West Seattle, Washington
23 Monday
ORIGINAL SUNDAY REPORT: We first reported in November 2019 that an early-stage plan was on file for an 8-story, 78-unit apartment building at 3010 SW Avalon Way [map]. Three months later, an “early outreach” meeting was held. But nothing public happened with the proposal in the ensuing year and a half – until now, with the plan showing up on the city website for the “early design guidance” phase of Administrative Design Review. That means feedback mostly on massing – the building’s size and shape. Three options are proposed:
More early design details are in Studio 19 Architects‘ draft design packet uploaded to the city website (no direct link yet, so we downloaded it for access here – 73 MB file); all three massing options would have 78 apartments and four offstreet vehicle-parking spaces. If you have feedback, the assigned city planner is Theresa Neylon – theresa.neylon@seattle.gov is where to send comments.
ADDED MONDAY: Today’s Land Use Information Bulletin included the formal notice that a two-week comment period is open for Early Design Guidance – here it is.
Congratulations to Ryan Caple and Rosalynn Reyes of Admiral, who are announcing their recent wedding. Ryan tells the story:
I’ve been a West Seattle resident for 33 years. I graduated from West Seattle High School in ’99. I went on to serve our country in the Air Force for four years and when I came home, I bartended at Cactus for 10 amazing years. I love West Seattle and everyone here. I am now working for Deeny Construction. The best part of all of this is, I got married August 12th to my best friend, Rosalynn. We just bought a home in the Admiral area and will spend the rest of our lives here.
I met Rosalynn when I was bartending at Cactus on Alki, March 17, 2012. We dated for 2 years and then went our separate ways. We found each other again last year in September. Started with casual walks but ended with an engagement.
(WSB is happy to publish many types of announcements free of charge – they’re news too! Email westseattleblog@gmail.com)
Last time this car was stolen, a WSB reader found it. Maybe that’ll happen again this time. From Kitty:
Déjà vu! Dear Old Subie was stolen again today. Probably sometime this morning from North Admiral, 44th and Seattle Street. We have filed a report and are looking for her now, thinking she might have been taken for a joyride and dumped nearby. Please let us know if you’ve seen her? Almost 330,000 miles, Burgundy Red 1984 Subaru GL wagon 4WD, manual transmission. Washington plates 746KNY. Crystal Mountain and Alta stickers, extra roof rack, and, recent development, the hood looks slightly askew. We still love her…
Last time, in April 2019, it turned up in Morgan Junction. If you see it, call 911.
A second round of job fairs is planned by the West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) and 11 other regional Y’s. This time you’re invited to drop in between 4 and 7 pm Tuesday (August 24th). You’ll find, the Y tells us, “on-the-spot interviews, prizes, food, and fun” as well as the opportunity to “take advantage of our limited-time sign-on incentives of up to $600!” The Y says the work offers your chance to “be a changemaker.” Job openings at regional Y’s range from fitness instructors to managers; the West Seattle HQ is at 36th and Snoqualmie [map]. If you can’t go to the hiring fair, you can also browse the listings and apply right now at seattleymca.org/jobs.
Family and friends will gather next Saturday to celebrate the life of Marian S. Nelson. They’re sharing this remembrance with her community:
Marian Sarah Nelson passed away peacefully on June 29, 2021, at the age of 90.
Born on August 13, 1930, to Andrew and Amanda Melby in Ashby, Minnesota, Marian was the youngest of three – her brothers, Howard and Warren, having predeceased her. In 1949 she married Gerald R. “Jerry” Nelson and they moved in 1958 to West Seattle, where they raised their family. They were married for 55 years until Jerry’s passing in 2004.
Marian was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; her family meant everything to her. She was quick to laugh and to hug; had a wonderful green thumb and loved to travel. She was a passionate, and often lucky, participant of contests and sweepstakes; her winnings provided for many trips and experiences over the years.
