West Seattle, Washington
10 Saturday
Toplines from last night’s meeting of HPAC, the community council for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge:
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS OVERVIEW: Osbaldo Hernandez Sahagun is the South Region community-engagement coordinator for this city department (one of 4, where years ago there were 14). He presented overviews of key DoN initiatives such as the department’s funding opportunities – Your Voice, Your Choice (more on that later); the Healthy Food Fund (funded by the Sweetened Beverage Tax), Small Sparks Fund (for small community-building projects up to $5,000), Community Partnership Fund (up to $50,000, three application deadlines a year). Leadership training, too:
Four West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight:
GYM THEFT: Just in from Natalie:
I had my contents (credit cards and cash) from my wallet stolen tonight between 6:45- 7:30 while working out at LA Fitness in West Seattle. The lock was not broken so I’m assuming they had picked the lock. As I was leaving the gym, my credit card company called me to report possible fraud. They tried to use my card at QFC to buy gift cards (I’m assuming) in the amount of 680 and 200. I have 2 credit cards and they tried both for the same amount. Just wanted to get the word out there.
GARAGE BREAK-IN: Thomas sent the security-camera photo and report of what happened at his Harbor Avenue condo:
We had a break in Sunday morning 1:00 am to 1:30. A man was in our garage stealing small items from cars and broke an elevator emergency box off the wall.
SHOPLIFTERS: Justin at Sound and Fog sends this next report and security-camera image:
These three individuals shoplifted at least once from my store. If they’ve done it to me they’ve probably hit other shops in West Seattle. If you see them, please call the police and reference incident number 20-73345.
He says all three were there February 14th and at least one returned this past Monday.
MIDAS SCARE FOLLOWUP: We asked SPD for the report on the incident at the closed Midas that closed Fauntleroy Way SW in The Triangle Wednesday afternoon.
(WSB photo, Wednesday afternoon)
The available report says this started as a burglary call, largely along the lines of what we reported at the time. The officer writing the report mentions the two people (“complainants” in police terms) who called in after they arrived to “fix a hole in the building,” then continues:
According to C(omplainant) 1, he told our dispatchers that he heard some type of banging coming from inside of the shop prior to our arrival. He advised me that this was approximately a ten-fifteen-minute time delay.
Both Complainants walked into the garage office area and heard (possibly) a door shut. Once they heard that they exited the facility and contacted police.
When we arrived, I noticed a painted-over black Chevrolet pickup with items inside the bed. I looked into the window and it appeared as if the vehicle was in disarray. I eventually found the ignition switch of the vehicle hanging from wires underneath the dashboard. There was another white Buick LeSabre Sedan … and a trailer … The trailer was parked at the Northeast corner of the facility. The Buick sedan was parked at the Southwest area of the facility. According to C1, the vehicles were not there (one day earlier) when they came to do an assessment of the hole located at the rear of the shop.
We did a search of the facility and did not discover anyone inside of the facility. … The access area was approximately two feet in height and approximately two feet in width. It appeared that the unknown suspect(s) left (via) the rear door located in the north part of the shop.
According to witnesses at the adjacent apartment complex, they were cleaning the window at the apartment complex from the outside on a ladder. One person stated that they heard what was a large bang that came from the complex. He believed that sound came from a door that was closing. He then advised officers that the unknown suspect was a white male approximately twenty-thirty years of age. He was wearing a black baseball cap along with a black jacket, approximately five foot ten inches in height.
We advised both complainants if there were items that was taken from the shop in back of the pickup truck to start taking them off of there. In doing so they located a small (bag) that contained what possibly were explosives. (Two sergeants) were advised of the situation and notified Arson and Bomb Squad.
The burglary report also says the Community Police Team was asked to work with building owners/management to get a trespass contract so they can deal more quickly with anyone found at the site. And it notes that the black pickup “that had the possible stolen items” was impounded so burglary detectives could deal with it, while the contractors were advised that they could have the mystery white sedan towed “at the owner’s expense” if they chose to. No further info, though, about the items the contractors described as grenades.
An update from SDOT:
We are wrapping up work on the north side of SW Alaska St between 35th Ave SW and 36th Ave SW. As early as this evening, we will be opening up driveways and alleys onto SW Alaska St. Next week, we will demolition and repaving on the south side of SW Alaska St between 35th Ave SW and 36th Ave SW, as well as, the west side of 35th Ave SW, south of SW Alaska St.
