West Seattle, Washington
16 Wednesday
The next countywide levy vote has been finalized: The King County Council voted this afternoon to send the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy renewal to voters on the August 1st primary ballot. Though there were various proposals to change the amount, our area’s County Councilmember Joe McDermott confirms that the originally proposed 10 cents per $1,000 assessed value is what he and his colleagues approved. As originally noted in February, this renews a six-year levy that expires this year. Here again is how the original announcement’s one-sheet summarized the levy’s intent:
If renewed, the levy will:
• Fund permanent supportive housing, specifically for veterans
• Keep reducing veteran homelessness
• Expand investments in the human services workforce
• Double current funding for senior centers
• Maintain access to counseling and mental health supports for veterans and seniors
• Dedicate King County staff to strengthen resident and resource connections
• Deepen community-centered programming for survivors of gender-based violence
The 10 cents per $1,000 assessed value is the same rate as the expiring version of the levy as passed by voters in 2017. You can read the full legislation (and see all the alternatives that were proposed) here.
6:41 PM: The eastbound West Seattle Bridge ramp to northbound Highway 99 has some kind of “pothole that’s been blowing out tires,” police told dispatch, so they’re working to close the ramp. They’ve just reported a fifth vehicle with a blowout, in the meantime. Police describe the pothole as being “on the curve” of the ramp, before it merges onto 99.
7:03 PM: The ramp is closed, which means among other things that buses are diverted. Police have since described the problem on the ramp as a hole, not just a pothole.
7:09 PM: We don’t know if it’s in the same spot, but one year ago, a hole in the ramp was fixed. It’s a WSDOT – state – structure, not city, as noted then, and we’re hearing that they’re being summoned now to handle the situation.
8:23 PM: Photo above is from our pre-sunset drive eastbound on the bridge to at least get a look at the response. Since then, we’ve talked by phone with a WSDOT spokesperson who says crews are going to do an “epoxy fill” on the hole and that the ramp is expected to reopen in a matter of hours. He didn’t know (yet) if it was the same spot repaired in April of last year.
(Added: Photo from Tuesday morning, posted in comments by Wendell)
10:48 PM: Just talked to WSDOT again. The ramp will NOT be fixed in time for the morning commute – they say it requires a heftier repair than first thought – as summarized, first they thought asphalt would do it, then they thought epoxy, and now they’re thinking something beyond that. They’ll know more in the morning. Meantime, if you need to get to Highway 99, options would include taking the bridge to 1st Avenue South and getting onto 99 in SODO, or use the 1st Avenue South Bridge.
9:22 AM UPDATE: (Also noted in Wednesday morning traffic coverage) Longer story later, but we just spoke with WSDOT again, and they say it’s closed “until further notice” as they evaluate how to repair it and whether the ramp itself is “structurally sound.” They also say the hole is not in the same spot as was fixed a year ago – it’s about 100 feet away. (Added above, WSDOT’s photo of the hole, which is described now as 5′ x 4′.)
11:59 AM: We’ve just been to the scene beneath the ramp. WSDOT now expects it to be closed for at least 10 days.
On Monday, we reported that a plan to replace the Delridge Playfield artificial turf has gone out to bid. We also noted that the “rebidding” of Hiawatha Playfield‘s turf replacement appeared to have resulted in a decision. So we followed up on both with Seattle Parks today.
First – they confirm that the “rebidding” for Hiawatha (rendering above, PDF here) resulted in the contract going to the same firm that won the original round, FieldTurf USA. (Online files show the rebidding didn’t result in a major savings – their new winning bid was $1,243,000, compared to the original winning bid of $1,256,000.) Parks spokesperson Karen O’Connor says that Hiawatha field construction is still expected to start in the middle of this month, last about three months, and that “It is likely that Delridge and Hiawatha field closures will overlap for about 6 weeks during the summer construction.” P.S. If you have questions about any of the various Hiawatha projects, you’ll want to be at next Tuesday’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, 7 pm at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill), when ANA expects to talk with and hear from a Parks deputy superintendent.
