West Seattle, Washington
13 Saturday
Family and friends have said goodbye to Robert Nestor Johnson. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:
Bob peacefully passed away on March 24 enveloped in the love of his family at his bedside. We are so thankful that we were able to be with him as he walked into the arms of our Lord. Our hearts are heavy with his loss but we know that he is enjoying a perfect game of bowling and under-par rounds of golf.
Bob was a lifelong resident of West Seattle, born on February 19, 1941. He graduated from Sealth High School in 1959. A few months later he was off to join the Air Force and spent 4 years in San Antonio, Amarillo, and Fort Worth, Texas. When he returned home, he bought a house on Gatewood Hill which he lived in for 53 years.
After the Air Force, Bob became a Welder, Boilermaker and Tool Maker. Over the years, his jobs took him to the Marshall Islands, Phoenix Islands, Canton Island, and Hawaii, where he had countless adventures and “stories.” When he wasn’t off on a job adventure, he worked for local Seattle companies and ended his working career at Boeing. As his family we are grateful that Bob documented his life so we were able to enjoy stories of his adolescence, young adulthood, military career and read about all of the commendations he received for outstanding performance at his various jobs during his life.
Bob was proficient in his hobbies of bowling, golfing, card playing, the games of Cribbage & Scrabble, traveling and camping in his van. He also enjoyed traveling with his buddies to golf courses in other states. Over the years, he was a local at West Seattle Bowl, West Seattle Golf Course, The New Deal, Benbow Inn, the Eagles, and Chelan Café.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents George & Mary Jane Johnson. Survivors include his sister Pat Leago, brother Jimmy Johnson & wife Kelley, sister Lori Stubberfield and husband Scott, along with 6 nieces & nephews and 6 grandnieces & grandnephews.
Our family would like to express gratitude to the staff at Swedish Medical Center, the Hospice Teams and all the individuals who were so kind in the weeks preceding Bob’s death. The compassion demonstrated to us was so appreciated. Per his request, his ashes will be scattered at a favorite family park. Gifts in his memory can be made to Swedish Medical Center.
We will miss you “What about Bob” – you are forever in our hearts
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
A colossal field trip for Denny International Middle School‘s Youth Ambassadors – the report and photos are from principal Jeff Clark:
The Youth Ambassadors had an amazing trip to the Washington State Legislature, State Supreme Court, and the Governor’s mansion.
We were blessed with the critical support of the Seattle Police Department who provided us with free transportation and four amazing officers to serve as chaperones, including the one and only Officer Vargas.
Ms. Lori Markowitz and the Alliance for Gun Responsibility arranged a packed day of meeting with elected officials who carved out time from their busy schedule to meet with us about specific pieces of legislation addressing gun-violence prevention.
Our scholars were amazing representatives and advocates for the Denny community. They were articulate, compassionate, and direct in their communication with the elected officials and staff. It was an unforgettable experience for all who were involved
We were able to meet:
First Lady Trudi Inslee [photo above]
Governor Inslee [top photo]
Representatives: Pollet, Valdez, Fitzgibbon [photo above]
Senators: Saldaña, Nguyen [photo above], Salomon
Office Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI): Marissa Rathbone and Jerry PriceOther highlights were:
Touring Capital
Touring the Governor’s mansion
Observing civic action by WEA. Scholars learned about the McCleary decision from teachers across the state
Observing the budget voting process
One Denny scholar receiving Washingtonian of the Day for her direct and articulate introduction and rationale for our visitThank you to Mr. Chase, Ms. Markowitz, and Officer Vargas for making this great experience happen! Go, Dolphins!
Denny’s sent delegations to Olympia before – here’s a report from two years ago.
4:25 PM: SFD is sending a fireboat and rescue swimmers to the area of Beach Drive shoreline across from Me-Kwa-Mooks for what’s described as a possible paddleboarder in distress. Updates to come.
4:28 PM: And that’s been canceled already … Seattle Police are reported to have made contact with the person, who is out of the water and OK.
WEEKEND FOLLOWUPS: We followed up with police today – no arrests to report in either of two weekend incidents we reported on briefly while police were investigating: The Friday night gunfire in Highland Park, and the Saturday night shoplifting-turned-robbery that led to an extensive search in Morgan Junction.