Upcoming lane shifts:
As soon as Monday, March 2, we will shift traffic and begin demolishing the south side of SW Alaska St.Please expect:
Access to 36th Ave SW from the south side of SW Alaska St to be closed. This closure will be in place for a few weeks. Residents, please use 37th Ave SW and SW Edmunds St to reach your homes on 36th Ave SW.36th Ave SW to be local access only at SW Edmunds St
Driveway closures during work hours while we demolish existing pavement. We will place a steel plate on driveways overnight to facilitate access.
Driveway impacts as we rebuild and pour concrete panels. Before work begins, we will provide updates to community members who will experience these impacts.
We anticipate work in this zone to take several weeks. Please note that this work is weather dependent and may be rescheduled.
For a big-picture look at the project, see our report from January.
<(WSB photo, November 2019)
A reader tip about that bus-stop sign back in November led to the discovery that Metro was proposing seven stops for removal in an effort to “rebalance” Route 50. They asked for input – though there was no wide announcement before our story – and promised an update when the final decisions were in. Today, we got that update. Metro plans to remove 5 stops – including one that was not on the original list – and keep 3. The ones that are staying:
-Both stops at California/Stevens (31900, 31940), both with the same reason to keep: “Feedback regarding adjacent PCC grocery store supports keeping this stop”
-Westbound stop at Admiral/Waite (15570), three reasons to keep:
-Feedback regarding adjacent assisted living facility supports keeping this stop
-Stop is adjacent to an intersection with crosswalks
-Stop has clear, newly constructed sidewalk to enter and exit bus
Here are the ones that Metro will remove – for all routes that use them, not just 50:
-Both stops at California/Charlestown (31861, 31980), reasons to remove:
-Other stops available one block to the north and south.
-Stop to the north at SW Spokane St has a bench.
-Stop to the north at SW Spokane St has 75% more riders.
-Both stops at California/Dakota (31840, 320000), reasons to remove:
-Other stops available one block to the north and south.
-Stops to the north and south have similar, but higher ridership.
-Westbound stop at Admiral/46th (15560, not on original list), reasons to remove:
-Other stop available one block to the west
-Stop to the west is adjacent to an intersection with crosswalks
The removals will take effect with Metro’s March 21st “service change.” The bus system’s other planned changes for this cycle will be announced in about a week and a half.
Five students from Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) visited Olympia to make the case for a sustainability bill. EWMS’s Dawn Fornear sent the photo, report, and link to video of their testimony:
Every year, eighth graders at Explorer West Middle School, with Social Studies teacher Tim Owens, tackle their choice of social issues and complete group projects aptly named “Change The World.” They present their findings to all grades and to a panel of social advocates.
This year, one of our student groups is tackling the issue of sustainable packaging, and this group was invited by Senator Mona Das to attend a hearing in Olympia. Our students researched Bill 6213, which would expand the ban on polystyrene products. Primavera Faggella, Christoph Lawrence, Mac Peterson, Hans Rehkopf, and Maji Williams offered their well-researched testimony and opinions, which can be viewed here. We are so proud of their hard work!
The committee that heard the students’ testimony on Tuesday, Environment and Energy, is chaired by – as you might have noticed in the video – 34th District Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon of West Seattle. The bill currently is still before his committee for consideration.
(777X test flight in early February, photographed by David Hutchinson)
1:57 PM: With two major airports nearby, things get noisy around here sometimes, but late-night noise this past Tuesday broke the rules. Checking on a Twitter tip from Andrew, we learned from King County spokesperson Cameron Satterfield that an explanation was posted on the Boeing Field website. Here’s more info:
What happened: The Boeing Company was approved by airport management to perform engine run-up testing of their new 777X aircraft on Tuesday, February 25 between 6 and 9 p.m. However, for unknown reasons, Boeing did not begin this testing until about 9:30 p.m. It continued until airport operations staff were able to make contact with Boeing representatives to shut the testing down at about 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
This event was in violation of the airport’s noise abatement policy, which restricts when activities like engine testing can take place. (In general, the curfew runs from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.) Engine run-up testing of the 777X has been put on hold, and King County has been in contact with Boeing leadership to ensure an incident like this never happens again.
Residents who are concerned about noise from King County International Airport – Boeing Field can file a report online at kingcounty.gov/airport, send email to KCIANoise@kingcounty.gov, or call the Noise Hotline at 206-205-5242. Airport management is also considering holding a community meeting regarding this incident. We’ll provide details when those plans are firmed up.
