West Seattle, Washington
21 Thursday
That’s what happened to Susan‘s car, 60 miles from home. The person who pulled over to help her happened to be practically a neighbor – but she doesn’t know his name, and asked if we’d help her find him. Here’s her story:
Driving home from Crystal Mountain on Sunday, my tire literally blew apart on Highway 410 outside of Greenwater. This angel of a human being (a fellow West Seattleite) stopped and helped me jack up and replace the blowout with the spare, in flip-flops and ski pants, with his 10-year-old waiting in their car. This was no easy feat, as the spare is wired in underneath the car, and apres-ski traffic was whipping by at 60 mph. After replacing the tire, he followed me to Highway 18 to make sure I was safe. I’m kicking myself that I didn’t get your name, but your kindness is so greatly appreciated and I’d love to treat you and your daughter to a Menchies!
Thank you so very much.
Susan
If you’re the mystery helper, you can comment below, or email us and we’ll forward your contact info.
Just a little over a week and a half now until the return of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, with 320+ sales set for Saturday, May 14th, all over the peninsula, from Alki to Arbor Heights, Pigeon Point to South Delridge, and every neighborhood inbetween. Lots of extras – 16 sales with beverages and/or bake sales and/or other snacks. And you can get drinks and/or food at several coffee shops that are among the businesses participating in WSCGSD – among them C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), HeartBeet, Youngstown, Hotwire Coffee, and Freshy’s are all hosting sales. (Non-food businesses too – that list will be in another preview.) We’re continuing to work on the map/list/guide so you’ll have access to it starting this Saturday, with a week to do advance planning. Keep watching for more advance info in the days ahead (our WSCGSD archive will always start with the most-recent story)!
More leadership news today – this time, from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society:
The SWSHS Board of Trustees is happy to announce that Maggie Kase has been appointed Executive Director of the historical society. After nearly two years as Curator, Maggie had been serving as Interim Executive Director since the resignation of former ED Michael King.
As a result of a nation-wide search, the Board felt that Maggie’s experience in senior leadership, in curatorial and interpretive work and in her commitment to local history best suits the society’s goal to embrace and preserve the history and stories of all the residents of the Duwamish peninsula, both past and present.
Maggie is the key programmatic lead for the society’s highly acclaimed current exhibit “The Spirit Returns 2.0: A Duwamish and Settler Story” in partnership with the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center.
The society is also please to announce the election of two new trustees: Carol-Ann Thornton and Megan Simkus. Carol-Ann has been a member of the society’s Advisory Council and played an important role in the history of West Seattle, having been the first African American student at Alki Elementary School. Megan, an Amazon executive, brings valuable strategic planning skills to the board through her business and non-profit experience.
SWSHS is headquartered in the city-landmark Log House Museum at 61st/Stevens. The museum’s 25th anniversary will be celebrated at the SWSHS “Bridging Our Communities” event June 3.
3:11 PM: Received this afternoon from Julia: “I am writing with the info that there will be a demonstration in support of RESPECT ROE V. WADE, starting at 5 pm in the West Seattle Junction; meeting at Easy Street Records. I’m sewing a nice big banner that says, ‘RESPECT ROE V. WADE,’ and hope others will be there to help hold it up!” This is in the wake of a nationwide call to action following Monday night’s news of a draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion to overturn the 49-year-old landmark ruling.
5:12 PM: We just went through The Junction; the demonstrators are on the KeyBank corner.
6:07 PM: Thanks to the texters who have since sent photos, including the one above.
6:30 PM: Same texter emailed to say, “We’ve dispersed to rise up and raise hell elsewhere.”
7:16 PM: Speaking of “elsewhere,” if you’re headed toward downtown or Capitol Hill, the march under way there currently was just described on police radio as numbering about 2,000.
(Added: Texted photo)
1:48 PM: Thanks for all the tips. There’s a big fire callout just north of the 1st Av S bridge. SFD says the fire is in a boathouse. Updates to come.
(Seattle Fire Department photo)
2:11 PM: Update from SFD: “6300 block of 1st Ave. South: three boats and boathouse (housing two of the boats) have burned. One person reported to have sustained injuries; search of boats is still underway. Working to put out hot spots.” Here’s a map.
2:52 PM: SFD says that “one person reported to have been aboard one of the burned boats has not been located at this time.” Meantime, SFD investigators are working to figure out what started the fire. (And if you were wondering about traffic, cameras indicate the bridge is operating normally.)
7:33 PM: Molly points out in comments that SFD has since updated to say, “firefighters have unfortunately located a deceased individual inside the cabin area of one of the boats that caught fire. The Medical Examiner’s office has been contacted and is responding to the scene.”
ADDED WEDNESDAY MORNING: SPD’s report summaries includes this additional information on the incident: “The Fire Marshal responded and determined the fire to be accidental. The boat had been occupied by the same elderly man for at least the past ten years. He was reported by witnesses to be in poor health, a heavy smoker, and on oxygen.”
Today we’re welcoming one of WSB’s newest sponsors, Tails to Astonish (4850 California SW) – here’s what its proprietors would like you to know about what their shop offers:
Tails to Astonish was opened in 2021 by Shaun and Nicole Duff. We moved to Seattle in 2015, and to West Seattle in 2016, where we fell in LOVE with this part of Seattle.
