West Seattle, Washington
21 Thursday
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:57 AM: Good morning! Remember, Seattle Public Schools are out all week.
Looking ahead:
NEW TRANSIT PATHWAY OPENS SATURDAY: New pathway into downtown for most West Seattle bus routes starting Saturday – here’s the original announcement.
1ST AVENUE S. BRIDGE CLOSURES: Friday and Saturday nights, the northbound 1st Avenue S. Bridge is scheduled to be closed, 9 pm-8 am Friday into Saturday and Saturday into Sunday.
Youngstown Coffee Company proprietor Zoe Kritzer says she’s closing her original shop, the one at 5214 Delridge Way SW, at month’s end. Here’s how she’s announcing it to customers this morning:
It is with a heavy heart and an overwhelming amount of gratitude for your support that I must share this deeply saddening news.
Youngstown Coffee Company on Delridge will officially close on Saturday, February 29th. It has been the greatest privilege to have met so many extraordinary humans and dogs over the last 14 months. I can’t thank you enough for welcoming us into the neighborhood with open arms and daily transformative and inspiring conversations.
If you or anyone you know is interested in making this magical shop yours and continuing the dream of a shop built on community, coffee, and connection, please email: wonderwallseattle@gmail.com
Five months after opening the Delridge shop, Zoe expanded to 6032 California SW in Morgan Junction. That shop, and its “kitchen” next door, will remain open.
(WSB photo, April 2019)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Call it Roxhill Bog, Roxhill Fen, Roxhill Wetland. Whatever you call it, it needs to be rescued, and the time is now.
Community advocates have sounded that alarm for many years. Now, it appears the wetland’s plight has the traction for something serous to finally get done.
That was the message at the “stakeholders’ meeting” that filled a room at Southwest Teen Life Center in Westwood last Tuesday night. The sign-in sheets showed a long list of organizations concerned with the health of the local environment.
“The bog is dry.” Opening the meeting, that’s how Rory Denovan – a West Seattleite who has long been involved wth the effort to help the bog – summarized the primary problem.
If that leads you to wonder “so what?” Denovan had answers for that right off the top. Three reasons why Roxhill is important:
West Seattle has four community centers, one teen center, and one indoor pool run by Seattle Parks, but you only have to browse one brochure to see the events, classes, and public sessions for spring/summer. Just before the holiday weekend, Parks announced the new brochure’s available – see it here (PDF). If you are interested in events/classes that require registration, here are the dates to know: Noon on March 3 is when spring registration starts; noon May 5 is whn summer signups begin.
From the West Seattle Food Bank, your invitation to this fun(draising) event:
Come out and support the West Seattle Food Bank
Friday, February 28th
At WEST SEATTLE BOWL
(6 to 8 pm)Nathan Bowls for Food!
(Is your team better than a second-grader?)
Nathan Tavel is a second-grader at Arbor Heights Elementary School, and a pretty good bowler. He will bowl for one hour from 6 to 7 and one hour from 7 to 8. Your team can choose to bowl during one or both of those times. We will add up Nathan’s total pin count for each hour and each team will have their pin total for the hour compared to Nathan’s. If you beat him you get 3 free games, shoe rental and a pitcher of beer or soda. However, if Nathan beats your team, your team must donate a minimum of $100 to the West Seattle Food Bank.
– $20 per person gets you shoe rental and 1 hour of bowling.
– Teams of 2 to 8 people are welcome.
– There will be food and drink specials and a few raffle prizes as well.
– 6 to 8 PM on Friday, February 28th at West Seattle Bowl.
Come and bowl with us for a good cause!
To RSVP – Just email ptavel@gmail.com and let us know how many you have coming and how many lanes you need. Pay on the night of the event. Call 206-949-8680 with any questions.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch items:
WESTWOOD SEARCH: As we write this, police are searching for an auto-theft suspect near 26th/Barton. The stolen car was apparently found at Westwood Village; the suspect took off running toward the east side of Roxhill Park. The description we’ve heard via radio is a white man in his 20s/30s, blue ball cap, blue jacket, tan pants. (2:34 PM UPDATE) They have a suspect in custody. You might still see some searching – per radio exchange, they’re looking for items the suspect might have discarded.
