West Seattle, Washington

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month : 09/2019 313 results

Fill the Boot in West Seattle Junction, day 1
September 24, 2019 11:54 am
|    Comments Off on Fill the Boot in West Seattle Junction, day 1
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

In The Junction right now at California/Alaska, firefighters’ Fill the Boot donation drive for MDA is in its first day. We saw the crew from Highland Park-based Engine 11 there a little while ago; firefighters are rotating until 5 pm, and will collect there 9 am-5 pm daily through this Friday.

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Highlights for your first Tuesday of fall, featuring The West Seattle Turkey
September 24, 2019 10:17 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Alex)

For the third consecutive week, we’re declaring this #TurkeyTuesday as an excuse to decorate the day’s highlight list with the latest reader-sent photos of The West Seattle Turkey, which has been hanging out on our peninsula for five months now. Meantime, the calendar highlights:

HELP FIREFIGHTERS ‘FILL THE BOOT’ FOR MDA: Until 5 pm tonight, and again daily through Friday, you’ll find West Seattle firefighters in The Junction, collecting donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. (California/Alaska)

WELCOME WEEK AT SSC: Special events all week as students are welcomed back to South Seattle College (WSB sponsor). Today, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, singer/songwriter Young-Chhaylee performs at Clock Tower Plaza on campus. (6000 16th SW)

(Turkey meets squirrel – photo by David Waller)

PHOENECIA GRAND OPENING: As we reported last weekend, the restaurant’s new Junction location opens to the public tonight, 4-10 pm. (4717 42nd SW)

LUNA PARK CAFE SUPPORT: Local bicyclists are leading a “bike-in” to dine at Luna Park Café tonight, 6:30-8 pm, to show their support for one of the businesses grappling with access challenges during the Avalon Way work, but you don’t have to ride to participate! (2918 SW Avalon Way)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT 911: Tonight’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting features a manager from the SPD 911 center, as well as local crime/safety updates. 6:30 pm at the Southwest Precinct. (2300 SW Webster)

GET ‘UNSTUCK’: 6:30 pm workshop tonight, West Seattle Golf Course banquet hall. Info in our calendar listing. (4470 35th SW)

(Photo by Bill Vetter)

CITY BUDGET 101: Tonight’s District 1 Community Network meeting at the Duwamish Longhouse, 7 pm, is scheduled to feature city budget director Ben Noble explaining the budget process, which has just kicked off. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

FAMILY STORY TIME: 7 pm at Delridge Library. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

(Photo by Monica Zaborac)

BE SAFE … might be a turkey crossing the street!

ADDED 10:39 AM: One more turkey photo just received:

(Photo by Brooke Eakes)

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MUSIC: New Symphony conductor for West Seattle Community Orchestras
September 24, 2019 9:40 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The search is over! Here’s the announcement from West Seattle Community Orchestras:

After a very productive, year-long process, the WSCO board is pleased to announce Anna Wittstruck as WSCO’s new Symphony Orchestra Conductor. Audience members who attended the Symphony’s spring concert are already well aware that we are in for an exciting season under her direction!

Anna comes to us with wide-ranging orchestral experience. Since 2017, she has served at the University of Puget Sound as Assistant Professor, Director of Orchestra. Prior to that appointment, she served for two years at Stanford University as Acting Assistant Professor, in roles as Interim Music Director and Conductor of the Stanford Symphony Orchestra and Stanford Philharmonia. As part of her developing international experience, she has conducted concerts across the United States as well as in Latin America, Europe, and Asia.

Wittstruck is also an active orchestral musician whose performances as a cellist span from the Beijing Modern Music Festival to the 2011 YouTube Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Princeton University and a PhD in musicology from Stanford University, where she helped create the Stanford Youth Orchestra, an international program for advanced high school students.

Anna has chosen a French theme for the Symphony’s December 6 concert, including the Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah by Saint-Saens, Debussy’s Petite Suite, a Pavane by Faure, and selections from the ever-popular suites from Bizet’s opera Carmen.

