West Seattle, Washington
28 Sunday
Congratulations to West Seattle Coworking (6040 California SW; WSB sponsor), announcing its second anniversary, with a gift for you:
To our loving West Seattle Community:
Thank you! We are happy to have made it 2 years (and counting). For those who don’t know us, we are a West Seattle family with four kids. We live, shop and work in West Seattle. Most of the money we make gets spent back in the community. We offer a shared office space in the heart of the Morgan Junction.
At West Seattle Coworking, a remote/solo worker can find private desks, a meeting space, phone rooms and access to all sorts of office equipment on a 24/7 basis. We are a great resource for those who work from home and need a bit more than what a coffee shop can offer. To celebrate our second anniversary, and say thank you, we are offering a promo of $49 for one week of coworking. Call us for info and to reserve your spot @ 206.531.0557 or email westseattlecoworking@gmail.com. Again, thank you from the West Seattle Coworking family.
Crystal and Rosario
The sign on the door confirms it: West City Sardine Kitchen at 3405 California SW is closing after tomorrow (Thursday) night. Its building has been sold; it’s been on the market (as a blind listing) for more than a month and a half. We haven’t been able to contact the restaurant/building owners; the two employees working when we stopped by a short time ago said the staff got the news of the impending closure a few days ago, although at the time it didn’t seem the closure would be quite this fast. What’s next for the site? No info on that yet – no public filings of any kind so far. West City opened almost six years ago, two and a half years after the abrupt closure of another venue, The Bohemian, in the same space.
Two notes today related to the Highway 99 tunnel:
TOLLS DELAYED: WSDOT confirms what was first reported by citywide media earlier today – that the tunnel tolling, originally expected to start this summer, is now delayed until fall. The state is switching vendors for its tolling system and won’t be ready to go this summer as originally planned.
TRAFFIC ALERT: Last night, we reported that WSDOT said Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition is now at the midway point and moving southward. As part of that, lane closures on surface Alaskan Way just north of the NB 99 pre-tunnel exit might back things up, spokesperson Laura Newborn warns:
At 4 a.m. on Friday, June 14, crews preparing for viaduct demolition will reduce Alaskan Way to one lane in each direction between South King and South Dearborn streets. This lane reduction will last more than a month. Narrowing the roadway is the only way for crews to safely prepare and demolish this section of viaduct. Because this section of Alaskan Way is near the SR 99 northbound off-ramp at South Dearborn, travelers may encounter backups on the northbound off-ramp and, potentially, the northbound mainline entering the tunnel.
We expect the heaviest congestion will occur during peak travel periods, special events and on weekends, when ferry traffic increases and cruise ships are in town. Travelers approaching downtown from the south should plan ahead for longer drive times and consider alternate routes or ways of getting around, including transit and the King County Water Taxi.
(WSB photo, Avalon/Yancy, last March)
What happens to RVs after they’re towed? The city told us that one, which we happened to spot last March, was a private tow ordered by its owner for repairs. But sometimes even the ones in the worst shape wind up auctioned or resold and back on the streets. According to a news release from the mayor’s office this afternoon, she’s hoping to change the rules:
Mayor Jenny Durkan announced new steps today to stem the supply of hazardous vehicles by preventing the re-sale of towed cars and recreational vehicles (RVs) and preventing the rental of hazardous vehicles to vulnerable individuals. The City will continue its work through the RV Remediation Program to clean up the public right of way to mitigate the public health hazards of debris, garbage and waste adjacent to RVs.
“We have an obligation to protect public health and ensure that our neighbors are not living in inhumane conditions. And we will hold accountable those who prey on vulnerable people for profit,” said Mayor Durkan. “We will continue to work for holistic solutions and do more to connect people with services and housing – and we will continue to invest in the strategies we know have an impact, like our Navigation Team.”
To stem the supply of dilapidated and hazardous vehicles in Seattle, Mayor Durkan has directed all City departments to begin applying additional criteria on whether a car or RV that has been towed by a City contractor meets the definition of a public health hazard. In the event an RV is designated as a public health hazard, it will be destroyed instead of re-sold back into the market at auction. Her directive will focus on preventing the re-sale of vehicles that meet the Junk Vehicle criteria set by the state and vehicles that are posing significant public health, fire, or safety hazards.
Next week, Mayor Durkan will transmit legislation that updates the Seattle Municipal Code to fine predatory landlords who rent cars and vehicles including RVs in poor and inoperable conditions to vulnerable populations. The legislation will require remediation of up to $2,000, which will go into a restitution fund for vehicle occupants.
