West Seattle, Washington
21 Saturday
Wondering how things are going with the Terminal 5 modernization project? Here’s a look:
The port provided that slide deck (also viewable here in PDF), after it was shown Friday to the Harbor Island Stakeholder Group. Major work has been under way for more than half a year, with one notable trouble spot noted so far, a problem with timber piles that put pile-driving on hold and now has extended it through next week, about two weeks past the originally planned stopdown for fish protection.
P.S. Got Terminal 5 questions? The Port will have reps at next Thursday’s West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting (Feb. 27th, 6:30 pm, Neighborhood House High Point, 6400 Sylvan Way SW).
(First 10 photos by Meghan Jones for WSB)
Those are the Walmart R60 Plungers, just one of many groups that turned out and ran into the water at Alki Beach today during the Seattle Polar Plunge, raising money for Special Olympics of Washington, which supports athletes with intellectual disabilities. Photojournalist Meghan Jones was there for WSB. This was the second year the Seattle event – one of several around the state – was held at Alki after a few years away. A hallmark of the event, costumes:
They weren’t in costumes or uniforms, but members of the pro rugby team Seattle Seawolves took the plunge, too:
The water today was in the mid-40s, about the same as the air. Plunges went into the water in groups based on how much they’d raised – those with the most went first.
Augmenting the splashing – an SFD fireboat:
Public-safety workers are among the most fervent supporters of Special Olympics, so many agencies were represented. Below, members of the King County Sheriff’s Department Fire Unit and the Monroe Police Department congratulated each other on braving the brisk water:
Law enforcers weren’t just participants – they were there as protectors too. These SPD divers were standing by and also helped out by finding a pair of lost keys and a wedding ring that slipped away during the plunge.
Two officers from the Seattle Police Mounted Patrol – which is based in Highland Park – were on shore, too:
As noted in our previews, the Polar Plunge was accompanied by a beer and food-truck festival:
Missed it all? You can support Special Olympics by donating online.
Though the next major milestone in planning West Seattle light rail isn’t until next year, there’s still lots going on, and your next chance to catch up with where things stand is just days away. The Junction Neighborhood Organization is having its winter gathering on Thursday (February 27th), and that’s the major agenda item. 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building (4217 SW Oregon), bring questions and feedback for Sound Transit and the city reps who are helping ensure neighborhoods stay in the loop.
(King County Assessor’s Office photo)
That 1951-built house at 7726 Delridge Way SW [map] is the latest with an early-stage teardown-to-townhouses plan. City online files show a site plan just filed this week for demolishing the house and replacing it with six townhouse units in two buildings – one with four units facing Delridge, one with two units on the alley behind. The number of planned parking spaces is not yet specified. The 9,500-square-foot site is zoned Lowrise 1 and is across Delridge from the sprawling Lighthouse Apartments complex.
When you stop to think about it, the historic E.C. Hughes school at 7734 34th SW – now the home of Roxhill Elementary – really does look like a classic school building you might find in many locales. Today, it’s starring as a backdrop for a student film production. We went over to inquire after a texter first thought the people outside the school were protesting, and then told us it looked lke a “movie shoot.” The students are from the Seattle Film Institute.
(File photo)
The Mount is looking for stories about its renowned preschool program, with an essay contest that runs through the end of this week. Here’s the invitation:
Providence Mount St. Vincent is offering cash awards to winners of a new essay contest open to parents and graduates of its internationally recognized Intergenerational Learning Center (ILC).
Thirty years ago, Providence Mount St. Vincent, fondly known as The Mount, created a ground-breaking program that brings together the very young and the very old in one place, through its intergenerational program model at the on-site Intergenerational Learning Center. The program has been recognized around the world and imitated for its innovative approach to child care and intergenerational bonding. A documentary film and word of The Mount’s intergenerational program has resulted in national and international media coverage and study visits from around the world.
This year The Mount is celebrating this program with the Turner Intergenerational Essay Awards. Named for Dyke R. Turner, the visionary architect who was key in inspiring and designing the program and spaces in 1991, the essay contest invites parents and graduates of the ILC to write about how their time at the center has impacted their lives.
