day : 29/07/2019 10 results

CONGRATULATIONS! West Seattleites accept Aging Achievement Award on agencies’ behalf

July 29, 2019 9:18 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

In that photo are West Seattleites Irene Stewart and Andrea Yip, with the n4a-bestowe 2019 Aging Achievement Award, which they accepted for the city Human Services Department’s Aging and Disability Services and Age Friendly Seattle. This announcement explains:

The Seattle Human Services Department announced today that its Aging and Disability Services division — which is designated by the State of Washington as the Area Agency on Aging for Seattle-King County — and its Age Friendly Seattle team have been honored with a National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) 2019 Aging Achievement Award in recognition of their efforts to promote accessible events and meetings.

Age Friendly Seattle Accessible Events & Meetings was among 48 local aging programs to receive honors at the n4a annual conference, held in New Orleans, and the only one to win in the Community Planning & Livable Communities category. Age Friendly Seattle produced a 40-page Community Guide to Accessible Events & Meetings (a free download) and has coordinated and presented trainings locally and at national conferences. The most recent was a public forum at Seattle City Hall on May 30 called “How to Plan An Accessible Event,” presented by individuals with disabilities (view on The Seattle Channel).

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Grocery workers plan to picket 2 West Seattle stores

July 29, 2019 8:08 pm

| 37 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

If you go to Safeway or QFC in The Junction early Wednesday afternoon, you might see picketers. It’s not a strike, yet, explains this union announcement:

After four months of contract negotiations that cover nearly 30,000 grocery store workers, Informational Pickets have been called for 32 locations this week. The purpose of Informational Picketing is to reach out to customers about the serious challenges in the contract negotiations. While there has been progress made in negotiation sessions, there is still a long way to go to reach an agreement. Workers are increasingly feeling the pressure of understaffing, unpredictable schedules, and low wages. While the wealthy CEOs of the big national grocery store chains are making more than 300 times their average worker, the employers are proposing wage increases of only a fraction of what workers need. These grocery store workers are represented by UFCW 21, Teamsters 38, and UFCW 367.

The West Seattle picketing is planned to start at 12:30 pm Wednesday outside the Junction Safeway, one hour later outside the Junction QFC. The full regional list is here.

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SEAFAIR: Blue Angels changes; HomeStreet Bank’s big boost for hydros

July 29, 2019 5:33 pm

| 24 COMMENTS

| Blue Angels | West Seattle news

Two more notes from today’s Seafair media briefing:

BLUE ANGELS CHANGES: We’ve already noted a few changes for this year – the Friday-Sunday airshows are starting later (3 pm), and happening just a bit further south, so the I-90 bridge will NOT have to close when they’re up. One change we did not know about until the event at the Museum of Flight today: The Blue Angels are no longer parking south of the museum, behind that razor-wire-topped fence where hundreds have gathered over the years to watch the jets be prepped for the shows and to see the pilots’ “walkdown.” Instead, they’re parking in the Museum of Flight’s main lot. Better viewing – but it means you will have to pay MoF admission to see the prep/walkdown. (You can see the jets up close for free during the museum’s free “First Thursday” [August 1st], 5-9 pm, points out MoF spokesperson Ted Huetter.)

HOMESTREET & HYDROS: HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor), which is headquartered in Seattle and has a branch in The Junction (4022 SW Alaska), had a big presence at today’s briefing:

HomeStreet Bank is the presenting sponsor of the weekend hydroplane races on Lake Washington, now the HomeStreet Bank Cup, in which Jimmy Shane (above left) will race the Miss HomeStreet unlimited hydroplane (also on display at the briefing).

If you’re a HomeStreet customer or employee, you get free admission to watch the weekend’s happenings on the water and in the air.

P.S. To see everyone who spoke today, here’s our unedited video of the briefing:

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Thief caught on carport cam

July 29, 2019 4:42 pm

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| Crime | West Seattle news

One reader report today, with security video. I’s from Michael: “On Friday morning, 0500 hrs, July 26th, my helmet and gloves were stolen from my motorcycle. It was taken from our covered carport in our condo building (in the 4100 block of) Chilberg Ave. SW.” (We’ll add the police-report # when we get it.)