The new steps build on the RV Remediation Program established by Mayor Durkan in May 2018 to mitigate the negative impacts to public health and safety, from RVs in the public right of way. In the pilot, City teams engage individuals living in RVs and vehicles to voluntarily move their vehicles to allow for cleaning and the removal of garbage, debris, and inoperable or unsafe vehicles left behind. Last year, the program resulted in 161 tons of garbage and debris removed.
The program has resulted in 173 vehicles being towed because they were inoperable, unsafe or posed a threat to public health, but in 2018, 60 of the 173 – 53 percent – had been removed from a clean-up site with significant safety and health risks returned to the marketplace. As a part of this effort, the City can now more easily deem a vehicle unfit to return to the market and process it for disposal.
KOMO TV reported last fall on what they dubbed “the RV auction shuffle.” Meantime, Real Change News reported half a year before that, that the city had spent $225,000 in 2017 on towing and disposing of RVs.
1:47 PM: Police have 9th SW blocked near SW Kenyon in Highland Park right now – both ways, according to radio communication, so avoid the area. This started as a report of a domestic-violence incident; police are trying to talk with a possible suspect but he is inside a residence and reported to be refusing to respond.
2:04 PM: Photo added; the standoff continues, and 9th remains blocked between Kenyon and Elmgrove (map). We don’t have details of the original incident but it apparently did not involve serious injury, as there has been no SFD medic dispatch to the area.
2:39 PM: Situation is wrapping up; police have gone into the house. 9th SW should be at least partly reopening shortly.
3:49 PM: We followed up with police. They tell us the suspect wasn’t in the house when they went in. Also, no injuries involved in the original incident, which involved “threats.”
The video and report are from Michael in east Arbor Heights:
This cool guy stole my shoes from front porch midnight June 10th. Joke’s on him because they were stinky as heck after golfing in the morning and going in the trash anyway. Just thought it provides a good look for someone who’s obviously casing the neighborhood and stealing things off people’s front porch.
P.S. One more reminder that Arbor Heights (and Westwood/Roxhill-area) residents are invited to a focus group tonight to discuss crime/safety/policing issues – here’s the info.
(Photo courtesy Seattle City Light)
Hundreds more local high-school seniors will celebrate their graduation tomorrow, with Chief Sealth International HS‘s ceremony at 5 pm, West Seattle HS‘s ceremony at 8 pm, both at Southwest Athletic Complex. They will be cheered by family and friends, who often bring all sorts of celebratory items. One such item has drawn the attention of Seattle City Light: Mylar balloons. The utility has launched an awareness campaign to warn people that these balloons carry a unique risk, if they go astray, of causing power outages. If you want to use them anyway, SCL has some advice and requests – explained here.
(Barred Owlets, photographed by Mark Wangerin in Fauntleroy Park)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, which as always includes even more:
INTERESTED IN STUDYING HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT? South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) would love to see you at tonight’s 5 pm information session – details in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)
CRIME/SAFETY FOCUS GROUP: 6 pm at Southwest Library, residents of Westwood, Roxhill, Arbor Heights are invited to come talk about crime/safety/policing issues to help update the area’s “micro-community policing plan.” (9010 35th SW)
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: Our area’s largest political group meets tonight to make primary-election endorsements. The list is in the announcement in the group’s newsletter. 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy. (9131 California SW)
POEMS AND STORIES: Monthly Poetrybridge night at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm, with Raul Sanchez and Beth Myhr this month’s featured readers. All ages. Free. (5612 California SW)
MADISON MIDDLE SCHOOL CONCERT: 7 pm, the Spring Jazz Concert (Jazz Lab, Jazz II, Jazz Ensemble). in the Madison Middle School Commons. (3429 45th SW)
YADA YADA BLUES BAND: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
If your neighborhood is among those with a “micro-community policing plan” (explained here), it’s time for an update, so focus groups are being held around the Southwest Precinct area. We just got the list from the precinct’s Seattle University intern who is organizing the groups, Taylor Lowery; two have already happened but if you’re in either of those neighborhoods and didn’t participate because you didn’t hear about it, let her know – taylor.lowery@seattle.gov. As in the past, these are groups held without SPD presence, but the feedback ultimately goes to them to update the plans.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7:32 AM: Good morning. Possibly record heat today. The NB 1st Avenue S. Bridge has one lane blocked after an earlier crash. Some transit/traffic notes:
FERRY WORK: As previewed here, work starting tonight on the Fauntleroy dock will cancel some late-night sailings.