5:50 PM: Boeing has issued an apology, added to this item on the county website.
A highlight from last night’s winter-sports banquet at Chief Sealth International High School – a banner presentation for new state champion wrestler Jahvius Leui, above with his family. The banner will be hung in the Chief Sealth gym. The banquet also featured presentations of the winter Seahawk Awards, celebrating attitude, effort, work ethic, and being a “total team player.” The students who were there to accept their plaques from their respective coaches included Owen Murray for boys’ wrestling:
Hazel Dahlquist for girls’ wrestling:
Benson Chau, boys’ swimming:
Aili Conley, gymnastics:
Toan Huynh, boys’ basketball:
Hailey Merryweather, girls’ basketball:
Thanks to Chief Sealth IHS for inviting us to cover the event – got something cool coming up at YOUR school? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302 – thank you!
(Killdeer photographed near Alki Point Lighthouse by Mark Wangerin)
Highlights for the rest of your Thursday:
HIAWATHA PLAY AREA RELOCATION/RENOVATION: Two meetings today – one you can drop in at the Hiawatha Tot Gym, between 11 am and 12:30 pm, or tonight, 6:30-8 pm. Details here. (2700 California SW)
AUTHOR EVENT: EJ Koh at Paper Boat Booksellers, 6 pm. (6010 California SW)
JUNCTION NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION: 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building, with guests from Sound Transit and the city talking about light rail. (4217 SW Oregon)
WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION: 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House High Point, with featured guests from the Port of Seattle to talk about the Terminal 5 project. Here’s our most-recent coverage. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
AT THE SKYLARK: Live music with Batbox, Roxxy Lebeau, Lost In The Tracks. 7 pm. $8 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SEE WHAT ELSE IS UP … by browsing our complete calendar.
Got a teen or tween interested in theater? This just-announced program might be of interest:
Auditions announced for teen production of The Addams Family Young@Part musical at Youngstown this Summer!
An exciting opportunity for teen students to participate in a production of the hilarious Broadway musical, The Addams Family, has recently been announced. The production will take place at West Seattle’s own historic Youngstown Theatre this summer and provides opportunities for students in 5th-10th grade to audition for Cast roles and students in 8th-12th grade to interview for Tech Crew roles. Signups for auditions are open now; see below for details.
The team of producers, Eric Bradler (Music Director), Tara Kaine (Director), and Alex Ung (Choreographer/Tech Director), otherwise known as ETA Productions, are veterans of the Seattle theater scene and have worked together for the last two years mounting summer musicals at Seattle Children’s Theatre. The ETA team promises to encourage and challenge students to be the best they can be, while audiences giggle in delight. Above all else, they bring a team focus to the cast and crew, giving them a rich theater experience. They see all youth theater work from the perspective of the ensemble and ensure that students come together regardless of role, to support each other and cheer each other on. After their kids have worked with us, parents report students in both lead and ensemble roles happy and tired from a day filled with singing, dancing, and acting. Come join ETA Productions for what is sure to be a memorable show!
To sign up for an audition and for additional information please go to https://tinyurl.com/ETAProductions
Cast Auditions for students in grades 5 – 10 will be held at:
Explorer West Middle School, 10015 28th Avenue SW
Saturday, March 7th, Sunday, March 8th and Sunday, March 22nd
Callbacks will be held on April 4th.
$800 tuition due after acceptance into program.Rehearsals will be Monday – Friday, August 3rd – August 21st from 9:00 – 3:30
Performances will be at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
August 21st, 2020 @ 7:0 0pm
August 22nd, 2020 @ 2:00 pm & 7:00 pmTech Crew Interviews for students in grades 8 – 12 will be held at:
Explorer West Middle School (10015 28th Avenue SW)
Saturday, April 4th from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pmTech Program Schedule
Classes and Building – Saturdays, August 1st, 8, 15
Week-long Tech Program – Aug 17 – 21
Time: 9:00 – 3:30
$450 tuition due after acceptance into the program.Tech Crew will work three shows on August 21 & 22.
Find out more about ETA Productions here.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:45 AM: Good morning! A texter says the 35th/Roxbury signal is malfunctioning – so remember, that means, treat the intersecton a a 4-way stop.
WEEKEND REMINDER: The SB Highway 99 tunnel is scheduled to close 10 pm-8 am Friday night into Saturday morning for repair work.
| Comments Off on Looking at LEAD, exploring the Department of Neighborhoods, and more @ HPAC