(Saturday night WSB photo)
We did obtain the report narrative for the latter, which says it started when West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) employees “… contacted the suspect for shoplifting. They observed him putting bulk foods items, a Starbucks Frappuccino and other unknown items into his bag. The suspect then passed the checkout stands without attempting to pay for anything. They then confronted the suspect to return the items. The suspect refused to give back the items. … At some point, the suspect … lifted his pant leg up to expose his boot (and said) “I have a knife. I will kick you.” (They) feared they were going to get assaulted, backed off and told the suspect they were calling the police. That is when the suspect ran out the back door.” While searching with K9 help, while police didn’t find the robber, just east of the store, under a car in the 6500 block of 42nd SW, they did find a bag he had been carrying, containing food, a toothbrush, a lighter, and the cap he had worn.
Next, three reader reports:
PROWLER: From a reader in Seaview:
The reader says the prowler was caught on camera around 11:20 am Sunday near 42nd/Juneau.
ANOTHER PROWLER: We also received a weekend report of a man prowling from Roxhill Park toward the former Roxhill Elementary: “He then proceeded to walk through the neighborhood and every house he walked through yards. He came to ours and walked right up to our front door and front window. … Even when confronted he did not run just kept walking through.” Police were called.
SCAM CALL ALERT: Thanks to Lisa for the reminder that scam callers are relentless. She emailed us this afternoon to report, “We just received a robocall from ‘Department of IRS,’ stating it was suspending our social security numbers due to suspicious activity. My mother-in-law, who is 88, also received the calls.” Since she sent us that original note, just as we were about to publish this, she sent word of a few more – one purporting to be about her account at Bank of America (where she does NOT have an account), and one pitching asphalt for her mother-in-law’s driveway … which is already paved.
Also today, this reminder:
NEXT WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION MEETING: 7 pm Tuesday, April 16, at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster), with local police there to answer your questions about local crime/safety concerns, as well as this month’s special guest, a representative from the Seattle Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit.
(Rendering by Hybrid Architecture)
Four months after the mostly-microapartments proposal resurfaced for 5952 California SW [map], it’s received key city approvals. The project description is the same as last December, when it went into a second round of Design Review, 2+ years after the first – “29 small efficiency dwelling units and 6 apartment units (35 units total). Parking for 5 vehicles proposed.” Today’s publication of the notice for this opens a two-week appeal period; the notice explains (PDF) how to file one. Meantime, the property was re-listed for sale a week and a half ago (PDF), with the notation “back on market,” asking price $1.8 million, a bit less than its August 2017 listing.
Just sent by Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner, another one of the occasional notifications that a Level 3 sex offender has moved into the area:
In an effort to keep you informed, and in our constant attempts to reduce future victimization, we want to let you know about one level 3 sex offender that has recently moved into a Southwest Precinct neighborhood.
Jermaine Freeman, a 45 year old Black Male, is a level 3 registered sex offender who has recently moved to the 9200 Block of Olson Place SW. Mr. Freeman is no longer under Department of Corrections supervision.
To learn more about this offender and for additional safety tips please visit the website at www.waspc.org and search by his name. [Editor’s note: Here’s a direct link to the page with his photo and background information.]
To register to receive an email alert whenever a published offender registers within one mile of your desired addresses, go to (this link).
Level 3 sex offenders pose the highest risk to re-offend. It is normal to feel upset, angry and worried about a registered sex offender living in your community. The Community Notification Act of 1990 requires sex offenders to register in the community where they live. The law also allows local law enforcement to make the public aware about Level 2 and Level 3 offenders. Since these offenders have completed their sentences, they are free to live where they wish. Experts believe sex offenders are less likely to re-offend if they live and work in an environment free of harassment. Any actions taken against the listed sex offenders could result in arrest and prosecution as it is against the law to use this information in any way to threaten, intimidate or harass registered sex offenders. The SPD Sex offender detectives will check on these offenders every 3 months to verify our information.
