West Seattle, Washington
02 Wednesday
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.
Two more West Seattle Crime Watch notes:
BUSINESS BURGLARY: Beveridge Place Pub in Morgan Junction was burglarized early this morning, proprietor Gary Sink tells WSB: “Broken window, some cash and a few items stolen, but we’re secure (thanks to Dan Austin at Peel & Press!) and up and running normal hours.” We’ll add security-camera images if and when we get them. He says this happened around 4:30 am today; if you have any information, the SPD incident # is 22-109918.
GUN CHARGE AFTER RV SEARCH: A 39-year-old man is charged with unlawful gun possession after an incident last week at Harbor Island Marina, and the court papers tell the story of what was found when police searched the RV in which he was found. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office provided charging documents in the case against Jonathan L. Dennington. The documents say this started last Tuesday afternoon when Port of Seattle Police were dispatched to check out several RVs parked without permission in the parking lot of the marina (a port facility). They saw Dennington slumped over one RV’s steering wheel. As they tried to rouse him, they noticed a rifle wedged in the seat. Subsequent investigation showed both that Pennington was a 12-time convicted felon and that the gun was one of four taken from a locked gun safe during a South Park business burglary two weeks earlier. Meantime, Dennington is reported to have passed out again while police were taking him into custody and was revived with Narcan. The charging documents say his RV had a plate that crossreferenced to a car whose last registered owner said she sold it a year ago – but that was only the start of what else police found; after impounding the RV, they got a search warrant and found items inside, including a shotgun, three boxes of shotgun shells, 20 boxes of “assorted trading cards,” three license plates, two driver’s licenses in other names, “assorted miscellaneous house and car keys,” various “lockout tools,” and documents in the name of the victim of the South Park burglary. One of the license plates, plus the VIN, led them to suspect the RV was stolen; they contacted its registered owner, who said he had sold it. Meantime, Dennington remains in jail, bail set at $50,000.
The 26th SW neighborhood greenway is closed for a while along the block on the west side of Delridge Community Center and Playfield, because of that fallen tree. An SDOT crew is on scene clearing it out of the street. They told us some debris will be left behind to be picked up tomorrow.
Three biznotes tonight:
OTTER ON THE ROCKS: The new Admiral District bar is having its first Open Mic night tomorrow (Tuesday, May 3rd). Signups start at 6, performances start at 7, hosted by Midnight Marauders. This is the start of Otter on the Rocks’ hopes of bringing live music to the space; if you haven’t been there yet, they’re at 4210 SW Admiral Way.
BEAUTY THERAPY COLLECTIVE: Following up on the Friday announcement, we stopped by during Sunday’s open house to say hello to entrepreneur Nikki Nguyen:
Her business Nikki’s Lashes and others are sharing the space in the building she recently bought at 4208 SW Oregon, and there’s room for more, with individual suites like this one:
There’s more info on her website.
TINY SCIENCE: Jen the Entomologist is back again this year with an annual specialty of her Tiny Science business – Mantis Madness:
As she explains it, “It’s a family-friendly project that involves growing anticipation for hundreds of tiny baby praying mantises to hatch in a cup. It’s totally amazing. After hatching, babies are meant to be released into the yard or garden. It’s an awesome experience to behold and a great educational experience for everybody and anybody. Great for seniors and singles, too.” The kits are available now, for a few more weeks – here’s where to go.
(WSB photo, April 24)
Speaking of Fauntleroy …we have the total tonnage from the recent Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church, courtesy of Judy Pickens:
West Seattle is 15.35 tons lighter today than before the spring Recycle Roundup on April 24 at Fauntleroy Church. Over the course of the day, the crew from 1 Green Planet unloaded all manner of recyclables from 470 vehicles.
The congregation has been hosting these events since 2010 as part of its commitment to stewarding the environment. Since then, the roundup has returned more than 300 tons of metal, e-waste, and other products to the resource stream. Watch for the fall roundup in late September.
This time’s total was not far from the record 16.54 tons brought via 540 vehicles three years ago.
