West Seattle, Washington

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day : 11/07/2019 12 results

VIDEO: All-City Band gets ready for 2 West Seattle appearances
July 11, 2019 11:56 pm
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 |   West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

Thanks to Mark Hofkes for the video of the All-City Band marching at Seattle Center tonight, getting ready for a busy parade-and-more season that includes the July 20th West Seattle Grand Parade. Six days after the parade, you’ll see them in West Seattle again – the All-City Band Jam returns to Southwest Athletic Complex at 6:30 pm Friday, July 26th, after SWAC work sent it to an off-peninsula venue last year. It’s a showcase/tune-up the night before the Seafair Torchlight Parade, with local and regional marching bands. First gig of the year for ACB, which includes student musicians from all over the city, is this Saturday at the Redmond Derby Days Parade.

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Get to West Seattle Summer Fest on Sunday via the Mini-STP
July 11, 2019 10:11 pm
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 |   Fun stuff to do | Transportation | West Seattle news

FullSizeRender (25)(2016 Mini-STP group; photo courtesy Don Brubeck)

Once again this year, West Seattle Bike Connections is leading the Mini-STP bicycle ride on Summer Fest Sunday (July 14th), and you’re welcome to join. The family-friendly ride rolls at 9:30 am (arrive at 9:15) from SW Seattle St. in North Admiral, heads to SW Portland St. in Gatewood, and then back north to end in The Junction at West Seattle Summer Fest. You can pre-register here, or just show up. See more details in our calendar listing!

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VIDEO, PHOTOS: West Seattle Summer Fest Eve and July Art Walk!
July 11, 2019 6:34 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news


6:34 PM: The barricades are up and the fun is on. The streets in the heart of The Junction have just closed so West Seattle Summer Fest setup can begin – along with sidewalk cafés, entertainment, and middle-of-the-street strolling between West Seattle Art Walk venues, like Click! Design That Fits (4540 California; WSB sponsor):

Brooke Westlund is at Click! until 8. Full list of Art Walk venues, with previews, is here, or just come to The Junction and start wandering. On California just south of Alaska, Bubbleman‘s performance is about to start. Updates to come!

7:20 PM: Bubbleman is just wrapping up.

What a crowd! He clowned around with an umbrella before even starting with the bubbles, and the countless children on hand were delighted. (“He’s so FUNNY!” one told her grownups.) Yes, all the while, setup is happening too:

The first sidewalk sale is in progress outside Pegasus Book Exchange. And steps away, the Dance Powered fitness “flash mob” just started.

Around 8 pm (later than earlier noted), the VAIN (WSB sponsor)/Lika Love Boutique hair-and-fashion show should be unfolding a little further north. And here’s the night’s official motto:

That’s in the window at Click! (do stop in and meet Brooke the artist).

9:13 PM: We’ve left The Junction after three hours. A few more Summer Fest Eve scenes:

VAIN has a lot going on for the festival, by the way, including a big bright paper-flowers selfie backdrop and “in-store and sidewalk specials including a blow-out sunglasses sale!” (Added) Victoria from VAIN with a paper flower, hinting at things to come:

On the same block, Yada Yada Blues Band had an all-ages crowd in a bluesy mood:

Revelry – and setup – continues into the night. (And we have a bit more to add above now that we’re back at HQ.) Official festival hours Friday are 10 am-8 pm, with main-stage music running later. We’re in the Info Booth again this year – see you at Summer Fest!

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1 week until voting begins. What haven’t you heard District 1 City Council candidates talk about yet?
July 11, 2019 5:53 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(WSB photos of candidates @ West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade)

By this time next week, ballots should start arriving for the primary, and you can vote anytime up until the 8 pm August 6th deadline. While the City Council District 1 race isn’t all that you’ll be asked to vote on, it’s the highest-stakes race in our area. We’re three days away from the next side-by-side comparison of the candidates – L-R above, Phil Tavel, Brendan Kolding, Lisa Herbold. The first is at noon Sunday in Junction Plaza Park during West Seattle Summer Fest, and your WSB co-publishers are moderating. With so many issues in the city’s purview, we’re wondering, what have’t you heard the candidates address yet? You’re welcome to suggest a question, either in comments here or via email (westseattleblog@gmail.com). Hope to see you in the park on Sunday!

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AVALON/35th PROJECT: What’s ahead, including 2 more water shutoffs
July 11, 2019 4:59 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Luna Park | Transportation | Utilities | West Seattle news

SDOT has announced what’s next for the Avalon/35th repaving-and-more project. Two more water shutoffs are part of the plan. Here’s the update:

We are scheduled to pave the west side of SW Avalon Way from SW Charlestown St to south of SW Andover St as soon as July 12, weather permitting.

