day : 06/10/2022 11 results

A block in Seaview could easily be renamed Pondview. This is why:

(WSB photos)

That’s the 3,200-gallon pond that occupies much of the front yard at Jeff and Melinda Pond‘s house.

Yes, Pond is their surname as well as their passion. The pond is a neighborhood attraction, created more than a decade ago. It’s home to these colorful koi.

The koi are not alone in the pond – it’s home to more than a dozen frogs, too (all of whom were in hiding during our recent visit). The pond held dozens of goldfish, too, but Jeff said almost a hundred goldfish were recently removed and rehomed. So the koi are currently rulers of the pond:

They are popular. Jeff and Melinda say it goes beyond passerby curiosity – day-care groups make regular visits, and enjoy story time by the pond – Little Free Libraries are just outside the fence to encourage story time for everyone:

Wildlife visit too. Bald eagles, great blue herons, a barred owl, and raccoons have all been seen. But so far nobody’s managed to pull off a major raid. The particulars of keeping koi are fascinating – we asked what happens in winter; Jeff says the fish – which can live for half a century – basically go into hibernation.

Do they have names? Mostly no, though their daughter has named a few, including “Mr. Fishy.” They have a smaller “sick tank” if any of the fish get ill and have to be separated from the others. But mostly, the pond is a peaceful refuge for Jeff, who works for Boeing and says his time at work can be “chaotic.”

The neighborhood is an extra-special place for Melinda, who grew up next door. Now they’re raising a family – and fish. And since the pond has attracted so much interest, they’ve set up this social-media page where you can get updates and ask questions. You’ll also be pointed to that page if you use the QR code that’s on a sign out front. You’re welcome to visit in person too – viewing from outside the fence – on 44th SW between Findlay and Juneau – just look for the flags!

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ROAD WORK ALERT: Delayed Sylvan Way closure now expected to start next week

October 6, 2022 7:36 pm

| Comments Off on ROAD WORK ALERT: Delayed Sylvan Way closure now expected to start next week

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Seattle Public Utilities says its delayed closure of the eastern end of Sylvan Way is now expected to start next week:

Starting as soon as October 10, SPU contractor crews will begin installing drainage improvements at Sylvan Way SW between SW Orchard St and Delridge Way SW as part of the Longfellow Natural Drainage System (NDS) project.

To perform this work safely and effectively, Sylvan Way SW between Home Depot’s eastern access and SW Orchard St will be temporarily closed to traffic.

This closure is expected to last approximately four weeks. The road will be closed to traffic 24-hour/day, with local access allowed to driveways east of the closure on Sylvan Way SW. Signage and flaggers will be on site to direct traffic.

The eastbound bus stop on Sylvan Way near the intersection of Sylvan Way and SW Orchard St will be closed for the duration of the road closure.

Here’s the construction notice with full details.

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HEALTH ALERT: Rabid bat found in Duwamish Head area. Here’s what you need to know

October 6, 2022 5:28 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Health | West Seattle news

Just in from Public Health-Seattle & King County:

A rabid bat was found by the sidewalk adjacent to the Duwamish Head Condominiums (1140 Alki Ave SW [map]) on September 18 – 19, 2022, near Alki Beach Pier [Luna/Anchor Park] in West Seattle.

Anyone who might have had contact with this bat (even if not bitten) could be at risk and should seek medical evaluation immediately or call Public Health at 206-296-4774 to determine if rabies-preventative treatment is necessary.

Rabies is life-threatening but is treatable if caught early and treated before any symptoms develop.

The bat was first identified the evening of September 18. Seattle Animal Shelter was notified of the bat on September 19, 2022. A Seattle Animal Shelter officer picked up the bat, which was still living, on the same day. The bat was taken to PAWS Animal Shelter in Lynnwood, where it died on September 30. Public Health was notified of the bat on October 5. Public Health tested the bat for rabies and received a positive test on October 6.

To date, Public Health has identified at least four people who may have been exposed to the bat and all are being evaluated by Public Health. Public Health is also working to notify residents of the Duwamish Head Condominiums of the potential risk.

Who is at risk

Any person or animal that touched or had contact with the bat or its saliva could be at risk of getting rabies, which is almost always fatal once symptoms begin. Fortunately, rabies can be prevented if treatment is given before symptoms appear.

“Rabies is treatable if caught before symptoms appear, so identifying anyone who has had contact with the bat as soon as possible is important,” said Elysia Gonzales, Medical Epidemiologist at Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Contact includes touching a bat, being bitten, scratched, or any other bare skin contact with a bat or its saliva.”

Rabies and pets

If your pet might have been exposed to this bat, contact your veterinarian immediately. Dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses should be current on their rabies vaccine but will need to be revaccinated if they had contact with a bat.

More about rabies

Rabies is dangerous, but treatable if caught early before any symptoms develop:

If someone has had contact with a bat, treatment can prevent infection. This treatment should be given as soon as possible.
Rabies is a viral disease of the central nervous system that is almost always fatal once symptoms begin.
The virus is found in the saliva of an animal with rabies and is usually transmitted by a bite or scratch. Because rabies is a life threatening disease, medical advice must be sought promptly if a bat comes into contact with humans or animals.