If you have non-curbside recyclables that can’t wait until fall, you can use the Where Does It Go? lookup tool to find out how to deal with them. (And if you have paper to shred – bring it to the annual event sponsored by John L. Scott Real Estate Westwood [WSB sponsor] next Saturday!)
Live, work, study in Fauntleroy? Here’s your invitation to a big event tomorrow night:
The Fauntleroy Community Association‘s Annual Meeting and Food Fest is back! Tuesday evening, May 3, from 6 to 8 PM in the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse “Emerald Room,” the FCA will once again host its annual meeting. Visit with friends, neighbors, and talk with City and local non-profit organizations involved with our community. Two hours of conversations and food from local eateries. A wonderful opportunity to get out and connect. A short business meeting will take place about 7 PM.
That includes the annual election of board members. The venue is on the south side of the historic schoolhouse, 9131 California SW.
Two items in West Seattle Crime Watch:
CARJACKING FOLLOWUP: We have more information today about the carjacking we covered last Friday afternoon. First, police say they found the stolen 2000 Honda Accord in Northgate, unoccupied. Second, we obtained the police-report narrative today: It says the victim was returning home from work and parked her car in the alley behind her building in the 3000 block of California SW. Her door was open and she was gathering her things. She saw two people walking northbound in the alley past her car, then turning around, walking up to her car, and demanding she get out and give them her keys. She hesitated a moment and then one pulled out a handgun and said, “We’re not kidding, get the f— out.” She was frozen in shock, the report says, and the other carjacker grabbed her arm and pulled her out. Both then got in and drove the car away. Her purse with ID, credit cards, and money was still inside, She was not injured. This excerpt from the narrative includes descriptions:
(The victim) described the suspect with the handgun as a black male in his 20’s standing 5’8” tall with a medium build. He wore a beige zip-up hoody with the hood up and gray sweatpants. When he threatened her with the handgun, he pulled back his hoody showing some sort of silver badge underneath. The suspect did not identify himself as any sort of law enforcement or security personnel. She described the handgun as silver in color and very small, she was unsure if it was a revolver or semi-automatic. (The victim) described the second suspect as a black male in his 20’s standing 5’8” tall with a medium build. He wore a gray zip-up hoody with the hood up and gray sweatpants. He also wore a red or pink face mask over his face. He did not brandish any sort of weapon at (her) and he is the suspect who pulled (her) out of her vehicle and took her keys.
If you have any information on the case, the incident number is 22-107341.
STREET HOLDUP: A preliminary summary from weekend reports says this happened just before 10 pm Friday at 10th and Elmgrove. Three people were approached from behind by the robber, who “forcefully placed a gun barrel at one victim’s back,” then “grabbed the victim with a purse and choked her” and “demanded they give him their property, or he would kill them.” He stole the purse and fled northbound on 10th SW. The summary does not include a description. If you have any information, this incident number is 22-107708.
If you would like to support the West Seattle Food Bank‘s work fighting food and housing insecurity, you can enjoy a night out at this year’s Instruments of Change event – but hurry and get your ticket(s), because today is your last chance to get in on the in-person event! WSB is media sponsor for this year’s IoC – and we’re sharing the WSFB reminder:
Today, May 2nd is the last day to purchase tickets for Instruments of Change 2022
Hybrid In-Person & Virtual Event and Auction
This celebration will include an auction, fun activities, and an informative program about the impact your donations have made in the community. This year there is an option to participate in person (ticket includes dinner) at the Seattle Design Center or join remotely from your own home.
Why?
To celebrate our community and raise funds to continue keeping our neighbors safe, fed, healthy, and housed during these challenging times. Share an evening with some of your most-caring neighbors.
Saturday, May 14, 2022
In Person at Seattle Design Center – Doors at 6:00 pm
Online virtual program – 7:15 pmAt Seattle Design Center or Online!
In Person: 5701 6th Ave S.
Online: West Seattle Food Bank YouTube Channel
All attendees will be emailed a link to participate in the program and auction. Must be registered to receive link to live show and online bidding link.
Tickets!
Ways to Participate:
In-Person: Enjoy dinner, cocktails, games, and more with your neighbors at the Seattle Design Center. Ticket price is $125.