Zone A: We are continuing work on the west side of SW Avalon Way between SW Charlestown St and SW Andover St, including:

*Water utility work at SW Charlestown St
*Paving the west side of SW Avalon Way south of SW Charlestown St to south of SW Andover St as soon as July 12. This work is weather dependent and subject to change.
*As early as next week, crews will begin working in the center lane of SW Avalon Way between SW Yancy St and SW Bradford St to build a new bus pad
*SW Bradford St and SW Andover St are closed to SW Avalon Way to excavate and rebuild the road base. *If paving takes place, SW Bradford St and SW Andover St will be open as early as next week.

Zone E: We are continuing work on the new water main and drainage utilities on 35th Ave SW from SW Avalon Way to SW Alaska St, including:

*Excavating for a new water service pipe on the westside of 35th Ave SW from SW Avalon Way to SW Snoqualmie St
*Connecting the new water main at SW Avalon Way and SW Snoqualmie St
*Demolishing the west side of 35th Ave SW
*Storm drainage work at SW Oregon St and SW Snoqualmie St

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) has two upcoming water shutoffs scheduled for next week:

*July 16 for customers on 35th Ave SW from SW Alaska St to SW Avalon Way from 9 PM to 6 AM

*July 17 for customers on SW Avalon Way from SW Orleans St to south of SW Andover St; SW Andover, SW Bradford, and SW Charlestown streets; and SW Andover St to mid block on 32nd Ave SW from 9 PM to 6 AM

Crews will use a temporary noise permit to complete this work and you can expect this work to be noisy as SPU crews cut and install pipes throughout the course of the evening and backfill the charged main. SPU is doing this work at night to minimize the impacts of the water shut off. If you are impacted by one of these shut offs, SPU will notify you.

If you have questions about, or experience problems with, your water service, contact SPU’s 24/7 Operations Response Center at 206-386-1800.

The entire project is to be complete sometime by mid-2020.

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Why the Guardian One helicopter was over south West Seattle
July 11, 2019 4:06 pm
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 |   Helicopter | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

It’s gone now, but lots of texts about a helicopter over south West Seattle, with nothing showing on radar, so we had to set out on the ground to sleuth it. Found a police officer who explained it was indeed Guardian One, helping search after a report of a possible burglary in the 8800 block of 8th SW. The report eventually turned out to be unfounded. (G-1 tweeted that they had been helping the South Precinct, which led to some further confusion, but it was Southwest Precinct after all.)

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REUNION: 2 weeks until Chief Sealth all-class gathering @ Lincoln Park
July 11, 2019 3:42 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Summertime is peak season for reunions. Organizers of this year’s Chief Sealth all-class reunion want to remind you that it’s now just 2 weeks away: Friday, July 26th, at Lincoln Park. They add, “Food will be available from Dante’s Inferno Dogs for $10 per person, which includes a gourmet hot dog or burger, chips, and a drink.” 5-9 pm, alums from all years welcome!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: More bank vandalism; bike thief on camera
July 11, 2019 1:12 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch:

KEYBANK VANDALIZED AGAIN: For the second time in a month, somebody broke the glass at KeyBank in The Junction. We heard the dispatch on this one late last night; witnesses reported it and police responded quickly but on followup today tell us the vandal was not found. No attempt to break in was reported – the rock thrower walked away. One witness who called it in also emailed us and described the vandal as “white, male, 5′ 9″, small/medium build, 40ish, black shirt, tan pants, short haircut, w/ a necklace.” If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 2019-252988.

BIKE STOLEN AT SCHOOL: A reader sends this report and photo:

On Tuesday, July 9th, at 1:56 pm, a person walked into the Chief Sealth IHS main office and stole a bike. After review of security cameras, the person had been inside the building and watching the office for almost 15 minutes. They walked into the office, grabbed the bike and walked out. If you know who this person is, please call the Sealth main office, 206-252-8550. A police report has been filed.

The bike is a K2 ZED Mountain Bike, black with gold, gel seat.

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TUESDAY: Q&A/info event for Emma Schmitz Overlook seawall project
July 11, 2019 11:45 am
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 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(2014 US Army Corps of Engineers photo of failing seawall)

One of West Seattle’s favorite spots for watching everything from orcas to sunsets has construction in its future. The long-planned seawall replacement for Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook on Beach Drive SW is getting closer, and Seattle Parks has an event planned next week for info and Q&A:

Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Army Corps of Engineers invite the community to an Open House on Tuesday, July 16, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Alki Community Center, 5817 SW Stevens St. This Open House is an opportunity for the community to learn about the Emma Schmitz Seawall Replacement project located at 4503 Beach Dr. SW in West Seattle.

The project will replace the existing 500-foot-long seawall constructed in the 1920s that has experienced significant erosion and damage from storm events. Please join us for a short presentation followed by an Open House.