Our logo features our two cats Kittie (a tuxedo) and Meeps (a red tabby).
Shaun has loved comics since he was a kid. He collected many titles, but especially Amazing Spider-Man and The Infinity Gauntlet (anything with the villain Thanos) Some other favorite titles include Saga, Batman (The Killing Joke & Dark Knight Returns) and The Walking Dead.
Nicole loves the movies and shows, and loves meeting artists and original comic art. In fact, she has a notebook of original art sketches of Kittie & Meeps. Nicole loves books such as “Harley Quinn: The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour,” “Maneaters,” and “Cat Woman: Lonely City.”
Why come to Tails to Astonish? We are the only store of its kind in West Seattle! We also have a large selection of back issues, graphic novels, and new books. If we don’t have a new title or trade paperback you are looking for, we will order it for you! We carry Marvel, DC, and Independent titles. We even have a few local comic creators’ books in the store.
The great thing about small businesses is the personal touch! If you’ve never read a comic book in your life, but you enjoyed a movie or TV show, Shaun can recommend a book that it might have been based on. We have a great selection of superhero books, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, horror, and more. We can help you find the title you will love! We can also help with suggestions for gifts.
You can find individual issues, graphic novels (which is a collection of full storyline all in one book) If you are following a new book, we can set you up with a subscription so you never miss an issue!
We also buy comic books! If you have books collecting dust, reach out to us! We are happy to set up a time to see them and offer you a fair price for all of them or just one. Even if you don’t know what you have or the value, we will be honest with the value and you don’t have to worry about selling them online or being short-changed.
We have a great section for young readers with books from just .25 and up! We have books for ALL ages from Little Golden Books for the youngest readers. Comics are a great way to get reluctant readers into reading!
Store hours are 11:30 am-7 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9 am-2 pm Sundays. P.S. Come on by for Free Comic Book Day 2022 (this Saturday, May 7th)! We have some great titles for all ages. 1 FREE book per person, plus 2 more free, with a $10 purchase. All $1 comics, as well as comic sets, are buy 2 get 1 FREE!
We thank Tails to Astonish for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
(Photo by Patrick Sand for WSB/WCN)
This morning at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center, Interim King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall was introduced by County Executive Dow Constantine as his choice for the permanent job. If confirmed by the King County Council, she will be the county’s next appointed sheriff, succeeding its last elected sheriff, Mitzi Johanknecht, a West Seattleite whose term ended last year. Voters approved the switch from electing to appointing a sheriff. We were at the announcement for partner site White Center Now; you can see the coverage, with video, by going here.
Carolina emailed to report that her husband’s car was stolen after a locker break-in:
He was working out this morning at the LA Fitness in West Seattle and someone in the locker room broke his lock, stole his bag with the wallet, car and house keys. When he went down to the garage, his car was gone too. Police are aware and working with LA Fitness management to locate the car and thief.
Convertible Mazda Miata 2005. Has rollbar, exhaust, gray color, 5 spoke rims. Has “mazdaspeed” emblem on passenger rear bumper. License Plate: BWN5554. SPD incident # 22-110754.
We had a similar reader report back in March.
WEDNESDAY UPDATE: Carolina tells us the car’s been found, in Burien.
(Ducklings on Seola Pond, photographed by Jim Clark)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
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 this long-running weekly demonstration for racial justice. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
INFO SESSION ABOUT SCHOOL-SCHEDULE CHANGES: Less than two weeks after the Seattle Public Schools proposal to switch to a three-tier schedule came to light, the School Board will take it up tomorrow. In advance of that, the district is offering an online “information session” for families at 5:30 pm today – this page should show the link before the event.
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION FOOD FEST: 6 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy‘s Emerald Room, people who live/work/study in Fauntleroy can come learn about their community council and local nonprofits, while sampling bites from local eateries. 7 pm is the FCA’s annual business meeting, including the board election. (9131 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE TAE KWON DO CLUB: May classes begin at 6 pm tonight at High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW) – info’s in our calendar listing.
1ST OPEN MIC @ OTTER ON THE ROCKS: Be among the first to perform at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way) – signups at 6, performances start at 7.
FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Meeples Games (3727 California SW) welcomes families 6-8 pm to this weekly hosted game-playing night.
TRIVIA X 3: Three of the venues where you can play tonight – 7 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 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!
See more on our calendar – and if you have something to add for the future, please email us the info at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather May 21st to celebrate the life of Mike Lobdell. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing:
Remembering Mike Lobdell, 1950-2021
For those who had the privilege of knowing Mike through the years, you know that nothing made him more proud than his family. You’d often catch him saying, “Yes, that’s my family, I did that.”
His legacy will continue to live on. He is survived by his wife Lynn, their three daughters and their husbands, three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren.
Please come help celebrate Mike’s life on the 21st of May at the White Center Eagles from 2-5 pm. Bring your best stories to share as we raise a shot in celebration of Mike.
