West Seattle, Washington

24 Wednesday

51℉

month : 04/2019 306 results

Salmon in the Schools: A double first at Fauntleroy Creek
April 30, 2019 11:10 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

Every spring, salmon fry like these are released into Fauntleroy Creek with the hopes of students, educators, and volunteers swimming right along next to them. Today, these were the first school-raised fry of the year to be set free. And the occasion brought another first:

Fifth-graders from Louisa Boren STEM K-8 are the first at their school to participate in the Salmon in the Schools program. They arrived by bus at Fauntleroy Park in the midmorning sun and headed to the creek:

Watershed steward Judy Pickens tells us that lead teacher Christina Massimino and students at Boren have “jumped in” wholeheartedly with a lot of environmental learning tied to coho-raising in the four months since eggs were delivered.

Another 19 releases are planned in the next month. Judy adds, “Volunteers Dennis Hinton, Pete Draughon, and Shannon Ninburg will be in the woods again this year, dipping fish, looking out for safety, and coordinating habitat exploration.”

After the fry are freed, it’s off to Judy’s end of the creek, closer to the overlook across from the Fauntleroy ferry dock, for Q&A and lunch. The annual cycle at Fauntleroy Creek also includes the fall watch for spawners; last year, volunteers counted 18, the most in four years.

P.S. In case you haven’t already seen it, Fauntleroy Creek – and Dennis and Judy – got a TV showcase this week.

Share This

SPORTS: Tonight’s postseason baseball games
April 30, 2019 9:49 pm
|    Comments Off on SPORTS: Tonight’s postseason baseball games
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

As noted in our daily highlights, both Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle HS had postseason games today at Southwest Athletic Complex. Scores are in – WSHS beat Roosevelt 5-1 tonight, Sealth lost to Garfield 10-0 this afternoon. The Wildcats play Ballard next, 7 pm Thursday at SWAC (2801 SW Thistle); the Seahawks play Bainbridge next, 4 pm Friday at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd)

Share This

TERMINAL 5: Southwest District Council briefing Wednesday; new Matson ship Friday
April 30, 2019 8:28 pm
|    Comments Off on TERMINAL 5: Southwest District Council briefing Wednesday; new Matson ship Friday
 |   Port of Seattle | Southwest District Council | West Seattle news

Bids are being reviewed now and work is set to start soon on what ultimately will be a half-billion-dollar project – counting private as well as public investment – at Terminal 5. If you have questions, consider coming to the Southwest District Council‘s May meeting on Wednesday (May 1st), 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon). Also at Terminal 5, its second container-ship call since the Matson move will be a brand-new ship that the cargo line has just put into service; at today’s West Seattle Chamber of Commerce Westside Awards breakfast, Northwest Seaport Alliance deputy CEO Kurt Beckett said Matson’s new Kaimana Hila is due in Friday (its first Seattle call was week before last at T-30).

(Port of Seattle photo)

The 850-foot-long ship and its sibling Daniel K. Inouye are the largest container ships ever built in the U.S., Matson says.

Share This

VIDEO, PHOTOS: Memorable moments as West Seattle Chamber of Commerce presents 2019 Westside Awards
April 30, 2019 5:47 pm
|    Comments Off on VIDEO, PHOTOS: Memorable moments as West Seattle Chamber of Commerce presents 2019 Westside Awards
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand. Above, a lot of love for Westsider of the Year Adah Cruzen)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Inspiration, joy, and sorrow all marked moments woven through the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s annual Westside Awards breakfast this morning at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor).

The inspiration: The honorees, as well as keynote speaker Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best, who mused on the awareness that we all have so little time on this earth to make a difference.

The sorrow underscored that, as a moment of silence was held for a local leader who died a few days ago, way too soon.

And the joy was found in the celebratory gathering itself, with morning sunshine and the blue water of Elliott Bay just outside the windows of the Salty’s banquet room filled with West Seattle civic and business leaders.

It was the first Westside Awards breakfast for the Chamber’s new CEO, Julia Jordan. She said this year’s award recipients were chosen from among 53 nominees.

Read More

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Seen this stolen pickup?
April 30, 2019 4:58 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Seen this stolen pickup?
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

The last stolen vehicle reported here on WSB was found by a reader. So let’s try another one:

The photo is from Angie:

My truck was stolen yesterday morning. Police report filed. Dark gray ‘98 Toyota Tacoma license B79399P. Taken from 12th Ave SW and Elmgrove early in the morning of 4/29.