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FOLLOWUP: Admiral Congregational Church’s open letter with ‘the facts as they presently exist’ about its future

July 29, 2019 2:06 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

(King County Assessor’s Office photo)

Last December, we reported on Admiral Congregational Church pastor Rev. Andrew Conley-Holcom speaking to the Admiral Neighborhood Association about his church’s future, saying “changes” were inevitable for its underutilized 27,000-square-foot site. While no specific plan has yet been crafted, the pastor wanted to share an open letter today to address “rumors” and “misunderstandings”:

Greetings to our neighbors in Admiral-

I have heard from a few of our immediate neighbors that a number of inaccurate rumors are rapidly spreading regarding the future of the oldest church in West Seattle, Admiral Congregational United Church of Christ, located at California and Hill Street in the North Admiral District. We would like to correct those misunderstandings and give everyone the facts as they presently exist.

Over the past 12-18 months, our congregation has come to realize that we are too small in size and our building is too expensive to maintain for us to continue with “business as usual”. We have thus embarked on discussions amongst ourselves and with others about what types of change might provide for long-term sustainability and health. One option we needed to seriously consider was to sell our property and move to some other location. Our congregation has overwhelmingly decided that we DO NOT want to sell our property or leave our neighborhood. We love being Admiral’s church.

Therefore, we have engaged the services of an architect and design firm to conduct a feasibility study for our property. We have asked them to give us insight on possible uses based on our needs, those of our mission partners (A Child Becomes pre-school, numerous 12-step recovery groups that use our facilities, and other community users), and other income-generating options. We have also started conversations with the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the Admiral Neighborhood Association about the needs of the North Admiral area in terms of housing, green space, and other services/amenities.

We want to stress that we are in the very preliminary stages of gathering information. We are endeavoring to be as transparent as possible, and we want community input on how we move forward together. At the same time, we are also clear that we cannot continue to serve this community without significant changes to how we operate. We hope that this information will address some of the rumors we have heard.

As pastor to this neighborhood, I keep community office hours at the Admiral Bird on Wednesdays from 1:30-3:00pm. If you have questions, concerns, praises, or pastoral needs, please feel free to meet with me there or contact me by call/text at 206-512-7537 if you’d like to schedule a meeting.

In Peace and Solidarity,
Pastor Andrew
www.admiralchurch.org

The church’s site at 4320 SW Hill is zoned Lowrise 3.

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PHOTOS: Seafair Parade of Ships sails past West Seattle

July 29, 2019 11:46 am

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| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

11:46 AM: Just back from the Museum of Flight, which hosted the annual media briefing about Seafair’s biggest week; we went to get the latest on points of special interest in our area, including the Parade of Ships, which is happening today. Rear Admiral Scott Gray, the U.S. Navy’s regional commander, announced that two Navy ships are participating – the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) and guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111). Also part of the “Seafair fleet” this year are the U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCGC Active and two Royal Canadian Navy ships, HMCS Nanaimo and HMCS Edmonton. The ships should be in view by 1 pm, if not sooner. Later this week, tours begin; from the Navy announcement:

The Seattle visit offers the public an opportunity to take a tour of the ships and meet Sailors and Coast Guard members as they showcase the ships’ capabilities. It also gives the public a chance to gain a better understanding of how the sea services support the national defense of the United States and freedom of the seas.

The U.S. Navy ships on Pier 66 will be open for public visitation Tuesday, July 30 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, August 1 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., and then Friday, August 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Times for tours may vary from day-to-day.

When arriving for public tours, all visitors will be required to present a photo ID and pass through an airport-style security screening checkpoint prior to boarding the ships. All visitors are subject to search prior to entering the security zone. Visitors are encouraged to bring as few items as possible when arriving for their tour, and are recommended to wear flat-heeled, closed-toe shoes.

Prohibited items on board include the following:

– Weapons, including knives, firearms and club weapons
– Defensive chemicals or sprays, including mace and pepper spray; spray cans of any type
– Fireworks, flammable liquids or other explosives
– Drugs and drug-related paraphernalia illegal by federal standards (including cannabis)
– Large bags, including backpacks, diaper bags and large camera bags (small camera bags and small handbags may be permitted, but will be subject to search)
– Strollers
– Do not leave personal items unattended.
– While general photography of this event is allowed, the use of drones is strictly prohibited within 3,000 feet laterally and 1,000 feet vertically of the U.S. Navy ships.

(More tour info is in the Fleet Week guide.) Today’s briefing also included information about the Blue Angels – parked in a different area this year – and hydroplane races. Separate story to come!

12:41 PM: The Parade of Ships has come into view off Alki Point, turning into Elliott Bay. A Seattle Fire Department fireboat is spraying mid-bay to greet them.

