day : 10/04/2019 12 results

(Photos courtesy Waypoint Sign Company)

If you travel on the Fauntleroy end of the West Seattle Bridge, you might have seen the activity today – Waypoint Sign Company has begun the process of installing the new “Welcome to West Seattle” sign.

We received the photos and update from Cara at Waypoint, which is based in South Park. She tells WSB, “We are so honored to create this amazing sign.” Today, the base went into position.

Tomorrow, Waypoint expects to pour concrete. That’ll set for a few days before they finish getting ready to install the sign itself.

We’re checking with the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce for an update on the unveiling plans – as you will probably recall, the new sign is a Chamber project, announced last summer along with a donation from Adah Cruzen to fund it as well as a sustainable maintenance plan.

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For the orcas, for us all: Volunteer for Duwamish Alive! on April 20th

April 10, 2019 9:39 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(WSB photo from spring 2018 Duwamish Alive!)

Are you registered yet to volunteer for the spring Duwamish Alive! event – multiple locations on Saturday, April 20th? This time, the focus is on how your help can assist in saving Puget Sound’s endangered orcas. Here’s the official announcement:

One of the key elements identified by the Governor’s Task Force in saving our Southern Resident Orcas is not just saving our salmon runs but also increasing the vitality and abundance of salmon runs, especially Chinook Salmon. They are the primary food source, almost exclusively, for Southern Resident Killer Whales. The Green-Duwamish Watershed is home to all 5 species of salmon, including Chinook. The Task Force identified restoring and increasing salmon habitat as one of the 3 primary actions required to save our orca and where individuals can make a positive difference in the orca’s survival and in improving the overall health of our watersheds. Orca are among many wildlife that are dependent on salmon for their survival. Volunteering throughout the year to improve salmon habitat with the many organizations dedicated in improving salmon health in the Puget Sound region will make a difference for the orcas’ survival.

Duwamish Alive! is a watershed-wide effort in improving the health of our salmon by restoring their habitat which provides food, shelter and cool, clean water that salmon need. Starting at 10:00 am Saturday, April 20th, volunteers will be restoring native habitat in multiple urban parks and open spaces from Seattle to Auburn in the ongoing effort to keep our river alive and healthy for our communities, salmon, and Puget Sound. Proving that many individuals working together can make a substantial difference.

Duwamish Alive! is a collaborative stewardship effort of conservation groups, businesses, and government entities, recognizing that our collective efforts are needed to make lasting, positive improvements in the health and vitality of the Green-Duwamish Watershed. Twice a year these events organize hundreds of volunteers to work at multiple sites in the river’s watershed, connecting the efforts of communities from Auburn to Seattle. Volunteers’ efforts include, a river cleanup by kayak, shoreline salmon habitat restoration, and native forest revitalization.

To volunteer, visit www.DuwamishAlive.org to see the different volunteer opportunities and RSVP to the contact for the site of your choice, or email info@duwamishalive.org

P.S. Even if you can’t volunteer, consider stopping by Roxhill Bog on Duwamish Alive! day, 11 am-1 pm – a special event there will help advance long-running efforts to fix hydrologic problems that threaten its future.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Taken, on camera

April 10, 2019 6:29 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

From the WSB inbox – two security-camera clips capturing items being taken:

SIGN STOLEN: What you see being taken from the sidewalk and put into that truck is a dead-end sign, explains Melody, who says that was part of an odd chain of events: “The night before at 11:34 PM 2 white males walked up and kicked it off the post, then tossed it in the street. I got up, retrieved it from the intersection, and leaned it up against the post. In the morning, called DOT to replace it. Then this truck pulled up and took it. The 2 males also tagged the back of the stop sign, dead end signs, and the yellow handicapped curb.”

PACKAGE THEFT: This happened outside a house near West Seattle Bowl in The Junction:

Kenny says it happened around 3:30 pm, and three packages were taken.

