West Seattle, Washington
17 Tuesday
(Added: Photo courtesy Brian Towers)
2:09 AM: Both Seattle Fire and Police are headed for the 1300 block of Alki Avenue SW, where a vehicle is reported to have gone into the water. They’re trying to figure out if anyone is in the vehicle; two people are reported to have been seen walking away from the scene. Updates to come.
2:11 AM: Per scanner, no one else was in the car, and the two people who got out are unhurt. The SFD response is being canceled. (added) It’s been 10 years since the last car-in-water incident we recall.
3:04 AM: Tow truck has arrived. As the photo shows, the car is more on the rocks than in the water. (Added) Here’s the context – that’s the car off the seawall at right:
(WSB photo)
10:59 AM: Court and jail records indicate a 19-year-old man was arrested for investigation of DUI, hit and run, and property damage. He’s currently in King County Jail, where records show he also spent time for suspected DUI in November.
In two and a half weeks, the Elected Leadership Group created for Sound Transit West Seattle/Ballard light-rail planning will meet to make its recommendation of which routing/station-location alternatives should go into environmental study.
They have a lot of feedback to consider. And as we reported here, one West Seattleite on the ELG, City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, expressed concern that the ELG and the Stakeholder Advisory Group wouldn’t get enough time to consider it all – the timetable said they would get a summary of the recent “scoping” comments just two days before their recommendation meeting on April. She reiterated her request for more time in this letter with her scoping comments:
She asked that both groups get at least a week’s lead time between receiving scoping-comment information and their next meetings. And now we’ve learned that will happen – Sound Transit intends to send the scoping comments to both groups today (Wednesday), which is exactly a week before the SAG meets and 16 days before the ELG meets. We had asked ST just yesterday about the status of the request for more time and were told, “Staff is working hard to turn around these comments as quickly as they can.” We’ll inquire tomorrow how and how soon they’ll be available once sent to the ELG and SAG.
Meantime, community groups are continuing their advocacy. Another of the West Seattleites on the ELG, County Councilmember Joe McDermott – who is also on the ST Board – recently walked part of the potential route – from the Avalon station vicinity to the easternmost Junction station – with members of the East Alaska Junction Neighborhood Coalition. We were along for most of the tour:
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The largest senior center in Seattle is in the heart of The Junction.
That’s one of the facts served up with breakfast today as Senior Center of West Seattle supporters gathered for its annual early-morning benefit.
The hundreds who filled the Masonic Center for the occasion also learned that SCWS served almost 4,500 people last year alone.
Those who benefit from it aren’t just seniors. It’s the only community center-type facility in The Junction, and that means it’s the scene of countless meetings, gatherings, and events – from Rainbow Bingo to mayoral town halls.
The annual breakfast – this year, themed “Joy Is in the Journey” – has grown so popular, it had to move to a larger venue. But the 11th annual fundraiser was full of the flavor that permeates the center. (Another fact: You don’t have to be a member to use SCWS services.)
Breakfastgoers were serenaded with piano classics as well as ukulele music by The Ukes (Unique Kinds of Entertainers), a Senior Center program. Vice chair Amy Lee Derenthal introduced The Ukes after welcoming guests on behalf of the board. (Apropos to the “journey” theme, they started with “Sea Cruise.”)
In case you didn’t get this via a text alert or see it elsewhere: Metro has an online survey under way, asking you to agree/disagree with statements in categories including: Availability (including “The bus service is usually reliable”), accessibility (such as “It is easy to move around inside the bus”), information (“It is easy to get up to the minute information on when my bus will arrive”), time (“The bus gets me to my destination in good time”), customer care (“Staff are helpful”), comfort (“The bus is clean”), security, environmental impact, and more. It’s described as for everyone even if you seldom use the bus. If you have a few minutes to spare, go here.
Three quick notes about spoken-for spaces in The Junction:
MOVING FROM MORGAN JUNCTION: We mentioned back in January that TouchTech Systems had moved out of 4517 California SW. As of May 1st, that’ll be the new home of the Farmers’ Insurance office that’s currently at 7007 California SW, according to a sign posted on the window at that building.
As we’ve reported previously, redevelopment is on the way for that Morgan Junction site.
ROW HOUSE: This national fitness chain is expanding into Seattle and is on its way to one of The Junction’s newest commercial spaces, 4203 SW Oregon, ground floor at the AJ Apartments. The chain’s website says it offers a “full-body, low-impact, high-energy rowing experience.” (Added 6:22 pm) They’re hoping to be open in August.