It’s not too late to join us! Rehearsals begin October 1, held Tuesdays at Chief Sealth International High School. More info on our website, www.wscorchestras.org, or you can contact info@wscorchestras.org.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday watch; West Seattle Bridge trouble
September 24, 2019 7:06 am
|      36 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)

7:06 AM: Good morning!

PAVING TONIGHT: If the weather permits, SDOT plans overnight paving on Avalon tonight.

STADIUM ZONE: Mariners’ home game vs. Houston, 7:10 tonight, so the West Seattle Water Taxi runs later.

7:27 AM: Per radio dispatch, police are responnding to a crash reported on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge from Fauntleroy.

7:33 AM: SDOT’s been panning the nearest camera but hasn’t found that crash yet; now they’re saying it might be on the westbound side instead. Eastbound flow from the Fauntleroy end looks normal.

7:57 AM: There’s an oil slick on the westbound bridge in that area so beware if you’re inbound – the westbound bridge will be CLOSED at Admiral while that’s cleaned up.

8:11 AM: SDOT camera image showing westbound bridge blocked/detoured at Admiral:

8:32 AM: Now some of the fluid is reported to be getting into the EASTBOUND inside lane, so police are planning to block off that lane. Avoid the Fauntleroy entrance to the EB bridge if you want to steer clear of potential ensuing backups.

9:04 AM: Cleanup continues.

10:01 AM: Not clear yet.

10:09 AM: The eastbound lane closure is about to be lifted, per radio exchange.

UPDATE: We were away from the desk but per Twitter, the westbound side reopened shortly after noon. As for who’s to blame, SPD tells us the oil was from the first one-car crash.

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West Seattle scene: Acknowledging autumn’s arrival at Alice’s equinox sunset watch
September 23, 2019 10:12 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle scene: Acknowledging autumn’s arrival at Alice’s equinox sunset watch
 |   Skies Over West Seattle | West Seattle news

The sunset was a no-show. But several hardy people showed up to join Alice Enevoldsen‘s change-of-seasons sunset watch tonight at Solstice Park anyway. When turnout’s a bit bigger, Alice gathers everyone into a circle for a grand demonstration of what exactly happens in the solar system at the time of equinox or solstice. Tonight, things were a little more casual. Mark your calendar for the next sunset watch; this year’s winter solstice is on Saturday, December 21st.

P.S. Alice (who teaches at South Seattle College [WSB sponsor] among other things has been doing this for a decade!

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Delridge Neighborhoods District Council: Longtime leader leaving
September 23, 2019 7:51 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge District Council | West Seattle news

Somebody needs to take over the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council.

Longtime chair Mat McBride (right, WSB file photo) announced at this month’s DNDC meeting that it’s time for him to step away.

Three other people were at the meeting, held last Wednesday in the lobby of Neighborhood House High Point due to a key snafu. None of them volunteered on the spot to take over. One, in fact, said she had moved out of east West Seattle.

McBride’s long been a cheerful and energetic neighborhood advocate, with his 11 years of work including helping get other efforts launched, among them the now-dormant Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council. He coordinated the volunteers who built a new Roxhill Park playground in 2012. Three years ago, on short notice, he turned a scheduled DNDC meeting into a defiant rally of neighborhood district council reps from around the city after then-Mayor Ed Murray announced he wanted to cut official ties with the groups.

Many of the NDCs kept going anyway, including Delridge – but now its future is uncertain. McBride planned to talk with at least one longtime member who wasn’t there Wednesday night. In the meantime, here’s what else he and the attendees discussed:

Read More

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AVALON/35TH PROJECT: No paving tonight
September 23, 2019 6:56 pm
|    Comments Off on AVALON/35TH PROJECT: No paving tonight
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

SDOT says it’s NOT paving on Avalon tonight after all. The update:

Due to wet weather, paving on SW Avalon Way from SW Spokane St to 35th Ave SW (Zones A-C) has been cancelled for tonight, Monday, September 23.

