day : 14/11/2022 10 results

ORIGINAL MONDAY NIGHT REPORT: In the photo are Brad and kids on the cargo bike that he reports was stolen from the Water Taxi pier:

Black Xtracycle long tail/cargo bike. Lots of Seahawks stickers and had a Seattle Mariners flag sticking out the back. Had brand-new
hydraulic brakes and grips put on. Rode it for the last 10 years in the Admiral area and Junction, many times with little ones on the back.

We’ll add the police-report number when we get it.

TUESDAY UPDATE: Brad reports in comments that his wife found the bike in a west Alki rack.

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West Seattle Holiday Guide 2022 is launched!

| Holidays | West Seattle news

Every year we put together – and frequently update – a mega-list of local holiday events and info, the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide. We’ve just published the first 2022 version, featuring everything we’ve received (or found) info about, so far. The Holiday Guide covers pre-Thanksgiving through New Year’s and breaks down the contents into lists including Thanksgiving (starting with holiday-food ordering deadlines), holiday bazaars/sales/business open houses, concerts, other performances, Santa photo ops, Christmas Ship visits, Christmas tree sales, donation drives/fundraisers, holiday decorations, public Hanukkah celebrations, local shopping spotlights, more … We also spotlight practical information as each holiday gets closer – which grocery stores, restaurants, and coffee shops are open, for example.

As more info and announcements arrive, we’ll continue updating the guide. As is the case every year, your help is VERY important – you might see something we haven’t seen/received yet, or you might be planning something for your organization/school/church. Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com and we’ll get it listed. We’ll include White Center and South Park events if the info is sent to us, but West Seattle is the focus. We’re here to help make sure you know about all your options all season long! You can find the guide any time at westseattleblog.com/holidayguide, as well as on our menu/navigation bar, whichever device you’re using.

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ELECTION 2022: Ranked-choice voting now leading for Seattle

November 14, 2022 6:45 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

For the first few vote counts post-Election Day, Seattle Question 1A/1B results had voters narrowly rejecting a change in city-election voting. Then in the past few days, that flipped, and as of tonight, “yes” to change is a full point ahead, 50.53% yes, 49.47% no, with the second part of the measure showing support for ranked-choice voting outstripping “approval” voting with 75% support. As for how many votes remain to be counted, the newest count represents 60.5% of all Seattle voters, while King County Elections says it’s received ballots from 69.6% of all Seattle voters. If ranked-choice voting goes on to win, here’s the explanation of how it would work:

… the Seattle City Council and Mayor have proposed Proposition 1B (Ordinance 126625), which would allow primary election voters for Mayor, City Attorney, and City Council to rank candidates by preference. In the first round of processing, each voter’s top preference would be counted. The candidate receiving the fewest would be eliminated. Successive rounds of counting would eliminate one candidate each round, counting each voter’s top preference among remaining candidates, until two candidates remain to proceed to the general election.

Vote-counting is scheduled to continue with daily updates until the results are certified November 29th.

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WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK: Drive-up turkeys Saturday; totals from last weekend’s Beer Church Turkey Bowl; how you can help, pre-Thanksgiving

November 14, 2022 4:05 pm

| Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK: Drive-up turkeys Saturday; totals from last weekend’s Beer Church Turkey Bowl; how you can help, pre-Thanksgiving

| Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

Three notes from the West Seattle Food Bank:

(WSB photo from 2021 WSFB turkey distribution at SSC)

DRIVE-UP TURKEYS: This Saturday (November 19th), you have two options for a free turkey if you need one. In addition to the Eastridge Church giveaway, the WSFB is distributing 500 turkeys and grocery boxes with fresh produce – while they last – at a drive-up/ride-up event in the north lot of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), 10 am-1 pm. Available to all, not just current WSFB clients. If you need a turkey but can’t go there on Saturday, they’ll also be available at WSFB HQ noon-7 pm next Monday (November 21) and 10 am-2 pm next Tuesday and Wednesday (November 22-23).

BEER CHURCH TURKEY BOWL TOTALS: This past Saturday night, we reported on the return of a 20+-year pre-holiday tradition, the Beer Church Turkey Bowl, which raises money and collects food for WSFB. Today, we have the totals:

Pounds of food: 1,039 pounds
Raffle Sales & In Person Donations: $4,730
Lane Sale Proceeds after paying West Seattle Bowl: $3,196
Total Funds Raised: $7,926

WSFB sends a hearty public thanks to the Beer Church, which is the philanthropic arm of the West Seattleite-published Washington Beer Blog.