The single most effective means of protecting your child is communication with your child. They have to feel comfortable discussing sensitive matters with you. Teach your children that they should not be asked to touch anyone in the bathing suit areas of their body or allow anyone to touch them in those areas. Teach them types of situations to avoid. It is not good enough to tell a child to avoid strangers. Please remember that children are most often molested by someone they or their parents know.
Other questions? This FAQ might help.
(Anna’s Hummingbird, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Flying into spring-break week – here are Monday highlights:
FREE TAX HELP: 1 week until the IRS deadline. Delridge Library has free tax help available 2-6:30 pm today. Drop-in, first-come first-served, as explained here. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
EARLY OUTREACH MEETING FOR DELRIDGE PROJECT: As previewed last week, the developers of 8415 Delridge Way SW invite community members to an “early outreach” informal meeting about the 14-townhouse project. Drop-in meeting 4:30-5:30 pm at Southwest Library. (9010 35th SW)
EVENING BOOK GROUPS: 6:45 pm at West Seattle (2306 42nd SW) and Southwest (9010 35th SW) Libraries. WS is reading “The Best We Could Do” by Thi Bui, this year’s “Seattle Reads” book; SW is reading “The Year of Magical Thinking” by Joan Didion. If you can’t go tonight, follow those links to get a start on next month’s books!
OPEN MIC: Signups start at 7:30 pm at Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
QUIZ NIGHT: 7:30 pm at The Skylark, free, all ages, with prizes! (3803 Delridge Way SW)
LOOK AHEAD! Our complete calendar is here.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:58 AM: Good morning. It’s Spring Break week for many area schools, including the Seattle, Highline, and Vashon Island districts.
TRANSIT: No current alerts but the first two West Seattle Water Taxi shuttles didn’t run, according to Metro.
(WSB photo, 2017)
We are now less than two weeks away from Easter and the start of Passover, and our annual one-stop-shop list for egg hunts, services, and more, is live – see it here. As usual, we will continue updating as long as new listings come in, so if you have something to add, please send us the info ASAP – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
“This is just the start.”
Regarding the hot topic of light rail in West Seattle, that was a common theme and assurance from Sound Transit experts and longtime community leaders alike at the monthly meeting of the Southwest District Council, held at the Senior Center of West Seattle on Wednesday night.
Following the previous Friday’s meeting of the Elected Leadership Group and this past Tuesday’s deadline to submit “scoping comments,” the project has definitely taken the next step, but leaders stressed that the end of the 3rd and final level of filtering routing/statio options for environmental review certainly isn’t the end of public input.
Several staff members from Sound Transit talked about the latest plans at the meeting (with a special focus on potential housing displacement), including West Seattle project lead Stephen Mak (pictured above), outreach supervisor Leda Chahim and property director Joe Gray, to summarize the project proposals and report on current status. Later in the meeting, representatives from the new East Alaska Junction Neighborhood Coalition organization (initially formed in response to ST plans, as we reported here) also introduced themselves to the SW District Council, and talked about ways to collaborate in the future on transit and on broader issues.
Aside from the core agenda, attendees went around the room for quick announcements, including:
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
For the first time since the city announced Camp Second Chance would be able to stay at 9701 Myers Way S. for at least six more months, its Community Advisory Committee met today.
The meeting included updates on camp operations and on moving campers into housing as well as questions about the camp’s future.
CAMP UPDATE: Resident manager Eric Davis distributed the monthly update: 50 campers right now, 18 women and 32 men. Campers are now in 41 “tiny houses” and 7 tents, with “2 spaces earmarked for two more houses,” thanks to donors working with “volunteers and residents.” He expressed gratitude for the city extension.
UPDATES FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS: The meeting started, as usual, with a chance for CAC members in attendance to share comments and observations.
Almost two years after the city Find It, Fix It Walk in Highland Park, another of the spotlighted issues is being addressed. Here’s the invitation from the Highland Park Action Committee:
Special Meeting With Parks Dept. on Options for Riverview Park: New Barrier/Fence
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Meet at Riverview Park – 12th Ave. SW & SW Webster at 5:30 pm.