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BIZNOTE: Unwind Café about to open, across from Seacrest

April 10, 2019 4:05 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | WS beverages

Unwind Café is about to open across from Seacrest (aka the West Seattle Water Taxi dock), at 1619 Harbor Avenue SW. It’s actually something of a “reopening” because Unwind Café’s proprietor Vanessa Kammeyer was a co-proprietor of the shop that used to be in the space, Moondrop Coffee and Tea. Vanessa tells WSB that while the new name is a fresh start, otherwise, “everything is the same”:

Same menu; fresh juices and smoothies made with real fruits/vegetables. We have dairy-free bubble tea, organic/fair trade coffee provided by “Grounds for Change,” locally roasted in Poulsbo, which I pair with organic milks only. My dad’s anise/almond biscottis will still be stocked. Bagel sandwiches made with Einstein Brothers bagels, and smoothie bowls topped off with superfoods like cacao nibs, chia seeds, spirulina, granola, etc.

Vanessa notes that she has worked for 14 years in the food-service industry, running the Harbor Avenue shop since October 2014:

One of my goals has been to serve healthy food with great ingredients to my community; Unwind Cafe is my opportunity to do that. And to top it off, we have a great view of the Seattle skyline. … It’s a great place to come and unwind.

Vanessa expects to reopen the shop this Friday.

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What you’ll see at sea, off West Seattle: Two upcoming ship calls of note

April 10, 2019 2:17 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Port of Seattle | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Two ships that Elliott Bay-watchers will see soon:

FIRST CRUISE SHIP ON MONDAY: Though regular weekly cruise-ship departures don’t start until May, the first call of the season will be on Monday (April 15th), when the Celebrity Cruises ship Eclipse stops at Pier 66. It will be on its way to Vancouver, B.C., where it will depart on a 12-night one-way cruise to Hawaii two days later. After that, the next arrivals aren’t scheduled until May 4th. See the full schedule here; the port’s 2019 cruise-season one-sheet is here.

MATSON’S MOVE: We’re following up on all the changes set in motion by last week’s vote approving short-term and long-term leases for West Seattle’s Terminal 5. The former, Matson, will have its first T-5 call on April 26, according to the Northwest Seaport Alliance, whose spokesperson Katie Whittier adds, in response to our inquiry, that “Matson yard equipment will be delivered to T-5 between now and April 22. The gate will open for receiving cargo on April 22.” According to the Matson website, that Hawaii-bound vessel should be the Mahimahi.

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FOLLOWUP: Getting Colman Pool ready for early start

April 10, 2019 12:28 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks to Jim for the photo and alert – the Point Williams path on the west side of Colman Pool at Lincoln Park is blocked for a few hours. The truck is there with a crew installing new pumps. As we reported last month, the first scheduled swimming this year is one month from tomorrow, two weeks earlier than usual, because of extra funding added to the budget by the City Council for extra pre- and post-season weekends expanding the season.

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City Council candidates’ forum, music, poetry, and more for your West Seattle Wednesday

April 10, 2019 11:34 am

| 17 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Trileigh Tucker, who explains: “Red-breasted Nuthatch working hard to excavate his nest. You can see the sawdust flying!”)

Highlights for the rest of your Wednesday:

CODING WITHOUT COMPUTERS: 2:30-4 pm, 6-to-12-year-olds are invited to drop in at the West Seattle (Admiral) Library for this session of LibraryLab. (2306 42nd SW)

RIVERVIEW PLAYFIELD: As explained here, special Highland Park Action Committee meeting at 5:30 pm at the south end of the park, to talk with Seattle Parks about barrier options. (12th & Webster)

FREE GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) at 6:15 pm. All runners welcome. (2743 California SW)

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES’ FORUM: 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, ~~all five~~ candidates currently campaigning for the District 1 City Council race will appear in their second side-by-side forum, during the 34th District Democrats‘ meeting. All welcome, nonmembers included, no admission fee. AFTERNOON UPDATE: The 34th DDs tell us Isaiah Willoughby will not be participating as he has not confirmed to them that he’s a Democrat, which is a prerequisite for the group’s forums. (9131 California SW)

POETRYBRIDGE: Peter Munro and Judith Roche are the featured readers at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – full details here. 7 pm. (5612 California SW)

YADA YADA BLUES BAND: Live at Parliament Tavern, 9 pm, no cover, 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

OF COURSE THERE’S MORE … see our full calendar!

