month : 08/2019 302 results

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: About the High Point police response

August 13, 2019 2:38 pm
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 |   Crime | High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(WSB photo)

2:38 PM: Thanks for the tip about that big Seattle Police response near High Point Community Center. We subsequently went over to find out what’s happening. Police say the white car is stolen and they’ve taken one person into custody. That person’s being checked for possible injuries because the car was involved in a collision (our crew says it has extensive rear-end damage). A K9 team is on the way to help search for evidence after, according to a radio exchange, “a magazine” was reportedly found in the car.

2:45 PM: Seattle Parks just tweeted that HPCC is in lockdown because of this.

3:42 PM: Parks says the lockdown is over.

ADDED WEDNESDAY: A few more details, and a photo of the magazine, from SPD:

A parking enforcement officer was on patrol at 35 Avenue (SW) and SW Morgan Street at 2 PM when they spotted an occupied stolen vehicle parked nearby.

As patrol officers flooded the area, the vehicle’s occupant piloted the white Jetta out of the area, nearly striking a firetruck and running a stop sign in the process. The driver continued to speed away until he lost control and rolled the vehicle down a hill.

Police took the man into custody and following a search of the car recovered a handgun magazine. A K-9 was brought in to search for a firearm but none was located.

Officers booked the man into King County Jail for possession of a stolen vehicle and firearms violation because he is a convicted felon and prevented from having a handgun magazine.

THURSDAY: Second-to-last Hiawatha concert, starring The Highsteppers

Get ready to shake it Thursday night on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center, as The Highsteppers bring their classic-R&B/Motown/soul style to this year’s second-to-last show in the Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented concert series. Free, all ages, all you have to bring is your own chair/blanket to sit on. The show starts at 6:30 pm Thursday (August 15th) along Walnut south of Lander.

BACK TO SCHOOL: Seeking a swim coach

August 13, 2019 11:52 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Just 3 weeks until Seattle Public Schools start classes – and 2 weeks until swim-meet season starts, which is why Chief Sealth International High School is casting a wide net for this position:

CSIHS is looking for a Swim Coach that is available early mornings and Friday afternoons to lead our Swim Team this school year. Lifeguard certification is required. Please refer to this link to submit an application.

5 for your West Seattle Tuesday!

August 13, 2019 10:58 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Great Blue Heron out fishing, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

What’s up for the rest of your Tuesday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WADING POOLS & SPRAYPARK OPEN TODAY: Sunny, warm day, so enjoy the pools: 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 (738 S. Sullivan) is open noon-7 pm. And the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open 11 am-8 pm.

DESIGN AN APP: Summer of Learning programs continue at Seattle Public Library branches, including this one at 2 pm at Delridge Library. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

VEGAN POP-UP: Cycle Dogs sends word their truck is back in West Seattle, 5-9 pm at Ounces, “an all-vegan food truck, serving comfort fast food; dogs, burgers, fries & other noms. If you’re not vegan, you’ll be blown away by how much you like the experience. We guarantee it. For reals.” (3809 Delridge Way SW)

TRACK WORKOUT: Free workout with West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor); meet at the store by 6:30 pm. (2743 California SW)

OPEN MIC: The microphone is yours after 9 pm at Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen Honda motorcycle (found!)

10:11 AM: That’s Clayton‘s 2005 Honda Rebel motorcycle, stolen last night from the 9600 block of 17th SW. He emailed us in hopes you can “keep a lookout” for it. If you see it, call 911. P.S. Plate = 4F4235.

ADDED TUESDAY NIGHT: Clayton says his motorcycle was spotted in the 10300 block of 24th Ave SW.

ADDED FRIDAY: As Clayton noted in a comment, he has his bike back!

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday watch

August 13, 2019 6:42 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)

6:42 AM: Good morning! No outbound alerts/incidents reported so far.

BUS REROUTE ON THURSDAY: In case you missed our report last night, Metro will test a reroute again, for southbound buses all day Thursday.

