West Seattle, Washington
13 Sunday
In a three-hour online meeting that concluded an hour ago, our area’s largest political organization – the 34th District Democrats – made their pre-primary endorsement decisions. Here’s how that shook out in the three major local races for which the incumbents aren’t running again:
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1: With almost 200 members in attendance, the group nominated four of the eight candidates for consideration. That first vote ended with Rob Saka at 50 percent, Maren Costa 24.6 percent, Phil Tavel 11.9 percent, and Preston Anderson 11.1 percent. 60 percent is required to win an endorsement, so this went to a second ballot between Saka and Costa; he won the sole endorsement with 63.7 percent. (For context, departing incumbent Lisa Herbold won the 34th DDs’ endorsement four years ago, and they gave a dual endorsement to her and Shannon Braddock in the first D-1 election back in 2015.)
KING COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 8: Two of the three candidates for the position Joe McDermott is leaving were nominated for consideration. Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda just missed winning the endorsement by coming in a fraction of a point below 60 percent. The group then voted on whether to dual-endorse Mosqueda and Burien Mayor Sofia Aragon, but decided on “no endorsement” instead. They’ll be able to reconsider for the November general election.
SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 8: Only one candidate was nominated for consideration out of the three vying for the seat Leslie Harris is leaving. Gina Topp (a former 34th DDs chair) got the nod.
ALSO OF NOTE: The 34th DDs took various other endorsement votes but weren’t scheduled to vote on whether to endorse the Veterans, Seniors, & Human Services Levy. County Executive Dow Constantine moved to bring it up, noting that ballots will be in the mail by the time the group meets again July 12th. After voting to allow a vote, attendees endorsed the levy.
The longrunning West Coast port-contract negotiations have finally resulted in an agreement. Announced tonight:
The Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union today announced a tentative agreement on a new six-year contract covering workers at all 29 West Coast ports. The deal was reached with assistance from Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su. The parties will not be releasing details of the agreement at this time. The agreement is subject to ratification by both parties.
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement that recognizes the heroic efforts and personal sacrifices of the ILWU workforce in keeping our ports operating,” said PMA President James McKenna and ILWU President Willie Adams in a joint statement. “We are also pleased to turn our full attention back to the operation of the West Coast Ports.”
As reported here earlier this year, port cargo volume drops have been blamed on shippers steering away from the West Coast due to uncertainty over the contract situation.
Two food-business notes:
YES, SHUG’S IS STILL ON THE WAY: After a couple reader questions recently about the status of long-on-the-way Shug’s Soda Fountain (Mini) location at California/Charlestown, we checked in with co-proprietor Colleen, who replied, “We are forging ahead! Just not sure when we can get the final push accomplished. I am so excited to share Shug’s with everyone and wish we were open already. Hopefully soon!” It’s going on five years since they first announced intentions for the space. They’ve had pop-ups on the way, plus permitting challenges and life circumstances contributing to the long delay.
NAME CHANGE: Erik emailed today to say he had received a postal-mail brochure for Romano Pizza and Pasta, at the same address he knew as Olympia Pizza (5605 Delridge Way SW). So we went over to see what was up.
We asked the staff if the name change signified an ownership change; they said no. We recognized the same staff as last time we had been there some weeks back; Erik said the menu in the brochure seems pretty much the same too. The restaurant opened, as Olympia Pizza, 15 years ago.
That’s Helena, a 12-year-old Madison Middle School student, and we just found out from her dad Patrick that she’s collecting pet food until 6:30 pm today at 50th/Stevens. Her dad says she’ll be accepting donations tomorrow too (we’re checking on the hours). The pet food she collects will go to Seattle Humane.
3:59 PM: Seattle Police published this statement this afternoon:
Late yesterday afternoon, SPD received an order from a US District Court judge that enjoined, in full, enforcement of SMC 12A.080.020 – the City’s misdemeanor property destruction law. This means that until further order of the Court, SPD cannot take action on damage to property under this law. This is not a matter within SPD or City discretion; we are bound by the court order as it is written.
We understand and share the concerns that are being relayed to us by our community, businesses and residents alike. We know, as evidenced by the thousands of calls for service we receive each year reporting acts of vandalism and other forms of property damage that property damage is, in fact, a crime that is of significance to community members. SPD is working closely with the Mayor’s Office and City Attorney’s Office to assess next steps with the Court.