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PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT: You help Seattle Lutheran High School seniors, they’ll help you!

April 10, 2019 10:27 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

From the WSB inbox:

Seattle Lutheran High School Seniors are hosting a Parents’ Night Out on Saturday, April 13th from 6:00 – 9:00 pm.

Who: For children ages 3-12 years old. This event includes a movie, fun games, light dinner (bagel bites, milk, and carrots)

Location: Seattle Lutheran High School Gymnasium, 4100 SW Genesee

Cost: $15 for 1st child and $10 for each additional child. No RSVP’s necessary.

This event is to help defray the cost of their graduation trip. For more information, please contact info@seattlelutheran.org.

(Hard to believe, but graduation season is just two months away! SLHS’s ceremony is June 6th.)

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FYI: Log House Museum access alert for this week

April 10, 2019 10:03 am

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| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

If you’re planning a visit to the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s Log House Museum on Alki this week, curator Tasia Williams wants you to know, “Our ADA ramp at the Log House Museum will be closed this week due to repairs.” The museum at 61st SW and SW Stevens will be open noon-4 pm Thursday-Sunday as usual, otherwise.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday watch

April 10, 2019 7:15 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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

7:15 AM: Good morning! No traffic or transit alerts in our area so far.

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UPDATE: Vehicle goes over Alki Avenue seawall

April 10, 2019 2:09 am

| 16 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Added: Photo courtesy Brian Towers)

2:09 AM: Both Seattle Fire and Police are headed for the 1300 block of Alki Avenue SW, where a vehicle is reported to have gone into the water. They’re trying to figure out if anyone is in the vehicle; two people are reported to have been seen walking away from the scene. Updates to come.

2:11 AM: Per scanner, no one else was in the car, and the two people who got out are unhurt. The SFD response is being canceled. (added) It’s been 10 years since the last car-in-water incident we recall.

3:04 AM: Tow truck has arrived. As the photo shows, the car is more on the rocks than in the water. (Added) Here’s the context – that’s the car off the seawall at right:

(WSB photo)

10:59 AM: Court and jail records indicate a 19-year-old man was arrested for investigation of DUI, hit and run, and property damage. He’s currently in King County Jail, where records show he also spent time for suspected DUI in November.

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WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Getting ready for recommendations

April 10, 2019 1:46 am

| 14 COMMENTS

| Sound Transit | Transportation | West Seattle news

In two and a half weeks, the Elected Leadership Group created for Sound Transit West Seattle/Ballard light-rail planning will meet to make its recommendation of which routing/station-location alternatives should go into environmental study.

They have a lot of feedback to consider. And as we reported here, one West Seattleite on the ELG, City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, expressed concern that the ELG and the Stakeholder Advisory Group wouldn’t get enough time to consider it all – the timetable said they would get a summary of the recent “scoping” comments just two days before their recommendation meeting on April. She reiterated her request for more time in this letter with her scoping comments:

She asked that both groups get at least a week’s lead time between receiving scoping-comment information and their next meetings. And now we’ve learned that will happen – Sound Transit intends to send the scoping comments to both groups today (Wednesday), which is exactly a week before the SAG meets and 16 days before the ELG meets. We had asked ST just yesterday about the status of the request for more time and were told, “Staff is working hard to turn around these comments as quickly as they can.” We’ll inquire tomorrow how and how soon they’ll be available once sent to the ELG and SAG.

Meantime, community groups are continuing their advocacy. Another of the West Seattleites on the ELG, County Councilmember Joe McDermott – who is also on the ST Board – recently walked part of the potential route – from the Avalon station vicinity to the easternmost Junction station – with members of the East Alaska Junction Neighborhood Coalition. We were along for most of the tour: