West Seattle, Washington

04 Sunday

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month : 03/2022 305 results

2 nights until almost-spring West Seattle Art Walk
March 8, 2022 7:32 pm
|    Comments Off on 2 nights until almost-spring West Seattle Art Walk
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

This Thursday, we’ll still be a week and a half away from spring, but the weather should be good enough for you to plan on getting out for the West Seattle Art Walk!

That’s RobRoy Chalmers at Fogue Gallery (4130 California SW; WSB sponsor), where you can meet him at his reception during the Art Walk, 5 pm-8 pm. Fogue notes that his work has been shown worldwide – from Tokyo to Berlin to Boston and beyond. The gallery says he “brings dark implications hidden in whimsy and colorful imagery, fluid, sexy, dirty, messy, and always joyful. Featuring Charcoal, pastel and pencil on Rives BFK paper, mounted and custom framed.” Other Fogue Gallery artists will be there too – you’re invited to “sip champagne and enjoy the coming of spring!”

Here’s the venue list for this month’s Art Walk – some with artists, some with food and drink specials:

Venues are all over the peninsula – from North Admiral to South Delridge. In the latter, Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery (9441 Delridge Way SW) is featuring KAPOW!, “an artistic tribute to comics.” In The Junction, Jet City Labs (4546 California SW) is again featuring the Clay Cauldron collaboration pop-up. Those are just two of many. The official preview page for this month is still being updated, so check back before you go out exploring on Thursday night – times vary by venue.

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FOLLOWUP: Newest estimated reopening date for Westcrest Park Off-Leash Area
March 8, 2022 5:16 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

When Seattle Parks announced on Monday that the Westcrest Park play-area replacement is planned for construction this summer, we noted we would be checking on progress of the project under way at the park now, drainage improvements at the Off-Leash Area. We’ve now heard back from Parks spokesperson Karen O’Connor, who says, “Construction is 85% complete with drainage infrastructure, grading, and gravel surfacing. We need to complete fencing, asphalt, and concrete paving. The concrete strike is impacting the project delivery. We are hoping to open the OLA in late spring if the strike settles.” Work began in November; a temporary OLA is open until the permanent one is ready for use again. (P.S. No strike updates yet this week – the Teamsters’ latest statements are here; the companies’ latest statements are here.)

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Former West Seattle doctor sentenced for pandemic-loan fraud
March 8, 2022 2:40 pm
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

That’s what was hauled out of 4700 36th SW this morning, shortly after this eviction notice went up:

That’s the Triangle office of former physician Eric Shibley, found guilty last November of pandemic-loan fraud. We took the photos after a tip (thank you); as we were starting to research his status, this news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office arrived:

A former Seattle doctor was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 4 years in prison for fraudulently seeking over $3.5 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) COVID-19 relief funds. Eric R. Shibley, 43, of Seattle, was convicted following a trial in November 2021.

At today’s sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour said the sentence was due to “the blatant nature of the fraud and its size.” Judge Coughenour also noted Shibley’s decision to testify in the case saying, “I have to say it was one of the worst performances of a criminal defendant. There was very little willingness to adhere to the truth while testifying.”

“Mr. Shibley took advantage of the community, disrupted and distraught by the pandemic, to try to enrich himself through fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. “These funds were desperately needed to keep people employed by legitimate small businesses. This fraud made it tougher for those truly in need.”

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Shibley submitted 26 fraudulent PPP applications and 13 EIDL loan applications to federally insured financial institutions, other Small Business Administration (SBA)-approved lenders, and the SBA, in the names of businesses with no actual operations or by misrepresenting the business’s eligibility. In the applications, Shibley misrepresented the number of employees and payroll expenses in several applications and concealed his own criminal history. To support the fraudulent applications, Shibley submitted fake tax documents and the names of purported employees who did not, in fact, work for the businesses for which Shibley claimed they worked. Shibley was convicted by a jury of seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of bank fraud, and five counts of money laundering.

Shibley was ordered to pay $1,438,000 in restitution. Shibley’s license to practice medicine was suspended in 2020.

“As the American people suffered from the negative economic effects of the pandemic, Mr. Shibley chose to further this suffering by stealing funds meant to help small businesses stay afloat,” said Adam Jobes, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI), Seattle Field Office. “Contrary to his oath as a physician to cause no harm, Mr. Shibley caused great harm to those around him as he illegally pocketed resources meant for those who actually qualified for and needed those funds. Financial crimes are not victimless, and IRS:CI will continue to investigate and bring to justice those like Mr. Shibley who choose their own greed above the well-being of the public.”

We first reported on the case last July.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT NOTE: We are continuing to try to sort out the specifics behind the eviction notice shown above. Commenters say someone else was living in the building, which county records show Shibley bought in 2015 – though court records show a foreclosure action pending that Shibley himself had initiated.

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LIGHT RAIL: With 52 days left to comment, here’s how Pigeon Point’s Q&A with Sound Transit went
March 8, 2022 1:08 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Pigeon Point | Sound Transit | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Tonight, the Community Advisory Group for Sound Transit‘s West Seattle extension meets online for a “deep dive” into the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which is up for public comment until April 28th.

Last night, another neighborhood group met with ST to get answers to questions about the DEIS, which analyzes the proposed routing and station-location alternatives that are under consideration. The Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council has a unique perspective – to get across the Duwamish River and to a North Delridge station, the line may have to cut into the north end of their neighborhood. Just south of where, for example – as discussed in informal pre-meeting chatter – a dozen or more Great Blue Herons are back in their nests.

PPNC’s Pete Spalding – who’s also a member of the Community Advisory Group – facilitated. In introductions at the start of the meeting, some attendees mentioned having received the “we might need your property” letters from ST; others had not.

The meeting began with a project recap from ST’s West Seattle point person Jason Hampton, as had other meetings. We’ve covered it before – and the presenter was asked to cut the generic stuff short anyway – so we’ll focus this report mostly on unique Q&A. Of most interest to this group were the three studied alternatives for getting light rail across the river via a new bridge – either south of the existing motorized-vehicle bridge, or north of it.

Read More

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Road-rage arrest; business vandalism
March 8, 2022 11:23 am
|      40 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two reports in West Seattle Crime Watch this morning:

ROAD-RAGE ARREST: A 39-year-old West Seattle man is in the King County Jail after an alleged case of armed road rage. We’ve obtained the police-report narrative, and that’s what we’re summarizing here:

Just before 2:30 pm Monday, a 911 call came in from a woman who said another driver flashed a gun at her. The officer met her at 8th SW and SW Cambridge; she was described as “visibly shaking.” She told the officer that she had just left work and, the report narrative says, “wanted to merge with the westbound lane of Olson Pl Sw from 2nd Av Sw. As she attempted to merge, (another vehicle) came up fast behind her. She then merged into a different lane and the vehicle changed lanes as well closely behind her vehicle … She was initially confused, thinking it was a police vehicle because it looked similar, and she thought she was in the way. But then she changed lanes again, and again the vehicle changed lanes with her. As they approached a stoplight [8th/Roxbury], the other driver … pulled out a gun and pointed it at her.” She said she asked him why, and that he told her to “shut the f*** up.” She took a photo of the vehicle, a Ford Explorer, and got the plate number.

Using that, police went to the registered owner’s house and found him there. The report says he acknowledged owning a gun, for which he had a valid concealed-pistol license, and that he had “drawn it during the (reported) incident.” He claimed the driver cut in front of him twice and, the report continues, said that “he could see the other driver yelling at him and he was not sure why since she was the one making the lane changes. As they got to a stoplight, he noticed the other driver rolling down her window. Because he was afraid of what has been happening here in West Seattle, he unholstered his gun from his waistband and only pointed it south. He assessed the situation and re-holstered his gun. The other driver was yelling at him and spit toward his vehicle. He said his window was up the whole time.”

So how did the investigating officer sort this out? They wrote, “I inspected the passenger side of (the suspect’s) vehicle but did not see any sign of spit or liquid. Both sides of the story were consistent with each other’s except for the point of where the firearm had been pointed.” Assessing the types of vehicles driven by both parties, the officer wrote, “The height of (the suspect)’s vehicle would not have given (the victim) a view of the gun if it had just been unholstered and not pointed at her. Since (her sedan) was at a lower vantage, she could not have seen the gun, unless it had been lifted high enough … At this time, I determined that (the suspect) violated SMC 12A.14.075 – Unlawful use of weapons to intimidate another.” With his permission, they located and confiscated the gun, described as a Glock, along with “a magazine carrying six 9mm rounds, plus one more in the chamber.” The suspect was then booked into jail. So far as we can tell, he has no criminal record.