WEST SEATTLE POWER OUTAGE: 3,000+ customers affected; tree blamed

(Map added 8:57 pm)

8:43 PM: Thanks for the tips – power outage in north West Seattle. A police dispatch indicates a downed tree in the 2300 block of Harbor Ave SW is to blame. More…

8:51 PM: Don’t know the extent of the outage yet – it has yet to appear on the City Light map. So thanks for your comments with location reports.

8:53 PM: Finally appeared on SCL’s map. More than 3,000 homes/businesses.

9:13 PM: Thanks to Paul for that photo of the fallen tree, pre-dusk; Pep posted the one below in a comment, with crews on scene:

Avoid that area for a while as they work to clear the tree and fix the lines. ALSO IMPORTANT: Though City Light has added an “estimated restoration” time of 2:58 am, please remember those times are just guesses and it could be much earlier – more often before the estimated time than after.

9:37 PM: Some if not all are back on, about one hour after the outage began.

9:44 PM: SCL map has updated, showing 333 customers (homes/businesses/buildings) still out, mostly near the tree-down site.

1:02 AM: Map shows those 333 are still out after 4 1/2 hours.

6:34 AM: Commenter Kalo says the power returned around 4:40 am.

SLOW BUSES: Metro announces another reroute test

ORIGINAL MONDAY NIGHT REPORT: That map is for another Metro test, this Thursday. Backstory: After weeks of complaints about sluggish travel for buses on 1st Avenue S. during the southbound weekday commute, Metro tried a reroute last Thursday. County Executive Dow Constantine said, as reported here, that the county hoped the test would yield “new information that offers better solutions.” Metro spokesperson Travis Shofner told WSB on Friday that while they were still awaiting that data, with “mixed” reviews so far, “Metro and SDOT teams met to assess technical needs with various pathways, including what impacts reroutes would have on other routes downtown.” So tonight, there’s word of another test this Thursday. Metro spokesperson Torie Rynning sent word of …

… a one-day service revision this Thursday [August 15th] all day, outbound only, and associated bus stop move.

This one-day revision is only for southbound service heading to West Seattle, for the entire service day. Northbound service heading into downtown Seattle is not affected and will operate via regular routes and stops. This one-day revision will allow Metro to evaluate alternate routing designed to save time for West Seattle bus riders while still providing a Pioneer Square area bus stop.

On Thursday, this will affect southbound Routes 21 Express, 37, 55, 56, 57, 113, 120, 125
and RapidRide C Line. The full details are here (PDF).

ADDED TUESDAY: As JCW notes in a comment below, Metro has changed the link for that information. Go here instead.

BIZNOTE: Tech entrepreneur’s plan for a South Admiral bar

A nonprofit bar is the plan for Jaimatadi, on the way to 3278-B California SW. We just spoke with Deep Katyal, a tech entrepreneur who’s planning the foray into nightlife. He says that after buying the newly built space he had to figure out what to do with the commercial space. The plan is for a small venue serving beer and wine, with entertainment, and karaoke – in multiple languages. The twist: Proceeds will all go to nonprofits; patrons will have a choice of three charities their tab can go toward. He’s chosen one, CRY, but hasn’t decided on the other two yet – maybe one involving pets, he says, since his wife “loves dogs.” He’s hoping to open within two months, depending on how much longer the liquor license takes.

WEST SEATTLE ART: New venue for classes

August 12, 2019 3:48 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

We’ve written a lot lately about local art for you to enjoy … and now, your chance to be the artist! Seattle Lutheran High School (4100 SW Genesee) is launching a series of evening art classes open to all. You can learn stained glass, oil painting, and/or drawing. The school says, “All courses are beginner-friendly but also include lessons and exercises helpful for intermediate and advanced artists.” You can register by going here.

WEST SEATTLE ART: Desmond Hansen’s newest rock ‘n’ roll signal box

1:57 PM: Thanks to Dave Brewer for sending the photo! He’s one of several readers who messaged us to say artist Desmond Hansen is painting another signal-box portrait today, this time the late, great Prince, at 47th and Admiral. Dave observes that it’s an appropriate spot, as SW Prince Street is just blocks away! (Checking the artist’s Instagram page, we see he’s also recently painted Dave Matthews.)