Come discuss possible optionsDuring the May 2017 Find-It-Fix-It walk, neighbors and community members raised concerns about the existing logs that served as barriers to the park. Neighbors expressed that the logs were unsightly and not good for the environment.
Parks staff responded that we would look at alternatives. The logs serve an important purpose of keeping folks from driving on to the field and damaging the park.
This Wednesday, we’d love to discuss possible alternative to the existing logs and solicit feedback from the community.
Please come to the Highland Park Action Committee (HPAC) special meeting on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at 12th Ave. SW and SW Webster at 5:30 pm. This is the south lot. Seattle Parks and Recreation staff will be there to talk through this upgrade to the park.
If you are unable to attend this meeting, you may email your comments or questions to carol.baker@seattle.gov.
3:27 PM SUNDAY: If you have something to put in the mail, you won’t be able to use the drive-up/ride-up box outside the West Seattle Junction Post Office for a few days. We don’t know the backstory, nor do we know when it went out of service, but the sign on the side says “lock replacement Monday or Tuesday.” So we’ll check back. (Thanks to Lora for the photo/tip.)
10:08 AM MONDAY: We just went over to check – back in service already.
Early this morning, the Olympic Mountains peeked out from beneath the clouds to show what was happening up there while overnight rain was soaking us down here. The top photo – featuring Mount Constance – is from Jim Borrow; the wider view below is from JayDee:
Side note: We wondered about the state of the snowpack, given that March was light on precipitation. Here’s a variety of ways to gauge it.
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Seattle-based experimental pop band Sun Breaks played an in-store performance at Easy Street Records in The Junction on Saturday night, featuring songs from their new album All On Camera.
Here are some video clips from the show:
Coming up at Easy Street Records: Lostboycrow on April 9, Record Store Day on April 13, and SYML on April 16.
(Saturday sunbreak on the Arroyos shore, photographed by Anjanette Nelson-Wally)
Highlights for the hours ahead, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
PUGET PARK TRAILS NEED YOU: 9 am, meet at the Puget Park trailhead:
Community support is needed for this month’s work party; we will construct a log and gravel ramp to smooth a steep muddy transition on the trail that leads to the bench near the ramp constructed last season. Several neighbors have come together to lead this Puget Ridge family friendly community event. Please stop by and give whatever time you have, every little bits helps, even just swing by to say “thank you”. Our presence and participation at this event demonstrates to Seattle Parks that we care and appreciate improvements they are making to the parks in our neighborhood.
(19th SW/SW Dawson)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: See what’s new as we get further into spring. 10 am-2 pm in the street in the heart of The Junction. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)
WEST SEATTLE RUNNER TURNS 9: 11 am saunter/sprint starts the third and final day of the West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) birthday party – plus discounts, raffles, treats – details here. (2743 California SW)
CAMP SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Questions, comments, concerns about West Seattle’s city-sanctioned encampment? 2 pm, all are welcome at the monthly meeting of its all-volunteer Community Advisory Committee. Representatives from the city and from camp operator LIHI are usually there too. The meeting’s in the community room on the east side of the Arrowhead Gardens complex, which is a few blocks north of C2C. (9200 2nd SW)
RAVEIS KOLE: Bellingham-based duo live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)
‘THREE TALL WOMEN’: Twelfth Night Productions‘ matinée performance of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Edward Albee play, 3 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
DENNIS JAMES AT THE MIGHTY WURLITZER: 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall, pipe-organ accompaniment for three classic silent comedies. Check ASAP to make sure there’s still room! (7904 35th SW)
MAURICE & HIS THING: Maurice Caldwell‘s many-faceted performance, live at Parliament Tavern, 8 pm. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
PREVIEW THE WEEK AHEAD … via our full calendar. See it here!
About two hours into Saturday morning’s 27th annual Fairmount Ravine cleanup, we stopped by the main site beneath the bridge to see how things were going. Down by the roadside, a pile of filled bags; up under the bridge, neighbors and friends still hard at work.
Joining the volunteers this year, our photographer discovered with that zoom view (we’re admittedly not much for climbing), City Councilmember Lisa Herbold. The SPD Community Police Team was represented too. But the heart of the cleanup crew is comprised of the nearby residents who have over the past quarter-century-plus pulled tons of debris and trash out of the area along the road used by drivers, runners, and riders to get between Admiral and east Alki.