(WSB file photo from past Bike To School Day)
If you’re on the roads and/or sidewalks tomorrow (Wednesday, May 3rd), expect more multi-modal traffic heading to and from local schools. Genesee Hill Elementary parent Dave points out that it’s Bike/Walk/Roll To School Day and wanted us to share this reminder again: “Drivers, please keep an extra eye out for students biking and walking to school tomorrow, May 3rd. Students will be coming from all directions between 7:30-7:45 AM and arriving in the parking lot on Dakota St.” Any other schools participating? Let us know (or post a comment) – thank you!
The report and photo are from Leanne:
My red ’97 Geo Tracker with a dark gray soft top was stolen sometime between 11 am Monday 5/1 and 9 am 5/2 from SW Dawson Street, maybe 20 feet parallel-parked from the side Rite Aid entrance off California Ave SW. It had a few things hanging from the rear view mirror (wizard cat, Totoro, and little mushroom air fresheners).
Please reach out with any information; this car was my baby and I worked so hard for it and I am heartbroken.”
License plate number: CDB0659
Incident report number: 23-118872
Call 911 if you see it.
We continue in the throes of mapmaking for the 17th almost-annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day on Saturday, May 13th. As announced in our previous update, this is the first time more than 400 sellers have registered! Each sale listing has a short description of highlights, and searching the database, along with many other things, we see 107 sales mentioning toys, 68 sales mentioning tools, 45 mentioning bikes and/or bike gear, 32 mentioning baby stuff, 28 mentioning antiques, 27 mentioning plants, 12 planning lemonade stands … You’ll be able to search the online map for any keyword that interests you. That version of the map, and the printable list, both numbered so that sellers can tell the world “hey, come see us at sale #xx,” will both be linked here and at westseattlegaragesale.com by this Saturday morning (May 6), so everyone has a week to plan. (If you miss the announcement when that’s all ready, just check our navigation bar/menu, as it’ll be linked there too until Sale Day is over.) Any questions, email our main mailbox – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! More previews to come …
(Looking south from Constellation Park last Friday – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ONLINE BIDDING: Second day of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s fundraising auction, as previewed here. Anyone can bid, not just people attending the in-person gala Friday!
POSTCARDS TO VOTERS: Long-distance political advocacy and networking continues 10:30 am at C & P Coffee Company – just drop in to join in. (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
DEMENTIA LEGAL PLANNING: Special presentation at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 12:30 pm.
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon): “Are you looking for a new activity to keep your brain sharp and clear? The Senior Center Chess Club welcomes both novice and experienced players. Join us at 1:30 p.m. for lessons, short tutorials, and chess for all levels of expertise.” (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
CITY COUNCIL: 2 pm this afternoon, it’s the full council’s weekly meeting, online or at City Hall (600 4th Ave.). See the agenda here; the meeting is viewable via Seattle Channel.
FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Free toddler/preschooler gym, ages 2-6, weekday afternoons at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW), 3:30-5 pm.
SPORTS: West Seattle HS hosts Garfield for a softball game, 4 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
TAE KWON DO CLASSES: First May class for the West Seattle Tae Kwon Do Club, 6 pm at High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW). All levels welcome.
=SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
ADVOCACY TRAINING: Join West Seattle Bike Connections tonight at Neighborhood House (6400 Sylvan Way SW), 6:30 pm, to learn how to effectively advocate for safety programs.
IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING SKILLS: That’s part of what you can do with West Seattle Toastmasters 832, meeting online at 6:30 tonight.
OPEN MIC: 7 pm at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way).
TRIVIA X 3: Three West Seattle places where you can play Tuesday nights – 7 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz 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!