Also:
STOLEN SKI GEAR? Lose your ski gear in a car prowl or burglary? Tessa might have found it: “Looks like someone lost their ski gear among other things on 35th and Findlay. Put the boot, goggles, helmet and poles at the 21 bus stop.”
P.S. When lost/found items seem more like simple “lost/found,” you can post in the Lost/Found (Non-Pets) section of the WSB Community Forums.
(Photo from February 2019 Polar Plunge, courtesy Andrew Malinak)
Saturday (February 22) is the big day: The Seattle Polar Plunge at Alki, with an all-day beer and food-truck festival, benefiting Special Olympics of Washington. The Plunge is at 1 pm; the beer tent and food trucks open at 11 am. Not registered yet? You can sign up to plunge alone or as part of a team – all the info, and the registration link, can be found here. Beer and food are separate, but you can get advance tickets for the beer festival by going here.
Via that sign in the window at 4452 California SW, Keller Williams West Seattle has announced it’s moving. After getting a tip, we went over to inquire. They say they’ve been looking for a larger space for a while, and the new digs at 5446 California SW fit the bill.
According to this city webpage, KW’s old spot has been a real-estate office since it was built in 1965.
(Bald Eagle, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
A few more holiday notes, in addition to highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WHICH SEATTLE PARKS FACILITIES ARE OPEN? Holiday open/closed list is here.
LIBRARIES CLOSED: Both Seattle and King County.
FREE IMPROV MEETUP: 7 pm at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse – details and registration info here. (9131 California SW)
ZEN MEDITATION: 7 pm at Fauntleroy UCC, hosted by Puget Sound Zen. All welcome, whether or not you’ve meditated before – details in our calendar listing. (9140 California SW)
3 TRIVIA/QUIZ NIGHTS: Three Monday night options:
*Best of Hands Barrelhouse (7500 35th SW; WSB sponsor), 7 pm, $2/person, 21+
*The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 7:30 pm, free, all ages
*Parliament Tavern (4210 SW Admiral Way), 8 pm, $2/person, 21+
PREVIEW THE REST OF THE WEEK: Browse our complete Event Calendar!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:30 AM: Good morning. tt’s Presidents Day, and that means schools and most government facilities are closed. Transit/transportation notes:
METRO: Reduced-weekday service
WATER TAXI: No service
SOUND TRANSIT: Service levels listed here
STREET PARKING: In the neighborhoods with pay stations, no charge today
After the holiday, the first community meeting of the week will be your monthly chance for Q&A with local police at the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, 7 pm Tuesday (February 18) at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster). After Q&A with, and updates from, police, you’ll hear from this mnnth’s spotlight guest, from the SPD Victim Support Team (which is currently recruiting new volunteers).
In case you wondered about the police response north of California/Fauntleroy this past hour: Police at first responded to what was called in as a man assaulting a woman. Then the report changed to a possible attempted robbery. Police found a victim at California/Graham, and the suspect on the east side of the street. A sergeant we spoke with told us that the suspect was reported to have confronted two women on the street, claiming he had been a victim of theft. Police determined that what he was claiming was false, and he was taken into custody. They say the women he accosted are OK.
A multiple-vehicle crash is reported to be blocking Harbor Avenue SW in the 1900 block, near Salty’s. No serious injuries reported but south/eastbound traffic on Harbor will be diverted up California Way until it’s cleared.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON: Several West Seattle parents who send children to Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien have called our attention to a controversy that’s been embroiling that school’s community this weekend. Kennedy announced the sudden “voluntary” resignation of two teachers, both of whom, supporters say, are gay. Parents have organized a crowdfunding page for the teachers; Paul Danforth, an English teacher (who is also a Kennedy graduate, according to the school website), and Michelle Beattie, who taught health and coached soccer. The GoFundMe page set up to help them includes this introduction:
Two beloved and extraordinary teachers at Kennedy Catholic High School “voluntarily resigned” on February 13, 2020 because of their sexual orientation and desire to live authentically (and legally) married to their partners.