We hadn’t heard about this case before. It challenges graffiti-vandalism arrests under a city law that specifically targets graffiti vandalism, but does NOT mention other forms of “property destruction::
A.A person is guilty of property destruction if he or she:
1.Intentionally damages the property of another; or
2.Writes, paints, or draws any inscription, figure, or mark of any type on any public or private building or other structure or any real or personal property owned by any other person.
The order by federal Judge Marsha Pechman is a preliminary injunction – meaning it could be temporary. Here it is, as linked in a news release from City Attorney Ann Davison‘s office. In the ruling, Judge Pechman writes in part that the law:
“… targets speech (and) poses a real and substantial threat of censorship. … On its face, the Ordinance sweeps so broadly that it criminalizes innocuous drawings (from a child’s drawing of a mermaid to pro-police messages written by the Seattle Police Foundation … The Court agrees with Defendants that the public benefits from preventing property damage and visual blight. But the criminalization of free speech significantly harms the public interest in far greater measure than the public might benefit from criminalizing property damage.”
Meantime, the City Attorney’s Office said that today it would ‘file a motion asking Judge Pechman for expedited reconsideration of the order. The Criminal Division of the Seattle City Attorney’s Office will not be filing property destruction charges under this law for the time being.”
6:34 PM: The City Attorney’s Office has since sent this statement clarifying that the injunction only sought to target graffiti vandalism, not other kinds of property damage:
At the direction of the Court, counsel for the City and the plaintiffs conferred this afternoon to determine whether they agreed that the Preliminary Injunction should enjoin enforcement of both SMC 12A.08.020(A)(1) and (A)(2) or just SMC 12A.03.020(A)(2). After conferring, the parties submitted a stipulated notice to the Court stating their agreement that the Preliminary Injunction enjoins only SMC 12A.08.020(A)(2). We anticipate the Court will issue an order confirming the stipulation and narrowed scope of the Preliminary Injunction Order. The effect of this change is significant because it permits the City to continue enforcing violations involving property damage, a gross misdemeanor, under SMC 12.08.020(A)(1). Subsection (A)(2) of the ordinance remains enjoined, pending further order of the Court.
The aforementioned “stipulated notice” can be read here.
If you’re a regular WSB reader – and/or you’ve been through this yourself – you know that fire-hydrant testing has led to an increased incidence of brown water. The hydrants are Seattle Public Utilities infrastructure; Seattle Fire tests them. The two departments have joined forces today for this citywide reminder about hydrant testing. What’s not mentioned is something SPU confirmed to us a few weeks back, after a reader tip – that a change in procedure has factored into the rise in reports. Also keep in mind that while much of this is attributed to hydrant testing, that’s not the only reason for brown water; line breaks and other problems can stir up the sediment in the lines too, so if it happens to you, continue reporting to SPU at 206-386-1800.
One month from today, the peninsula’s biggest party of the year begins – West Seattle Summer Fest in The Junction, Friday, July 14th, through Sunday, July 16th. We talked about the plan recently with Chris Mackay, executive director of the West Seattle Junction Association, which presents Summer Fest (which has its roots decades ago in an annual Junction-wide summertime sidewalk sale).
Hours and festival footprint will be the same as last year – vendors will be open 1-8 pm Friday, 10 am-8 pm Saturday, 10 am-5 pm Sunday, with music and beer garden running later on Friday and Saturday. Main-stage music will again be Friday and Saturday only – if you missed the lineup announcement last month, see it here. On Sunday, the Farmers’ Market will be on California north of Oregon like last year.
Enjoy festival browsing, to shop and learn? You’ll find more vendors this year – about 150 (listed here). The food booths will be a bit more numerous this year too (list coming soon). The kid zone on the west side of the festival – on SW Alaska and in the lot behind KeyBank – will include inflatables as well as free activities hosted by local schools. A community mural will be created again at Summer Fest this year (thanks to Dan Wiseman‘s legacy gift).
And of course it all starts Thursday afternoon/evening with Summer Fest Eve – your chance to wander the streets of The Junction and enjoy Art Walk venues while Summer Fest setup happens. We’ll see you in The Junction next month!
Two robberies in West Seattle Crime Watch this morning:
SUSPECT ARRESTED: If you noticed a police response in the Jefferson Square area this past hour, police were called after a reported robbery, and arrested a suspect. We’re still working to get specifics on what happened beyond “robbery at knifepoint” with the robber demanding the victim’s (corrected) wallet and phone; the suspect was arrested near the north side of the shopping center and some items were found in a subsequent search with a K-9. Thursday update: Police say the circumstances were as follows: “An employee was outside on his phone when a guy approached him and told him to hand over his phone and wallet. When the employee refused, the suspect pulled out a knife and repeated his demands.” The 35-year-old suspect is likely to have a bail/probable-cause hearing this afternoon.