STARCYCLE: Just a block away, this too is a branch of a multi-state fitness company, specializing in indoor cycling. StarCycle is on the way to a commercial space at the Adell Apartments, almost complete at 4532 42nd SW.
We’ve learned more about a police and fire response that drew some attention along Avalon Way east of 35th early Monday morning. A 23-year-old woman is recovering from injuries and a 42-year-old man is in jail after what’s under investigation as a case of assault. The police-report narrative says multiple 911 callers reported a woman screaming and two other voices. The victim said she was sitting outside her apartment building when she saw the man and his girlfriend, who, she told officers, she often sees, as they live nearby. She asked him to return a lighter she had loaned him a year or so earlier; an argument ensued, and, she said, he punched her in the face five times, knocking her down. The man’s girlfriend tried to stop him, the victim said; finally they went back into their building. The report says police found the suspect’s apartment by following a trail of blood. He claimed what he did was in self-defense, saying he had been hit, but police found no injuries to confirm that. He is in jail, held in lieu of $5,000 bail.
Several West Seattle churches share their campuses with schools. One asked us to share this news as they search for a new tenant:
Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation in the Gatewood neighborhood is very sad to receive the news that our tenant of eight years, “Sweet Pea Preschool of the Arts,” will be closing their West Seattle campus in our building as of June 30, 2019. We have very much enjoyed sharing space with Sweet Pea and wish this group the best. Westside UU Church will have space available for a new non-profit organization to rent. If interested, please contact our administrator at office@wsuu.org.
We have a message out to the school, which also has campuses in other Seattle neighborhoods, to ask about their future plans. WSUU is at 7141 California SW.
Got a dog? Enjoy traveling? West Seattleite Brandie Ahlgren, founder/editor of CityDog Magazine, is getting ready to publish a book you might enjoy – but first, a bit of crowdfunding:
after 13 years of digging up the best places to sit, stay, and play with your pooch in the Pacific Northwest, we’ve compiled it all into one place, a 200-page, full-color guidebook called the Doggone Travel+Adventure Guide. As you can imagine, printing a full-color book is not cheap, but worth it with over 350 photos shot by Northwest professional photographers! Anyway, we recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to cover half of the printing and with just nine days to go, we are 50% to our goal. One of the pledge levels includes a photo of your dog in the book.
Here’s a sneak peek at the book; if you want to help with the crowdfunding, go here.
10:01 AM: Just in from Kersti Muul – orca alert! She says a small group, probably transients, is headed southbound, off Alki. Let us know if you see them!
11:11 AM: David Hutchinson saw them – from Constellation Park – and sent the photo we just added above.
1:55 PM: Kersti reports in comments that they are headed back northbound!
2:25 PM: Update from Kersti – they’re “just north of the Fauntleroy ferry, NB on the east side of the channel.” Research boat headed that way, too.
Remember the nest reminder last month, courtesy of Kersti Muul? She sent the photographic update above, showing baby hummingbirds that hatched almost three weeks ago. The reminder still stands … be careful with shrubbery/tree work! Now, on to a few calendar highlights:
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon lunch meeting at the Masonic Center. Guests welcome. Today’s scheduled program celebrates “Students of the Month.” (4736 40th SW)
KIDS CAFE: School’s out but the afternoon free meals continue for kids and teens, 2:45-3:45 pm at High Point Library. (3411 SW Raymond)
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: The FCA‘s board meets at 7 pm; Fauntleroy Schoolhouse conference room, community members welcome. Agenda’s in our calendar listing. (9131 California SW)
FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: Call before noon for an appointment, to see if there’s room at tonight’s 7-9 pm clinic at the Senior Center of West Seattle. (4217 SW Oregon)
(Monday evening photo by David Hutchinson)
J.D. HOBSON BAND: 8:30 pm at Parliament Tavern: “Groovy, soulful blues and Americana.” 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
SEE WHAT ELSE IS ON THE CALENDAR! Go here.
Drum roll … 70 sales and counting on the last day of the first week of registration for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2019 (presented/coordinated by WSB). If you’re still contemplating whether to have a sale or not, you have time – two more weeks of registration. The sale day is Saturday, May 11th, 9 am-3 pm, with some starting earlier and/or ending later. As we do each year, we’ll have the map ready to go in clickable and printable versions a week in advance. Here’s where to register.
