day : 10/06/2019 11 results

(WSB photo)

10:29 PM: A man riding that motorcycle collided with a car driver about an hour ago at Highland Park Way and Holden and was taken to Harborview Medical Center, police tell us. No other details on the circumstances but apparently not life-threatening injuries as authorities are about to clear the scene.

10:58 PM: Thanks to Anneka for that photo from shortly after emergency responders arrived. A bystander asked us the status of the roundabout proposed as a safety improvement for the intersection; here is our most-recent report, from the May meeting of the Highland Park Action Committee, when an SDOT rep announced the cost estimate had skyrocketed to $7+ million.

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About today’s West Seattle water woes

June 10, 2019 9:42 pm

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| Luna Park | Utilities | West Seattle news

Two water-related incidents of note today:

AVALON WAY: That photo is from midmorning in the Luna Park area, where the ongoing road work was complicated for a while after crews what Seattle Public Utilities spokesperson Sabrina Register says was “an unmarked water service pipe.” She adds that it led 23 “customers to experience a temporary loss of water for about one hour. Seattle Public Utilities crews were called to the scene to make the emergency repair and restore water service.” The area restaurants were not affected, though, Luna Park Café owner John Bennett told us.

FAIRMOUNT AREA: SPU got about a dozen reports of brown water and SPU attributes that to SFD hydrant testing. Just a reminder, if you experience brown water, the number to call is 206-386-1800.

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New executive director chosen for Neighborhood House

June 10, 2019 7:31 pm

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| West Seattle news

Neighborhood House, which has a major center in High Point, has chosen a new leader. Here’s the announcement:

Neighborhood House, a leading social service agency in the Puget Sound region, is excited to announce the appointment of Janice Deguchi as its new Executive Director. Deguchi will start her role in September, following the retirement of the agency’s current Executive Director, Mark Okazaki, who has led and grown the $22-million organization for the last 19 years.

The announcement comes as King County experiences a growing housing and homelessness crisis, and a crisis for our diverse immigrant and refugee population in the Puget Sound. In this climate, Neighborhood House’s integrated services are needed more urgently than ever. The ability for a family to receive employment and job training while they get help finding a home is crucial for many. Coupling that support with high-quality early learning and integrated care for aging family members puts Neighborhood House at the forefront of an increasingly complex fight on poverty.

Born and raised in this community, Deguchi has an extensive track record in key leadership positions as chief executive, operations executive, board member, and coalition leader. She is a well-known and respected figure in the region’s non-profit, education, and social services communities. These experiences mirror many aspects of Neighborhood House’s current portfolio of work and make Deguchi ready to assume the Executive Director position at Neighborhood House.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Janice Deguchi to Neighborhood House as our next leader after an inclusive community process,” said Marissa Chavez, Board President of Neighborhood House. “Board members and staff were inspired by her vision, passion, and by her deep connection and commitment to the community. Janice’s track record of success across the human services and nonprofit fields is second to none. The entire Board of Trustees is honored to bring Ms. Deguchi to Neighborhood House to continue our mission of partnering with diverse individuals and families to build community and improve outcomes for health, education and self-sufficiency.”

Neighborhood House’s High Point center has been a community hub for 10 years.

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Yes, that’s wildfire smoke you’re seeing, looking west from West Seattle

June 10, 2019 5:26 pm

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| Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

5:28 PM: From the “in case you wondered too” file – yes, that’s smoke – apparently from a wildfire southwest of here. It’s near Crosby in Kitsap County (here’s a map). The Bear Creek Fire was at 22 acres as of 5 pm – not huge but big enough to be noticeable.

8:20 PM: DNR says it’s made big progress and that it has a line around 90 percent of the fire.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Man jailed after showing sawed-off shotgun

June 10, 2019 4:28 pm

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| Crime | West Seattle news

Seattle Police included that photo with this report today about a weekend weapons arrest in The Junction:

Police arrested a man after he displayed a sawed-off shotgun behind an Alaska Junction business late Friday night.

Officers were dispatched to the 4700 block of California Avenue SW at 11 PM Friday for a report of a man with a gun.

Officers spoke with the manager of a business who said he exited out the rear of his business and spotted the 48-year-old suspect speaking incoherently about people shooting at him. At one point the suspect mentioned that he had a sandwich, reached into his bag and pulled out a sawed-off shotgun. The manager told the suspect to leave, which he did, then called 911.

Police officers began searching the area and found the suspect a block away. They searched the man and recovered the loaded shotgun. Officers arrested and booked the suspect into King County Jail for unlawful use of a weapon.

We checked the King County Jail Register; the suspect was booked early Saturday and is still there.