7:11 PM: Thanks to Al for this photo of the finished creation:

PHOTOS: Inside the new Water Taxi downtown terminal. And – what about the West Seattle side?

(WSB photos)

That’s what King County Water Taxi passengers saw this morning as they disembarked at Pier 50 downtown – the new passenger-ferry facility. Not just the Water Taxi:

Since Kitsap Fast Ferries are sharing the space, Kitsap Transit’s board chair, Bainbridge Island Mayor Kol Medina, shared the podium with King County Executive Dow Constantine at a media briefing this morning.

Constantine, a longtime Water Taxi champion, said he was “amazed” by how well the project turned out, “way better” than he had imagined. Here are some of the highlights:

We asked King County Marine Division director Paul Brodeur for his favorite features. Above, the Douglas-fir ceiling – “sustainably harvested,” he noted – as well as the many accessibility improvements, including a tactile path from Alaskan Way to the facility entrance:

Here’s the spot where a person following that path will turn to go into the facility:

Brodeur also expressed appreciation for the “1 Percent for Art” feature inside. It’s subtle, and we wouldn’t have noticed if he hadn’t pointed it out:

The posts – meant to emulate pilings with tide lines – are by artist Leo Berk; his many other public-art sites include Highland Park Spraypark. Also part of the new facility, digital signage and 9 ticket machines:

One feature that’s not ready to go yet – new connections to the main terminal – the connections should be complete within a month or so. (Important because, as one question toward the briefing’s end revealed, there’s no restroom in the new facility.) Wondering about the cost? From the news release:

The total cost of the project is $45 million, which includes the new building and the new float for boats to dock. Approximately 80 percent of the funding came from a grant from the Federal Transit Administration.

If you travel through the new facility today, you might still have a chance at opening-day swag, including little foam boats and decorated cookies:

So now that the downtown dock is upgraded, what about West Seattle, which is still using the Seacrest fishing pier after 20+ years? Constantine had nothing concrete to announce but replied that the new Pier 50 will “show the way” and that it’s proof that the region’s commitment to passenger ferries – not always a sure bet – “is past the point of no return.”

We’ll add briefing video later.

What not to do if your debit card gets stuck in an ATM

We took that photo Sunday afternoon after multiple tips that the BECU ATM in Morgan Junction was out of service and damaged, as well as smeared with what looked like blood. We followed up with Seattle Police today to see if it was a theft attempt, or vandalism, or … Here’s what the police report says:

A 911 call Sunday morning brought officers to the freestanding outdoor ATM, where they found a man who said his card got stuck in the machine, so first he called the BECU phone number on the machine’s side, but didn’t reach anyone. Then, the police report says, he tried “to remove the card from the machine using a pair of pliers, but ended up accidentally breaking the card reader and cutting his finger in the process.” He told the officers that he called 911 himself because he “had no intention of causing property damage to the machine.” They offered to summon medical help for his finger injury, but he declined.

P.S. Police then tried to contact BECU to let them know about the damaged machine but, the report says, they couldn’t reach anyone either.

6 for your West Seattle Monday

August 12, 2019 9:04 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Black-throated Gray Warbler, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, highlights as a new week begins:

WADING POOLS & SPRAYPARK: Since the forecast is for sunshine and 70s later, they’re expected to be open: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) wading pool is open 11 am-8 pm, Delridge wading pool (4501 Delridge Way SW) is open noon-6:30 pm, South Park wading pool is open noon-7 pm. And the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open 11 am-8 pm.

FREE SUMMER MEALS: Three weeks until schools reopen, so local efforts continue to make sure no kids/teens go hungry. Various locations and times – use this lookup to find them.

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE TOUR: Find out more about West Seattle’s own college duing this 1 pm tour:

Get to know the people, programs, and services available at South Seattle College! Tours include visits to departments and classrooms including our Academic Programs, Professional/Technical Programs, Enrollment Services, Student Life, Diversity and Retention, and Campus Resources. Enjoy a leisurely walk around our beautifully-landscaped campus and learn what makes South Seattle College a great place to fulfill your educational and career goals!