You can look into the future any time via our event calendar – if you have something to include on it, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
That photo was texted by a reader a short time ago, reporting a “crazy windstorm” at 3:05 am, noting, “I’ve never had our cans blown over in addition to all of the recycling blown all over the yard.” We were off watch by then so we missed it, but the National Weather Service notes “strong, gusty winds … with passing showers” around that time and the Sea-Tac wind gauge showing a gust up to 43 mph.
6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, May 2nd.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Mostly sunny, high near 70. Sunrise was at 5:52 am; sunset will be at 8:21 pm.
TRANSIT
Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations are still happening. Metro is no longer tweeting cancellations, so you’ll have to sign up for email or text alerts if you’re interested in them.
Water Taxi – Continuing the spring/summer schedule.
Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule but with the chance of sailing cancellations, so check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations. Also: Peak-season surcharges for some vehicle fares started Monday.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the camera at the top:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – east-end vicinity:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:
Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!
ORIGINAL MONDAY NIGHT REPORT: Police have confirmed somebody shot at a house on Bonair this past half-hour. At least two callers reported hearing the shots in the 1900 block, and one thought they saw flashes, before a vehicle left the vicinity. Responding officers have told dispatch they found two casings and damage to the house’s door and garage. No indication that anyone was in the house when it was shot at. If you have any information, the incident # is 23-118464.
TUESDAY UPDATE: Police now say this was linked to a burglary attempt. They say a “light-colored pickup truck” first rammed “the closed garage door of a house under renovation.” Here’s an SPD photo of the garage door:
The two shots were fired into the air after neighbors “yelled that police had been called.” If you have any information, the tip line is 206-233-5000.
Thanks to Jackie Borg from West Seattle Little League for sending this!
Desmond Hansen painted a new box at Bar-S Little League fields. We’re so excited for the new addition to the fields!
(That’s Mariners slugger Julio Rodriguez, aka “J-Rod,” on the box.)
Another major West Seattle playfield is set to get new artificial turf soon, and the Delridge Playfield project has moved a step closer to construction: It’s open for bids right now. The project includes more than just turf replacement – here’s the overview in the call for bids:
Replace outdated Synthetic Turf including: remove all infilled turf field carpet and infill materials, install new pad system across the playing field surface, replace collector line along the West side with solid collector line and root, replace non-compliant concrete pathways with accessible concrete pathways, replace all dugout gates with accessible gates, replace access staircase with concrete staircase, replace existing drinking fountain with accessible drinking fountain, install new chain-link fence and swing gate.
Additive #1: Improve the Delridge Community Center hardscape entrance and ramp to Delridge Way SW. Additive #2: Improvements at the Northwest corner of the playfield to provide improved access between Delridge Playfield and 26th Ave SW. Additive #3: Improve the ramp at the Southeast corner of the playfield and park lot improvements.
Deadline for bids is May 17th. The playfield website says the project cost is projected to be more than $4 million and that construction is likely to start in July. Also set for new artificial turf this summer, Hiawatha Playfield, which went out for re-bidding earlier this spring, as we reported.
ORIGINAL MONDAY REPORT: That’s what the Delridge Food Mart (5235 Delridge Way SW) looks like after it became the latest West Seattle business hit by crash-and-grab burglars. Police say they got a call just before 4:30 this morning and that a “vehicle was seen driving into the entrance, allowing two of the passengers to gain access to the store.” The burglars were gone when officers arrived, but SPD says “the suspect vehicle was located abandoned a few hours later.” (It was described in initial radio exchanges as a red van.)