Also today, one reader report:

BUSINESS VANDALISM: At least two Triangle businesses were hit by vandal(s) overnight, according to a texter who sent photos from neighboring Rudy’s Barbershop and Realfine Coffee, including this one:

The texter said they had heard other businesses might have been hit, but we’re not seeing police-report numbers yet.

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Light rail, Admiral & Fauntleroy community groups, Camp Second Chance, more for your West Seattle Tuesday
March 8, 2022 10:08 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Some color for a gray day – Alex Rhode’s sunset photo from Sunday at Cormorant Cove)

Busy day/night ahead:

CITY COUNCIL: Their weekly meeting is at 2 pm, online. The agenda explains how to comment; Seattle Channel is where to watch.

DEMONSTRATION FOR RACIAL JUSTICE: 4:30-6 pm at 16th/Holden, Scott leads the weekly demonstration for racial justice. Signs available if you don’t have your own.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: You’re invited to sail over to Vashon Island for Festa Della Donna, 5 pm – info in our calendar listing.

LIGHT RAIL: 5 pm online, the Community Advisory Group for Sound Transit‘s West Seattle extension meets again, for what’s billed as a “deep dive” into the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, now open for comments until April 28th. No public comment period at the meeting itself but it’s open to viewing here.

CAMP SECOND CHANCE: 6 pm online, get the latest on West Seattle’s only city-supported tiny-house encampment. Our calendar listing has details on how to watch/listen/participate.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Meeples Games (3727 California SW) welcomes families 6-8 pm to this weekly hosted game-playing night.

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm in-person (Admiral Church, 4320 SW Hill) or online, you’re invited to get involved and talk about the neighborhood – attendance info is in our calendar listing.

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm online, community welcome – register here to watch/listen.

TRIVIA X 2: Two venues to play tonight – 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7:30 and 8:30 pm at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).

BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!

There’s more on our calendar – and if you have something to add for the future, email us the info at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Remembering Yvette A. Laughlin, 1938-2022
March 8, 2022 9:00 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Yvette A. Laughlin, and sharing this remembrance with her community:

Yvette Anna Laughlin passed away peacefully on February 24 with her daughters by her side, holding her hands.

Yvette was born March 27, 1938, near Poitiers, France, the oldest of five siblings. She grew up on a small farm in the French countryside, and in 1961, she married and moved to Seattle with her husband and first child. She lived in West Seattle the remainder of her life.

She was French through and through but was also fiercely proud to be a naturalized citizen of the United States. She never missed a voting day and instilled in her children a duty to vote as well.

She was beautiful, outgoing, and she never met a stranger. She loved young people and stayed younger by hanging out with them. She was always willing to lend a hand to help anyone that needed assistance and supported many causes to help those less fortunate, people and animals alike. Her faith in God sustained her through many difficult times.

Her love of gardening was always on display every spring and summer when neighbors would stop by her yard just to see what was new that year.

She is survived by her children Betty Laughlin (Pierre LaRochelle), Steve Laughlin (Suzanne Nielsen), and Michelle Laughlin, and by her siblings, Andre Maillochot (Simone), Bernard Maillochot, Michelle Maillochot, and Remy Maillochot, as well as nieces and nephews in France.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Tuesday watch
March 8, 2022 6:01 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, March 8th – the last Tuesday of Pacific Standard Time, since Daylight Saving Time arrives at 2 am Sunday.

WEATHER

Cloudy with a chance of rain, high in the 40s.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES TODAY

Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of reroutes/cancellations.

Water Taxi‘s on its regular schedule.

Ferries: WSF continues the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

714th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)

1st Avenue South Bridge:

South Park Bridge:

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Are movable bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are also tweeted by @wsdot_traffic.

All city traffic cams can be seen here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page

Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

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UKRAINE: What an exchange student in West Seattle wants you to know
March 7, 2022 9:39 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(Photos courtesy Rada Myroshnychenko)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is very personal for some people here in West Seattle.

16-year-old Rada Myroshnychenko is one of them. She is from Mykolayiv in southern Ukraine [map] – 5,700 miles away – and has been here about half a year as an exchange student at Chief Sealth International High School.

After hearing about Rada from her host family, we asked if we could interview her. She answered our questions via email.