Paving is tentatively scheduled to take place overnight on Tuesday, September 24 and Wednesday, September 25. This work is very weather dependent, and we will continue to provide updates on our paving schedule if dates change due to rain.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Drug suspect charged; intruder with dog; mystery shoes; 911 info
September 23, 2019 4:43 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Four notes in West Seattle Crime Watch:

DRUG SUSPECT CHARGED: Continuing to follow up on the search warrant and arrest in High Point last week, we have charging documents from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, filed today. 47-year-old Richard S. Schaan is charged with two drug felonies. He remains in the King County Jail, bail set at $50,000, with an arraignment hearing scheduled October 7th. (The photo at right is from the Department of Corrections, which had it on record from time he served in 2010.)

BACKYARD BREAK-IN: From Laura near 22nd/Barton:

Back yard was broken into (Sunday) evening around 7 pm. We believe this is Jessica Detrick based on neighbors recognizing her from past incidents.

The dog is the giveaway here, as compared to past coverage here.

SOMEWHERE THERE’S A BAREFOOT TRESPASSER: Ashley southwest of The Junction wondered if this somehow connects to anything else nearby:

We woke up to these shoes under our patio table and clearly this person sat at the table for a while. Haven’t noticed anything missing. I wanted to let you know to see if anything happened to those around us. We live off Dawson and 47th.

BLOCKWATCH CAPTAINS NETWORK TOMORROW: You don’t have to be a captain or even in a Block Watch at all to attend – all are welcome at Tuesday’s meeting, 6:30 pm at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster), featuring a guest from the city’s 911 center.

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WATER ALERT: Hydrant testing Tuesday night
September 23, 2019 4:10 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

From Seattle Public Utilities:

Seattle Public Utilities crews will conduct routine hydrant flow testing near 3084 SW Avalon Way starting at 11:30 pm on Tuesday, September 24, and lasting until 5:30 am on Wednesday, September 25. During and after testing, some customers in the area may experience temporary discolored water. If this happens, the water should clear on its own- or try running the cold tap for a few minutes. If the problem persists, contact SPU’s 24/7 Operations Response Center at 206-386-1800.

That’s the number to use any time you get unexplained brown water, as we’ve reported many times.

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MAYOR’S BUDGET: $3.5 million proposed for Highland Park Way/Holden
September 23, 2019 2:30 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Mayor Jenny Durkan‘s proposed 2020 budget is out and we’re browsing it in search of West Seattle specifics. One of her office’s accompanying news releases singles one out: $3.5 million for long-in-search-of-funding Highland Park Way/Holden improvements. The money would come from the city’s “Mercer Megablock” sale proceeds, according to page 5 of the SDOT budget doc (PDF):

City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s office points out that this provides a “clear funding source” for funding she wrote into a supplemental budget amendment in August (specifics here).

The big question is – what will this money buy? The mayoral news release says the work will “includ(e) intersection modifications at Highland Park Way and SW Holden Street with traffic calming, new sidewalks and curb ramps, and new transit stops.” As we reported in May, the estimate for the long-proposed roundabout jumped to more than $7 million, with signalizing the intersection estimated at $3 million. We’ll be following up on that, and other budget details of West Seattle interest.

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Also happening off West Seattle: Drill involving state ferry
September 23, 2019 1:25 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(Added: WSF photo)

In addition to everything else we’ve been covering this past hour-plus, we’re getting questions about an alarming-looking situation involving a Washington State Ferry and other boats. Here’s the explanation from WSF:

Federal, state and local agencies are scheduled to hold an active-shooter drill on board the M/V Kittitas without passengers while underway in Puget Sound Monday afternoon. Community members or waterway users may see increased maritime activity around the ferry during afternoon hours.

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UPDATE: Water-rescue response off Emma Schmitz Overlook
September 23, 2019 12:58 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news | WS miscellaneous

(Added: WSB photo)

12:58 PM: The big SFD/SPD response to Beach Drive SW is because someone spotted a paddleboard offshore, unoccupied, and is worried someone might be in trouble. Updates to come.