Call 911 if you see it.

Share This

STREET CLOSURE: SW Snoqualmie to be closed as part of 35th/Avalon/Alaska work
April 30, 2019 4:03 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | Triangle | West Seattle news

Though SW Avalon Way is the largest section of the big SDOT repaving (etc.) project that’s now under way, it also involves three blocks of 35th SW where work is about to start, and the project update we’ve just received is related to that:

As early as Friday, May 3, we will be closing SW Snoqualmie St at the 35th Ave SW intersection.

We will be using this closure to stage equipment on SW Snoqualmie St, just to the west of the intersection, to prepare for several months of utility work and roadway construction on 35th Ave SW which is expected to begin as early as Monday, May 6. The road to be local access only at 36th Ave SW.

You can expect to see no-park signs on SW Snoqualmie St as early as this afternoon. Parking restrictions may begin as early as Friday, May 3.

As announced Monday, this Friday is also when tree-trimming crews will be working in multiple zones of the project area.

Share This

UPDATE: 35th/Trenton crash
April 30, 2019 3:16 pm
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: 35th/Trenton crash
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

3:16 PM: SFD and SPD have been dispatched to what’s described as a two-vehicle collision at 35th/Trenton. A texter says traffic is backing up in the area, so steer clear for a while. They tell us it’s on the northbound side.

3:40 PM: Our crew sent the photo we’ve added of the damaged cars. They’ve been moved out of the intersection, so no further traffic effects, and we’re told no one was seriously hurt.

Share This

YOUR VOICE, YOUR CHOICE: More than 50 West Seattle/South Park projects proposed for you to prioritize
April 30, 2019 2:07 pm
|    Comments Off on YOUR VOICE, YOUR CHOICE: More than 50 West Seattle/South Park projects proposed for you to prioritize
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Even before SDOT closes community voting on Neighborhood Street Fund projects, it’s launched a separate participatory process on a different group of smaller-scale projects: The “Your Voice, Your Choice” park and street proposals. These projects aren’t to the voting stage yet – you’re invited to prioritize them. For District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) alone, more than 50 proposals are on the list (mapped here). The process is explained here; you can express your prioritization preferences online by going here, and/or by going to a meeting – the D-1 meetings are at 5:30 pm May 13th at Delridge Community Center and 5:30 pm May 28th at South Park Community Center. Voting is tentatively planned for September.

Share This

CRIME WATCH: West Seattle Runner burglarized, for loot that’ll be mostly easy to spot
April 30, 2019 11:59 am
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

Tim and Lori McConnell at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) report, a bit wryly, that their store was broken into overnight:

Well, 5 1/2 years after our first burglary, seems we were due for another, and last night we got it.

Luckily this time the burglar(s) must have panicked due to our incredibly loud alarm, as they chose to steal a bunch of hoodies with our logo on the front, as well as a bunch of men’s short sleeve and long sleeve shirts, which also had our logo on the front.

Now I appreciate people shopping local and all, and if stealing our logo’ed merchandise was a way to help us advertise to offset our losses, well, I guess I appreciate that too. But they also took a bunch of men’s running shorts. And yes, men never have as many shorts as they should have, and they hang on to them way too long, but when they get new ones, the almost always pay for them, so this was disappointing.

Also disappointing, our GPS watch display was picked over. And by disappointing, I mean for the burglars. I now have to order a new Garmin dummy display watch to replace the one they took, and the Polar watch still in our display case is really lonely since they stole the box that it came in.

They also took 2 pairs of 8.5 Saucony women’s shoes, one regular width, one wide, I guess they weren’t sure of their size.

So be on the lookout for someone wearing a bunch of men’s apparel with our logo on it and a pair of women’s shoes, struggling to get their watch to work, they may know where our stuff went.

The door lock (top photo) is being replaced today.

Share This

5 for your West Seattle Tuesday. Plus a baby-bird sighting
April 30, 2019 10:48 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

David Hutchinson sent the photo – photographing Harbor Avenue Canada Goose goslings as he has for so many years – saying this is one of six goslings that are the first he’s seen this spring, adding, “Hope they keep out of the street where they usually end up looking for water to drink.” Be careful if you’re traveling in the area! Meantime, notes for the day/night ahead:

PROPERTY TAXES DUE! Forest reminds us to remind you that today is the deadline for the first of this year’s two payments for King County property owners.