What’s it like trying to stay in touch with your family when your home country is under attack? “I’m texting my mom every day because I’m worrying so much about them, every time I’m checking the news I’m texting my family back there right away to make sure if they’re okay. It’s really scary to hear the sirens or sometimes even shooting noises in the background of her voice messages that she’s sending me and of course they’re scared as well. They’re trying to convince me that everything is pretty much alright so I will not worry so much and as I know they’re doing everything possible to be safe in there.”

What should people here know about what’s happening? “What the Ukrainian nation values the most is freedom, that’s why our country is fighting for so many years with those who want to take this freedom away from us.” Rada also thinks it’s important for you to grasp the “scale” of what’s happening: “To understand the scale of what is happening: Imagine it being like 9/11 every day for 11 days straight in every city of every state – that is what is happening in Ukraine right now.”

She is heartened by the support for Ukraine here in the USA and around the world – including a downtown rally this past weekend.

“I actually really like to see all the support from other countries, no matter what it is. I already saw a lot of Ukrainian flags around the West Seattle area and Seattle in general and I also am really thankful to my host family, friends, and just to everyone who went to the rally on Saturday. Everything that the government and the people of each country are doing for Ukraine is what I appreciate to see the most these days. I like that people from different countries are interested in what is happening in Ukraine and trying to help as much as they can, I like that people understand how valuable the freedom and safety for our country is and that they’re trying to help us protect it.”

So if someone wants to help, we asked, what’s the best way, in Rada’s view? “The best thing right now is to donate to our medical centers and hospitals who are saving those who already suffered from the war, also you can donate to our army and volunteer defenders who are protecting our land.” She suggested these two links: Army – uahelp.monobank.ua and Red Cross – icrc.org/en/donate/ukraine

Will the war affect Rada’s plans to return home? She’s not sure yet – her exchange program is still in wait-and-see mode. She “always wanted people to get to know my country – Ukraine … how beautiful our culture, traditions, language, nature, and cities are.” She is sad that while her homeland is a subject of intense interest right now, “all you see … is ruins, fire, bombs, and people who are hiding from the war.” She hopes for a happy homecoming: “I really want to see all my favorite streets in Ukraine when I come back home, I want to meet with my family and friends in the places we love in safe and happy Ukraine – as it was before all of that started. I just want all that aggression to stop, and your donation and support is the best thing that can help us!”

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UPDATE: House fire kills Chief Sealth International High School educator/coach
March 7, 2022 7:14 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | White Center

7:14 PM MONDAY: The Chief Sealth International High School community is mourning an educator who also served as the school’s tennis coach. 37-year-old Steadman Mathis died after an early-morning fire at his home in White Center on Sunday. Firefighters responded to the house in the 400 block of SW 108th [map] around 3:45 am on Sunday (March 6th). They quickly pulled Mr. Mathis out of the house, says Fire Chief Mike Marrs, but it was too late to save him – the King County Medical Examiner’s Office says he died of smoke inhalation. Two children in the house were rescued as well and they survived. Marrs says the fire was ruled accidental. CSIHS athletic director Ernest Policarpio remembers Mr. Mathis as “a good man.”

ADDED TUESDAY MORNING: Chief Sealth principal Ray Morales sent families a note about Mr. Mathis, and we’ve obtained it from the district. From that note:

It is with profound sadness that I am sharing news of the death of a staff member from our community. Steadman Mathis tragically passed away in a house fire early Sunday morning. He supported our community in many ways, both formally and informally. He was an Instructional Assistant in the Access Program and was Chief Sealth’s Tennis Coach. He was not just an educator and a colleague but a father, a brother, a son, a nephew and more. …

… We are a community because we care about each other. In this time of sadness, our hearts and thoughts go out to Mr. Mathis’s family. As we learn of more ways to support them, we will let you know. If you have any questions, please contact the school.

The full letter also includes resources for coping with loss.