FOSSIL HUNTERS: Join visitors from the Burke Museum at High Point Library, 5:30 pm, to learn about the clues fossils give us into the world of long ago. All ages welcome. (3411 SW Raymond)

EVENING BOOK GROUPS: 6:45 pm, at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) and West Seattle Library (2306 42nd SW). SW is reading “The Moor’s Account” by Laila Lalami, WS is reading “Old Filth” by Jane Gardam.

QUIZ NIGHT: Are you the person with all the answers? Or at least most of them? Go play! 8 pm at Parliament Tavern, $2/player. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday watch; Water Taxi’s return

(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)

7:11 AM: Good morning! No alerts/incidents so far. The Water Taxi is back in service as promised, with the Doc Maynard, and the new downtown facility at Pier 50.

8:32 AM: We are on the eastbound bridge & just noticed an SDOT crew coning off the outer lane before the crest.

DEVELOPMENT: Southwest Design Review Board to see two more projects

August 11, 2019 11:55 pm
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 |   Development | West Seattle news

We’ve already reported that 8854 Delridge Way SW is returning to the Southwest Design Review Board next month, two years after its first review. Now that SWDRB meeting has a second project, and the board will be convened two weeks later for yet another review.

First: On September 5th, when the SWDRB will see the South Delridge project at 6:30, that will be followed at 8 pm by their first look at 4401 42nd SW, proposed as “a 5-story apartment building with 72 small efficiency dwelling units and 6 live-work units (with parking) for 36 vehicles …”

Then at 6:30 pm September 19th, the board is now scheduled to consider the latest version of a project between 30th SW and Harbor SW, with the addresses 3252 30th Ave SW, 3315/ 3303/ 3257 Harbor Ave SW. This was reviewed by the board in April 2017 (WSB coverage here) and has site plans for 32 three-story rowhouse-style units. All meetings will be at the Senior Center/Sisson Building (4217 SW Oregon) and will include public-comment periods.

WATER TAXI: New downtown dock opens as service resumes Monday

August 11, 2019 8:28 pm
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 |   King County Water Taxi | Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSDOT photo)

At right in the photo above is the new passenger-ferry facility at Pier 50 downtown, a few weeks before its completion. It’s ready to go now, and King County Water Taxi and Kitsap Fast Ferry passengers will be first to use it Monday morning. As we reported Friday, West Seattle service will resume with the route’s regular full-size vessel, Doc Maynard. It’s been exactly two years since the passenger ferries’ Seattle dock moved to a temporary spot at Pier 52 so the new facility could be built as part of the Colman Dock overhaul (longer than the year and a half estimated in 2017, and the “little more than a year” mentioned on the WT website). We’ll get a close-up look at the new facility during a media tour tomorrow morning.

Open house planned for new YMCA half-day preschool location

Looking for half-day preschool? The West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) is opening a new program location and invites interested families to an open house this Thursday (August 15th). The open house is at the new location, Hallows Church, 3420 SW Cloverdale, 4-6 pm Thursday. Meantime, the Y is continuing to work on additional elsewhere “to increase our capacity to serve families in the area,” executive director Shalimar Gonzales tells WSB, with news on that likely “later in the year.” (Photo: King County Assessor’s website)

BACK TO SCHOOL: Mode Music & Performing Arts class-registration time

The end of summer and start of school aren’t that far off. For many families, it’s also time to think about enrichment programs, like the ones offered by the nonprofit wing of WSB sponsor Mode Music Studios. Here’s the announcement:

As school is fast approaching, Mode Music and Performing Arts is ready to get into our local schools and make a difference. Mode’s enrichment programs are thriving in several Seattle Public Schools. Registration just opened for Fall 2019 classes available at their event space located at 3801 Delridge Way SW.

Check out the story below!

Fall classes can be found here.

As you’ll see at that link, Mode offers classes for kids/youth of all ages, babies through teens.

HAPPENING NOW: Furry Faces Foundation’s ‘Paw-tee’ for people and pups

August 11, 2019 3:28 pm
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 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | Pets | West Seattle news

Wondering what to do with the rest of your Sunday afternoon? You’re invited to bring your dog(s) to the lot outside Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) in Morgan Junction for Furry Faces Foundation‘s “Paw-Tee”! Activities include people-assisted paw painting:

Until 4 pm, Hands to Paws Animal Massage is there:

You can browse and bid at the silent auction until 5 pm:

And you can sing! Renowned karaoke host Christopher Mychael is there until 5:30 pm. Full Paw-Tee details are in our calendar listing.