If you find a bat:

=If you find a bat inside your house, call Public Health at 206-296-4774 to discuss the situation and to determine whether the bat needs to be tested for rabies. Public Health tests bats for rabies at no charge under certain circumstances.

-Live bats should be captured and might need to be tested for rabies if:

-If the bat had direct contact with a person’s bare skin or with a pet OR

-If a person wakes up to a bat in the room in which they were sleeping

-Use a shovel or gloves to put a dead bat in a box for testing. Do not throw it away!

-Open windows and allow bats to leave your home if they have not come into contact with a person or pets. Close doors to other parts of your home and secure pets away from the location of the bat.

For more information about how to safely capture a bat in your home and how to safely avoid bats, visit: kingcounty.gov/bats

You can also learn more about bats here; that one-sheet says fewer than one in 20,000 bats has rabies.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Pickup truck stolen, again; SPD meeting postponed for second time

October 6, 2022 5:17 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes:

STOLEN PICKUP: Amanda reports this pickup truck has been stolen again:

2002 F-250. It was parked in front of the bowling alley between 1 and 2 pm on Thursday the 6th. Plate (corrected) C52723N.

We’re awaiting the report number. (UPDATE: It’s 22-268812.)

MEETING POSTPONED AGAIN: For the second time, Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner has announced the postponement of a planned community meeting with police:

I am deeply sorry to have to do this again, but we are very excited to announce that the next SW Precinct Crime Prevention Council Meeting will be held in-person at the SW Precinct!! For the first time since 2020, we are looking forward to welcoming our community back into our community room. The meeting was scheduled for next Thursday, but we will be postponing until the community room is available.

We’ll update when there’s a new date.

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CLOSURE: Log House Museum

October 6, 2022 4:00 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(Southwest Seattle Historical Society photo)

History fans are going to have to wait until November for their next look into our area’s past. Just got word that the Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s Log House Museum is closed to the public for the rest of October because the city-landmark building is getting a new roof.

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FYI: Seattle City Light testing in West Seattle

October 6, 2022 2:20 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Safety | Utilities | West Seattle news

Seattle City Light crews will be doing “contact voltage” testing in West Seattle over the next few weeks, SCL spokesperson Jenn Strang tells WSB. She explains, “This is an annual testing event for excess voltage and is conducted overnight. Contact voltage can occur on the surface of metal streetlight structures, street signs, or other fixtures that can become energized. There should be no disturbance to residents or businesses, but some people may notice the truck …” This is vital testing, as contact voltage can be deadly. You can find out more about this testing – and what to do if you suspect a contact-voltage problem – by going here.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 3 cases

October 6, 2022 12:30 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

In West Seattle Crime Watch:

SHOPLIFT-TURNED-ROBBERY: This happened just before 9:30 Tuesday night. Here’s how the police summary tells the story:

Officers and Westwood Village Emphasis Units responded to the Ross Dress for Less at Westwood Village for a report of an armed robbery. Loss Prevention Officers reported they had attempted to contact a suspected shoplifter who had gathered 300-400 dollars-worth of apparel. This suspect began to leave through the “employees only” area that led to an emergency exit. LPOs contacted him, at which time he pulled a handgun and pointed it at them, telling them to “back off,” which allowed him to run from the business, get into his vehicle and flee the area. An area check was negative.

Two recent case filings from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office:

BUS ASSAULTS: These charges are from an incident this past May, in which police responded to a report of someone using a cane to hit multiple people aboard a Metro bus near Westwood Village. 58-year-old Hazem Abdulhadi is charged with two counts of assault, one third-degree and one fourth-degree, for hitting a 17-year-old girl in the abdomen as she was boarding the bus and then hitting a 69-year-old Metro supervisor in the arm after he arrived to try to help before transit deputies got there. The charging documents say Abdulhadi’s attacks were recorded on security video and were unprovoked. He was arrested and spent 24 hours and in jail; charges were filed four and a half months later.

HIT-AND-RUN: This stems back to an incident in December 2020. Prosecutors say 37-year-old Carl D. Lee was driving a stolen SUV, and did not have a valid driver license, when he hit a 36-year-old man crossing the street at 32nd/Raymond early on a Sunday morning. The victim’s injuries included getting several teeth knocked out. Police found the damaged car one block away about a day and a half later. After impounding the vehicle, a search yielded a clue to who had been driving it – Lee’s documents from a recent Harborview Medical Center discharge. The documents charging Lee with one count of felony hit and run do not fully explain the lag in the case – the police detective’s report is dated January of this year; the charges were filed in late September. He is not currently in custody, according to the King County jail register.

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West Seattle Booster Club’s one-day community-wide mega-fundraiser is hours away

October 6, 2022 11:20 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Booster Club’s one-day community-wide mega-fundraiser is hours away

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

One day, more than a dozen programs. That’s what Friday’s “One Day for West Seattle” fundraiser is all about. The West Seattle Booster Club is looking to collect community support in a one-day burst of donations, as explained in the announcement:

One Day for West Seattle is a 24-hour online campaign with the goal of uniting West Seattle families, friends, alumni, and community members to join in celebration of WSHS Athletics through philanthropic giving.