Together Jerry and Marian had five children: Gordon Nelson (deceased), Kenneth (Pam) Nelson, Carol (Jim) Killoran, Jeffrey (Kim) Nelson, and Kay Nelson. Ten grandchildren: Tamara (David) Schaffert, Marie (Dan) Burke, David (Marci Dray) Killoran, Karen (Tom) Johnson, Timothy (Traci) Killoran, Jenny (Michael) Marier, Harmony (John) Sousa, Clayton Nelson, Felicia (Daniel) Nelson, John Paul (Kristina Bishop) Nelson. Twelve great-grandchildren: Whitney, Austin, Nathan, Tyler, Travis, Kaylee, Wylie, Cody, Avery, Zane, Zoe, Zander. And her nephews Joey Melby and Brian Melby.
A Celebration of life for family and friends will be held on August 28, 2021, from 12 pm-4 pm at the family home.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
(Steller’s Jay in a Smoke Tree, photographed by Gentle McGaughey)
Here’s what’s happening as the weekend continues:
ROAD-WORK ALERTS: Again today, work is scheduled at West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way (until 1 pm) and on SW Alaska (hours indeterminate – we saw crews there at midday Saturday.
CHURCHES: Many are still streaming, in place of – or in addition to – in-person services. Here are the newest links for 20+ West Seattle churches’ services. (We’ll continue updating that list each Sunday for as long as a significant number continue streaming services.)
THROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS: Starting at 8 am and contnuing into the afternoon, it’s the second day of the USA National Masters Throws Championships at West Seattle Stadium (4435 35th SW). Spectators welcome, we’re told, but with strict COVID-safety protocols including vaccination proof and screening. Here’s our Saturday report.
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY SALE: From the WSB Community Forums, today’s the annual sale at the West Seattle Tool Library, which is on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center at Delridge/Oregon.
GIRL SCOUTS’ SALE CONTINUES: 9 am-noon, Troop 41169‘s fundraising sale has been extended, everything half-price. (3711 42nd SW)
ULTIMATE FRISBEE PICKUP: 10 am at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th SW/SW Myrtle).
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm on California between Oregon and Alaska. Scroll down the page at this link to find the vendor list and map for this week. (The market is a WSB sponsor.)
AUTHOR APPEARANCE: Noon-1 pm at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW), Alli Shircliff signs “The Smoothie Book.”
2 REASONS TO VISIT SEATTLE YARN: The shop at 5633 California SW is open 11 am-5 pm today, with two big reasons to visit. First, proprietors Destiny Itano and Cheryl Lea are celebrating three years of owning Seattle Yarn – check out the special cookies:
Second, the shop is a stop on the Puget Sound Local Yarn Store Tour, which is in its final day today. Prizes and discounts!
SKATEPARK CELEBRATION: Noon-5 pm, celebrate what’s new at the beloved skatepark in South Park (736 S. Cloverdale) – details in our calendar listing.
SUNDAY RUN CLUB: Noon at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) – info in our calendar listing.
LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Enjoy the music of Sid Law and Alan Sobel, 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
SUNDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: 8 pm to 1 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW; WSB sponsor).
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
Event listings welcome – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Police are investigating an armed robbery at the 35th/Barton 7-11. Few details but the robber has been described over emergency radio as Black, male, 6′ tall, in a black hat, black hoodie, and blue jeans, armed with a handgun. He was last seen running northbound on 35th. This comes just one day after the nearby Lucky 5 was held up at nid-afternoon Friday.
Thanks to Jerry Simmons for the photo from the starting line of tonight’s Alki Beach Sunset Run. As previewed here Friday, the 5K returned this year, two years after its debut. Not much of a sunset tonight, given the cloud cover, but pleasant weather for running. Racers headed out from the promenade toward Duwamish Head and back. Results will eventually turn up here.
P.S. Next big run along West Seattle’s shore is the Orca Half on September 18 and 19.
ADDED SUNDAY: The results (link above) are online now and show 400+ finishers, plus the wide age range of participants – youngest 7, oldest 77!
