day : 06/04/2022 12 results

Mayoral guest appearance booked, and other notes from District 1 Community Network

April 6, 2022 11:52 pm
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 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

For months, the District 1 Community Network has been talking about trying to get Mayor Bruce Harrell to make a guest appearance at one of their monthly meetings. As the coalition of West Seattle and South Park community advocates met tonight, D1CN’s administrator Larry Wymer announced the mayor has committed to be at their May 4th meeting. D1CN continues to meet online, so that’ll likely be a virtual appearance. … Another city-politics topic discussed tonight was City Council redistricting. Elsa Batres-Boni from the city talked about the Redistricting Commission‘s work, noting that census results mean District 1’s boundaries will change for the 2023 election, though new maps haven’t been finalized yet. You can look at four draft maps herewe reported on them in February – and send your comments. Final draft is expected in September … D1CN got an update on the Fauntleroy ferry-dock-replacement planning process from Mike Dey and Frank Immel of the Fauntleroy Community Association. They noted an all-West Seattle meeting about the project is planned for May 24th; details to come … D1CN meets first Wednesdays at 7 pm, so that’s when you can expect to hear from the mayor on May 4th.

FOLLOWUP: Crowdfunding help for couple whose work truck and tools were taken by thieves

A small family business remains without its work vehicle and tools after a theft reported here last month. Now a friend has set up a crowdfunding campaign in hopes a community boost will get them back in business. From Brenda:

Hello! I am writing to ask for support from the West Seattle community for a West Seattle couple who had their work van and tools from the street outside their home near Westwood Village. (Reported on WSB here)

The early days of COVID hit their family hard, making their family of five sick and putting Alejandra and Obed out of work. Once everyone was healthy, they started a small outdoor window washing, power washing, landscaping, and odd-jobs business to get caught up on bills during COVID Phase 2 when service workers were not allowed in homes. This business has been growing through recommendations and referrals for the last two years.

Spring is the busiest time of year for them and now they don’t have the tools to run their business and make this income for their family. We’ve put together a Home Depot list of the tools they need and it totals over $7,000 without taking the van into account. We’re setting the goal for the GoFundMe campaign at $4,500 so that we can quickly get them the ladders, power washer, and landscaping tools needed so they don’t miss out on work during this busy season.

Please consider supporting this family-owned business by donating to the GoFundMe campaign. Thank you!

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 3 robbers hold up Bellevue Rare Coins in The Junction; store closes a day later for security update

(WSB photo)

6:08 PM: Thanks for the tips. Police are at Bellevue Rare Coins in The Junction right now, investigating a robbery. No details available but looking inside the store, we could see that at least one of the cases was smashed. It’s been just three weeks since the business had windows smashed by a person described in the police report as a disgruntled client.

7:57 PM: SPD spokesperson Det. Valerie Carson tells WSB that three robbers “took cash and merchandise” before leaving “in a dark-colored Honda sedan.” They are described only as armed, male, and in their late teens/early twenties. No injuries reported.

2:34 PM THURSDAY: A few more details from police today: “(The robbers) forced the employees to lay face down on the ground. (They) then forced the employees to take money from the cash registers and a back room safe … they also smashed several jewelry display cases and took several jewelry items. It was estimated (they) stole twelve thousand dollars in cash and additional jewelry. All three (robbers) fled in a black, mid-1990s Honda Accord that was parked nearby. One of the (robbers) walked with a distinctive limp.”

2:47 PM THURSDAY: The store has sent this announcement saying it’s closing immediately for a security update:

Beginning today, April 7, 2022, Bellevue Rare Coins will be closing their West Seattle location for remodeling and updating their security measures. This closure will be effective immediately and last through July 2022.

In light of recent events we will be taking this opportunity to not only improve the aesthetics and layout of our store for a more satisfying experience for our customers. This remodel will also improve the safety and security for our customers, as well as our staff. As safety for all is our top priority, we will also be utilizing this time to improve security at all other Bellevue Rare Coins locations, bringing all protocols and equipment up-to-date with state of the art security. During this time of closure, all West Seattle staff will be relocated to surrounding locations to better serve our community and meet the needs of our customers.

We look forward to serving our West Seattle customers again in July, with a safer and updated environment.

UPDATE: Emergency sewer work at 48th/Brandon

5:44 PM: Flaggers are on 48th SW at Brandon as Seattle Public Utilities crews work on a sewer-pipe problem. Here’s what SPU tells us:

Today, near 48th Ave SW and SW Brandon St, a sewer pipe collapsed while Seattle Public Utilities crews were removing significant debris. This is an 8” pipe, which is on the smaller side.

In response, SPU crews are:

setting up a pump and bypass system to ensure sewer service
working to find the exact location of the break
preparing for a possible emergency sewer repair

We have no additional details repair timeline. Please anticipate possible lane closures, parking restrictions, increased construction traffic and activities, and travel delays in the area.

9:18 AM THURSDAY: SPU tells us, “Crews worked overnight to repair the broken pipe and restore service to the affected homes.”

RETURNING: West Seattle YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day

April 6, 2022 4:29 pm
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 |   Fun stuff to do | Health | Triangle | West Seattle news

Another annual event coming back for 2022 after a pandemic hiatus: Healthy Kids Day at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor). The Y has announced that it’s set for 10 am-1 pm Saturday, April 30th, at its main local branch, 3622 SW Snoqualmie in The Triangle. It’s a free event with activities for all ages, and membership is NOT required – it’s open to everyone. Here’s more info on what activities they’re planning – we expect more details as the event gets closer.

PLAY BALL! First up to bat for DubSea Fish Sticks – job fair

April 6, 2022 3:12 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | White Center | WS & Sports

That’s Mel Olson Stadium at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center, where the DubSea Fish Sticks (aka the ex-Highline Bears) will play baseball starting in June. First, a job fair this Sunday! Here’s the announcement:

The DubSea Fish Sticks summer collegiate baseball team is holding a job fair Sunday, April 10, 2022 at Mel Olson Stadium inside King County’s Steve Cox Memorial Park. The job fair will run from 1 pm-3 pm.

The team is currently looking to hire 20-30 part-time employees for the months of June and July. High school and college students are welcome to apply with select positions being available to those 15 years of age and older. There are select positions such as servers and security that do require the applicant to be 21 years of age or older.

The job fair will allow those interested in working for the Fish Sticks to find out more information about each position and apply on site. For those that are interested but cannot attend the job fair, they can apply online at GoFishSticks.com/jobs. Positions that are currently available include concessions, ticketing, game day operations, servers and security.

The DubSea Fish Sticks’ season begins on Saturday, June 4th, running through July 31st. They will host 27 different home shows (games) this summer at Mel Olson Stadium also known as The Fryer by fans. The team hosts upwards of 40 college players from around the country for the summer where they will play 48 games throughout the Pacific Northwest.

For more information on the DubSea Fish Sticks, you can visit GoFishSticks.com.

CRIME WATCH: Work truck taken in North Highline home invasion (update: found); man hurt in street confrontation; confirmed gunfire

Three incidents in Crime Watch today:

TRUCK TAKEN IN HOME INVASION: From Lauren, who says this happened in unincorporated North Highline near 1st SW/SW 102nd [map]:

I want to let everyone know of a serious and scary thing that happened Monday afternoon around 2 pm to my brother’s family.

While my brother and his wife were out of town celebrating their wedding anniversary, a red-haired man with a British accent and a gun forced his way into my brother’s house. Three of my brother’s children, ages 11, 14 and 17, were home at the time because Highline District is on spring break this week. The intruder herded the kids into the bathroom at gunpoint and told them to stay there. Then the intruder took a laptop computer, cash, and a large key chain that had house keys and vehicle keys, which he then used to steal my brother’s pickup truck that he uses for his business. The truck has a large locking cap in the bed where tools are stored, but of course, the key to the cap was also on the key chain, so the robber will be able to access all the tools in the truck.