The Mount is offering $1,000 first place awards and $250 second and third place awards in four age categories. Essays are due by Feb. 28, 2020.
Writers should submit an essay of no more than 500 words about how their experience at the ILC shows up in their life, or their child’s life today. Complete the entry form, found online at providence.org/themount/turnerawards, and mail or email the completed form and essay to: ann.martin@providence.org or Ann Martin, Providence Mount St. Vincent, 4831 35th Ave SW, Seattle, WA. 98126.
Parents of students too young to write could work with their child to create an essay together as a fun at-home project.
The team at the Mount is looking forward to reading all the stories, especially those that demonstrate a greater compassion for elders, diverse populations and showcase their experiences within such a wonderful community setting.
“We hear anecdotal stories all the time about how students who have attended the ILC demonstrate a certain comfort with elders or those with limited abilities and also students who later seek a career in healthcare or service following their early years of learning at The Mount,” said Molly Swain, The Mount’s Foundation and Public Relations Director. “What lessons from this experience do they carry through life? We’re looking forward to reading stories about specific memories from the ILC or times when their intergenerational learning experience called them to respond in a more accepting or compassionate way, particularly with an elder.”
First place winning essays will be featured at The Mount’s President’s dinner on March 19, 2020, at The Sanctuary at Admiral in West Seattle. All essays will be archived as part of the ILC program’s history and will be used to document the benefits of the ILC program on its graduates and the community.
ADDED THURSDAY: The deadline’s been extended to March 3rd.
Welcome to the weekend!
NEW ROUTE FOR BUSES: Reminder that today is the start date for the Columbia Street Transit Pathway downtown – see the map in the original announcement; see the service advisory here.
POLAR PLUNGE, PLUS BEER AND FOOD TRUCKS: 8 am-4:30 pm, it’s a fundraising extravaganza for Special Olympics of Washington – 11 am-4:30 pm beer and food-truck festival, 1 pm plunge into Puget Sound. Here’s the schedule:
8:00 am: Registration open
9:00 am: Vendor booths open
10:00 am: DJs on main stage
11:00 am: Beer festival and food trucks open
12:10 pm: Awards and Costume Contest begin
1:00 pm: PLUNGE!
4:00 pm: Last call for beer
4:30 pm: Beer and food festival closes
Registration info here, along with brewery and food-truck lists! It’s all happening by the Alki Bathhouse. (2701 Alki SW)
RAINWISE FEST: 10 am-noon at Highland Park Improvement Club:
Come to this hands-on event to learn about rain gardens and stormwater management, meet neighbors who love their cisterns and rain gardens, and talk with contractors who are ready for new clients. See how cisterns, rain gardens and permeable paving at HPIC manages rainwater runoff from their property. Learn the basics for rain garden and cistern care at a hands-on maintenance workshop. Open to the public. Refreshments available.
(1116 SW Holden)
FREE TAX HELP: 10 am-4:30 pm at Southwest Library, (updated) – appointment required and we’re told they’re all booked up today but for future reference, here’s how it works! (9010 35th SW)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Head to Alki to visit the home of West Seattle’s history! Open noon-4 pm today. (61st SW/SW Stevens)
TIN DOG BREWING ANNIVERSARY: 2-8 pm party celebrating its 6th anniversary and a new identity, explained here. (309 S. Cloverdale)
‘GAME NIGHT’: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 4-7 pm, it’s “Game Night with The Missing Piece” – the owners of the upcoming game venue will be there for a playful preview. All welcome. (6040 California SW)
(Friday sunset, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
AT C & P COFFEE: Live music! Guitarist/composer Damon Buxton, 7-9 pm. No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)
AT THE PACIFIC ROOM: Xavier Lecouturier live, 7-10 pm. Cover and show info here. (2808 Alki SW)
AT THE SKYLARK: Live music! Skularoid Presents: Primary Pulse with Oceans Fade & Fragile Weapons. 8 pm. $8 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Got something for our calendar? Send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
An exciting season for the West Seattle High School boys’ basketball team ended tonight with a district-tournament loss to Bellevue HS at Bellevue College, 54-34. The low point total was the result of cold shooting as much as anything; though they played largely tight defense, Bellevue kept managing to find a hole in it, often with someone then sinking a 3-pointer from a corner unchallenged. The cheering section that had traveled across the lake didn’t have much to cheer after the first quarter.