Register for dinner tickets by May 2nd
Online: Take part in the auction and watch the live program streamed on our YouTube Channel for FREE! (Registration still required for online bidding)
Purchase Tickets here:
(Photo courtesy Click! Design That Fits)
After almost two decades in West Seattle, first in Admiral and then The Junction, Click! Design That Fits (WSB’s longest-running sponsor) is looking for new ownership.
Click! proprietor John Smersh made the announcement this morning: “Our sweet little shop (dare we say neighborhood gem?) is seeking a new owner who will continue to share thoughtfully designed, contemporary goods with our community … someone in our community who shares our vision, values, and aesthetic and has dreams of thriving in local, independent retail.”
From the announcement, the backstory:
John and Frances Smersh grew Click! Design That Fits from its humble beginnings as an extension of Frances’s jewelry business in the Admiral District to the well respected Junction destination you know and love. From the beginning, our hope was to find someone to take it over when the time came that we were ready to move on to our next adventure.
Frances’s diagnosis of Young Onset Alzheimer’s Disease in 2015 at age 48 meant a significant plot twist in our narrative. Shortly after diagnosis, our incredible crew stepped up, taking over day to day operations and allowing John to focus on his caregiving responsibilities as Frances’s disease progressed. Many of you likely saw John and Frances at Click! during that time, as her desire to stay connected with her community continued throughout it all. Frances passed away last September, and John and the Click! fam have been beyond blessed with so much continued love and support from all of you. We’re ready to pass the torch and keep the love-fest going. It’s time for Click! to transition to new ownership.
From the start, Click! has represented community and connection. For over 17 years we’ve been building relationships between the often overlapping groups of our designers/maker/artist colleagues and vendors, our neighbors in West Seattle and beyond, and our staff-crew-fam. These connections have allowed us to survive and thrive, even in times of hardship. It would not be surprising if our next owner is already a part of this community, or connected to someone who is.
The original home of Click! was 2210 California SW (now Zelda Zonk Consignment); in 2010, the Smershes moved the shop south to a larger space at 4540 California SW, where that “community and connection” has included countless in-store events, from West Seattle Art Walk receptions to author signings. The shop also has embodied community by supporting and featuring local makers and West Seattle-themed merchandise. And it’s supported sustainability with reusable items for everyday living. (Plus, if in-person shopping is not your thing, Click! has long offered online shopping.)
Putting the shop on the market does not mean any immediate changes, Click! says: “While we are anticipating a transition period over the coming months, we’ll still be open regular hours.” That’s Wednesdays-Saturdays 11 am-4 pm and Sundays 10 am-4 pm. They’re also noting, “Please know that our crew (John included!) aren’t able to answer questions about the sale and that all inquiries will be directed to our broker.” She is Carrie Topacio (carrie@vantageseattle.com, 206.402.5567).
Pre-pandemic, Seattle Public Library meeting rooms were popular places for community groups to gather. Now, after more than two years, they’re available for booking again, as announced by SPL this morning. You can book online, starting here; basic rules are that the meeting has to be non-commercial and open to the public, as well as during the branch’s hours of operation. SPL also announced today that it’s changing hold-time and suspension policies as of May 23rd – details here.
9:22 AM: Thanks for the tips. Another power outage has hit the Brace Point area, as shown in the Seattle City Light outage map screengrab above. SCL says 329 customers are out and is attributing the outage to “bird/animal.” Most past outages in the area have been blamed on the failure of underground equipment, which has long been scheduled for replacement/rehabilitation work that’s been delayed by what the utility says are permitting problems.
11:57 AM: We have an inquiry out to SCL for specifics on the cause; in the meantime, the map has revised it to “equipment failure” and downsized it to 160 customers.
2:48 PM: Still waiting for specifics from SCL. Meantime, the outage is mapped again at 329 customers.
3:42 PM: Since that last check, power’s been restored to all.
4:13 PM: SCL spokesperson Jenn Strang tells WSB, “The outage was due to a failed junction box. Due to the nature of the failure, it took some time to identify the fault. Once identified, we had to de-energize 169 additional customers to safely complete repairs. Repairs were made and power restored.”