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PARTY! West Seattle Farmers’ Market to celebrate 20th anniversary Sunday

June 10, 2019 2:50 pm

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| West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, tweeted in February)

No, that’s by no means the most impressive view of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market – but it’s a reminder that the market is open every Sunday, year-round, whatever the weather. And today we’ve received word that the WSFM next Sunday (June 16th) will also include a party – the market’s 20th anniversary! Here’s the announcement:

Cheers for 20 years! Dress in pink and help us celebrate delicious food, passionate vendors, devoted shoppers, and our incredible community partners at the market this Sunday!

Neighborhood Farmers Markets announces its 20-year celebration of the West Seattle Farmers Market.

“The West Seattle Farmers Market has always been close to my heart. The funding and community support it needed was found at the beginning and the West Seattle community has continued to support it since its inception,” says Chris Curtis, founder of Neighborhood Farmers Markets. “It was a tremendous amount of work to get this market open in 1999. I don’t remember ever being so tired planning on its opening and running the University District Farmers Market at the same time.”

The 20-year celebration will take place in the West Seattle Farmers Market at SW Alaska St & California Ave SW on Sunday, June 16, 2019 from 10 AM – 2 PM.

Special events include:

• Chris Curtis, Founder of Neighborhood Farmers Markets, to ring the market opening bell.
• Cake! Come early for a slice. Decorate yourself with a market sticker and temporary tattoo.
• Share your love for the market and vendors with interactive appreciation stations near the market manager tent located in the middle of the market.
• Snap and share a photo of you at the market in our beet photo frame for a chance to win over $50 in market merchandize and prizes. Including $20 in market gift certificates, a West Seattle tote bag, drink bottle, and baby onesie. Runner up prizes for Kittitas Valley Greenhouse tomatoes and Little Prague pastries. Details for entry will be displayed at market near the beet frame.

“With the help of our amazing community of shoppers, the West Seattle market continues to hit historic sales records! We are so excited to celebrate the amazing growth of this market at our 20th Anniversary celebration and want to appreciate all those who support the market and our incredible vendors!” says Jonica Strongman, market manager, West Seattle and Columbia City farmers markets.

It’s been four years since the market moved out onto California between Oregon and Alaska from its old home in the parking lot on the southeast corner of 44th and Alaska. (It returns there one day a year, on Summer Fest Sunday, which will be July 14th this year.)

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another Junction business vandalized

June 10, 2019 1:11 pm

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| Crime | West Seattle news

For at least the second time in a week, someone has broken a window at a West Seattle Junction business by throwing something through it in the early morning hours. Above, the aftermath on the SW Alaska side of KeyBank. Below, a photo from Aaron, taken shortly after it happened in the 3 am hour:

The branch manager told us nothing was taken, and police confirm that there “is no indication that anyone entered,” adding, “It appears that a piece of metal was thrown through the window … The metal piece was collected for evidence.” Four days ago, as reported here, the John L. Scott Real Estate office about a block and a half north was damaged by an early-morning rock thrower.

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DEVELOPMENT: Demolition day for Gatewood commercial buildings

June 10, 2019 12:12 pm

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| Development | West Seattle news

12:12 PM: Just east of Gatewood Elementary, the commercial buildings set for residential replacement at California/Frontenac are being torn down today. The building housing Caffe Ladro is staying, Ladro’s owner has told WSB, but everything north of it, to Frontenac, is planned for replacement with rowhouse units. The businesses that were housed in those buildings started moving out last fall.

3:29 PM: The site is in files as three separate projects totaling, as best we can crunch, 15 units, nine rowhouses and six townhouses.

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4 for your West Seattle Monday

June 10, 2019 10:30 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Monday morning tugboats, photographed by Jim Borrow)

The week begins with a few highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

EVENING BOOK GROUPS: Two are happening at local libraries at 6:45 pm tonight – Southwest Library is reading “Lipstick Jihad” by Azadeh Moaveni (9010 35th SW); West Seattle (Admiral) Library is reading “A Death in the Family” by James Agee. (2306 42nd SW)

PIGEON POINT NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 7 pm at Pathfinder K-8. Guests from the port, SPD, and SDOT – see the agenda here. (1901 SW Genesee)

WSHS SPRING CONCERT: First of two this week! Tonight it’s the Jazz Band, 7 pm at the West Seattle High School Theater. Free; all welcome. (3000 California SW)

OPEN MIC NIGHT: Signups start at Parliament Tavern at 7:30 pm. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

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NIGHT OUT 2019: Registration open; grant $ available, too

June 10, 2019 9:58 am

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| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

(2018 Night Out party at North Delridge’s Dragonfly Pavilion; photo courtesy Laura)

Eight weeks from tomorrow, on Tuesday, August 6th, neighbors will gather all around West Seattle and beyond for Night Out parties. If you want to close a (non-arterial) street for yours, you need to register, and Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner sends word this morning that you can do it now by going here. You can also apply for a city grant to support your event – the Department of Neighborhoods announcement with details on that is here.

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