NEXT WEEKEND: Duwamish River Festival and post-festival boat tour

August 11, 2019 2:49 pm
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 |   South Park | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2018 Duwamish River Festival)

Kayaking will again be part of the Duwamish River Festival this year. It’s happening next Saturday (August 17th) at Duwamish Waterway Park on the river in South Park (7900 10th Ave. S.), noon-5 pm. This will be the 13th annual festival, and it’s always educational as well as entertainment, with information about the river’s history and the ongoing cleanups. Live music and cultural presentations are planned too, according to the festival coordinators at the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition – with performers/presenters including Hurati Mana, NW Tap Connection, Amigos de Seattle, Kalpulli Tlaloktekhuhtli, Angeles de MX, Thai Classical Music and Dance, among others. A free boat tour of the river is scheduled post-festival, 6 pm from Harbor Island Marina; preregistration has already maxed out but the boat-tour ticket page says, “A limited number of additional tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis” at the festival – check at the City of Seattle booth.

New Log House Museum exhibit to explore West Seattle’s annexation

Once upon a time, more than a century ago, West Seattle was NOT part of the City of Seattle. Why and how did that change? One week from today, on Sunday, August 18th, a new exhibit exploring that will open at the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s Log House Museum. Here’s the SWSHS announcement:

Visitors will see the reveal of the Log House Museum’s newest exhibit, “Between the Lines: The Power and Parallels of the West Seattle Annexation.” During the fight for annexation, many groups struggled to exert their power and influence on the fate of the Duwamish Peninsula. Citizens’ concerns in 1907 – saloons, taxation, voters; rights, and others – mirror similar issues Seattle is dealing with today.

Guest curators Phil Hoffman and Greg Lange searched through city archives and uncovered the untold story of West Seattle Annexation. At the Log House Museum, people can learn about the “Greater Seattle” of the past, and how that past reflects the present and informs the future.

On display, there will be maps of West Seattle and surrounding areas that were annexed during the early 1900s as a way to create a “Greater Seattle.” In the exhibit, there will also be documents showcasing the debate around saloons, transportation, and much more. Visitors will also have a chance to write a postcard to their local government. Funded partially through a grant generously provided by 4Culture, this thought-provoking exhibit shows visitors that history can and will repeat itself.

Admission: Admission is ‘pay what you can’, and suggested donation is $5.00 for adults. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds.

The Log House Museum is at 61st/Stevens and regularly open Thursdays-Sundays, noon-4 pm.

8 for your West Seattle Sunday!

(Photographer David Hutchinson says harbor seals Pearl & Minnie Pearl are “still using the WS shoreline”)

Options for your Sunday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm in the street, in the heart of The Junction. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

TOUR ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE: 1-4 pm tours of the historic lighthouse on Alki Point – get there by 3:45 pm. No admission charge. (3201 Alki SW)

PAWS & PAINT KARAOKE BEER GARDEN PARTY: You and your pup are invited to Furry Faces Foundation‘s party outside Beveridge Place Pub, 2-6 pm. So much going on, you have to go here for all the details. (6413 California SW)

‘BACKYARD BARD’ DOUBLE BILL: GreenStage‘s short Shakespeare productions – “Merry Wives of Windsor” at 3 pm, “Measure for Measure” at 4:15 pm, both at Delridge Community Center Park, both free. (4501 Delridge Way SW)

EVEN MORE SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: GreenStage is also in Lincoln Park this afternoon with a free 3 pm performance of “Taming of the Shrew.” (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

CORREO AEREO: Latin American music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)

‘9 TO 5, THE MUSICAL’: The Twelfth Night Productions show continues at the West Seattle High School Theater, 3 pm. Ticketing info and more here. (3000 California SW)

MONTY BANKS VARIETY SHOW: 8 pm at Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

SEE WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING … via our full calendar.