This year, the West Seattle Booster Club is rallying the Wildcat community with the goal of raising $5,000 for each sponsored program in 24 hours.

All funds donated to each program will stay within that specific program. Financial donations will be used for the purchase of: equipment, student travel, uniforms, warmups, tournaments, meet entry fees, team meals and hotels.

During the “One Day for West Seattle” event, donors can visit https://westseattleboosterclub.org/donate to designate their gifts to the specific teams or clubs they are passionate about supporting.

More details – and a list of beneficiary programs – is in this one-sheet.

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WEST SEATTLE THURSDAY: 10 notes

October 6, 2022 9:49 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Bunny in Lincoln Park, photographed by Emily Carlston)

Time to look at what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BLOCK DROP: Today you’ll find DIY cleanup equipment at California Place Park (California/Hill in North Admiral), now until 6 pm.

UNDERSTANDING MEDICARE: At 11 am, independent health-insurance broker Patrice Lewis presents information about Medicare at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).

SOUTHWEST ART SHOWCASE: See the community show at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), which is open noon-8 pm today.

LIGHT-RAIL STATION SITE TOUR: l-4 pm, the Seattle Design Commission‘s regular meeting will be a tour of station sites for the West Seattle light-rail extension – details here.

ULTIMATE AT WALT HUNDLEY: 6 pm, Thursday night summertime Ultimate pickup games have moved to Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle).

BOARD GAME NIGHT: Go play at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), starting at 6:30 pm.

CANDIDATES’ FORUM: The 7 pm online meeting of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council includes a forum with the two candidates for the open State House seat in the 34th District, which includes West Seattle – Emily Alvarado and Leah Griffin. Video/phone info is in our calendar listing.

‘SWIMMING WHILE DROWNING;: Second week begins for the ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) play “Swimming While Drowning,” 7:30 pm curtain. Tickets are available online.

BATTLESTAR KALAKALA: First Thursday is funk night at The Skylark, 9 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

BENBOW’S COUNTRY NIGHT: Thursday “Nashville Nights“ continue at the Benbow Room (4210 SW Admiral Way), 9 pm. 21+.

Have something to add to our calendar? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Celebration of Life on Saturday for Albert A. Radelich, 1932-2022

October 6, 2022 9:00 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather Saturday for a reception celebrating the life of Al Radelich. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with his community:

ALBERT ANTHONY RADELICH
1932-2022

Al passed away July 23, 2022 at the age of 90.

He was born May 21, 1932 to John and Theresa Radelich in Tacoma. He started working hard at an early age. He was a commercial fisherman, owned his own cleaning business, and worked for The Gear Works for 46 years, retiring at the age of 71.

Al was in the US Army for 2 years during the Korean conflict. He got his draft notice on the day he got married to Jennie Morovich, a marriage that lasted 68 years. Al’s loves were his family, son Steve [Bonnie], daughter Dianna, grandchildren Mario [Katy], Tony, Gina, Nadya, and Layla, great-grandchildren Charlie, Scarlet, Hailey, Camille, and his one and only Jennie.

His favorite hobbies were fishing and taking care of his koi pond that he built in his backyard. Al loved the holidays, especially Christmas and putting lights up all around the house. He enjoyed songs from the ’40s and ’50s and was an amazing dancer. Al was famous for his barbecuing (even in the snow) with a good glass of Scotch. There was a private memorial for Al with his immediate family, done at Mutiny Bay on Whidbey Island, a place where they vacationed every year for 40 years.

We invite all friends and relatives to join us for a reception to celebrate Al's life at Our Lady Of Guadalupe hall, 7000 35th Ave SW, on October 8th at 12:30 pm. Remembrances may be made to Medic One, 11747 NE 1st Street, Suite 310, Bellevue, WA 98005 or Seattle Children’s Hospital. Please visit his online obituary here.

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

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Thursday info

October 6, 2022 6:00 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Thursday, October 6th.

WEATHER

Here’s the forecast – sunshine expected, high back up in the 70s.

TRANSIT INFO

Metro buses are on their regular schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.

No changes in ferries (check here for alerts/updates) or West Seattle Water Taxi service. Note that the Water Taxi will be on a Sunday schedule this Monday for the Indigenous Peoples Day holiday.

ROAD WORK

-Mel reports that the Sylvan Way project by Home Depot is finally under way.

-In South Park, a drainage project is closing S. Holden St. between W. Marginal Way S. and 5th Ave S. weekdays through October 14th.

BRIDGES

High Bridge – here’s the camera that’s atop the span.

Low Bridge: Open to anyone who wants to use it.

1st Ave. S. Bridge: The view, those finding it more convenient.

Highway 99: Whichever bridge you’re using to get to 99, here’s the northbound side at Lander.

All currently functional city traffic cams can be seen here (new URL), many with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

If you see trouble on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

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