4TH AVENUE SW: One-day closure south of Roxbury this Friday.
Two days – well, nights – until the June West Seattle Art Walk, with a warm Thursday night expected. You can make your plan now! The venues on the map – food/drink specials as well as art – are only the start:
Also on Thursday, you’re invited to HomeStreet Bank (4022 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor), where you can get in the mood for the West Seattle Garden Tour (June 23rd) by enjoying the art created for this year’s contest – plus, we’re told, “some additional works.” You are welcome to stop by the bank (which has plenty of parking) 5-7:15 pm Thursday, and help HomeStreet support the Garden Tour.
Another stop of interest: It’s the last Art Walk at Wallflower Custom Framing (4735 42nd SW), which is closing soon. Wallflower will feature a retrospective by Jessica Creager. A closing sale is under way, too.
For other highlights, here’s a roundup on the Art Walk website.
That’s a new time-lapse video from WSDOT, which says Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition is halfway done, four months after the Highway 99 tunnel opened:
Demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct is now at the halfway mark and crews remain on track to finish the bulk of demolition later this summer. The Seneca street ramp has almost disappeared. Within the next two weeks, WSDOT’s contractor will add a new location to demolition – moving south from King Street toward Pioneer Square.
As always, you can follow demolition news on the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program website as well as our demolition tracker.
When last SDOT talked about the proposal for a West Seattle Junction-area RPZ – Restricted Parking Zone, where permits would be required for parking at certain times – they said a decision would be “sent out in June.” Three months have passed since the formal hearing on the proposal (WSB coverage here) and June is a third over, so after a few reader questions about the status, we asked SDOT. Spokesperson Ethan Bergerson replied, “We’re on schedule to announce the decision by the end of the month.”
Back in April, Thunder Road Guitars and The Bass Shop (both WSB sponsors) announced their plan to switch Junctions, saying goodbye to 4736 California SW and hello to 6400 California SW. Now they’ve set the West Seattle Junction closing date: “We will be closing our current storefront on Saturday, June 15th,and will be re-opening in our new location at 6400 California Ave SW at the end of the month (date still TBD).” That date is expected to be announced “in the next week or so.”
Just a little over five weeks remain until ballots go out for the primary election. That voting for the August 6th primary election will, among other things, determine which two of the three candidates for City Council District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) move on to the November general election. If you’re just starting to pay attention, incumbent Lisa Herbold is running for a second term, challenged by lawyer/entrepreneur Phil Tavel – who finished third in the 2015 primary – and former SPD lieutenant Brendan Kolding. All three are West Seattleites. A few notes:
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS’ ENDORSEMENT MEETING: Members of our area’s biggest political organization, the 34th District Democrats, are scheduled to make endorsements at tomorrow night’s monthly meeting (7 pm following 6:30 pm social time, The Hall at Fauntleroy, 9131 California SW). The process and rules (as well as the full list of offices they’ll be endorsing for) are in the 34th DDs’ June newsletter (PDF). The group has already had two D-1 council candidate forums, both of which we covered, including video: April 10th and April 23rd.
DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: Kolding and Herbold are scheduled to talk with the DNDC next week, 7 pm Wednesday, June 19th, at Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way SW, all welcome). Tavel appeared last month; here’s our coverage, with video.
MORGAN JUNCTION COMMUNITY FESTIVAL: At least two of the three candidates plan to campaign at the June 22nd festival; the latest list of booths includes the Tavel and Kolding campaigns.
CAMPAIGN $: While the only numbers that ultimately matter are the vote totals, we’ll be checking in from time to time on other campaign-related stats. Today: The fundraising. You can explore candidates’ contributions, expenditures, and more via the state Public Disclosure Commission website. Here’s the latest on what each campaign reports bringing in:
Herbold – $71,832
Kolding – $57,565
Tavel – $23,388
The largest expenditures reported by Herbold and Tavel are for campaign consulting; for Kolding, website development/maintenance.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“Exciting flavors and an elevated cocktail experience” are the ingredients for what the proprietors of restaurant/bar Lady Jaye plan to bring to the current Pecado Bueno space in the West Seattle Junction this summer.
The space has been for sale for a while; commenter Thee first spotted the liquor-license application. Then tipster Jeremy encountered part of the team at a catered event and provided information that put us on the trail. We connected with Evan Carter, one of the partners, and got answers to our questions.