HIGH-SCHOOL BASEBALL: 4 pm postseason game for Chief Sealth IHS vs. Garfield, 7 pm postseason game for West Seattle HS vs. Roosevelt. Both games at Southwest Athletic Complex. (2801 SW Thistle)

RECYCLED PAPER WORKSHOP: Still a spot or two left for tonight’s workshop with Linda McClamrock at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 6 pm – register here ASAP! (5612 California SW)

48TH/CHARLESTOWN PARK MEETING: Interested in this future park site? Be at Dakota Place Park tonight, 6:30-8 pm, to see and talk about design concepts for the long-landbanked corner lot. (4304 SW Dakota)

SUFFERING F-HEADS: Punk/jazz duo at Parliament Tavern, 9 pm. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

SEE WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING … by checking our complete calendar here.

Share This

11 days to 300 sales on West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2019!
April 30, 2019 9:45 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

Hundreds of sellers and thousands of shoppers are looking ahead to the 15th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, now just 11 days away – Saturday, May 11th! We have read each and every one of the 300 listings as part of the map-making process and can promise it’ll be a fun day wherever you are, wherever you go. You might not be surprised to hear we have several sellers citing Marie Kondo and hoping their stuff will “spark joy” for you. We have a seller promising “the secrets to a long and meaningful life” will be at their sale. We have some simple themes from “everything free” to “everything $2” to the classic “everything must go.” Some sellers will open earlier than the 9 am-3 pm “official” WSCGSD hours, and some will stay open late – we even have some with extra days (Friday and/or Sunday). The map and listings will be available for your review and/or downloading this Saturday (May 4th). More previews to come …

P.S. If you’re a nonprofit inviting sellers to donate leftovers on/after WSCGSD, let us know ASAP when/where/how, so we can include it in WSCGSD-related info – email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thanks!

Share This

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday watch
April 30, 2019 7:03 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday watch
 |   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)

7:03 AM: Good morning. No incidents or alerts in our area so far.

AVALON PROJECT REMINDER: The Metro Route 50 reroute is scheduled to continue all week.

Share This

2 West Seattle sunset scenes
April 30, 2019 1:38 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

If you missed the colorful Monday night sunset – here are two views: Above, the sun shone brightly until the very last, as it disappeared next to the Olympics’ Mount Constance – that photo is by Dan Ciske; a bit later, the pink glow was captured by Lynn Hall:

Promising weather Tuesday night, too.

Share This

READER REPORT: Garage mural honors murdered musician
April 29, 2019 9:16 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Thanks to Ambrose Dieringer for the report and photo:

I wanted to share a new mural with you and your readers, located in the alley between 36th and 37th Ave. SW (midway down from cross streets SW Genesee and Dakota). My neighbor across the alley,Lawrence Genette is a local artist who is putting the finishing touches on his garage mural as a tribute to the slain artist and activist Nipsey Hussle.

President Obama sent a letter praising Hussle, at his funeral, noting: “While most people look at the Crenshaw neighborhood where he grew up and see only gangs, bullets, and despair, Nipsey saw potential” “He saw hope. He saw a community that even through its flaws taught him to always keep going.”

Hussle’s legacy and Lawrence’s art are a powerful reminder that all communities have their challenges, but it is up to us to channel our talents and energy into a positive force.

Other murals by the artist include one on Capitol Hill depicting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

TUESDAY UPDATE: We have struck out the part of Ambrose’s report that suggests the artist is painting the mural at his own home – we’re now told he is working there but does not live there.

Share This

BIZNOTE: New owners reopen Irashai
April 29, 2019 7:42 pm
|    Comments Off on BIZNOTE: New owners reopen Irashai
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

You might have noticed the big GRAND OPENING banner in The Admiral District – for the reopening of Irashai (2352 California SW). We finally got a chance to talk briefly with its proprietors today – the restaurant has the same name as the one that closed in January, but new owners. Their menu includes sushi, sashimi, teriyaki, bulgogi, and bi bim bowls. They’re open 3:30-9:30 pm Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, noon-9:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, closed Tuesdays.

Share This

AVALON PROJECT: Tree trimming Friday
April 29, 2019 5:12 pm
|    Comments Off on AVALON PROJECT: Tree trimming Friday
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Extra work in part of the Avalon project zone this Friday – tree trimming. Here’s the alert just in from SDOT:

Crews will be working this Friday, May 3, in Zone A (between SW Bradford St and SW Andover St), Zones C (SW Avalon Way from 35th Ave SW to SW Genesee St) and E (35th Ave SW from SW Avalon Way to SW Alaska St) to trim trees in the public right of way. We anticipate work happening along:

*The west side of SW Avalon Way from SW Bradford St and SW Andover St
*The north side of SW Avalon Way from 35th Ave SW to SW Genesee St
*The west side of 35th Ave SW from SW Snoqualmie St to SW Oregon St

You can expect to see no-park signs along the corridor as early as tomorrow morning. Parking restrictions will go in effect Friday from 7 AM to 7 PM.