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports on this Saturday, and both involve catalytic converters:
THEFT: The catalytic converter was taken from M‘s vehicle at 4:50 am in Gatewood, near California/Othello. Police report filed. No other details. (Added: M’s vehicle is a Toyota RAV4.)
ATTEMPT: Received late this afternoon:
Just thwarted a second attempt on my Prius in my driveway on Beach Drive. Interrupted thief while he was jacking up the car; he ran without the jack to a waiting older Lexus compact sedan, white, lic BXT—-, reported to SPD. I ran to get my phone, during which he came back for his jack and fled.
One week from tomorrow, an outdoor celebration is planned to celebrate the past, present, and future of West Seattle’s Tilden School. At the heart of it, the school’s founder. Here’s the announcement:
Whitney Tjerandsen of Tilden School Retiring
Almost 37 years ago, Whitney Tjerandsen had the same angst as many other West Seattle parents: how to find the right school for her own soon-to-be Kindergarten son. The difference was that she had taught in the Berkeley Public Schools for 12 years, so she really knew what she was looking for: a school where he, and any child, would learn and thrive.
She found one on Capitol Hill, only to face a waiting list that was completely full. Words from the director of that school kindled a spark: “You are a teacher! Use your teaching skills and love of kids and their learning – and start your own school.”
With Whitney ‘s boundless and newly focused energy, she did just that. Putting the word out to the West Seattle community, the first year of Tilden School began with 12 students and ended the year with 17; the next year, it grew to 35; the next 78, and so on. Tilden School was a reality! As the school grew, Whitney hired a cadre of like-minded teachers with the same love of kids and philosophy of teaching.
What makes Tilden School unique? Keeping the class size small (no matter the looming waiting lists) allows individualized education. Whitney herself meets with each child every few weeks, K through Grade 5, to review their reading progress, to help them utilize the crucial phonics and syllabification rules to open up the sounding out of new words that make a reader and writer.
Ever dramatic and engaging, she wears her Super-E cape to teach those logical, and illogical, rules of English words. After all, knowing “I can teach a rock to read,” (and has the rock that proves it!) inspires children to tackle learning, even the difficult tasks.
She holds high expectations for each child, while building in the structure to help them succeed-not only academically, but personally. Just as important as strong academics is expecting and promoting the qualities of “responsible, good people” in society who know how to treat one another with kindness and respect.
Children learn to be responsible for themselves and celebrate who they are without needing to see themselves as better than anyone else, not as competitors, but with each as an important part of the whole.
This Covid year, Tilden continued to welcome and nurture children from K through 5th grade, and it became Whitney’s retirement year. It was not an easy decision, because in her words, ” I LOVE it! And I will so miss the kids and teachers.” The stars aligned and it became the right time. One of the Tilden teachers, Sarah Shearer, was ready to take the lead, so the school will continue.
Some favorite teachers and staff will also be retiring this year: Elaine Connell, Jan Foster, Karin Beck, and Administrator Monica Riva. Tilden teachers are also what makes Tilden a special place. Drawn to a small school after working a decade or more in public schools, they all relished the opportunity to get to know each child. Whitney describes her teachers as: “dedicated, hardworking, calm, smart, able to balance leadership with kindness, having a sense of humor, and a sense of what is right.” And so much fun!
What is next for Whitney in retirement? She will still take a small part in Tilden School, meeting individually with each student for reading skills. She will continue with her small part of the former Lou Magor and Whitney music program. They were friends for almost 50 years–since he was her director in the San Francisco Symphony Chorus. She feels that she could never fill his shoes, but will do her part, admittedly with a heavy heart.
She won’t have to find new hobbies in retirement because now she will have time to revel in her varied interests and skills-gardening, music (chamber music on cello, barbershop singing, 2 choirs, fiddle lessons, ukulele with the kids, learning crumhorn and alto recorder) and she has two grandchildren who live nearby, which is just a joy!
If you experience a Whitney “celebrity sighting” as a current student or family, be sure to catch her eye, and as a Tilden alum or family, expect her\ to swoon in delight and ask for a life update!