So what are those “exciting flavors”? “Our food will be styled as Americana, heavily influenced in Southern roots with our own NW flair and ingredients featuring smoked meats. Our food menu will be curated by chefs Tyler Palagi and Charlie Garrison (formerly of Radiator Whiskey) who specialize in fresh ingredients, farm to table, unique cuts and smoked meats.”
As for the “elevated cocktail experience,” this explanation: “While we plan on being family-friendly, our concept will rely heavily on the bar program. Sara Rosales (also formerly of Radiator Whiskey) will be at the helm utilizing her knowledge and passion for American spirits and hiring a talented bar staff to help execute the program. She will collaborate heavily with chefs Tyler and Charlie to create a cocktail menu that pairs perfectly with the food and concept.”
The food and drinks, Carter adds, “will be seasonally influenced, even creating Farmers’ Market specials using ingredients procured from the local vendors on Sundays.”
We also asked about the decor/motif; the space at 4523 California SW has gone through several iterations in the past decade, first part of CAPERS, then for two years a Wing Dome before Pecado Bueno opened in 2013.
Carter says, “The interior will be cozy and rustic, with warm colors and dark wood garnishing the walls and furniture. The patio will be partially enclosed with comfortable seating around the warming fire pit so it can be utilized year round. The other half will be open for seating seasonally.” The dining room will seat 50, bar area 20, patio 50.
Lady Jaye will be open for dinner weekdays (3 pm-midnight), “all day for brunch service followed by dinner service on Saturdays and Sundays with a unique breakfast-cocktail menu incorporating a ‘Bloody Mary Project’ as well as low ABV cocktails and smoked pineapple Mimosas” (10:30 am-midnight Saturdays-Sundays).
And we had to ask about the namesake. Carter says only, “You will soon be introduced to the mystery of Lady Jaye.”
How soon? Aiming for mid-summer, but as with every project these days, a lot of factors including permit time will factor into that. But whatever the wait, Carter promises it’ll be worthwhile: “Our mission is to combine outstanding food/drinks with an energetic and fun atmosphere. Who says you can’t get great food and cocktails AND have a good time?”
P.S. For Pecado Bueno fans, we’re checking on their timeline for closing here. (PB has three other locations.)
(Photo by Eugene Lee: Sons Ezra and Silas on the beach at Lincoln Park)
Some of what’s up for the rest of today/tonight:
BUSINESS-DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP: Run your own business? Invest a little time tonight in learning how to grow it! 6 pm workshop tonight at West Seattle Coworking (WSB sponsor). Details here. (6040 California SW)
WORKSHOP WITH LINDA McCLAMROCK: 6 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – but you have to register – go here ASAP. (5612 California SW)
FREE TRACK WORKOUT: 6:30 pm, meet at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) for this week’s free track workout. (2743 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL CONCERT: 7 pm, WSHS Concert Band and Orchestra perform their spring concert at the school theater. Free, all welcome. (3000 California SW)
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm FCA board meeting in the conference room at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, community members welcome. (9131 California SW)
SEE WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING: Today, tomorrow, and beyond – our full calendar is here.
Family and friends will gather Saturday to remember John A. Hanson, and are sharing this remembrance now:
John Alan Hanson
October 5, 1944 – May 31, 2019John passed away on May 31, 2019 with family by his side.
John was born and raised in West Seattle to Fred and Muriel Hanson, one of 5 brothers and only 1 beloved sister. He grew up on Seola Beach eating geoduck burgers, gathering driftwood for fires in their home, and swimming in the Sound. His parents would drop John and his brothers off at Denny Creek for two weeks each summer with nothing but small packs and their wits to keep themselves alive and entertained.
John loved sports. He loved to play sports, he loved to watch sports, and he loved to coach sports. John particularly loved fastpitch softball, for which he was inducted into the Greater Seattle Fastpitch Hall of Fame in June of 2000. One of his favorite trips to play ball was to Alaska, where he enjoyed all of the daylight that the land of the midnight sun had to offer. Countless young men of the community will fondly remember John as a coach of the West Seattle High School baseball team. When he was no longer coaching, he could be found offering advice from the stands.
John married Sandy on August 13, 1965. Except for a few years when they lived on Snoqualmie Pass, their nearly 54-year marriage was spent in West Seattle.
The years on Snoqualmie Pass were memorable ones, as John owned and operated his own tow truck company. Back in West Seattle, John drove trucks for Bloch Steel, where he was a proud Teamster.