In addition to the sadness felt by their community of supporters, Paul and Michelle are both now without jobs or incomes. In the middle of a school year it will be difficult for either of them to find employment immediately.
The school’s email announcement on Friday, forwarded to us by one of the parents who received it, says only:
Please see the following statement provided to us to share with our community.
“Two teachers, Paul Danforth and Michelle Beattie, have voluntarily resigned their positions at Kennedy Catholic High School. They are highly capable, gifted, and qualified teachers, who have served our community with dedication and humility. Their loss will be felt deeply by their students and the entire community. We are thankful to Paul and Michelle for their years of service.”
The statement ended by referring questions/comments to the Archdiocese of Seattle. Its downtown HQ is where some concerned Kennedy parents are planning a protest at 9 am Tuesday, according to posts on a Facebook group set up to show support for the teachers. Other posts mention plans for a student walkout and community show of support that day (school is out tomorrow for Presidents Day).
The teachers themselves have not yet commented publicly so far as we have seen; a post in the aforementioned Facebook group said they were at the school earlier today to collect their belongings.
Similar controversies have erupted elsewhere in the country. The news publication National Catholic Reporter published this overview of the issue last year. It included a citation of this stat: Two-thirds of U.S. Catholics now support same-sex marriage.
ADDED MONDAY NIGHT: Tuesday’s protests are planned for 9 am at the Archdiocese offices and 1 pm at the school, which sent parents another email today acknowledging those plans (as well as a student walkout) and warned that community members and parents won’t be allowed inside the school, but will be allowed to gather at 1 pm “in front of the building.” We’ll be among those there to cover it.
(WSB photos)
Robyn Campbell and Erin Treankler are welcoming their first guests this afternoon at Cold Crash Brewing Co. Their commercial home-based brewery is off the alley (look for the small sign) at 4507 48th SW, west of The Junction.
There, as noted in our previous report, they brew gluten-free beer:
The menu includes six beers, and other beverages, plus some simple snacks – here’s a photo.
The seating area is covered and heated:
Regular hours for Cold Crash’s tasting room will be noon-5 pm Saturdays and Sundays.
Thanks to Larry Shaw for the photos and report:
I happened upon a bunch of people checking out a sea lion exhibiting “sailing” behavior this morning off Alki Ave SW between Alki Beach and Luna Park. Several people thought the animal might be injured, but “sailing” is a normal behavior sea lions engage in. They float and raise their flippers out of the water to regulate their body temperature.
We have featured this before – in 2013, a “sailing” sea lion was even mistaken for a dead whale! – and Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network has raised awareness. But with so many new arrivals (and tourists), it’s always worth a reminder!
Thanks to Karl at Potter Construction (WSB sponsor) for the photo! That is a truckload of Girl Scout Cookies. Karl helped out as troops – including his granddaughter’s West Seattle troop 45305 – picked up their orders at the Alaska Marine Lines loading dock on Saturday. Cookie sales start in 12 days, according to the Girl Scouts of Western Washington website – February 28 through March 15th. As usual, you can find cookie-sale locations via the online lookup. (Wondering about the cookie varieties? Go here.)