Family and friends are remembering John S. Rundberg and have just provided this remembrance to share with the community:
John Sarjent Rundberg was born on November 22, 1939 in St Louis, Missouri to Ray A. and Wilma G. Rundberg. John passed away on December 28, 2021 after being diagnosed on his 82nd birthday with a very rare undifferentiated, aggressive pancreatic cancer.
The things John was most proud of:
~His time at Ohio State University
~Four years of service in the U.S. Army
~Being a teacher/ librarian with the Seattle Public Schools from 1969-2008 – Teaching from high school down to kindergarten, while always inspiring students with his love for books and reading.
~Marriage to his wife Diann and helping her raise her four children: Tyler, Ryan, Sarah, and Micah. His love of being a Grandfather to Granddaughters Zoey A. and Taya V.While being a member of the Hutchison family for 25-plus years.
~ A beach home in Manzanita, Oregon
~ Leading six major river canoe trips 1989 -1997
~ Maintaining deep lifetime friendships
~ Travels all over the US and Canada: camping in tents, Tipi, and finally an RV
~ Six years of taking a group of volunteer friends and family to “The American Prairie Reserve” to clean up and preserve the land for the growing Bison population.The John We All Came to Know and Love:
Tipi man John * wood crafter John * plaid flannel shirt John * newspaper clipper John * Montana bison fence remover John * dog lover John * comes down for dinner, then leaves John * pie lover John * always has 5-7 knives on him John * surprise benefactor John * storyteller John * teacher John * canoe paddler in the pool John * musician John * technophobe John * historian John * Friend John * knitter of squares John * book collector John * librarian John * Manzanita community member John * won’t fly, train man John * cowboy novel reader John * and: “Always about our age” * Plus: Husband * Father * Brother * Uncle * Cousin * Grandpa *
John is survived by his wife, Diann Hutchison Rundberg; Brother, Paul Rundberg (Sandy); nieces Suzanne Jones and Rebecca Boozer, all of Greenville, SC
Sister Karen Rundberg Bunney (Rob) and niece Annika Bunney, all of Bellevue, WA.
Stepchildren, Ryan, Sarah, and Micah Packard (Tyler Vance, preceded him in death in 2012 )
Two Granddaughters, Zoey A. and Taya V.
And many nieces, nephews and cousins.Please read: “All Is Well” by Henry Scott Holland
Share memories, condolences, and photos of John on the Tribute Wall at emmickfunerals.com/obituary/John-Rundberg
Arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services of West Seattle
(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)
6:03 AM: Good morning and welcome to Monday, May 2nd.
WEATHER
The National Weather Service predicts a showery day, high in the 50s.
ROAD WORK
*The work on 8th north of Roxbury was still under way as of Friday morning.
*One last mention – the ramp from eastbound Spokane to northbound 99 reopened early after pavement repairs.
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
770th 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.
Hours after last week’s update, Public Health Seattle-King County announced we’re now at “medium” COVID level. Authorities stressed that’s not a cause for worry, just for cautiousness. Checking countywide and West Seattle stats as we do at the end of each weekend, here are the trends: Cases are up for a sixth week, hospitalizations are up (countywide but not locally), and deaths continue going down. As we noted last week, all three categories remain far lower than the winter peaks, as shown on the graphs featured on the Public Health – Seattle/King County dashboard:
*22 percent more cases countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 796 new daily cases countywide (up from 644 when we checked a week ago)
*46 percent more hospitalizations countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 10 new hospitalizations daily (up from 5 a week ago)
*27 percent fewer deaths countywide in the past two weeks than the two weeks before (the dashboard doesn’t offer a one-week increment)
*Currently averaging 1 death daily (same as the two-week average last week)
For West Seattle, we have two-week comparisons (these are the combined totals from two “health reporting areas,” labeled West Seattle and Delridge):
*553 cases between 4/11 and 4/25, up from 331 between 3/27 and 4/10
*5 hospitalizations between 4/11 and 4/25, same as between 3/27 and 4/10
*No deaths between 4/11 and 4/25, same as between 3/27 and 4/10
And checking vaccination rates:
*80.9 percent of all King County residents have completed the initial series (up .1% from a week ago)
*85.6 percent of all King County residents ages 5 and up have completed the initial series (up .1% from a week ago)
*48.6 percent of all King County residents have had the initial series plus a booster (up .1% from a week ago)
*In West Seattle, here are the zip-code vaccination rates for ages 5 and up (reminder, 98106 and 98146 are not entirely within WS):
98106 – 87.9% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 52.8% have had a booster
98116 – 92.7% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 64.5% have had a booster
98126 – 83.4% completed initial series (same as a week earlier), 54.5% have had a booster
98136 – 93.6% completed initial series (up .2% from a week earlier), 67.6% have had a booster
98146 – 83% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 47.6% have had a booster
VACCINATION AND TESTING, UPDATED HOURS: No pop-up clinics on the near-future schedule, so you can look for vaccination locations via this statewide lookup. If you want to get tested and don’t have a kit at home, public testing sites include the city-supported site at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle, 9 am-5:30 pm Mondays-Saturdays), the Curative kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1220 Harbor SW, 9 am-3 pm Monday-Friday), and the Curative van at Summit Atlas (35th/Roxbury, 8 am-noon Tuesday-Friday). … If you need to report self-test results, that’s explained on this page.