Other work happening this week was previewed in our report last Friday.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: ‘Have you seen Subie?’ (Found!)
April 29, 2019 3:42 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

The photo and report are from Kitty, who hopes you might be able to find her stolen car:

Have you seen Subie? Our 1984 Subaru GL 4WD wagon was stolen last night from North Admiral, at 44th and Seattle St. She’s got around 309,000 miles and is a daily driver. She’s part of the family at this point… Crystal Mountain and Alta stickers, plus the extra roof rack, make her stand out. Washington plates 746KNY.

If you see this car, call 911.

UPDATE: As you can see in comments below – Silvia spotted “Subie” and Kitty confirms they got it back!

Share This

UPDATE: Suspect arrested after hit-run driver injured Chief Sealth IHS student
April 29, 2019 1:55 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | Westwood | WS breaking news

1:55 PM: A Chief Sealth International High School student is being taken to the hospital, injured by a hit-run driver while crossing SW Thistle by the school. The injuries are not major, as the student is being transported by AMR instead of SFD medic unit. Westbound Thistle remains blocked right now; police are looking for what they describe as a “red Honda,” likely to have damage on the passenger side. If you have any information, call 911.

2:15 PM: The road has reopened. We have a request out to SFD for any available info on the student and their condition.

2:35 PM: SFD says the victim is a 16-year-old boy who was in stable condition when taken to the hospital.

2:44 PM: Police tell us they found the vehicle and arrested a suspect in Top Hat, in the 11000 block of 1st SW.

TUESDAY UPDATE: As Alex S. notes in a comment below, the driver was booked on suspicion of DUI and the jail docket shows a failure-to-appear on one prior case. We are checking further on the 29-year-old suspect’s history.

Share This

‘School-based cuts’ averted by last-minute legislative action, Seattle Public Schools says
April 29, 2019 1:35 pm
|    Comments Off on ‘School-based cuts’ averted by last-minute legislative action, Seattle Public Schools says
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics | West Seattle schools

Some of the most controversial cuts Seattle Public Schools had been facing – including librarians and counselors – will not happen after all, the district says, because of what the Legislature did before adjourning late last night. Here’s the SPS statement:

The Legislative session in Olympia ended on Sunday, April 28. Due to the Legislature’s actions, Seattle Public Schools will be able to collect $3,000 per student from local, voter-approved funds beginning in 2020.

This will restore $12.2 million directly to classrooms in the 2019-20 school year, with an estimated total increase in revenue of $16 million, and will provide an estimated additional $28 million to the district beginning with the 2020-21 school year.

This restored revenue, along with increased flexibility to use capital funds for maintenance costs, will help SPS address some of the $40 million budget shortfall for the 2019-20 school year. It supports restoration of the most critical supports for our students – our school-based staff.

We want to thank the Seattle Legislative Delegation for its leadership on restoring this much-needed Levy authority, particularly Senate Ways and Means Committee Vice Chair David Frockt, Senator Jamie Pedersen, Senator Reuven Carlyle, and Representative Gael Tarleton. We also want to thank Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair Christine Rolfes for her efforts on behalf of school districts.

Based on the SPS budget shortfall anticipated prior to the Legislature’s final action on the state budget, 2019-20 school-based cuts — which included librarians, counselors, and assistant principals — will be restored. Other budget reductions, including those to central office, will move forward.

“With sweeping changes to K-12 funding, fine tuning was needed and will need to continue. A huge thanks to the Legislature, especially our local delegation, for recognizing the challenges and increasing Seattle’s levy collection authority,” said Superintendent Juneau. “Our local
legislative delegation has been fighting hard for our students and staff across the entire state. I also want to thank the families, educators, district staff, and students who raised their voice and shared their concerns with decision-makers in Olympia. This win for Seattle students is because of you.”

While SPS can access additional funding for next school year, many districts cannot. There are many districts across the state that will manage large budget shortfalls next year and into future years. SPS has and will continue to advocate for ample K-12 funding for all of Washington State’s children, including those that receive specialized services.