1 PM: Responders are saying the paddleboard appears to be tied to buoy(s). No person(s) in sight.

1:15 PM: Call’s closed, and crews were gone by the time we arrived in the area a few minutes ago.

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UPDATE: Car-on-side crash in Highland Park
September 23, 2019 12:15 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WSB photo)

12:15 PM: The emergency response for what’s reported as a flipped-car crash is blocking SW Holden near 13th SW in Highland Park. Avoid the area. We’re on the way to find out more.

12:25 PM: Photo added. Two vehicles involved; no one hurt. Tow truck’s on scene, so street will likely reopen soon.

12:40 PM: Officers at the scene just told dispatchers that Holden has reopened both ways.

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WHALE ALERT: Resident orcas in the area again!
September 23, 2019 11:57 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

11:57 AM: Thanks to Kersti Muul for word that Southern Resident Killer Whales are in the area again! Southbound off Bainbridge Island – still north of Elliott Bay – at last word.

1:35 PM: In comments, Robin Sinner reports: “1:15 pm, just saw two breaches from Constellation Park in West Seattle, southbound to red buoy.”

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VIDEO: About that flyover – Red Arrows visiting Seattle
September 23, 2019 11:48 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

(Added: Photos by Monica Zaborac)

11:48 AM: Got a couple questions about this – sorry we didn’t hear about it in advance, but if you too saw it and wondered, the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, just arrived in Seattle. They’re visiting the Museum of Flight today. (Thanks to the commenter who saved us research time post-flyover!)

12:03 PM: The Museum of Flight tweeted video of the arrival:

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5 for your West Seattle Monday!
September 23, 2019 10:21 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Red-breasted Nuthatch, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, as fall begins:

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: 1-7 pm, mobile blood drive at Our Lady of Guadalupe – walk-ups welcome but note that it’s closed 3-4 pm for a break. (7700 35th SW)

HOMEWORK HELP: Students will find it with volunteers at High Point Library 4-7:30 pm. (3411 SW Raymond)

ALICE’S EQUINOX SUNSET WATCH: Even if it doesn’t look too likely the sun will make an appearance, come to Solstice Park 6:30-7:30 pm for NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen‘s equinox-sunset watch. All ages welcome. Learn what “equinox” really means, and more. Upslope from the tennis courts. (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW)

MONDAY NIGHT MEDITATION: Start your week by meditating tonight at Sound Yoga (WSB sponsor), 7 pm; drop-ins welcome – info here. (5639 California SW)

QUIZFIX TRIVIA: At The Skylark, free, all ages, with prizes! 7:30 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

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Celebration of Life on Friday for Brian A. Willett, 1976-2019
September 23, 2019 9:04 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather Friday to celebrate the life of Brian A. Willett. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with the community:

Brian A. Willett, age 43, born April 5, 1976 in Bozeman, MT, died suddenly June 24, 2019 in Seattle.

Brian’s formative years were spent in Montana, where he graduated from Bozeman HS in 1994. His first year of college was spent at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He completed his studies at the University of Oregon, graduating in 1998 with a BA in Political Science. Brian was elected President of the Young Democrats while attending college. He served as an intern for Congressional Representative Ron Wyden, who is now Senator Wyden of Oregon.

Professionally, Brian’s career took hold in the medical field. Employers included Oregon Medical Labs, Harborview Medical Center, Merck, and finally BloodWorks NW (a blood bank in Seattle).

Brian had a lifelong love of travel and of maps. In his childhood, he was a regional champion in the geography bee. While still in grade school, Brian took a round-the-United States trip with his older sister Terry. The trip cemented his love of learning about people and places different than himself. That love led to several European trips as well as countless travels across the United States and Canada.

He had an extraordinary eye for photography and combined this skill with his passion for fine dining. The subsequent Facebook posts are legendary.

Brian’s gentle ability to call people back to their better selves on social media will be sorely missed. Facebook friends remained friends even after Brian let them know (always privately) that they had overstepped boundaries or were making themselves look foolish.