HOW YOU CAN HELP NOW: We asked what WSFB needs pre-Thanksgiving. Here’s the list from WSFB’s Breanna Bushaw:

– Dry Stuffing Mix
– Gravy (jar or dry)
– Canned Vegetables
– Canned Cranberries
– Instant Potatoes
– Crispy Fried Onions
– Pie or dessert

The WSFB HQ is on the southeast corner of 35th/Morgan. You’ll also find donation bins at other locations, including many local grocery stores.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 83-year-old carjacked; armed hit-and-run suspect; precinct meeting reminder

November 14, 2022 2:23 pm

| 28 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

First, two West Seattle incidents, from Sunday police reports:

CARJACKING: Police say this happened in the parking lot at the Arrowhead Gardens senior-living complex just after 10:30 Sunday morning. They report that an 83-year-old woman told them she was on her way to her car when a man asked her for a cigarette. She replied that she doesn’t smoke, and got into her car, with her key “on her pinky finger.” Police day the man reached into her car and tried to rip the key away from her finger, then grabbed her and threw her to the ground before stealing her car. She had to be taken to a hospital for evaluation of injuries including “a deep laceration to her arm.” The full police report says the carjacker was described only as “short”; the stolen car is a silver Hyundai sedan. SPD incident number is 2022-305063.

ARMED HIT-AND-RUN SUSPECT: According to the police summary, this happened around quarter till 6 Sunday evening. Police were called to investigate a hit-and-run crash; the victim told them the suspect’s vehicle was parked in a driveway near 35th/Holly. They went to investigate, the summary says, and “as the officers were looking at the suspect’s vehicle, the suspect came out of the residence with a loaded rifle. Officers announced multiple times that they were “Seattle Police”, but the suspect continued to approach the officers with the rifle, while aiming the rifle at the officers. At one point, the suspect racked a round in his rifle. The suspect finally stopped and placed the rifle on the ground.” He was arrested and booked for investigation of assault. (We’re checking on his status. UPDATE: His bail was set today at $2,500.) SPD incident number is 2022-305361.

And a reminder:

PRECINCT COMMUNITY MEETING THURSDAY: The long-awaited community meeting with Seattle Police at the Southwest Precinct is still on for this Thursday (November 17) at 7 pm. In addition to SPD reps, City Attorney Ann Davison is a scheduled guest. All are welcome – bring questions and concerns. The precinct is at Delridge/Webster and the public lot/entrance is just east of the south Home Depot entrance.

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CITY BUDGET: One West Seattle amendment makes the semifinal cut, another doesn’t

November 14, 2022 12:35 pm

| 29 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

What you might call the second-to-last version of the next city-budget plan is out this morning – the “balancing package” presented by the City Council’s budget chair, West Seattle-residing citywide Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda (video above). This incorporates both the recent projection of reduced city revenues and her decisions on amendments proposed by her colleagues; here’s her overview.

Last week we spotlighted two West Seattle-specific amendments sponsored by West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold. Reviewing the newly released “balancing package,” we note that one made it through, one did not. The one that didn’t was the re-allocation of money for the Fauntleroy Boulevard project. The one that did is funding for keeping expanded Seattle Fire Department resources in the area beyond the end of the year; after the bridge closed in 2020, Ladder 13 was added at Station 37 in Sunrise Heights and Medic 26 was added at Station 26 in South Park, both doubling the number of those specific types of SFD resources available in this area. (A recent Herbold post/newsletter explained how that affects emergency-response times.) Searching the “balancing package” by keyword, we noted a few other West Seattle-specific items:

-The Seattle Public Utilities budget proposal includes $1+ million needed as part of the Fauntleroy Creek Culvert Replacement funding.

-SDOT is asked to “work in coordination with the City Archivist to identify the historic street names for those Seattle neighborhoods that were once separately incorporated municipalities, which were subsequently annexed to the City of Seattle. Those former municipalities include old Ballard, Georgetown, Leschi, West Seattle, and Bryant. The report should include a cost estimate, by formerly incorporated municipality, for replacing current street signs with street signs that include historic street names using the green and brown street sign design.” The proposal does not mandate that, but requests only that the council get a report by 2023.

There’s of course much of non-neighborhood-specific interest in the budget proposal too – while grazing it, for example, we notice that proposed cuts to the mayor’s proposals include reducing his requested funding to clean up more graffiti vandalism and a reduction in the amount of money proposed for play-area renovations (specific projects are not listed, so we don’t know whether this would affect the ones awaiting renovation in West Seattle).

WHAT’S NEXT/HOW TO COMMENT: This proposal is still subject to change, and the council is asking for feedback. You can see the full “balancing package” here. The council starts reviewing it at 1 pm today; you can watch via Seattle Channel. Tomorrow (Tuesday, November 15th) at 5 pm, you can comment online or in person at the council’s final public hearing on the budget – the agenda explains how. Before/after that, you can comment via email at council@seattle.gov. The final vote on this two-year plan is planned the week after Thanksgiving.

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VIDEO: Ruby Bridges Walk-to-School Day @ Denny IMS

November 14, 2022 10:59 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

62 years ago today, six-year-old Ruby Bridges walked into an all-white elementary school in New Orleans after a desegregation order – an act of tremendous bravery. In honor of what she and others accomplished in the fight against racism, and to spotlight what is yet to be achieved, schools across the country are now participating in Ruby Bridges Walk-to-School Day on November 14th. In our video above is a group of Denny International Middle School students who walked together early this morning as part of it. Denny principal Jeff Lam spoke to them as they gathered north of Westwood Village to start their walk:

(Lam is leading Denny this year in place of longtime principal Jeff Clark, who we were told is taking a year of leave.) Ruby Bridges herself is still an activist, leading the eponymous foundation that organizes the Walk-to-School Day as a demonstration against bullying of all kinds as well as racism.