(Bewick’s Wren, photographed by Anne de Vore
Welcome to pre-holiday Sunday. Calendar highlights for today/tonight:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm in the street in the heart of The Junction, produce, meat, cheese, beverages, baked goods, and more! (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
ALKI OYSTER FEST: Noon-5 pm at three Alki Beach venues – oysters, beverages, and live music; see the locations and lineups here. For tickets, go here.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: While you’re at Alki, visit the home of West Seattle’s history! Open noon-4 pm today. (61st SW/SW Stevens)
COLD CRASH’S OPENING DAY: Fourth opening of the week! The gluten-free commercial home-bassed brewery Cold Crash Brewing Co. opens its tasting room noon-5 pm today, as previewed here. (4507 48th SW)
FALL IN LOVE WITH 25 SEATTLE BIRDS: As previewed here, you are invited to Youngstown Cultural Arts Center 1-3 pm today to learn more about local birds. Free! (4408 Delridge Way SW)
JAMTIME: 1-4 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), live music! No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)
LADIES ROCK CAMP WINTER ASSEMBLY: 4 pm at The Skylark, all ages – $10 adult admission, $5 youth. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
BLUEGRASS JAM: 7 pm at Whisky West. 21+. (6451 California SW)
SILENT MOVIE WITH LIVE MUSIC: 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall – program details and reservation info are in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)
JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley, 8 pm. 21+. (4509 California SW)
12:18 AM: Police checking out 911 calls about suspected gunfire have confirmed it. Officers radioed in that they have found at least one shell casing at Delridge/Trenton. So far, no reports of any injuries.
12:22 AM: Officers have also told dispatch that they’re blocking Delridge for now while they look for more evidence.
12:37 AM: Delridge has reopened.
8:24 PM: The West Seattle High School boys weren’t going to let the season end with a string of defeats – so an intense home game tonight just ended with a big win over Interlake, 58-37. Next up: The Wildcats play Garfield, 8:30 pm Tuesday @ Ingraham. Full details and photos to come.
ADDED 10:55 PM: WSHS #3, senior Sage Nelson, led scoring with 18 points – one of four Wildcats with double-digit totals.
(WSB file photos from 2014 council hearing)
Six years after a City Council vote closed a bitter political chapter in West Seattle development history, the current council will consider a coda of sorts. It’s the official finalization (PDF) of the alley vacation required by The Whittaker (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW). An item on the council’s Introduction and Referral Calendar for the week ahead finalizes the vacation – the city’s relinquishing of the alley, for which the development paid what was considered fair market value, noted in the new document as $2.3 million. The council in April 2014 gave its approval to the vacation despite active opposition from then-Mayor Mike McGinn, who primarily objected to the plan for non-union Whole Foods Market (WSB sponsor) to be part of the development (citing other reasons too). A union-led campaign rallied local opposition, and eventually there was a showdown at council chambers downtown. The vacation was approved, and the new document shows that $2.3 million purchase was finalized about a year and a half now. This action is basically a technicality but will go through a committee vote first. SIDE NOTE: (corrected) Only one of the councilmembers serving now was on the council then (Kshama Sawant took office in January 2014).
We are now exactly two months from the IRS tax-return deadline. Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Danner provides this advice on avoiding scams and fraud during tax season:
Tax season is in full swing and we often see an increase in tax fraud and various forms of scams during this time of year. In order to combat this, the SW Precinct would like to provide our community with some helpful prevention information about these scams, as well as the most effective way to report them! Subsets of the population are more vulnerable to these types of scams- but everyone can help protect themselves by keeping the following ten practical suggestions in mind, provided by the Federal Trade Commission:
Spot imposters – scammers will often try to disguise themselves as someone you trust (such as a government official, family member or charitable organization). Never send money or give our personal information in response to an unexpected request.
Do online searches – try typing in the company or product name into a search engine with key words like ‘review’, ‘complaint’ or ‘scam’. You can also look up phone numbers to check on their validity.
Do not believe caller ID and hang up on robocalls – technology makes it simple for scammers to fake a caller ID. If you receive a call asking for personal information or money, hang up. If you feel the caller is legitimate- try calling back a number, you know is genuine for that person or company. If you answer the phone and hear a recorded sales pitch, hang up and report this to the Federal Trade Commission and/or to local police. These calls are illegal and are often fake. Do not follow prompts, just hang up.