The Wildcats led the Wolverines 11-9 going into the second quarter. First to score in the game was freshman #24 Chase Clifton, who led all WSHS scoring with 12 points.
Next was senior #13 Vlad Salaridze … and those were the only two Wildcats in double digits. Third in WSHS scoring was sophomore #1 Isaiah Watts, with four points.
One other complication – the refs were not shy about calling fouls, and Bellevue wound up with many foul shots. One West Seattle player, senior #15 Xavier Giomi, eveb fouled out, with three minutes left in the third quarter. Overall, it just wasn’t West Seattle’s night – with a 23-14 deficit at the half, and 39-27 after the third.
(Seniors #3 Sage Nelson and #2 Abdi Jama)
The Wildcats never gave up, but by the fourth quarter, Bellevue could afford to just keep running down the shot clock, and time finally ran out. The team finished with a 13-12 record in head coach Dan Kriiey‘s first season:
That included a 6-game win streak in December.
Two Crime Watch notes tonight:
WHITE CENTER SHOOTING: Thanks for the tips on this. One person was found in White Center tonight with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound, after deputies responded to a report of shots heard near 16th/Roxbury. The story’s on our partner site White Center Now.
BURGLARY ATTEMPT: We asked SPD about this early-morning incident near 34th/Morgan. Their summary:
Officers responded to the 6300 block of 34th SW for a reported burglary in progress at about 2:15 am this morning. According to the victim, an unknown person attempted to enter the house via the dog door. The homeowner was able to scare off the suspect before they got inside. According to the victim, the suspect, possibly two, fled the area before the officers arrived. Officers conducted a thorough search of the area, but did not locate the suspect(s).
From last night’s Alki Community Council meeting:
FADED BRICKS AT ALKI STATUE OF LIBERTY PLAZA: The inscribed bricks at the plaza are harder than ever to read. Libby Carr, who led the original community campaign to create the plaza more than a decade ago, was at the ACC to discuss the situation. She said many things have been tried and proposed in recent years, since it’s a long-running problem; the bricks were treated in 2018, but that hasn’t stopped the deterioration. Potential coatings will be tried once the weather warms up. However, there’s also a possibility the bricks will have to be replaced. Carr said she had spoken with an Olympia engraver who told her about newer materials and engraving techniques that could last longer.
STONE HOUSE UPDATE: Members of the committee working to save and move the “stone house” from the future development site at 1123 Harbor SW provided an update.
Mike Shaughnessy said that they’re looking toward moving the house in June or July; that will cost about $60,000. It would be moved to a temporary spot on the industrial land east of Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor) and would likely be held there about two years while work on restoration and permanent placement continues, including fundraising. They’ve continued talking with Parks; Shaughnessy says that’s been positive so far. While – as discussed at last month’s Parks Board meeting – a Parks site might be possible for the stone house’s permanent home, the committee is searching for other options too. In Q&A they were asked if the house is holding up well enough to withstand a move. Answer: Yes. The biggest question is its permanent placement, and finding a site that, for example, won’t be underwater in 50 years. The committee, by the way, meets weekly.
POLICE UPDATE: Lt. Steve Strand from the Southwest Precinct was there; he said the formal Alki emphasis-patrol plan will go into effect when the weather warms up. He said they’ve already been dealing with some seasonal problems – noise from vehicle enthusiasts, for example. He urged residents to keep reporting problems when seen/heard. He also noted that officers from here are among those citywide taking turns supplementing patrols downtown, though it’s being done in a way that’s not having much effect on day-to-day resources.
The Alki Community Council meets third Thursdays most months, 7 pm at Alki UCC.
More than a dozen Special Olympics of Washington supporters just spent a long soggy day going into the water at Alki twice an hour.
This was the Super Plunge, a preview of sorts for tomorrow’s Polar Plunge. Everybody participating – mostly law enforcers – raised at least $1,500 in order to qualify as a Super Plunger. There’s still time for you to be a Polar Plunger if you show up in time for the plunge at 1 pm Saturday.