May is here and peak swim season for Seattle Parks is approaching. We asked Parks about this year’s plans – here are key points:
-Spray parks (including the one in Highland Park, 1100 SW Cloverdale) are expected to open Saturday, May 28th.
-Wading pools don’t have an official start date yet, likely “closer to when school lets out,” Parks tells us, adding, “We’re hopeful that we can staff all the sites as we did in pre-COVID years.”
-West Seattle’s only city-run outdoor pool, Colman Pool on the Lincoln Park shore, is scheduled to open the weekend of June 18-19, going 7 days a week starting June 25th.
-Swimming lessons will be offered this summer at both Colman Pool and Southwest Pool (the indoor pool at 2801 SW Thistle), though Parks warns that some other offerings at Southwest might have to be reduced so they can staff Colman. Maybe you know someone who can help with the swim-staff shortage? Here’s the Parks pitch:
Pools, wading pools, and outdoor pools require staff and we continue to struggle to fill aquatics and lifeguard positions. (Here’s) how folks can apply for these jobs (we reimburse for lifeguard certification training!). For more information or to apply, click here.
(WSB file photo)
Some of West Seattle’s annual events are making a comeback from pandemic hiatus. For others, though, it’s not so easy. the Fauntleroy Fall Festival is hoping you can help it return. Reid Haggerty asked us to share this:
In September 2001, the United States went through one of its most challenging times. When I woke up that morning to the news that an airplane had flown into a building in New York, I hit “Snooze.”
By the time my clock radio came on again, another plane had flown into another building. I rushed downstairs to watch on TV as one of the biggest tragedies in American history unfolded. Kids at school, our teachers, our parents – everyone knew our lives had changed.
But amid all the uncertainty, something wonderful happened – and we need your help to keep it going. Over the next several months, this neighborhood came together to create the Fauntleroy Fall Festival. People enjoyed a Sunday afternoon of free activities and the kind of connecting that strengthens the ties that bind us in community.
Then nearly two decades later, along came the seemingly unrelenting isolation of a global pandemic. Two years into it, we’re still trying to figure out what the new normal will be.
Just as in 2001, community is what we most need now. If public-health restrictions can continue to ease, we hope to gather again on a fall afternoon to see friends and neighbors at the festival.
Over the years, many local partners have kept the festival free and a truly community event. To name a few: FCA, Fauntleroy Church, Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering/The Hall at Fauntleroy, the Fauntleroy Children’s Center, Endolyne Joe’s, Gail Ann Photography, the Fauntleroy Watershed Council.
As the festival has evolved, costs have risen and our pool of volunteers to serve on the planning committee and help the day of has gotten smaller. If this free event is to continue, we need to replenish that pool with fresh energy and ideas.
Email fauntleroyfallfestival@gmail.com if you might be able to help plan, coordinate, and/or execute our 2022 fall festival or a spring fundraiser to benefit the festival. We would love to have you!
The last full-scale FFF was in 2019; last year, there was a drive-through version.
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