Superintendent Juneau expressed her deep gratitude to Senator Frockt and our legislative delegation for their work on the capital budget, with Seattle Public Schools receiving $18 million for additional classroom construction at Leschi Elementary and Madison Middle Schools, and funding for a new HVAC system at North Beach Elementary School.

The state’s Special Education budget increase is a down payment on a much-needed long term solution. Next year, Seattle Public Schools will receive an additional $2 million for Special Education.

Annually, the district spends $70 million of local levy funds to provide the services our students need. We appreciate the increase for Special Education, but continue to have grave concerns about the state’s slow pace in fully funding Special Education as is required by law.

“The fight for full funding of public education is not over,” said SPS School Board President Leslie Harris. “While we are very grateful for the new infusion of money, Special Education continues to be underfunded statewide, including in Seattle. Special Education funds outlined in the state’s two-year budget continue to fall short of what our students need and deserve. We are committed to working with our representatives and others in Olympia to get this resolved.”

Additional Background Information:

Read More

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: One bike stolen, another left behind
April 29, 2019 11:56 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Thieves do this sometimes with cars, sometimes with bikes – steal one, leave another behind. That’s what happened to Jamie, who emailed us to report that this happened near 36th/Stevens: “My black Kona mountain bike was stolen from my garage. A dark green Cannondale was left in my yard. I have made a police report, but I’d love to get the Cannondale back to its owner and to get my bike back if possible.” Let us know in either case and we’ll connect you; we’ll also add Jamie’s report number when it’s available.

Share This

ROAD WORK: West Seattle Neighborhood Greenway project to focus on two intersections in May
April 29, 2019 9:58 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(See legend on PDF version of map here)

Two more intersections will see work in May as part of the West Seattle Neighborhood Greenway project, SDOT has announced:

Work to improve arterial crossings along the West Seattle Neighborhood Greenway will take place at the intersection of 30th Ave SW and SW Barton St on the weekend of May 4 – 5, and at 34th Ave SW and SW Morgan St the week of May 20.

What work will take place?
30th Ave SW and SW Barton St: Cutting bike detection loops and installation of overhead signs
34 Ave SW and SW Morgan St: Installation of new pedestrian refuge islands

What are the potential impacts?
Noise
Dust
Construction crews
Traffic control
Possible impacts to pedestrian access

The project website recaps where work already has been done and what’s ahead.

Share This

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday watch
April 29, 2019 6:58 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   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)

6:58 AM: Good morning. Notes for today:

AVALON PROJECT CONTINUES: That includes a Route 50 reroute scheduled to continue all week. (Here’s the latest on the project.)

4TH SW CLOSURE STARTS: Here’s our update on the month-plus closure scheduled to start this week just south of Roxbury.

CRANE COLLAPSE AFTERMATH: If you are headed to/through South Lake Union – note that SDOT says all streets are now open.

Share This

Playfield protection and spring happenings @ Highland Park Action Committee
April 28, 2019 11:59 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

At the Highland Park Action Committee‘s regular meeting this past week, the group followed up on its special Riverview Playfield gathering two weeks earlier:

PLAYFIELD PROTECTION: The issue is figuring out what would be the best way to keep vehicles off the playfield, where some drivers do donuts on the grass in the warm months, on the snow in wintertime. Recently chain-link fencing suddenly appeared, much to residents’ surprise; Seattle Parks explained that the idea went back to the Find-It Fix-It Walk two years ago. But Parks quickly got the message that it wasn’t welcome, and so now the neighborhood is talking about options for replacing the 100+ old creosote-contaminated utility poles that currently serve as a low barrier between parking and playfield. The conversation at the meeting will continue this week, and interested neighbors will be looking at other parks for ideas, as well as considering CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) ideas, before HPAC talks abaut it again next month.

EVENTS: Much happening in Highland Park and vicinity. Corner Bar at HPIC on May 3rd; neighborhood cleanup May 4th; Art Lounge at HPIC on May 10th; the annual wine fundraiser Uncorked at HPIC on May 18th. Two West Duwamish Greenbelt walks of interest, too – bugs on May 4th, “Walking on Native Land” with Ken Workman on June 1st. Looking way ahead, a Labor Day weekend bike ride on August 31st will also celebrate history, as HPIC marks its 100th anniversary.

MAY MEETING: May 23rd – also previewed here – HPAC will get a Highland Park Way/Holden update from SDOT and will talk more about the proposal to merge HPAC with Riverview and South Delridge.

Share This