Join us to celebrate the retirements:
Sunday, August 29 from 3-6 p.m.
Hiawatha Park (2700 California SW)Please help us spread the word to current families, past students and their own growing families, past parents.
(WSB photos)
That “hammer cage” is one reason the 2021 USA National Masters Throws Championships are being held at West Seattle Stadium this weekend – meet director George Mathews explains the stadium is one of very few venues around the country where multiple throwing events can happen concurrently. (His Seattle Masters Athletic Club built the cage 20+ years ago.) Today is the first day of the two-day championships, with pentathlon competition – hammer, shot put, discus, javelin, and weight throws. Masters athletes in these sports range in age from 25 into the 100s.
And if that all looks challenging – Mathews – himself a repeat national and world champion – tells us tomorrow’s competition includes the ultraweight throws – up to 300 pounds:
Mathews says spectators are allowed, but they’re adhering to strict COVID-safety protocol – screening plus vaccination proof required for entry.
Tomorrow’s throwing is scheduled to start around 8 am.
The oldest athletes registered to participate this year, by the way, are in the 90-to-94 age range. There are nine people in their 80s. This is the first time the championships are happening here since 2018. (P.S. Thanks to the texter who tipped us about this weekend’s event!)
As spotlighted in today’s event list – two more hours to help Girl Scout Troop 41169 get to Savannah, Georgia, the birthplace of Girl Scouting. Their yard/bake sale continues until 3 pm at 3711 42nd SW. Angela sent the photo and says, “20+ families have contributed to this incredible sale! Quality housewares, furniture, tools, bikes, great clothes, amazing toys and games, classroom materials, and more! Plus our West Seattle famous lemonade and bake sale treats!! Come say hi and support these awesome girls!”
(WSB photos)
After a pandemic year off, the Great Cross-Suund Race returned to the waters off Alki this morning, with 32 entries taking on the seven-mile course to Blakely Rock and back. With the blast of an air horn, they started at 9 am off the east end of the promenade.
Finishing first, 50 minutes and 42 seconds later, was the same pair as the previous Great Cross-Sound Race in 2019 – Evan Jacobs and Tyler Peterson. They also set the race record 15 years ago – 49:44 in 2006.
The race is organized by the Sound Rowers and Paddlers open-water club. They kept time from a spot on the boardwalk near the Alki Bathhouse, same area that racers launched from, and returned to.
Full results will be online later.
(Photo by Jerry Simmons)
Happy Saturday! Here’s what’s happening:
TRAFFIC ALERTS: Weekend work continues at Highland Park Way/West Marginal, scheduled until 1 pm today … NB 26th SW remains closed between Barton and Roxbury … On SW Alaska in The Junction/Triangle, work is planned this weekend, “updating the bus lane signs and re-marking lane striping,” mostly at night … If you see major road work that we haven’t mentioned, please text us when you can safely do so – 206-293-6302 – thanks!
THE GREAT CROSS-SOUND RACE: As previewed here, Sound Rowers and Paddlers are back with their annual (except for last year) race from Alki to Blakely Rock and back, 9 am.
FUNDRAISING YARD/BAKE SALE: 9 am-3 pm at 3711 42nd SW, it’s a multi-family yard and bake sale helping a Girl Scout troop raise money to travel.
ANOTHER FUNDRAISING YARD/BAKE SALE: Longfellow Creek P-Patch, 10 am-3 pm, 25th/Thistle. Raising money to benefit the garden, buying new tools, hoses, chip drops.
SEE TODAY’S OTHER SALES: Big day for yard sales – see what’s listed in the WSB Community Forums.
LAFAYETTE KINDERGARTEN PLAYDATE: 10 am at Hiawatha Playground (2700 California SW), the PTA is sponsoring another playdate for families with incoming kindergarteners.
FREE WRITING GROUP: Hybrid weekly group starts today at 10:30 am – details and registration link are in our calendar listing.