P.S. It’s also time for us to start reminding you that Stamp Out Hunger – letter carriers’ door-to-door, mailbox-to-mailbox food drive – is the same day as WSCGSD as usual (both are always on the second Saturday in May), so whether you will be shopping or selling, if you can donate, please plan to set out your bag of nonperishable food by your mailbox/door/etc. that morning.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7:02 AM: Good morning. No traffic or transit alerts so far in our area.
7:43 AM: SDOT reports, “Collision on E Marginal Way S at 1st Ave S blocking NB right lane and SB right lane.”
8:37 AM: If you are a late-night/early-morning Highway 99 driver/rider, take note of these closures as the week continues – including an overnight closure of the SB Highway 99 tunnel overnight late Friday into early Saturday.
(From Novion Group’s website for 8415 Delridge project)
Since the city changed the Design Review rules, few projects have been scheduled for a full board review – there’s nothing on the Southwest Design Review Board‘s horizon right now – but several have had informal “early outreach” drop-in sessions, usually drawing a handful of neighbors, with the format and even the choice of notification methods left up to the developers. Another one of those sessions was held this afternoon, this time for the 14-rowhouse project planned to replace a 65-year-old house at 8415 Delridge Way SW. Project architects Novion Group scheduled the meeting for 4:30-5:30 pm in the Southwest Library’s community room.
In addition to our reporter, three nearby residents showed up. Their concerns included poor drainage in the alley behind the property, explaining that it has a tendency to develop giant puddles. The project team said that will be addressed. Neighbors also wondered about the trees on the site; the project team warned that it’s early in the design process but most are likely to be kept. And they wanted to be sure that parking will be addressed for construction workers and, later, deliveries. The project itself includes one offstreet space per unit, to be accessed off the alley (which is discussed, along with other site characteristics, in this document that’s part of the project file).
We asked when they hope to start construction; could be as soon as one year away, depending on how the process proceeds.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: The architects will prepare a “design packet” for the Early Design Guidance phase, and the city will publish a notice when that’s available for review and comment (we’ll publish an update too).
P.S. If you missed the meeting but have concerns/questions about the project, Novion has a simple webpage for it with comment options.
Just under four months until the primary election, and two days until the next forum featuring all five of the candidates running so far for the District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) City Council seat. Their first faceoff was back on March 21st (WSB coverage here); this Wednesday (April 10), they’ll be side by side for the second time during the 34th District Democrats‘ monthly meeting. All are welcome – nonmembers and members alike; the meeting starts at 7 pm Wednesday at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW). It’s one of two events the 34th DDs are presenting this month featuring the D-1 council race; the other is billed as a debate, at 6:30 pm April 23rd at Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School (9615 20th SW). The 34 DDs, by the way, have an online survey going, inviting you to help shape the issues on which they’ll focus.
The candidates in the running so far are Isaiah Willoughby, Phil Tavel, Brendan Kolding, incumbent Lisa Herbold, and Jesse Greene; according to the city Ethics and Election Commission tracker, District 1’s five-candidate field is the smallest of any of the 7 districts, so far. But it’s not necessarily the final lineup – the official filing period isn’t until next month.
Family and friends have said goodbye to Robert Nestor Johnson. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:
Bob peacefully passed away on March 24 enveloped in the love of his family at his bedside. We are so thankful that we were able to be with him as he walked into the arms of our Lord. Our hearts are heavy with his loss but we know that he is enjoying a perfect game of bowling and under-par rounds of golf.
Bob was a lifelong resident of West Seattle, born on February 19, 1941. He graduated from Sealth High School in 1959. A few months later he was off to join the Air Force and spent 4 years in San Antonio, Amarillo, and Fort Worth, Texas. When he returned home, he bought a house on Gatewood Hill which he lived in for 53 years.
After the Air Force, Bob became a Welder, Boilermaker and Tool Maker. Over the years, his jobs took him to the Marshall Islands, Phoenix Islands, Canton Island, and Hawaii, where he had countless adventures and “stories.” When he wasn’t off on a job adventure, he worked for local Seattle companies and ended his working career at Boeing. As his family we are grateful that Bob documented his life so we were able to enjoy stories of his adolescence, young adulthood, military career and read about all of the commendations he received for outstanding performance at his various jobs during his life.