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Would you pay more to speed up West Seattle light rail? You might be asked to, under bill that state legislators just approved
March 7, 2022 5:18 pm
|      89 COMMENTS
 |   Sound Transit | West Seattle news

Light rail is currently scheduled to arrive in West Seattle in 2032, two years later than the original plan when voters passed ST3 in 2016. Would you support paying extra to speed that up? A bill enabling that option is headed to Gov. Jay Inslee‘s desk after final passage in the Legislature today, as reported when the City Council got a legislative briefing this afternoon. Here’s how the transit-advocacy group Seattle Subway summarized the legislation, Senate Bill 5528:

The bill allows a city, subarea, county, or combination thereof to have the option to create an “Enhanced Service Zone” to target the investments their voters care about most. SB 5528 allows the Sound Transit Board to give voters the opportunity to fund faster construction timelines on existing projects and/or fund new transit improvements and services for individual cities and sub-areas within the Sound Transit district. The funding mechanisms included in the bill are a motor vehicle excise tax (MVET) not to exceed 1.5%, and a commercial parking tax. If authorized for public vote by the Sound Transit Board, voters still must register a majority in favor for the funding mechanisms to go into effect.

You can read the Legislature’s report on the final version of the bill here. Speeding up construction is just one of the possible uses of extra funding it spells out.

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FOLLOWUP: Westcrest Park play-structure replacement now set for summer
March 7, 2022 3:54 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(Reader photo by Jon from May 2021)

One of West Seattle’s long-closed park play structures has a new date for replacement. Seattle Parks closed the Westcrest Park play structure in May of last year for safety concerns and said it would be replaced as part of the drainage-improvement project at the park’s off-leash area. That work has been under way for months now, but no word of the play area’s status until today, when the city announced the work would happen “this summer” and be complete “this fall.”

P.S. Before you ask – yes, we’re asking about the status of the Westcrest drainage project and also asking about the longest-closed park play area in West Seattle, the Lincoln Park South Play Area, closed for almost five years, with the newest online update saying the much-delayed replacement is now scheduled to go to bid “in late spring.”

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TRANSIT: Here’s what Metro’s next ‘service change’ brings for West Seattle routes
March 7, 2022 1:59 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Metro says it’s back up to “about 96% of (its) service” with more than 160 bus routes are operating each day, and some of them will see changes on March 19th, the next “service change” date. Those are detailed systemwide on this Metro webpage. Metro’s highlight list include these changes for routes including West Seattle service; we’ve linked each affected route number to its new timetable:

Added service “as part of Seattle’s Frequent Transit Network” – 21, 60
Routes with “added or adjusted trips to support demand at public school bell times” – 50, 128
Schedule changes – 21, 50, 60, 128

Routes 37 and 116 continue to be indefinitely suspended, as does Saturday service on Route 125. Metro’s next service change will be in September, which is when Route 120 is planned for conversion to the RapidRide H Line.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Harbor Avenue shootout
March 7, 2022 11:56 am
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Police confirmed gunfire on Harbor Avenue early Sunday, according to a preliminary summary report. It says they were called about 1:35 am Sunday about possible gunfire in the 1300 block of Harbor (the Don Armeni Boat Ramp vicinity). As officers headed that way, they got an update that, the summary says, “multiple vehicles were involved and actively shooting as they fled the area southbound.” On arrival, they “located a sprawling scene that stretched from the 1300 to the 2300 block.” They found “evidence of a shooting … along this stretch of road,” which generally means casings, but “no victims (and) no property damage,” nor did they find anyone who could tell them more than that “three vehicles were likely involved.”

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WEST SEATTLE MONDAY: Highlights for the hours ahead
March 7, 2022 10:21 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE MONDAY: Highlights for the hours ahead
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Snacking sea lion at Lincoln Park, photographed by Carl Furfaro)

Highlights for the rest of today/tonight:

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES: Sales continue today – Troop 42860 tells us they’ll be selling at West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor) at 4 pm today; find other sale places/times via the lookup.

LINE DANCE CLASSES: 6:15 pm at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW) – drop-ins welcome. Details are in our calendar listing.

OPEN D&D: Play 6:30 pm-10 pm Mondays at Meeples Games (3727 California SW).

TRIVIA X 3: Here are tonight’s three options for trivia players – 7 pm at Best of Hands (35th/Webster), 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Do you have something for our calendar/daily previews? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Remembering Dr. Allen Watts, 1923-2022
March 7, 2022 9:00 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Dr. Allen Watts, and sharing this remembrance with his community:

Dr. Allen Watts
November 17, 1923 – March 4, 2022

Few people have touched as many lives in West Seattle as Allen J. Watts. “Al” to his friends. “Doc Watts” to his generations of dental patients. Born in 1923 in rural Minnesota, he grew up without electricity or running water, and was instilled with a work ethic that he carried throughout his 98 years.