West Seattle is also where John and Sandy raised their two sons, Steve and Jason.John was always up for a really good laugh. Cracking jokes, listening to stories, or holding court, John spent much of his time with friends and family enjoying a laugh.
John relished the role of grandpa or “Bumpa” as his three granddaughters called him and was the honorary neighborhood grandpa, stocking frozen treats in the garage freezer where kids could get to them.
John loved to play card games or dice games. The last several months of his life, you could find him and Sandy at the dining table enjoying a game of Yahtzee.
John was fiercely loyal to family and friends, stood up for justice and fairness, and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
John is preceded in death by his parents and brother George. John is survived by his wife Sandy, sister Wynn, brothers Fred and Jim, sons Steve (Tammy) and Jason (Joanne) and three granddaughters Lindsay, Amber, Rheese.
A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3050 California Avenue SW, on Saturday, June 15th at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to West Seattle High School Baseball.
Care entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle.
To share your fond memories of John with his Family, please visit his Online Memorial Tribute Wall.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:58 AM: Good morning. Only one incident so far – a collision at Delridge/Orchard reported this past half-hour. We don’t know if the scene’s clear yet, but SFD’s response has closed.
(WSB photo)
10:29 PM: A man riding that motorcycle collided with a car driver about an hour ago at Highland Park Way and Holden and was taken to Harborview Medical Center, police tell us. No other details on the circumstances but apparently not life-threatening injuries as authorities are about to clear the scene.
10:58 PM: Thanks to Anneka for that photo from shortly after emergency responders arrived. A bystander asked us the status of the roundabout proposed as a safety improvement for the intersection; here is our most-recent report, from the May meeting of the Highland Park Action Committee, when an SDOT rep announced the cost estimate had skyrocketed to $7+ million.
Two water-related incidents of note today:
AVALON WAY: That photo is from midmorning in the Luna Park area, where the ongoing road work was complicated for a while after crews what Seattle Public Utilities spokesperson Sabrina Register says was “an unmarked water service pipe.” She adds that it led 23 “customers to experience a temporary loss of water for about one hour. Seattle Public Utilities crews were called to the scene to make the emergency repair and restore water service.” The area restaurants were not affected, though, Luna Park Café owner John Bennett told us.
FAIRMOUNT AREA: SPU got about a dozen reports of brown water and SPU attributes that to SFD hydrant testing. Just a reminder, if you experience brown water, the number to call is 206-386-1800.
Neighborhood House, which has a major center in High Point, has chosen a new leader. Here’s the announcement:
Neighborhood House, a leading social service agency in the Puget Sound region, is excited to announce the appointment of Janice Deguchi as its new Executive Director. Deguchi will start her role in September, following the retirement of the agency’s current Executive Director, Mark Okazaki, who has led and grown the $22-million organization for the last 19 years.
The announcement comes as King County experiences a growing housing and homelessness crisis, and a crisis for our diverse immigrant and refugee population in the Puget Sound. In this climate, Neighborhood House’s integrated services are needed more urgently than ever. The ability for a family to receive employment and job training while they get help finding a home is crucial for many. Coupling that support with high-quality early learning and integrated care for aging family members puts Neighborhood House at the forefront of an increasingly complex fight on poverty.
Born and raised in this community, Deguchi has an extensive track record in key leadership positions as chief executive, operations executive, board member, and coalition leader. She is a well-known and respected figure in the region’s non-profit, education, and social services communities. These experiences mirror many aspects of Neighborhood House’s current portfolio of work and make Deguchi ready to assume the Executive Director position at Neighborhood House.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Janice Deguchi to Neighborhood House as our next leader after an inclusive community process,” said Marissa Chavez, Board President of Neighborhood House. “Board members and staff were inspired by her vision, passion, and by her deep connection and commitment to the community. Janice’s track record of success across the human services and nonprofit fields is second to none. The entire Board of Trustees is honored to bring Ms. Deguchi to Neighborhood House to continue our mission of partnering with diverse individuals and families to build community and improve outcomes for health, education and self-sufficiency.”
Neighborhood House’s High Point center has been a community hub for 10 years.
5:28 PM: From the “in case you wondered too” file – yes, that’s smoke – apparently from a wildfire southwest of here. It’s near Crosby in Kitsap County (here’s a map). The Bear Creek Fire was at 22 acres as of 5 pm – not huge but big enough to be noticeable.
8:20 PM: DNR says it’s made big progress and that it has a line around 90 percent of the fire.
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