STORE HOLDUP: Thanks for the tip on this – someone driving by the 35th/Barton 7-11 around 6 am noticed police cars and crime tape. According to archived dispatch audio, a store staffer called 911 around 4 am to report a robbery at gunpoint about half an hour earlier. The robbers were described as white, male, masked, about 18 years old, and in a black 4-door car. Police were working to get access to security video.
(Northern Flickers, photographed by Jay Speidell)
Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s what’s happening today/tonight on what’s expected to be the warmest day of the week:
TODDLER READING TIME: Bring your little one to Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) for Toddler Reading Time, 10:30 am.
CANDIDATE FORUM: A coalition of advocacy groups is presenting a City Council District 1 forum focused on mobility, 5 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way), also livestreamed – our calendar listing has the RSVP link.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Don’t replace it – fix it! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
TRIVIA x 6: Here’s where to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) now offers trivia … at 7 pm, you can play trivia at the West Seattle Brewing Mothership (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW); Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm; there’s 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska); trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: Our area’s largest political group makes its pre-primary endorsements at an online meeting tonight, 6:30 pm. See their website for info on how to attend.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
PIANO NIGHT: 7 pm at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way).
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
KARAOKE AT BENBOW ROOM: 9 pm-2 am – info in our calendar listing. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
If you are planning an event – presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, or … – that could be featured on West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar, tell us about it! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering Dr. Patrick M. Hogan, who had a longtime dental practice in West Seattle. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing:
Pat died peacefully surrounded by his family May 31, 2023 at the age of 74 due to pancreatic cancer. Born October 25, 1948, in Seattle to Raymond and Kathleen Hogan, he attended Mercer Island High School where he played football and graduated in 1966. Pat graduated Cum Laude from the University of Washington and was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.
In 1971 he married the love of his life, Jan. Pat graduated from the UW School of Dentistry in 1974. After graduation, he spent 3 years as a Captain in the Army Dental Corps at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, earning the Army Commendation Medal. While at Fort Bragg, Pat and Jan welcomed their daughter, Kelly, in 1976. They subsequently returned home to Seattle, where Pat began his practice at the West Seattle Dental Center in 1977. Daughter Kyle was born in 1980, and Kacey in 1986. Pat and Jan lived in Burien, West Seattle, and Normandy Park while they raised their three girls.
Pat thoroughly enjoyed serving the West Seattle community as a dentist and treated his patients with a very high level of care, and he was known to follow up with patients in the evenings and on weekends. As Pat stated about his practice, “The true joy of practicing dentistry is in the relationships that you build with your patients. My practice feels very much like a family. We have many patients who started in our practice as children, and are now bringing their children to see us. I can’t express what that type of loyalty means to myself and to my staff.” During his 46 years practicing dentistry, he spent time teaching at the UW School of Dentistry, participating in West Seattle Rotary, and numerous dental study clubs, including the Renaissance Study Club, receiving years of continuing education.
Pat was very active in basketball until “the hips wore out” and was also a “founding father” of Hoopaholics Basketball Camp, which benefits Childhaven. Pat retired from dentistry in 2020 and he and Jan moved to Bainbridge Island. Throughout Pat’s life his passions were his family, basketball, and exploring the waters of Puget Sound and the San Juans in the family’s wooden trawler the “First Light.” Pat is survived by his wife Jan Hogan, brother Tim Hogan (Candy), daughters Kelly Johnston (Scott), Kyle Udo (Chandler), Kacey Lugar (Evan) and six grandchildren: Jane, George, Bennett, Emerson, Ella and Clare. A private celebration of his life will be held for family and friends on June 27.
(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. Welcome to Wednesday, June 14th!
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
(Tuesday photo by James Bratsanos)
Today’s forecast: Starting off mostly cloudy, sun later, high in the upper 60s. Sunrise was at 5:11 am; sunset will be at 9:08 pm.
SCHOOL YEAR ENDING
Here’s our list of when local schools get out for summer – today is the last day for Our Lady of Guadalupe.
TRANSIT
Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations and temporary route suspensions can and do happen at any time.
Water Taxi – Continuing the spring/summer schedule, including late-evening runs on Friday and Saturday nights. Note that next Monday, the WSWT will be on a Sunday schedule for Juneteenth.
Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule; sailing cancellations remain possible on short notice, so check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.
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 main camera:
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 – alternate route across the river:
Highway 99: – 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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