Do not pay upfront for a promise – scammers may try to ask you to pay up front for debt relief, loan offers, mortgage assistance or a job (such as handy work or lawn maintenance).
Consider how you pay – most credit cards have significant fraud protection built in, while other payment methods (such as wiring money through services like Western Union or MoneyGram) do not have these protections. Government offices and honest companies will not require you to use a risky payment method, keep this in mind when paying.
Talk to someone – scammers will often want you to make decisions in a hurry and may even threaten you. Before you give money or personal information, slow down, check out the story, do an online search and maybe even talk to an expert or friend about the request.
Be skeptical about free trials online – some companies will use free trials to sign you up for products and bill you each month until you cancel. Before you agree to a free trial, review the company’s cancelation policy and always check your monthly statements to review charges.
Don’t deposit a check and wire money back – banks must make funds from deposited checks available within days, but discovering a fraudulent check can take weeks. If a check you deposit turns out to be fake, you are responsible for repaying the bank.
Sign up for free scam alerts from the Federal Trade Commission at consumer.ftc.gov/scam-alerts – get the latest tips and advice about scams directly to your email.
For the past two tax seasons, scammers have been running a successful W-2 email phishing scam operation that has tricked major companies. Here’s how this scam works: criminals pose as top company executives and send emails to payroll professionals asking for copies of W-2 forms for all employees. This exposes employees’ names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and withholding information. The scammers then file bogus tax returns or sell the information to other criminals.Here’s how you can protect yourself during tax time:
Use a password-protected Wi-Fi connection when filing your taxes. Use a long and complex password, not just for your Wi-Fi but also for any accounts you’re using during the tax-filing process
Get your return via direct deposit. If you must receive a return check via mail, have it sent to a locked mailbox
Ask your tax preparer to use two-factor authentication to protect your documents and personal information
Use an encrypted USB drive to save sensitive tax documents
Never give information to anyone who contacts you by phone or online claiming to be from the IRS. The IRS will never contact you this way
Monitor your accounts and online identity for any signs that your identity has been stolen. For example, if you see a sudden, unexpected change in your credit scores, it could indicate your identity has been stolen
If you think you may be a victim of a scam, visit IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting.
Be alert to possible identity theft if you receive a notice from the Internal Revenue Service or learn from your tax professional that your identity has been compromised. If you receive a notice from the IRS and you suspect your identity has been used fraudulently, respond immediately by calling the number on the notice. If you did not receive a notice but believe you’ve been the victim of identity theft, contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490 right away so that they can take steps to secure your tax account and match your SSN or ITIN.
Does your commute home take you through SODO? On Thursday, March 5th, here’s a reason to stop – or detour:
The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce “Sip in SODO,” our newest event featuring a tasting of local wine varietals and culinary delights!
Join us on March 5, 2020 from 6 pm to 9 pm at SODO Urban Works (located at 3901 First Avenue South) where you are invited to SIP local wines, SAVOR petite entrees by local West Seattle restaurants, and confectioners as you STROLL through the shops of local vintners, distillers and eateries in this hidden gem in the SODO District.
Sip In SODO is the latest event produced by the Special Events Committee and Board of Directors of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce. “We have made the commitment for 2020-2023 to include additional ways to reach out into our community and the greater Seattle area; expose new areas that may not be on everyone’s radar and show our friends, neighbors and colleagues all there is to offer right here in our backyard. SODO Urbanworks is an IDEAL venue to bring awareness to one of Seattle’s coolest hidden gems,” said West Seattle Chamber of Commerce CEO Julia Jordan.
Ticket price includes: 5 wine tickets and 5 food tickets for $75 general admission I $65 for chamber members and wine club members.
Additional taste tickets can be purchased at the event or online in advance through the chamber website wschamber.com
The Chamber is advertising the event on WSB to help get the word out. Here’s the direct link for tickets.
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