P.S. If you’re thinking about a neighborhood cleanup, the city’s Spring Clean program offers support – info’s here.
9:10 PM: Thanks for the tips. A police search is under way in Morgan Junction. We’re headed that way to find out more.
(Added: WSB photo)
9:17 PM: Police tell us this started as a shoplifting incident at nearby West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) that turned violent, which turns it into a robbery case.
9:09 PM: Police and fire are headed to an address in the 9200 block of 17th SW for a ‘scenes of violence’ callout. More when we get it.
9:32 PM: SFD has closed out the call. Police will only tell us they responded to a report of a single gunshot.
10:16 PM: A Seattle Fire spokesperson tells us their role in the call closed quickly because the person had already died.
Five weeks from today – on Saturday, May 11th – for the 15th consecutive year! – one-of-a-kind treasures will have new homes after the peninsula’s biggest person-to-person recycling event of the year, West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day (coordinated by WSB).
We opened registration three days ago and sellers have signed up from North Admiral to south Arbor Heights, Highland Park to Fairmount Park to Lincoln Park, Genesee Hill to Gatewood to Westwood, and other neighborhoods all around the peninsula. If you’re planning to have a sale, here’s where to sign up. If you’re planning to shop, watch WSB for the map – clickable and printable versions, both with up-to-20-word descriptions of each sale’s highlights – available one week before sale day!
Three weeks from tonight, a local fundraiser promises to transport you thousands of miles away … without leaving West Seattle … all to educate children. Last September, we reported on A Child Becomes Preschool (WSB sponsor) launching its biggest service project yet, one that literally spans the globe – building a preschool in rural South Africa. It’s open, and now A Child Becomes is working on opening a second one. You can be part of it on Saturday, April 27th, by enjoying “an evening of adult beverages, tasty bites, music, and an Eastern Cape Market featuring student artwork.” It’s an adults (21+)-only evening at A Child Becomes (4320 SW Hill), with tickets available at ReachForSouthAfrica.org. The goal:
Help fund preschool in South Africa!
Our first school is up & running, and we’re fundraising now for our second school to open in January 2020. These newly built preschools in rural South Africa will work with our students at A Child Becomes in West Seattle creating an extremely personalized cross-cultural experience. Your donation is greatly appreciated and tax deductible.
Can’t make the event? Please consider supporting in the following ways:
– Donate goods and services for our silent auction
– Provide desserts for the event
– Make a cash donation: ReachForSouthAfrica.org
The preschool’s director, Michelle “Teacher Shelley” Neal, has a special interest in South Africa; that’s where her husband Ralph is from, and they travel there each year. The Eastern Cape area – inspiration for the April 27th event – is where they opened the first preschool a few months ago; you can read Shelley’s journal here (and see video of the preschool building’s arrival!). And if you can attend the April 27th party, there you’ll find out even more about what’s happening now as well as the plan to open the next preschool next year.
(WSB photo)
2:19 PM: Thanks for the tip – those tree limbs that fell on SW Othello east of California SW in Gatewood [map] are the first effects we’ve seen of the bursts of wind and rain that have moved through a few times so far this afternoon. Inbetween – some sunbreaks like the one we’re in right now. The National Weather Service’s Wind Advisory alert remains in effect until 7 tonight. If the weather causes any trouble where you are, text or call 206-293-6302 to let us know – thanks!
4:39 PM: The NWS just announced it’s ending the Wind Advisory early.
Passing by 35th SW and SW Barton, we saw the sign … “Tony’s OPEN.” So we stopped by to verify, and indeed, it’s day 1 of the 2019 season for the little family-owned produce stand in the red/green/white tent on the corner. Tony’s Market is open 9 am-7 pm daily and will be adding something new this season – a few select garden supplies, such as bark. Watch for that soon – some flower plants are already available:
This is an earlier opening for Tony’s than the last few years – they started in May last year and June the year before that. The market usually stays open through spring and summer before transitioning to Halloween pumpkins and then Christmas trees.
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