(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)
10 AM: Thanks for the tip – crash on the southbound 1st Avenue South Bridge.
Earlier:
6:02 AM: Good morning and welcome to Tuesday, May 3rd.
WEATHER
The National Weather Service predicts a mostly cloudy day, high around 60.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.
The West Seattle Water Taxi, which is operated by Metro, is now on the summer schedule – including later evening runs on Fridays and Saturdays.
Ferries: WSF continues using the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates. Note that peak-season vehicle surcharges took effect Sunday.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
771st 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 city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are 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.
1:44 AM: Seattle Fire has sent a “full response” to a possible house fire near 46th and Andover.
(Added: Photo sent by Emilie)
1:47 AM: First crews on scene say it’s a basement fire.
1:56 AM: Firefighters are checking the other floors to be sure it hasn’t spread. So far no word of injuries.
1:58 AM: They’ve now reported some flames in a corner of the roof/attic, while the fire in the basement is described as “under control.”
2:03 AM: And now the attic fire is also declared “under control.”
(Added: Photo posted in comments by Nick)
2:13 AM: They’ve just told dispatch that the fire is “tapped” (out).
2:28 AM: Some of the units are being dismissed. SFD’s investigator will work to figure out how this started; we’ll follow up later this morning.
8:57 AM: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo tells us the SPD Arson and Bomb Squad is now investigating this fire because it “was ruled as incendiary (intentionally set).” He added, “The estimated loss is $100,000.”
The West Seattle Transportation Coalition‘s monthly meeting included a bridge briefing, an early look at a proposal for freight-only lanes, light-rail comments, and big news from the group’s leadership. That’s where we’ll begin:
WSTC LEADERSHIP: Both chair Michael Taylor-Judd and vice chair Marty Westerman say they intend to relinquish those roles, and to leave the WSTC board entirely after a half-year of transition or so. Both have been involved with the WSTC since it was founded in 2013. With other departures, the board has five openings in its upcoming elections, so if you want to get involved with West Seattle transportation advocacy, now’s the time.
WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE REPAIRS: SDOT’s Heather Marx presented an update. Much of it was a rerun of what the West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force was told one week earlier, except for the structural-concrete timeline – she said the third of six deliveries was expected the following day (Friday, April 29th), and indeed, SDOT confirms that happened. Here’s a time-lapse video from early last week as they removed wooden forms from some of the interior concrete:
She said the project can’t control when the concrete supplier can deliver, so they still don’t know when the last pour will be. (As for the next one, SDOT has since told us the fourth pour “should hopefully occur within the next week.”) At the meeting, Marx reiterated that they’ll know the reopening date about a month in advance but they’re not out of the woods yet regarding concerns – supply-chain issues, COVID, the weather, now even wildlife (with the nesting peregrine falcons). Overall, “we know a lot about this bridge, but there are still ways in which it can surprise us.” Q: So how much more time after the last concrete pour? The concrete needs 28 days to cure, and then other tasks need to be done. “After that last pour, we’ll have a date for you” – both a “done with construction/start for testing” date and “open date.” Q: When will the falcons fly? They hatch in May, fledge in June. “The work continues, it’s just a little slower,” Marx said.
FREIGHT-ONLY LANES? Radcliffe Dacanay and Chris Eaves of SDOT were there to talk about a draft plan for freight-only lanes as well as transit lanes that allow freight. They stressed that these lanes would be “tested as pilots,” and reiterated repeatedly that this is a draft plan. The slide deck outlines the key points – see it here.
A few key points: Larger vehicles will be the focus for starters. They’d only locate the freight-only lanes in Manufacturing Industrial Centers – Duwamish Valley and SODO in this general area. They’re not sure when they might try this pilot. Eaves stressed they want to be careful about proceeding on this. WSTC’s Taylor-Judd said that they support the idea of testing something before it becomes full-fledged official. The SDOT reps stressed that this is “what we’re thinking,” very early-stage. Much conversation, notification, and information would happen regarding any location that is under active consideration. Meantime, the Freight Advisory Board and other volunteer boards/commissions are being consulted too.
WSTC COMMENTS ON LIGHT RAIL DRAFT EIS: The meeting was on the day that commenting closed for Sound Transit’s West Seattle/Ballard Light Rail Extensions Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The WSTC sent a letter – here’s an excerpt:
In light of what we have learned in the last 2-3 years, the WSTC strongly encourages consideration of placing some previously dismissed early alternatives back into to the scope of this EIS process for further study and consideration.
• We urge further consideration of the so-called “long tunnel” option along the Yancy alignment to avoid the destruction of many single-family homes and possibly even some taller multifamily structures in the Avalon neighborhood.
• We also call for the reconsideration and further study of the so-called “Purple Line” alternative which featured a crossing of the Duwamish River at a point further south, tunneling through the Puget Ridge approximately along the SW Genesee alignment, then following the current elevated station and guideway alignments along that street before entering a tunnel below the Avalon neighborhood and continuing underground into the West Seattle Junction.
You can see the WSTC’s full letter here.
NEXT MONTH: Tentative guests, pending confirmation, will be Mayor Bruce Harrell and citywide city councilmembers. The WSTC meets most months at 6:30 pm on the fourth Thursday, which means May 26th.
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