When he was 5 years old, Al started helping his father milk their 14 cows twice a day. They relied on their horses for plowing their field because they couldn’t afford a tractor, and they fed their family all year long with what they raised on their land.
He recalled one time when they couldn’t afford to pay their full property tax bill and his father borrowed $8 from the bank to make up the difference.

After serving in the Navy during World War Two, he graduated from dental school and decided to settle in Seattle. He began his practice in White Center and then opened his own dental office in West Seattle where he served the community for 39 years. The brick office he built near the VFW Hall on Alaska Street is still in use today.

Al Watts also left his mark with considerable community service, starting as a volunteer at the nearby YMCA and later as a board member and chairman of the building committee for 18 years. He led the $5 million effort to build the structure that currently houses the West Seattle Y. And Dr. Watts was often the one who quietly did the repairs on the building.

He was one of the founders of the West Seattle Helpline, which continues to offer emergency aid to the needy. Al was also a Boy Scout leader in West Seattle for many years, acting as Scoutmaster to as many as 74 boys at a time. Another one of his passions was the West Seattle Lions Club, where he served in every leadership role for many decades. In every one of these selfless roles, he was the driving force to get things done and make a difference in other people’s lives.

In 1963 Al and his wife bought property on Maury Island and called it Appleyard Farm. He raised chickens and exotic birds that won prizes at shows all over the country. Some of the species were nearly extinct when he started breeding them and he took great joy in seeing their offspring at shows in the subsequent years. He also had a donkey named Rosie and a pet llama, which were big hits with the neighborhood kids.

Over the years Al raised many varieties of apples, pears, berries, rhododendrons, Japanese maples, sunflowers, prize-wining pumpkins, and corn. One of his other great joys was sharing that bounty with others.

He is survived by his wife of more than 65 years, Muriel, their children Brad, Tim, and Leanne, 7 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren who will never forget him.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Monday watch
March 7, 2022 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Monday watch
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Monday, March 7th – the last Monday in Pacific Standard Time, since Daylight Saving Time arrives early next Sunday.

WEATHER

Some clouds, some sun today, and we could see a high in the mid-50s.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES TODAY

Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of reroutes/cancellations.

Water Taxi‘s on its regular schedule.

Ferries: WSF continues the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

713th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)

1st Avenue South Bridge:

South Park Bridge:

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Are movable bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are also tweeted by @wsdot_traffic.

All city traffic cams can be seen here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page

Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

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WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Haven’t commented on routing/station locations yet? ‘Deep dive’ on Tuesday
March 6, 2022 9:48 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Sound Transit | West Seattle news

If you haven’t yet decided how – or whether – to comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement about West Seattle’s potential light-rail routing/station locations, Tuesday might bring some help: That’s when the West Seattle/Duwamish-area Community Advisory Group convened by Sound Transit will take what’s supposed to be a “deep dive” into the DEIS. It’s an online meeting, 5-7 pm Tuesday (March 8th), and everyone’s welcome. No public comment, but this could set you up with better information before you send in yours (which you can do at any time before April 28th – go here). The meeting’s livestream will be here. (Our past coverage of the project is archived here, newest to oldest.)

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CORONAVIRUS: How one West Seattle business has decided to handle masks after mandate ends
March 6, 2022 7:31 pm
|      50 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

This is the last week that our state and county will require people to wear masks in many indoor settings. The end of the mandate does not mean that people can’t choose to continue wearing masks, nor does it mean that businesses or other facilities/institutions can’t choose to continue requiring them. Shandon Armstrong, proprietor of the gift shop Alair (3270 California SW), told us, “I’ve been struggling with how to handle masks this time around. … I finally came up with a solution that I’m happy with and my staff is comfortable with. I thought it might help other businesses that are also struggling with what the right thing to do is …” So as of next Saturday, March 12th, this will be Alair’s policy:

*Masks (will be) no longer required in Alair

*Our staff will usually still wear masks per their own wishes and we are all fully vaccinated and boostered

*Masks are still awesome and keeping everyone safe, so:

*Anyone that chooses to wear a mask while shopping will receive an appreciation discount of 5% off their total purchase

Even after next Saturday, masks will continue to be required in health-care and long-term-care facilities, aboard transit, and in correctional facilities.