Brian is survived by his mother Bea and father Walt of Billings, MT; two sisters, Terry Wheeler of Sierra Vista, AZ, and Tammy Novakovich of Red Lodge, MT; and a brother, Paul of Billings, MT. Brian is also survived by his partner of five years, David Anderson of Seattle.

A memorial/celebration of life will be held Friday, September 27, 7 PM at Structure Cellars, 3849 1st Ave S, Seattle. Online donations, in lieu of flowers and in remembrance of Brian’s other loves (Blade and Sienna), can be made to the National Basenji Rescue – www.basenjirescue.org.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: First fall Monday
September 23, 2019 6:52 am
|      14 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)

6:52 AM: Welcome to fall, which arrived six hours ago. Some notes:

METRO’S SERVICE CHANGE: First weekday since this took effect on Saturday. Here’s our roundup of West Seattle changes.

NEW ISLAND AT FAUNTLEROY/ALASKA: As shown here last night.

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE: Fall quarter classes start today at SSC (WSB sponsor), so be ready for more traffic on 16th SW.

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VIDEO: Storm season 2019’s first underwater view of ‘The Monster’
September 23, 2019 12:07 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

The video is from “Diver Laura” James, who explains:

This is ‘the monster’ (as we dubbed it in 2012), a large stormwater outfall directly off Alki Beach between 55th and 56th street on Alki (NOT the CSO).

This storm drain gets the street runoff from the whole hillside up to Admiral Way. That’s a LOT of polluted stormwater runoff!

We can’t stop the rain, but we CAN reduce the flow of polluted stormwater runoff by following some simple personal actions.

learn more here: www.tox-ick.org

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen e-bike
September 22, 2019 10:16 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Reader report: “My e-bike was stolen from 34th and Manning last night or today. I just noticed (this afternoon) it was gone and used it last night. It’s an IZIP and has two belts.”

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BIZNOTE: Phoenecia reopens Tuesday in new West Seattle Junction location
September 22, 2019 8:01 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

(WSB photo: Sonya, Inaam, and Nadia Khazaal)

The Khazaal family is ready to welcome you back to Phoenecia. Nine months after they lost their longtime location in Alki, they’re ready to reopen at 4717 42nd SW in The Junction. That’s the same neighborhood where Phoenecia’s late founder Hussein Khazaal first opened Phoenecia in the early ’70s. Almost two weeks ago, we reported that they hoped to open by the end of this month; today, they called to tell us they’d set the date – Tuesday (September 24th). So we stopped by tonight for a photo; the restaurant was full of diners enjoying a friends-and-family preview. Phoenecia will be open Tuesdays-Sundays, 4-10 pm, closed Mondays.

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MONDAY: Welcome autumn at Alice Enevoldsen’s Solstice Park sunset watch
September 22, 2019 6:05 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Skies Over West Seattle | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

This year’s autumn-equinox moment is just under seven hours away – 12:50 am our time Monday. You can celebrate the change of seasons tomorrow night at Alice Enevoldsen‘s Solstice Park sunset watch – a West Seattle tradition! Get to the park (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW, upslope from the tennis courts) around 6:30 pm; don’t let clouds daunt you – sometimes the sun will break through, and even if it doesn’t, Alice’s explanation of the equinox is always memorable. All ages welcome, as always. See you there!

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INTERSECTION ALERT: New island at Fauntleroy/Alaska
September 22, 2019 3:49 pm
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | Triangle | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Thanks to the texter who alerted us to this: Another of the “near-term improvements” announced two months ago for Fauntleroy Way SW in The Triangle has just been installed, and this one might catch some drivers by surprise (we saw that happen just as we were walking up to get photos): It’s what was described in the July announcement as a “new hardscape traffic island to tighten intersection and provide guidance to traffic turning right.” We tweeted a bit of video while there:

This and the other changes detailed by SDOT here (PDF) are meant as a stopgap until the full Fauntleroy Boulevard project’s fate is determined by light-rail-routing decisions.

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