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YOU CAN HELP: 2 holiday-season school fundraisers

November 14, 2022 10:14 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Two holiday-season fundraisers for West Seattle schools:

ROXHILL ELEMENTARY: Friends of Roxhill is asking for support for families this season:

Every child should have a holiday meal and present, and parents and caregivers could use less stress this holiday season. You can make a difference by donating today! Roxhill Elementary, a Title I school here in West Seattle, has over 50 families who need support through the holiday season. All funds donated go directly to our RoxStar families. Go here to give. Friends of Roxhill is a registered non-profit. If you would prefer to donate by check, please mail it to the school at 7740 34th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126. Thank you for being a friend!

ALKI ELEMENTARY: We just got word of this, but note it’s the last day to order:

Alki PTA has partnered with local producers to bring you items that are perfect for showing gratitude with family, friends, and loved ones.
*Pre-order your pies and goodies by November 14th
*Drive-by Pick-up November 21st at Alki Elementary from 11-3pm or delivery is available as well.

Remlinger Farms Fresh Pies (2 pounds of fresh fruit per pie!)
Macrina Bakery Squash Loaf
Macrina Bakery Cinnamon Rolls
Macrina Bakery Herb Rolls and Garlic Pull-Apart Bread
Gratitude Activity Kits

Got a fundraiser/donation drive for YOUR school, nonprofit, etc.? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Remembering Charles William Fleming, 1941-2022

November 14, 2022 9:00 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Charlie “Tuna” Fleming, and sharing this remembrance with the community:

Charles William Fleming
July 11, 1941 – October 3, 2022

“Tuna” Fleming (AKA: Butch, Charlie, Chuck, “T”). Charlie was born in Seattle to David Peter Fleming and Grace (Knoff). Growing up along the Duwamish River, he was briefly raised there on a houseboat, which was moved close by to 12th Ave SW – near West Marginal Way – and expanded. He attended Highland Park, Denny, Chief Sealth (he was a sprinter and hurdler) and West Seattle H.S. As a boy he was adventurous and bright and often chose a divergent path: fishing the River, running the log booms, roaming the woods, rebuilding and racing boats. As a young man he embraced work and a life – rambunctious, diverse, wild, boisterous, combative, creative, FUN and funny (after his major heart attack twelve years ago, he awoke in the hospital the next morning: Nurse: “Were you a smoker?”, Charlie: “No, I quit.” Nurse: “How long ago?” Charlie: “When was I admitted?”)

His entire life he loved: Hydroplane races (CdA was historic); dirt-track motorcycle racing; Hot August Nights Car Shows in Reno; parties; road trips / sports cars; motorcycles; Sports (Track & Field, Mariners, Seahawks, Golf, High School Athletics). He devoured the Seattle Times front to back every day. He had a near-photographic memory and could amaze you with addresses, street names, phone numbers, etc. from jobs and locales long past.

Through it all, Tuna worked: creating fine things by his hand – mostly as a Boilermaker and primarily as a world-class welder in Puget Sound Shipyards, Hanford, and Shops from California to Canada. For many years he owned “Pro – Weld Fabricating” which showcased his unmatched creativity and craftsmanship. He welcomed small jobs for individuals often building artistic gates, stairs and railings, etc. But he also took on huge Industrial projects with insightful savvy.

He shared his generous heart, cherished his friends, family, and most dearly, his beloved wife of 40 years, Trina (Jones). Life with Trina was largely responsible for his tamed behavior in the second half of his journey.

He is survived by: brother Mike Fleming, step-daughters Barbie and Stephanie, nephews Eric and Ryan Fleming, Tony Johns; nieces Joanne Fleming and Becky Fleming.

Charlie was preceded in passing by his father David, his mother Grace, his sister Francis, brother David Lee, sister Patricia Lynn, stepmom Emily Wolbert-Fleming, and his beloved Trina.

Charlie preferred that no Memorial be held … but warm memories of him, we shall forever hold close. RIP Tuna!

(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: Monday begins

November 14, 2022 6:00 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, November 14th.

WEATHER

Mostly sunny, breezy, temperature might get into the 50s.

ROAD WORK

-SW Roxbury work continues in Holy Family-to-Safeway vicinity for RapidRide H Line.

-The east end of Sylvan Way just west of the Home Depot entrance remains closed for drainage work.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

If you’re in the Westwood area in the 7 am hour, be aware there’s a Denny International Middle School walk-to-school event traveling from the north side of Westwood Village to the Denny campus (2601 SW Kenyon).

TRANSIT STATUS

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

-The West Seattle Water Taxi is running its fall/winter schedule (still daily, all dayparts, but no late Friday/Saturday runs).

-Still a 2-boat schedule for WSF’s Triangle Route (check here for alerts/updates).

SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS

High Bridge – here’s the camera at the top.

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (if SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way).

Low Bridge: Or nearby, depending on where SDOT points the camera.

1st Ave. S. Bridge: The alternate route.

Highway 99: Here’s the northbound side at Lander.

All functional city traffic cams can be seen here, most 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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