ADDED TUESDAY: We obtained the report narrative from SPD. It says store owners confirmed police’s initial assessment that “a large number of various items had been stolen.” The owners eventually estimated a large amount of cigarettes and vape pens were among the items taken, and that the burglars’ haul was worth at least $10,000 (not counting the cost to repair the damage). The getaway car was a red Hyundai that video showed had been “reversed into the front doors to break them” about four minutes before the 911 call came in and officers were dispatched. Up to four people may have been in the car, but the only descriptive information in the narrative is that one wore a blue and white jacket and held “a white trash bag.” (The narrative also notes that an officer spoke with a store owner “about the possibility of installing small pillars to block vehicles from ramming his front door again since his business had been the target of multiple burglaries.” The getaway car, a 2014 Elantra, was found abandoned in the 4700 block of Cottage Place SW just before 6:30 am. The report says it was registered to someone in Kent but had not been reported as stolen – though it had heavy ignition damage – so SPD was asking KPD to check with its owner, and meantime had the car impounded.
May 13th is not only West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, it’s also the day for Stamp Out Hunger, the annual door-to-door food drive led by the National Association of Letter Carriers. Partnering with NALC, the U.S. Postal Service sent a reminder today, including:
Donating is easy – customers should leave their non-perishable food donations in a bag near their mailbox on Saturday, May 13, before their letter carrier arrives. Food collected during the drive will be delivered to local Washington community churches, food banks and food pantries for distribution.
Customers can also donate online directly to their local food bank. [Our area is served by the West Seattle Food Bank and White Center Food Bank.]
While all non-perishable donations are welcome, foods that are high in protein such as canned tuna, salmon, beans, and peanut butter are most needed. Canned fruits and vegetables, whole grain, low-sugar cereals, macaroni and cheese dinners, and 100% fruit juice also top the list of most-needed items.
The food drive is held annually in late spring because most of the food banks’ donations are received and distributed between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
This will be the 31st year for Stamp Out Hunger, which resumed last year after a pandemic hiatus.
1:55 PM: Thanks for the tip. SFD and SPD are in the 2400 block of Harbor Avenue SW, near the 7-11, for what was dispatched as a “rescue extrication” call. SPD says the street is closed in both directions. We’re on our way to find out more.
2:01 PM: SFD has already closed the call. They’re working to clear the road and letting the Water Taxi shuttle through, but not other traffic.
2:14 PM: Flipped-car crash, as our photo (and the one Angela has posted in a comment below) shows. We’re told at the scene that the driver hit a parked car and flipped.
2:21 PM: Harbor is open again, police just told dispatch.
4:55 PM: SFD tells WSB that the driver, a 53-year-old woman, was in stable condition when taken to Harborview by AMR ambulance.
Thanks to James Bratsanos for the photos of a cluster of fishing boats south off Alki Point today. Online research suggested they’re likely looking for lingcod, and state Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesperson Chase Gunnell confirmed it: “Yes, May 1 is the annual lingcod fishing opener for recreational anglers in Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and Strait of Juan de Fuca. Rockpiles and reefs off Alki Point and Blake Island are popular fishing spots for these predatory and delicious bottomfish.”
Gunnell also notes you can find out more about lingcod fishing here.
If you dropped off recyclables during Fauntleroy Church‘s spring Recycle Roundup on Earth Day, here’s the tally, reported today by Judy Pickens:
450 people took advantage of 1 Green Planet‘s free, responsible recycling. The day’s take of just over 14 tons of recyclables brings the total since these roundups began, in 2010, to more than 336 tons. The fall event will be on Saturday, September 23.
(Sunday’s sunset – photo by Greg Snyder)
Here’s the list for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ONLINE BIDDING: Now open for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s fundraising auction, as previewed here. Everybody can bid, not just people attending the in-person gala Friday!
BABY STORY TIME: Baby Story Time is back, noon-12:30 pm Mondays at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
MONDAY MOVIE: 1 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), “Terry’s Greatest Movies You’ve Never Heard Of,” today featuring “Stage Door.” Free popcorn! Contact SCWS to register in advance.
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: We usually make note of this weekly meeting, but this week it’s been canceled, so it’s not happening today.
FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Free Toddler Gym weekday afternoons at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW), ages 2-6, 3:30-5 pm.
CRAFTING AND CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
OPEN MIC: Weekly BedHead Open Mic at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (4201 SW Juneau), 6:30 pm – info in our calendar listing.