We are grateful that no one was physically injured, but the family is understandably traumatized. King County Sheriff responded and is investigating, but if my fellow West Seattleites could keep an eye open for a 2013 dark gray Ford F-150 with extended cab, A.R.E. tall gray cap in in the truck bed with a ladder rack on top, plate C62081H, we would appreciate it! KC Sheriff’s Incident number is C22011202.

UPDATE: The truck’s been found.

MAN HURT IN STREET CONFRONTATION: A neighbor of the victim let us know about this incident, and we just obtained the police-report narrative. Monday night just before 8 pm, police responded to the 9000 block of 4th SW [map] for a report of a “fight.” The victim said he was driving southbound on 4th when he encountered two vehicles “partially blocking the road” and got out of his car to ask them to move. He told police he was then confronted, with one man pointing a gun at him, and the other shoving him, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement. He was taken to a hospital by private ambulance. He couldn’t provide much descriptive information except that one of the cars was a red Toyota Camry and he thought both men were white; a neighbor who called police described the two men as Native, with the one who pulled the gun having long dark hair. The neighbor said there were five other people not involved in the confrontation and that everyone got in the cars afterward and headed southbound – but first some items were thrown in his recycling bin. Police say one was the registration for a red Camry; as of the time of the report, they had not been able to reach the registered owner.

RIVERVIEW GUNFIRE: A short summary from police says they checked out a report of what sounded like eight shots near 12th SW and SW Othello [map] just after 11:30 last night. Officers “found evidence of a shooting on the grass.” No injuries or property damage reported. Nobody in the area saw the shooting but police were told a blue Jeep was seen heading southbound on 12th right after the shots.

HPIC, D1CN, WSHS musical, more for the rest of your West Seattle Wednesday

(House finch in cherry tree at Lincoln Park, photographed by Alex Gutierrez)

Reminders for the rest of today/tonight in West Seattle, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

PIZZA FUNDRAISER: Now through 10 pm tonight, you can help White Center Co-op Preschool by ordering from MOD Pizza at Westwood Villageour preview has details.

REBUILDING HPIC: A schematic design for a rebuilt Highland Park Improvement Club (gutted by fire nine months ago) will be shown at the group’s fourth Town Hall, online tonight at 6 pm. Info on how to watch/participate is on the HPIC home page.

WOMEN’S PERSONAL SAFETY CLASS: Online at 6 pm, free – details and registration info are in our calendar listing.

LIVE MUSIC: 6:30 pm at Locöl Barley & Vine (7902 35th SW), Norman Baker performs. No cover. 21+.

DISTRICT 1 COMMUNITY NETWORK: Monthly meeting, 7 pm online, for this coalition of West Seattle and South Park community advocates. Viewing/participation info and agenda highlights are in our calendar listing.

‘THE LIGHTNING THIEF – THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL’: West Seattle High School‘s production has a curtain time tonight of 7:30 pm in the school theater (3000 California SW). Ticket info’s in our calendar listing.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

TRIVIA: Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm.

Something for our calendar? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

READER REPORT: Slide concern at Lincoln Park

April 6, 2022 10:31 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Sent by Maggie:

I wanted to let you and other park users know about what looks like the beginnings of a landslide along the beach trail at Lincoln Park. I walk frequently at the park and took the (photo above) the other day (perspective is from the beach during low tide, looking back at the hillside). Nothing is on the trail, seems to be held back by blackberry and other plants. I’ve let the Parks Department know, but wanted to make sure other walkers and park users were informed as well.

Location: walk north from the pool building along the beach trail a few hundred yards. Past a few benches and then there’s a bunch of blackberry bushes and other plants that hang low over the trail. You can see it when standing on the trail and looking up, but easier if the tide is out and can view from the beach.