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RECYCLING: Countdown to West Seattle event; SPU launching online game
March 6, 2022 5:26 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

Two recycle/reuse notes:

(WSB photo: March 2021 recycle/reuse event)

WEST SEATTLE EVENT REMINDER: We’re now less than two weeks away from this year’s big recycle/reuse event – with shredding as well as various dropoff stations – on March 19th. As first previewed here (follow that link for a list of what’ll be accepted), it’s happening 9 am-noon (corrected) Saturday, March 19th, in the big north lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), co-presented by the West Seattle Junction Association and Chamber of Commerce.

RECYCLE MADNESS: Also involved with that event, Seattle Public Utilities, which has another event this month for you and people around the city – an online game called Recycle Madness. SPU has set up a 32-item bracket of recyclable items and invites you to fill it out, ranking them by recycling difficulty, and send it in for a chance at prizes throughout the month. You can play by sending your bracket by noon Wednesday (March 9th). Read about the game and find the bracket form by going here.

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: $5 gasoline
March 6, 2022 2:36 pm
|      76 COMMENTS
 |   Gas prices | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Thanks for the tip. Signs at the two co-owned Chevron stations in Admiral (41st/Admiral, shown above, and California/Admiral) are displaying prices above $5/gallon. These are outliers in West Seattle so far as we can tell from driving the arterials – the (corrected) Chevron station at Delridge/Orchard is the only one close, with a $4.99 on its sign.

Most others are considerably cheaper. National updates say the average nationwide price may break a record this week. Way back in the volatile times of 2008-2009, we published weekly gas-price checks, long before sites/apps specializing in that popped up; the $4-plus records were set in mid-2008, but by late 2008, prices were dropping below $2.

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UPDATE: West Seattle Water Taxi service interrupted by state-ferry threat investigation
March 6, 2022 12:26 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

12:26 PM: Just in from King County Water Taxi: “The West Seattle Water Taxi’s 12:30 pm departure from Downtown Seattle has been canceled. At this time, we do not know when service will resume. Apologies for the delay.” The alert doesn’t explain the cancellation/interruption – but Colman Dock is currently closed for investigation of a threat reportedly involving the Bainbridge state ferry. Updates to come.

12:32 PM: The threat investigation also has Bainbridge/Bremerton state-ferry service on hold.

(Added: Webcam image from WSF Bainbridge terminal area)

What’s described as an “active bomb threat” was apparently centered on the Bainbridge terminal; on the Seattle side, officers with K9s are checking a vessel from that route, M/V Tacoma, so that’s why Colman Dock is currently closed.

12:48 PM: Colman Dock has just reopened. Tracker shows the Water Taxi vessel Doc Maynard is still at Seacrest, so whenever it gets the all-clear, it’ll still have to cross the bay to get to the passengers waiting there.

1:11 PM: The Water Taxi has resumed service. (added) WSF has been cleared to resume regular service in Seattle and Bainbridge, too.

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Clinics, tryouts ahead for West Seattle High School’s award-winning Cheer Team
March 6, 2022 10:57 am
|    Comments Off on Clinics, tryouts ahead for West Seattle High School’s award-winning Cheer Team
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(Photo courtesy WSHS Cheer Team)

It’s almost tryout time for the West Seattle High School Cheer Team – so here’s an announcement from the coaches:

Are you ready to become a part of the Award-Winning West Seattle High School Coed Cheer Team?

Now’s your chance. Tryouts will be held in person March 30th-April 1st from 4:30 pm- 6:30pm @ WSHS. To try out, you will need to fill out all online forms and provide a current Sports Physical.

For those interested in trying out for our State Qualifying Competition Team are invited to attend our Stunt Clinics where you’ll learn basic stunt skills. Though stunting is NOT a part of the final tryouts, attendance may or may not benefit your chances on making our Comp Team! Stunt Clinics are on March 22-23 from 4:30 – 6:30 pm.

To participate in tryouts on March 30th and Stunt Clinics on March 22nd, please bring a printed and signed copy of the items below to the first day of clinics/tryouts.

* Signed Waver Form Due
* Both Covid Forms Due
* Up to Date Physical

The tryout application and required Forms are available through our following link tree below.

https://linktr.ee/westseattlecheer

Good Luck and Go Wildcats!! For questions, please email: westseattlecheer@outlook.com

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