Just look for the “igloo” by Alki Bathhouse!
Don’t want to swim but do want to support Special Olympics? On Saturday, in connection with the Polar Plunge, there’s also a beer and food-truck festival, 11 am-4:30 pm, as previewed here.
When District 1 City Councilmember Lisa Herbold spoke to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce a week ago (WSB coverage here), she noted that the committee she chairs was scheduled for a February 25th briefing on Seattle Police staffing and recruiting. With that now four days away, the agenda has arrived, and it includes two documents you can preview. Above is the slide deck outlining what SPD is doing to recruit more officers and to diversify the force; below, the council staff memo with information including current SPD staffing levels
The memo also includes current levels of patrol staffing in SPD’s five precincts. Southwest – which covers West Seattle and South Park – remains the smallest patrol staff, at 89, compared to 116 for East, 127 for South, 153 for West, and 171 for North. The briefing/discussion will be part of the Public Safety and Human Services Committee meeting at 9:30 am Tuesday.
Thanks for the texted photo/tip! That’s the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), in view off West Seattle right now as it heads back to Bremerton after almost six weeks at sea.
After more than 20 years in The Junction, The Forsythe Studio is closing.
Sort of.
Proprietor Jessica Forsythe explains that while she’s closing the salon at 4456 California SW at month’s end, she’s not going out of business – she’s moving and “downsizing.” She and a partner will open Modern Roots in The Admiral District (the former Via space at 4217 SW College) on March 3rd.
Her Forsythe Studio stylists are moving on to new gigs, too, she says, and if you need to find someone, just call Jessica and she’ll point you to the right place(s). She says she’s keeping the Forsythe Studio’s longtime phone number, 206-935-1865.
The weekly SDOT lookahead (PDF), which often brings first word of key WSDOT closures too, arrived with news of an added Highway 99 tunnel closure described as being for “repairs,” 10 pm next Friday (February 28) to 8 am next Saturday (February 29). We asked WSDOT spokesperson Laura Newborn if the repairs are related to the water leak from the southbound tunnel’s ceiling. She said yes, elaborating;
The purpose of the closure purpose is two-fold.
1. For the tunnel contractor to repair and reseal a small grout-port where water is leaking (the tunnel is under warranty).
2. To complete regularly scheduled tunnel maintenance from Friday, Feb. 14 as crews spent maintenance time creating a temporary repair for the water leak.
We want to emphasize this is considered a minor leak with a straightforward repair plan. The tunnel remains very safe for driving.
The repairs involve re-grouting the area near a grout port and resealing the grout port. During construction, these types of ports were used to add grout to the area between the ground and the outside of the tunnel wall.
Again, that’s next Friday night, NOT tonight. The NB tunnel, meantime, has a regular maintenance closure March 13 (10 pm)-14 (8 am).
(Thursday photo by Gary Jones)
Lots of questions on Thursday about that smoke visible from West Seattle, looking across Puget Sound to the Olympic Mountains’ foothills. Some were sure it was an early wildfire, but we and others searched for info, to no avail. We finally inquired with the Olympic National Forest and got a reply this morning: Pile-burning, from clearing of private land.
From Kathleen:
My 17′ Vision (Current Designs) sea kayak was stolen in West Seattle (on Delridge Way SW near SW Andover St). It has a light blue faded top with a navy blue stripe above the white hull. I noticed it missing when I came home from lunch (Thursday).
The SPD report # is 2020-902478.
(Bald Eagle, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Almost the weekend! Here are the Friday highlights:
‘SUPER PLUNGE’: One day before the Special Olympics-benefiting Polar Plunge at Alki, 16 “Super Plungers” are going into the water twice hourly until 5 pm. Look for them near the Alki Bathhouse and go cheer! (2701 Alki SW)
DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE AND CULTURAL CENTER: Open 10 am-5 pm – visit on this last day of midwinter break and learn about Seattle’s First People. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
BASKETBALL: West Seattle High School‘s must-win boys-basketball district-playoffs game is tonight, 6:30 pm, vs. Bellevue HS, at Bellevue College. (3000 Landerholm Circle SE)
PAUL GERARD: Singer-songwriter at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)
JONAS MYERS TRIO: Jazz at The Pacific Room on Alki, 8-10 pm. No cover.(2808 Alki SW)
ALBUM RELEASE PARTY: 8 pm at The Skylark, celebrate with Deadbeat Blackout. $8 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
LOOK AHEAD! Preview the weekend and beyond via our complete calendar!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:50 AM: Good morning! No current incidents/alerts in our area.