As shown on a map in this city document, West Seattle has many areas at risk of slides. Here are some warning signs to look/listen for.

Remembering Stephen L. Fuller, 1968-2022

Family and friends are remembering Steve Fuller, and sharing this remembrance with the community:

It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Stephen “Steve” Linton Fuller. Born May 23, 1968, in Columbus, Ohio, Steve passed in Seattle on March 25, 2022. He leaves behind his daughters, Anna and Sophia, and their mother Katharine, his brother Michael, and his family, and his parents David and Mary Ann.

Steve graduated from Medina High School in 1986 before participating in the Rotary Student Exchange Program from ’86 to ’87, where he lived in Sweden for a year. He then studied at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, class of 1991, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International/Global Studies. He was a 4-year member of the Miami University Glee Club.

After undergrad, he worked with AEISEC and participated in an International Internship in St. Julians, Malta from ’91 to ’93. He continued to travel and even lived in Costa Rica for a few years with his then-wife Katharine. His eldest daughter, Anna, was born in July ’98 while they lived in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Shortly after her birth, Steve enrolled in a Master of Fine Arts program at Savannah College of Art and Design, graduating in 2000. He and his family moved to Seattle in May 2000 and Sophia was born in 2003. Steve joined the Rotary Club of West Seattle and served as Rotary International Chair from 2006 to 2010. He proudly became a 4th generation Rotary Club President in 2010. In December 2011, he led a group to Nepal, serving as the Team Leader for the Rotary Group Study Exchange.

Steve traveled to 40 different countries and lived in at least 6 different states, collecting friends along the way. He was an accomplished artist and collector of art and antiques. Steve enjoyed being in nature, cooking and entertaining, camping, and sailing Puget Sound. There is a Steve-shaped hole in our hearts that cannot be filled. He will be deeply missed. A Memorial Service is planned for late May. Details will be provided on howden-kennedy.com/obituary/Stephen-Fuller. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the West Seattle Rotary Club in honor of Steve. A link to donate will be provided on the website above.

(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)

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Wednesday watch (and the cameras are back!)

April 6, 2022 6:02 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:02 AM: Good morning. It’s Wednesday, April 6th.

WEATHER

More sunshine today, and the high could reach into the 60s.

ROAD-WORK NOTE

*Highway 99 tunnel has its monthly maintenance closure this Friday night.

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. Shuttle service is now serving all runs.

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

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

744th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. But some good news – after a days-long outage, SDOT traffic-camera images are back.

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.

WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Avalon-area neighbors walk the (potential) line

(Sound Transit rendering, possible routing at Genesee looking east toward Avalon)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

If you haven’t yet decided what you want/need to say during the last major comment period before Sound Transit locks in West Seattle light-rail routing and station locations, a community workshop Thursday might help you formulate your feedback on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. (More about that later.)

Some neighborhoods in light rail’s potential path have been studying the proposal independently and extensively almost every step of the way. Among them, Avalon-area residents, some of whom might be forced out of their homes depending on where the train goes to get between the Duwamish River and the West Seattle Junction. They’ve had several meetings with ST, including one last Thursday night devoted solely to Q&A. Hours before that, they accompanied ST reps on a walk through the neighborhood, from the westernmost potential Avalon station location eastward along potential routing paths. We covered both events and have chronicled some of their other discussions, going back almost two years to this one, shortly after they learned the ST Board had decided to study a route through their neighborhood.

Thursday’s walking tour was intended to be a firsthand look at where the station might go, and how the trains would get there. Neighbors and ST reps, plus a rep for King County Councilmember and ST Board member Joe McDermott, gathered first by the Avalon Starbucks and Taco Time. ST’s reps included Jason Hampton, currently the lead for the West Seattle extension. This had been long enough in the works that ST brought the hard-copy equivalent of a slide presentation, customized for this tour.

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