The new seawall will be a “soldier pile” (system of vertical piles spaced at a regular interval with material in between to create a wall) design, built a few feet seaward and a few feet higher than the existing seawall, and equipped with safety handrails that the current seawall lacks. This design will minimize the impact on the beach, address rising seawater concerns and create better contours for the restoration landscaping on the landward portion of the overlook area. We anticipate construction in mid-2020.

The project website says this open house will include a “short presentation,” so it’s not strictly a drop-in open house.

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Summer Fest Eve, West Seattle Art Walk, and more for your Thursday!
July 11, 2019 10:17 am
|    Comments Off on Summer Fest Eve, West Seattle Art Walk, and more for your Thursday!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Wednesday sunset photo by Marc Milrod)

Tonight’s the night! Two big multi-event happenings to start with

SUMMER FEST EVE: 6 pm is when California (Genesee to Edmunds) and Alaska (42nd to 44th) close for Summer Fest setup and the pre-festival street party begins! Bubbles, fashion, music, more. Details are in the preview we published last night. We’ll be there for as-it-happens coverage starting around 6 pm (you can check our Twitter feed, too).

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: Part of the Summer Fest Eve fun is this month’s Art Walk, 5 pm until late, but remember that there are Art Walk venues outside The Junction, too! The venue list/map – where you’ll find art, as well as where you’ll find food/beverage specials – is here along with previews.

Here’s what else you should know:

COLMAN POOL CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC: Today is the first of five days this month during which Lincoln Park’s outdoor pool will be closed to the public because of swim meets.

HIRING EVENT: Neighborhood House High Point invites people interested in working in its Early Childhood Education program to a hiring event 4-6 pm today:

Neighborhood House is a non-profit agency dedicated to building community and helping families achieve their goals for health, education, and self-sufficiency. We are especially interested in meeting potential preschool teachers, home visitors, and supervisors at this event where candidates can learn about positions and have a short interview so we can get to know each other.

(6400 SW Sylvan Way)

WORDS, WRITERS, WEST SEATTLE: 6 pm at Southwest Library, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society co-presents WWWS: “Join us to hear Bainbridge Island educator Roberta Newland and her co-author (and son) John Newland-Thompson discuss their book The Cle Elum Fire of 1918 from Images of America series.” Free. (9010 35th SW)

CRIME/POLICING FOCUS GROUP: 6:30 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, people who live/work in (or visit!) the Alki area are invited to this focus group on its Microcommunity Policing Plan. How are police doing? What should they be focusing on? Here’s your chance to speak up(2306 42nd SW)

AT THE SKYLARK: Live music with Modern Daze, Brianna Skye & the Dark Clouds, and Dream Logic, 8 pm. $8 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

FUNK/JAZZ JAM: It’s Parliamentality Presents tonight, 9 pm at Parliament Tavern. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

MUCH MORE! It’s all on our complete calendar.

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ELECTION 2019: Brendan Kolding responds to questions after Seattle Times report on investigation before he left SPD
July 11, 2019 9:19 am
|      42 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

After Brendan Kolding entered the race for City Council District 1, he left the Seattle Police Department, where he had worked for 10 years and risen to the rank of lieutenant. Last night, The Seattle Times reported that when Kolding left SPD, he was facing disciplinary proceedings. The Times cites unidentified sources in reporting that Kolding “was investigated by the police department’s Office of Police Accountability (OPA) over a complaint that he had harassed (an)other officer.” The Times report says Kolding “denied the allegations, saying he was the victim of retaliation.” We contacted him via email with questions after seeing the story last night, and he has responded. We asked for comment on what led to the investigation reported by The Times; he replied, “I will not comment at this time. Sadly, I may end up suing the City over a pattern of bullying and retaliation that I experienced, so I need to keep things confidential for now.” He said The Times’ story “is an accurate representation of the conversation I had with their reporter”; the newspaper also reports, “Even though he has left the force, Kolding has a July 25 meeting scheduled with the department in which he can seek to have his name cleared.” We asked if he had any prior disciplinary action; Kolding replied, “No. In more than a decade of service to the SPD I did not have so much as an oral reprimand.” Finally, we asked what he would say to a voter who was concerned by the report: “The residents of District 1 are welcome to contact me directly if they have any concerns. My e-mail address is Kolding34@gmail.com.”

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Summer Fest Eve Thursday, with Junction road closures starting tonight
July 11, 2019 7:55 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)

7:55 AM: Checking in for the last hour of the commute – no alerts or incidents. But remember what starts tonight:

SUMMER FEST ROAD CLOSURES/BUS REROUTES: Tonight (6-ish) through Sunday night (late), streets in the heart of The Junction will close for West Seattle Summer Fest – SW Alaska between 42nd and 44th, California SW between SW Genesee and SW Edmunds (with SW Oregon staying open for west-east traffic). Bus reroutes are linked here.

8:34 AM: Crash reported at Delridge/Holden, per dispatch – 2 vehicles, at least partly blocking, possible injuries.

9:18 AM: NB 99 alert:

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