructed of spider webs, lichen, moss, feathers, and fluffy soft material (this one has dog-toy stuffing). This particular bird has been building this nest since around February 18, and is still perfecting it; now she is deepening the bowl by building up the rim.
The snow storm was catastrophic to many plants and I know people are anxious to get pruning.
Just take a peek around the borders of plants and maybe one to two feet back. They are really well camouflaged, especially before the last stages when there is usually some visible white fluff inside it. Anna’s are extremely territorial and if you are near a nest, they usually will have something to say to you, or may dive at your head. If you see hummers in the area, pay attention to where they travel, perch, feed etc. They just may lead you right to the nest.
Another clue is fuzzy nesting material stuck to their often-sticky beaks, as well as cleaning the beak back and forth on twigs. I watched this one take lichen off a nearby tree trunk to add to her nest.
Remember; it is illegal to tamper with an active nest. If you knock a nest down, try to put it back as close as possible to where it was.
But, Kersti – a community naturalist and conservation specialist – stresses that “if the tree is presenting a hazard, then of course safety should come first.”
(Photo by Chris Frankovich)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, options for the first Saturday of March:
CUBE CHAMPIONS: 7:45 am to 5:45 pm, more than 100 people are competing in cube-solving at Alki Masonic Center in The Junction. No charge for spectators. See the schedule here. (4736 40th SW)
BASKETBALL: 8 am at the Tacoma Dome, the West Seattle High School girls’ finale at the state 3A tournament, with 4th place at stake as they play Snohomish. (2727 East D St.)
GROUP RUN: Should be a perfect morning. Be at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) at 8 am. Free! (2743 California SW)
ADOPT-A-STREET CLEANUP: Join the Admiral Neighborhood Association for the quarterly cleanup!
Time: 9 am – noon; please plan to arrive a few minutes early
Location: Metropolitan Market – Meet at the outdoor awning next to the floral department
Equipment provided: garbage bags, gloves, grabber tools, safety vests
Food provided: sandwiches and light snacks
(2320 42nd SW)
SOUTHWEST LITTLE LEAGUE: Last chance to register in person, 9 am-noon at the Steve Cox Memorial Park Log Cabin. (1321 SW 102nd)
FREE TAX HELP: 10 am-2 pm, drop by the West Seattle Food Bank, no appointment necessary. Our calendar listing explains who’s eligible and what to bring. (35th/Morgan)
SUPPORT HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY: You can do just that via a fun night at Highland Park Improvement Club with the HPE PTA, 6 pm. Info in our calendar listing. (1116 SW Holden)
WEST SEATTLE MEANINGFUL MOVIE: 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House-High Point, this month’s movie is “Paris to Pittsburgh.” Discussion follows. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
MAGICAL STRINGS IN CONCERT: Dancers too! 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall – details in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)
SEE WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING … full list is on our complete calendar!
(WSB photo, Tuesday night)
City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda was the spotlight guest at this month’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting. Before the Q&A with her, WSBWCN heard the local crime/safety update:
CAPTAIN’S UPDATE: Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis said they’re working on strategy for the warmer months and also planning a variety of “emphasis” enforcement focuses. Crime dropped during the recent snow, he noted. “Rogue street robberies” centered on cell-phone thefts continue to be an issue but they’ve identified suspects and are “developing the probable cause” to make arrests.
The photo is from the Rev. Sarah Casey, pastor at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor), who wants you to know that despite a move in the parent denomination to discriminate against LGBTQIA people, the West Seattle church is and will remain “a place where ALL people have the opportunity to grow spiritually in Christian community.” Here’s the email she sent to the congregation earlier this week:
It is with deep sadness that I share with you that the General Conference of the United Methodist Church has voted to adopt the Traditional Plan. This means that there is no way forward for the UMC that affirms the call to discipleship and sacred worth of LGBTQ+ persons.
I struggle to find the words to express the outrage, disappointment, and grief I am feeling. I know I am not alone in this.
I do not know what will happen in the months ahead. I do not know how our denomination will move forward, if there will be a schism, or how this tragedy will continue to unfold.
This is what I do know: I know that for 110 years Tibbetts UMC has baptized babies that have bloomed into straight and LGBTQ+ disciples. I know that there is no legislation or ruling that can override or take away our baptismal covenant: that we are loved by God. I know that we have and will continue to encourage and celebrate our LGBTQ+ siblings in Christ. Their stories are part and parcel to the identity of our faith community. Without them, there is no us.
The mission of Tibbetts is “To seek to be an all-inclusive congregation that provides dynamic ministries for all ages. We are committed to discipleship through outreach, community service, and spiritual growth.”
Our mission has not changed.
The church is not God. The Book of Discipline is not Jesus. Our love for one another is bigger than the Traditional Plan, bigger than the institutional church, bigger than hate.
I hope you will make it a point to be present in worship on Sunday as we weep and mourn what has happened, and as we celebrate and affirm that God is still God, we are still Tibbetts, and we will continue to proclaim the inclusive Gospel of Christ that loves and accepts ALL people.
We will celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion, and there will be a seat for each and every one of us at God’s table.
The pastor tells WSB, “Our Tibbetts leadership team met Thursday evening and we are in full agreement that our congregation will continue to be open and affirming of LGBTQ+ persons as we believe it is a faithful reflection of the Gospel.” She adds, “Our Bishop in the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference, Elaine Stanovsky, is committed to full inclusion. What that looks like in the coming months and years is yet to be seen. Our Bishop has indicated that we are not going anywhere, implying progressive/affirming churches are not going to exit the denomination.” But what would happen if the denomination leadership decided to enforce the new policy “remains unclear.” She added in our followup exchange:
My personal hope is that progressive Methodists will see this as an opportunity for rebirth, to create a new expression of Methodism that is inclusive and affirming of all people, while remaining grounded in Wesleyan theology and practice. The two are not mutually exclusive, and the reality is that our Wesleyan (Methodist) tradition actually does lend itself to full inclusion! Our practices are rooted in the baptismal covenant, that each and every person is loved and valued by God. How can we claim all people are made in the image of God and then tell people they cannot be who God created them to be? We do not get to decide how divine presence manifests itself in our world!
She is not alone in her sentiment, according to reports like this one from the New York Times.
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