D&D: Open D&D starts at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), all welcome, even first-time players. $5.
FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation event at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
ALKI MEDITATION: Free twice-monthly Dharma Community meditation, 7-8:30 pm at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds).
PLAY TRIVIA! Three options on Monday nights for playing trivia – 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
MONDAY MUSIC: Live music with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
Have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar ? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
9:23 AM: For a third day, transient orcas are off Seattle shores – just got word from Kersti Muul that the same groups are southbound, already past Discovery Park on the north side of Elliott Bay. Let us know if you see them!
9:27 AM: Kersti adds that they’re visible from Luna/Anchor Park, and the water’s calm, so the viewing conditions are good.
Family and friends will gather May 24th to remember Kenneth Hesselbalch, and are sharing this remembrance with the community:
Kenneth “Kenny” Hasselbalch was born on June 29, 1968, in Huntington Beach, CA. He was one of five children of Anna and Knud Hasselbalch, immigrants from Denmark. The family first moved to Canada and then to the US in 1961. Kenny and his younger brother Frank were both born in CA. They moved to Seattle in 1974, where their brother Ely Delos Santos was adopted.
Growing up in West Seattle, Kenny spent his life near Puget Sound. An excellent mariner, fisherman, and storyteller, Kenny – AKA Kelp Cod – enjoyed his time on the water. His boat the “Ms. Dori” could be seen launching at Don Armeni at Alki Point where he would converse with the fish checker to see where the best catch was. Known for his smoked salmon, which he often gave away along with the pots full of Dungeness he was always pulling.
Kenny worked in the world of finance, first at Merrill Lynch with his Father-in-law Jack Blondin, and later at Morgan Stanley, where he earned the title of First Vice president. He was a long-time member of the Seattle Bond Club and a past president. He was Chairman of the Father Mallahan Endowment Board at Holy Rosary Church.
He was a member of the Seattle Yacht Club and part of the Sports Fishing Committee. He spent over 30 summers at the SYC cabins on Cortez Island, where he dropped shrimp pots, caught salmon, and gathered oysters.
Kenny was a talented cook who put on many gourmet fundraising dinners and was known for his crab boils benefiting charities dear to his heart such as the Experimental Education Unit-Haring Center and Holy Rosary School. He learned the love of cooking from his mother; the two of them prepared magical meals together.
Kenny had a passion for music with a beautiful singing voice. He played guitar and found solace in music. He was a lover of symphony and the theater. He was an avid sports fan, always supporting the Mariners and Seahawks. He enjoyed golfing and organized many tournaments.
The love of Kenny’s life was and forever will be his daughter Doriana, now a Junior at Chapman University in Orange, CA. He and her mother, Christina, raised Dori in West Seattle, where she attended Holy Rosary School and later Bishop Blanchet High School.
He will be remembered for his generosity, willingness to help those in need, quick wit, and contagious smile. He will be missed.
Kenny passed away on January 20 surrounded by his family and close friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Frank and Ely. He is survived by his daughter Doriana, her mother Christina, and his sisters Conny (Randy) and Susan (Mike) and his brother Kim (Lori) and his many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held in his honor at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, May 24th, at Holy Rosary Church in West Seattle (4210 SW Genesee) with a reception to follow at the school hall across the street. We look forward to seeing you.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mary’s Place: marysplaceseattle.org
To share your condolence and memories of Kenny, please visit his online memorial at: emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Kenneth-Hasselbalch
(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)
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, May 1st.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
TRANSIT
Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations are still happening. Metro is no longer tweeting cancellations, so you’ll have to sign up for email or text alerts if you’re interested in them.
Water Taxi – Now on the spring/summer schedule.
Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule but with the chance of sailing cancellations, so check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations. Also: Peak-season surcharges for some vehicle fares start today.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the camera at the top:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – east-end vicinity:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:
Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!
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