MAXMOBILE AT WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY: 11 am-2 pm, West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor) says the Seattle Humane MaxMobile will be visiting with adoptable pets.
WAGYU SMASH BURGER POP-UP: 11 am-1 pm, Lady Jaye (4523 California SW) is only making 100 of them – details here.
FUN WITH FURRY FACES FOUNDATION: 2 pm-6 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW), paint with your pup, sing karaoke, bid in a silent auction, more, all to keep F3 helping pets and their people.
‘FLUTES IN THE FOREST’ CANCELED: Just in case you missed that news – watch for a new date!
LEARN TO CAN: When last we looked, spaces were still open in Delridge Grocery Co-op‘s online class at 5 pm today – details in our preview.
ALKI BEACH SUNSET RUN: 6 pm, 5K, starting in five waves near the Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki), running/walking partly on the trail, partly on the street (but no road closures, organizers tell us). If you haven’t registered yet, you have to do it online.
WEST SEATTLE DRAG SHOW WITH DOLLY MADISON: 8 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW; WSB sponsor), this week is a Madonna-Rama!
OPEN MIC ALL-STARS AT THE SKYLARK: Tonight at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), Dreamspeak, Lahaina Noon, Zach Tupper, and Zoser. $10 cover, doors at 8, music at 8:30. 21+.
Anything we’re missing? Got a future listing? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Tuesday photo from @ZONE3PIOs)
You’ve probably heard about that deadly fire Tuesday at a Tukwila apartment complex. Three people, including a small chlld, were killed, and dozens more lost their homes and belongings. West Seattleites are among those helping with relief efforts, and Maggie forwarded us this announcement from the church coordinating it all, in case you want to help too:
Riverton Park United Methodist Church today announced it is expanding its relief efforts in response to the tremendous needs of the 31 families displaced in this week’s Maple Crest Apartments fire. The majority of families were forced to flee the 5:00am fire, which claimed three lives, with only the clothes on their backs and the entirety of their belongings were a total loss. RPUMC
volunteers continue to gather donations from the community daily from 9:00 am-6:00 pm, including Saturdays at the church, 3118 S. 140th St., in Tukwila [map]. The majority of families are now living in hotels and have identified the following items as high-priority needs:
• Gift cards for restaurants, gas, groceries and general retails stores.
• New or gently used laptops, cell phones and cell phone chargers.
• Gently used or new luggage with wheels.
• New linens or “Bed in a Bag” kits (inclusive of sheets, comforters, etc.).
• Small kitchen appliances including rice cookers, hot pads, microwaves.
• Sets of boxed drinking glasses.
• Shelf-stable, nutritious foods that can be microwaved or eaten cold, including vegetarian options. These include soups, pasta, peanut butter, tuna, coffee, etc.
• Coats for men, women and children. No other clothes needed at this time.
• New or gently used shoes for men, women and children.Donations of cash for fire victims are being accepted at all BECU locations.
RPUMCC Tent Village Members and Community Organizations Partner in Relief Effort
This relief effort is largely run by community volunteers, including members of the RPUMC Tent Village. These individuals are taking an active role in supporting key aspects of the relief operation including receiving and sorting donations with other members of the community. They also play a similar role in supporting RPUMC’s weekly food bank, which continues to serve local families.
RPUMC would like to give a special thank you to Pine Lake Middle School Leadership Class and to Rotary Clubs across the region who have been generous partners in this relief effort.
6:05 PM: SFD is sending a water-rescue response to Alki/Marine. Possibly 2 people in trouble in the water. Updates to come.
6:11 PM: Sounds like everyone is OK & response is being downsized. We just arrived at Alki to check.
(Added: Photo by David Hutchinson)
6:16 PM: SFD tells us at the scene that paddleboarders brought in a person who is being checked out by medics.
(WSB photo)
6:57 PM: SFD says the woman who was rescued is being taken to the hospital. (See comments below for added details on the rescue.)