Bob was proficient in his hobbies of bowling, golfing, card playing, the games of Cribbage & Scrabble, traveling and camping in his van. He also enjoyed traveling with his buddies to golf courses in other states. Over the years, he was a local at West Seattle Bowl, West Seattle Golf Course, The New Deal, Benbow Inn, the Eagles, and Chelan Café.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents George & Mary Jane Johnson. Survivors include his sister Pat Leago, brother Jimmy Johnson & wife Kelley, sister Lori Stubberfield and husband Scott, along with 6 nieces & nephews and 6 grandnieces & grandnephews.
Our family would like to express gratitude to the staff at Swedish Medical Center, the Hospice Teams and all the individuals who were so kind in the weeks preceding Bob’s death. The compassion demonstrated to us was so appreciated. Per his request, his ashes will be scattered at a favorite family park. Gifts in his memory can be made to Swedish Medical Center.
We will miss you “What about Bob” – you are forever in our hearts
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
A colossal field trip for Denny International Middle School‘s Youth Ambassadors – the report and photos are from principal Jeff Clark:
The Youth Ambassadors had an amazing trip to the Washington State Legislature, State Supreme Court, and the Governor’s mansion.
We were blessed with the critical support of the Seattle Police Department who provided us with free transportation and four amazing officers to serve as chaperones, including the one and only Officer Vargas.
Ms. Lori Markowitz and the Alliance for Gun Responsibility arranged a packed day of meeting with elected officials who carved out time from their busy schedule to meet with us about specific pieces of legislation addressing gun-violence prevention.
Our scholars were amazing representatives and advocates for the Denny community. They were articulate, compassionate, and direct in their communication with the elected officials and staff. It was an unforgettable experience for all who were involved
We were able to meet:
First Lady Trudi Inslee [photo above]
Governor Inslee [top photo]
Representatives: Pollet, Valdez, Fitzgibbon [photo above]
Senators: Saldaña, Nguyen [photo above], Salomon
Office Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI): Marissa Rathbone and Jerry PriceOther highlights were:
Touring Capital
Touring the Governor’s mansion
Observing civic action by WEA. Scholars learned about the McCleary decision from teachers across the state
Observing the budget voting process
One Denny scholar receiving Washingtonian of the Day for her direct and articulate introduction and rationale for our visitThank you to Mr. Chase, Ms. Markowitz, and Officer Vargas for making this great experience happen! Go, Dolphins!
Denny’s sent delegations to Olympia before – here’s a report from two years ago.
4:25 PM: SFD is sending a fireboat and rescue swimmers to the area of Beach Drive shoreline across from Me-Kwa-Mooks for what’s described as a possible paddleboarder in distress. Updates to come.
4:28 PM: And that’s been canceled already … Seattle Police are reported to have made contact with the person, who is out of the water and OK.
WEEKEND FOLLOWUPS: We followed up with police today – no arrests to report in either of two weekend incidents we reported on briefly while police were investigating: The Friday night gunfire in Highland Park, and the Saturday night shoplifting-turned-robbery that led to an extensive search in Morgan Junction.
(Saturday night WSB photo)
We did obtain the report narrative for the latter, which says it started when West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) employees “… contacted the suspect for shoplifting. They observed him putting bulk foods items, a Starbucks Frappuccino and other unknown items into his bag. The suspect then passed the checkout stands without attempting to pay for anything. They then confronted the suspect to return the items. The suspect refused to give back the items. … At some point, the suspect … lifted his pant leg up to expose his boot (and said) “I have a knife. I will kick you.” (They) feared they were going to get assaulted, backed off and told the suspect they were calling the police. That is when the suspect ran out the back door.” While searching with K9 help, while police didn’t find the robber, just east of the store, under a car in the 6500 block of 42nd SW, they did find a bag he had been carrying, containing food, a toothbrush, a lighter, and the cap he had worn.
Next, three reader reports:
PROWLER: From a reader in Seaview:
The reader says the prowler was caught on camera around 11:20 am Sunday near 42nd/Juneau.
ANOTHER PROWLER: We also received a weekend report of a man prowling from Roxhill Park toward the former Roxhill Elementary: “He then proceeded to walk through the neighborhood and every house he walked through yards. He came to ours and walked right up to our front door and front window. … Even when confronted he did not run just kept walking through.” Police were called.
SCAM CALL ALERT: Thanks to Lisa for the reminder that scam callers are relentless. She emailed us this afternoon to report, “We just received a robocall from ‘Department of IRS,’ stating it was suspending our social security numbers due to suspicious activity. My mother-in-law, who is 88, also received the calls.” Since she sent us that original note, just as we were about to publish this, she sent word of a few more – one purporting to be about her account at Bank of America (where she does NOT have an account), and one pitching asphalt for her mother-in-law’s driveway … which is already paved.