Weekend reminders:
1ST AVENUE S. BRIDGE CLOSURES: Tonight and Saturday night, the northbound 1st Avenue S. Bridge is scheduled to close, 9 pm-8 am both nights.
NEW TRANSIT PATHWAY STARTING TOMORROW: The new pathway into downtown for most West Seattle bus routes opens tomorrow (Saturday, February 22nd), as announced earlier this month. See the official service advisory for the affected routes here (PDF). The new pathway/stops map is also in our coverage of Wednesday’s media event there.
The Highland Park Elementary PTA invites you to step right up and join the party under the big top at Highland Park Improvement Club on March 21st. Here’s why:
We’ve worked hard on this event! Last year we turned HPIC into Alice and Wonderland with a full-size rabbit hole and fantasy land that blew guests away. The parents have outdone themselves this year with an amazing big-top-based off the book “Night Circus” and we are really hoping to reach our $20K fundraising goal to support the enrichment activities for our kids that our Title 1 school can’t regularly provide as well as family nights that provide culturally inclusive events and community building – the heart of what our school values.
Join us for at the Night Circus!
Highland Park Elementary Fund the Future Auction
Single tickets: $40Saturday, March 21, 2020 – Highland Park Improvement Club
Tent opens at 5:30 PM…
This after-dark extravaganza brings the magic of the big top to Highland Park. Step right up to the center ring for an evening of midway games, spectacular performers, tasty carnival treats, and a show-stopping auction!
Although this fantastical circus is just for grown-ups, all proceeds go toward much needed enrichment activities for the amazing students of Highland Park Elementary. As a Title 1 school, we have a rich diversity of cultures, languages and socioeconomic backgrounds but need community support to help fund the additional academic programs and vital community engagement events that our students deserve.
Circus apparel highly encouraged but come ready to be entertained and inspired, all for a good cause!
Get your ticket today here!
Can’t attend but would like to help fund our students’ futures? Donate here!
We appreciate our local business support! If you’d like to make our auction even more amazing by donating an item and be recognized as a community sponsor, visit here!
On our way to The Whale Trail‘s event tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), we noticed the usually well-lit intersection of California/Findlay was dark. Then we got a Twitter message about it during the meeting. We advised reporting it to Seattle City Light – that apparently had already happened, as we noticed those crews arriving just as we left C & P. Their work is focused near the southbound RapidRide stop on the southwest corner of the intersection, so be careful if you’re headed that way – in any mode – tonight.
With so many Seattle Parks facilities and properties in West Seattle, this announcement might be of interest:
As a best practice to prevent the spread of viruses during this cold and flu season, and in response to general concerns over Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is increasing custodial cleaning efforts at our facilities, including community centers and pools.
SPR is implementing these measures to support basic good cleaning and hygiene care at our high-traffic public facilities, and not in response to a specific exposure risk.
In addition to our already-established custodial routines, we will be implementing the following measures:
SPR will install Hand Sanitizing stations in lobby areas at our public facilities
SPR will increase the number of times that the following high-traffic areas are sanitized, with custodians sanitizing these areas three times during their shift:
-Bathroom countertops, stall handles, and flushing devices
-Entry/exit door handles and surrounding areas
-Lobby desk tops
The full Parks post also includes general advice for helping prevent viruses from spreading.
Three reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
GYM THEFT: CrossFit Loft in The Junction reports a member’s wallet was stolen yesterday afternoon and within an hour, what was in it was used to buy gift cards and a variety of other things. The two suspects were recorded. If you have any idea about who they are, the SPD case # is 2020-063954.
DUMPED BICYCLE: This photo and report are from RLS:
This bike has been dumped in the alley between 25th and 26th SW at Cloverdale.
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