The return of Loop the ‘Lupe is now only nine days away. You can sign up tonight and get a $5 discount using the code SUMMER5. Loop the ‘Lupe, on Sunday, August 29th at Walt Hundley Playfield, offers four events: Seattle’s only obstacle-course event, a 5K fun run, a Senior Saunter, and a Kids’ Dash. It’s a fun way to celebrate the almost-end of summer and support what coordinator Brian Callanan describes as “the social outreach work at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, which operates a safe parking lot for homeless neighbors, coordinates voter registration and racial justice education, holds an annual Day of Service benefitting various organizations in the region, and much more.” Along with the aforementioned four events, Loop the ‘Lupe will feature live music, food, drinks, and a beer garden. To register, go here – and remember the SUMMER5 code if you sign up tonight! (WSB is a Loop the ‘Lupe community co-sponsor.)
3:56 PM: A two-vehicle crash has blocked westbound Roxbury at 14th SW – so avoid that area for a while.
4:03 PM: Added SDOT traffic-camera image. Live camera now shows some westbound traffic is being routed around but that means slow going both ways. One SFD engine was dispatched for possible injuries.
4:55 PM: Scene is clear.
3:05 PM: Police are investigating a robbery at the Lucky 5 gas station/mini-mart at 35th/Henderson, and that’s why the Guardian 1 helicopter has just arrived in the area. We’ve talked to police at the scene and they tell us one person, armed, held up the store, and got away with cash, only description so far “African-American, male, gray clothing,” last seen heading northbound.
3:16 PM: No luck from the air, so the helicopter has moved on, but the ground-level investigation continues. Lucky 5 has been held up before – most recently just last month.
Since we had already spotlighted this here on the news page in addition to listing it in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, we want to be sure you know in advance that Flutes in the Forest #3 has been canceled. We got word from the musicians that they have to cancel the plans for tomorrow’s performance at Schmitz Park because of illness, but they add, “Thank you for your interest; we do love our fans! We hope to reschedule soon.”
12:25 PM: Seattle Fire is arriving at a report of a garage fire at 24th/Webster [map]. Updates to come.
12:27 PM: They’re telling dispatch that the fire is confined to a garage, so they’re downsizing the response.
12:36 PM: The photo is from our crew at the scene – the dumpster is what caught fire inside a garage; out now, and ventilation is the primary job that remains. No one hurt.
(WSB photo, earlier this week)
Just in from SDOT, the weekly update on what’s ahead for the road/sidewalk/utility project paving the way for the RapidRide H Line launch next year. First, the key points:
Final channelization and overnight lane striping will continue throughout the corridor, we are currently working to complete striping in Zone C and along the 26th Ave SW neighborhood greenway
-Crews will be working overnight from 6 PM to 6 AM. We have obtained a noise variance to complete this work.
-Landscaping continues throughout Zone A
-Construction in Zone B is nearly complete, but we will continue to make minor updates throughout the duration of construction
-Sidewalk upgrades near SW Barton St and SW Henderson St will continue into next week. We will be installing new curb bulbs in this area to enhance crossings for people walking
-King County Metro construction continues in White Center – Metro crews will close 15th Ave SW between 106th and 107th to all general traffic. (Details here.)
The full preview is here. It also briefly mentions the new proposal to remove the Delridge/Oregon pedestrian bridge – if you missed our coverage earlier this week, with opportunities for feedback, here’s that story.
(WSB photo, 2019 Alki Beach Sunset Run)
A new late-summer waterfront 5K debuted in West Seattle in 2019, the Alki Beach Sunset Run. Months later, the pandemic began, so there was no second annual Alki Beach Sunset Run in 2020 – but it’s happening this year, 6 pm tomorrow (Saturday, August 21st). As with the first one, this will start near the Alki Bathhouse, with the route on a combination of street and trail space, but the race organizers tell us there will be no road closures. They’re offering three levels of participation – with swag, without swag, or virtual (you run or walk a 5K of your choice and log your results). The 5K will start in “waves” again this year as it did in 2019 – first one at 6 pm, last one at 7 pm.
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