(Photo by Lynn Hall)

1:40 PM: Adding a few photos, and more to come.

(Photo by John Murphy)

2:34 PM: More photos, first, the USS Spruance:

(WSB photos from here down unless otherwise credited)

USS Mobile Bay:

USCGC Active:

HMCS Edmonton:

(Photo by David Hutchinson)

Fireboat Leschi:

USCG helicopters passed by too, headed for a downtown demonstration:

ADDED: One more view of fireboat Leschi, by Monica Zaborac:

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New dates announced for King County Water Taxi’s dock-move service suspension

July 29, 2019 9:40 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| King County Water Taxi | Transportation | West Seattle news

(King County aerial photo – temporary Water Taxi dock at left, almost-complete new one at right)

The service suspension originally planned for last week has been rescheduled for next week. Here’s the announcement:

King County Water Taxi will suspend service Aug. 5-11 as construction crews complete work that will allow vessels to operate out of the new downtown Seattle passenger dock at Pier 50.

King County Water Taxi and Kitsap Fast Ferry customers have boarded vessels at a temporary location at Pier 52 since August 2017 to allow for construction. The new facility will be located on the south side of Colman Dock at Pier 50 and is part of a larger project to renovate Colman Dock.

While service is suspended, construction crews will move the gangway from its current temporary location at Pier 52 to the new terminal and finalize connections and testing necessary for operations at the new terminal. Service is scheduled to resume on Monday, Aug. 12.

The new passenger ferry terminal represents a major investment in passenger ferry service and the region’s long-term mobility, connecting downtown Seattle with West Seattle, Vashon and the Kitsap Peninsula. The new covered facility will have room for approximately 500 passengers. Later this summer, the facility also will feature an observation platform overlooking the bay at the west end as construction progresses.

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6 for your West Seattle Monday

July 29, 2019 9:00 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Another leucistic bird – this time a hummingbird, photographed in the Junction area by Lisa Shaw)

Highlights as the week begins:

WADING POOLS & SPRAYPARK OPEN TODAY: Wading-pool weather continues! Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open 11 am-8 pm, Delridge (4501 Delridge Way SW) is open noon-6:30 pm, South Park is open noon-7 pm. And the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open 11 am-8 pm.

LOW-LOW TIDE: All week, you have another chance for daytime shore exploration at low-low tide, starting today with -1.5 feet at 9:22 am.

SOUND STEPS WALK: Weekly 10 am walk in Lincoln Park. Meet at center of north parking lot. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

BUG CLUB: Weeklong youth program at High Point Library, for ages 11-14, 2:30 pm. Free but preregistration required, so check with the library to see if there’s room left. (3411 SW Raymond)

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES’ FORUM: Still deciding who to support for City Council District 1? Tonight you can see the three candidates side by side one more time before voting ends on August 6th. The League of Women Voters is presenting the forum at West Seattle (Admiral) Library; doors open at 5:30, forum at 6 pm. (2306 42nd SW)

HIGHLINE BEARS: Just a few moe chances this summer for you to see the Bears play at home at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center! 6:35 pm home game vs. the Northwest Reign. (1321 SW 102nd)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: July’s last Monday

July 29, 2019 6:59 am

| 2 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)

6:59 AM: Good morning. SDOT reports a collision on Harbor Ave at Fairmount. Also, one transit alert: The 7:16 am Route 56 won’t run, Metro says.

AVALON/35TH PROJECT: The latest update includes an alert that SW Yancy might be closed at Avalon as soon as today.

SLURRY SEALING: This work could also start on some West Seattle streets “as soon as” this week, as previewed here.

ALERT FOR LATER THIS WEEK: The NB Highway 99 tunnel is scheduled to be closed 11 pm Friday-noon Sunday for “joint and pavement repairs.”

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire near Westcrest Park; Triangle burglary

July 29, 2019 12:09 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

12:09 AM: Multiple 911 calls about gunfire sent police to 9th SW/SW Henderson, just west of Westcrest Park, and officers have reported via radio that they’ve found shell casings south of the intersection. No injuries reported so far, and also no description of suspect(s).

12:29 AM: Unrelated so far as we know, but here’s another call that’s drawn a police response of note: A resident in the Aura Apartments (35th SW just south of Avalon) reported someone broke into their apartment and ran out, westbound, with a laptop. Police are searching the area, with a K0 unit dispatched too.

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