Also today, this reminder:
NEXT WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION MEETING: 7 pm Tuesday, April 16, at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster), with local police there to answer your questions about local crime/safety concerns, as well as this month’s special guest, a representative from the Seattle Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit.
(Rendering by Hybrid Architecture)
Four months after the mostly-microapartments proposal resurfaced for 5952 California SW [map], it’s received key city approvals. The project description is the same as last December, when it went into a second round of Design Review, 2+ years after the first – “29 small efficiency dwelling units and 6 apartment units (35 units total). Parking for 5 vehicles proposed.” Today’s publication of the notice for this opens a two-week appeal period; the notice explains (PDF) how to file one. Meantime, the property was re-listed for sale a week and a half ago (PDF), with the notation “back on market,” asking price $1.8 million, a bit less than its August 2017 listing.
Just sent by Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner, another one of the occasional notifications that a Level 3 sex offender has moved into the area:
In an effort to keep you informed, and in our constant attempts to reduce future victimization, we want to let you know about one level 3 sex offender that has recently moved into a Southwest Precinct neighborhood.
Jermaine Freeman, a 45 year old Black Male, is a level 3 registered sex offender who has recently moved to the 9200 Block of Olson Place SW. Mr. Freeman is no longer under Department of Corrections supervision.
To learn more about this offender and for additional safety tips please visit the website at www.waspc.org and search by his name. [Editor’s note: Here’s a direct link to the page with his photo and background information.]
To register to receive an email alert whenever a published offender registers within one mile of your desired addresses, go to (this link).
Level 3 sex offenders pose the highest risk to re-offend. It is normal to feel upset, angry and worried about a registered sex offender living in your community. The Community Notification Act of 1990 requires sex offenders to register in the community where they live. The law also allows local law enforcement to make the public aware about Level 2 and Level 3 offenders. Since these offenders have completed their sentences, they are free to live where they wish. Experts believe sex offenders are less likely to re-offend if they live and work in an environment free of harassment. Any actions taken against the listed sex offenders could result in arrest and prosecution as it is against the law to use this information in any way to threaten, intimidate or harass registered sex offenders. The SPD Sex offender detectives will check on these offenders every 3 months to verify our information.
The single most effective means of protecting your child is communication with your child. They have to feel comfortable discussing sensitive matters with you. Teach your children that they should not be asked to touch anyone in the bathing suit areas of their body or allow anyone to touch them in those areas. Teach them types of situations to avoid. It is not good enough to tell a child to avoid strangers. Please remember that children are most often molested by someone they or their parents know.
Other questions? This FAQ might help.
(Anna’s Hummingbird, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Flying into spring-break week – here are Monday highlights:
FREE TAX HELP: 1 week until the IRS deadline. Delridge Library has free tax help available 2-6:30 pm today. Drop-in, first-come first-served, as explained here. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
EARLY OUTREACH MEETING FOR DELRIDGE PROJECT: As previewed last week, the developers of 8415 Delridge Way SW invite community members to an “early outreach” informal meeting about the 14-townhouse project. Drop-in meeting 4:30-5:30 pm at Southwest Library. (9010 35th SW)
EVENING BOOK GROUPS: 6:45 pm at West Seattle (2306 42nd SW) and Southwest (9010 35th SW) Libraries. WS is reading “The Best We Could Do” by Thi Bui, this year’s “Seattle Reads” book; SW is reading “The Year of Magical Thinking” by Joan Didion. If you can’t go tonight, follow those links to get a start on next month’s books!
OPEN MIC: Signups start at 7:30 pm at Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
QUIZ NIGHT: 7:30 pm at The Skylark, free, all ages, with prizes! (3803 Delridge Way SW)
LOOK AHEAD! Our complete calendar is here.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:58 AM: Good morning. It’s Spring Break week for many area schools, including the Seattle, Highline, and Vashon Island districts.
TRANSIT: No current alerts but the first two West Seattle Water Taxi shuttles didn’t run, according to Metro.
(WSB photo, 2017)
We are now less than two weeks away from Easter and the start of Passover, and our annual one-stop-shop list for egg hunts, services, and more, is live – see it here. As usual, we will continue updating as long as new listings come in, so if you have something to add, please send us the info ASAP – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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