day : 14/04/2024 9 results

UPDATE: Police block parts of 35th, Roxbury after gunfire report

(Image from SDOT traffic camera at 35th/Roxbury)

9:58 PM: Police are blocking 35th between Roxbury and Barton, and Roxbury east of 35th, after a report of gunfire in the area, possibly coming from a person in an apartment building. No injuries reported.

10:41 PM: The roads are still blocked. Meantime, officers have reported detaining someone who might have involved.

11:10 PM: Officers told dispatch they were “wrapping up,” after checking the apartment from which the suspected gunfire came, and traffic cameras show the streets open again. We don’t know what if any evidence they found, nor whether the detained person was arrested, but we’ll be following up.

UPDATE: ‘Law-enforcement activity’ delaying Fauntleroy ferries

9:06 PM: Thanks for the tips. Police are at the Fauntleroy ferry dock, and Washington State Ferries says M/V Cathlamet‘s 8:50 pm departure is delayed because of “law-enforcement activity.” We’re heading to the dock to find out more.

(WSB photos)

9:20 PM: Police at the dock tell us it’s a “person in crisis” situation; they are dealing with an agitated person who was threatening to jump off the dock. SFD and other emergency personnel were called to get him help; he’s going to be transported to Harborview Medical Center via ambulance.

9:24 PM: Our crew at the dock says they’ve just announced over the PA system that service will be resuming (the other boat on the run, M/V Kittitas, has been waiting just off Fauntleroy).

9:31 PM: To catch up, WSF has said via text alert, Cathlamet will take Southworth-destined vehicles and people only, while Kittitas will load only for Vashon.

Ferry-dock project update @ Fauntleroy Community Association’s April meeting

A discussion of the Fauntleroy ferry-dock replacement project was among the toplines at this month’s Fauntleroy Community Association meeting, this past Tuesday night. FCA’s ferry-issues point person Frank Immel said Washington State Ferries has set the next Community Advisory Group meeting for May 15 (you can register for the link via the WSF website), and they’re expecting to hear long-awaited information about how using Good To Go! might affect traffic at the new dock. FCA members voiced concerns including how the proposed traffic light at the dock intersection might affect traffic controls further uphill. They also want WSF to provide newer, more specific data on where inbound ferry users are going after they leave the boats at Fauntleroy. It also was noted that WSF has a new leader – Steve Nevey succeeded Patty Rubstello last month.

The group also discussed the recent egg hunt FCA presented at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse – about 80 kids and 60 families participated. The hunt coordinated by Candace Blue said it was a big success and feedback included positive comments on the eggs being stuffed with non-vandy items.

The board meets most months on the second Tuesday, now at 6 pm, so next meeting will be May 14th; watch fauntleroy.net for updates in the meantime.

LAST CALL: Got your ticket(s) for West Seattle Food Bank’s Instruments of Change?

April 14, 2024 4:39 pm
|    Comments Off on LAST CALL: Got your ticket(s) for West Seattle Food Bank’s Instruments of Change?
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

We are less than two weeks from the annual Instruments of Change dinner and auction to help the West Seattle Food Bank carry on with its work fighting hunger and homelessness – not just filling bellies, but also providing emergency assistance to keep people from losing their homes.. If you don’t have your ticket(s) yet, last call – today is the deadline! The event is happening Saturday, April 27, at The Hall at Fauntleroy, 6 pm, with delicious dinner options (see the menu here) and an inspirational program, including your chance to celebrate this year’s IOC award recipient, C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). This is the 17th year for the benefit; if you buy a whole table of tickets (10), you get them at $25 off the $150 price. Whether you want one or 10, you can get your tickets online here. (WSB is media sponsor for IOC.)

POWER OUTAGE: 11,000+ lose electricity from southeast West Seattle south into South Park, White Center, Burien (updated Monday)

2:52 PM: Thanks for the tip. While Seattle City Light continued working on the Brace Point outage (as updated here), they’ve suddenly got a huge outage to deal with – mostly from South Park south into White Center and Burien, but part of southeast West Seattle – at the end of the Roxbury corridor – is affected too. Remember that intersections with nonfunctioning traffic signals become all-ways stop.

4:13 PM: Now down to just under 5,000. The north areas, including the West Seattle pocket and White Center, are among those restored. No word yet on the cause.

5:09 PM: Under 3,000 still out.

8:33 PM: Down to under 500, mostly in the Boulevard Park area. The exact cause hasn’t been disclosed yet – “equipment” problem of some kind, SCL says.

12:29 PM MONDAY: We followed up today with SCL spokesperson Jenn Strang, who says, “The exact cause of (this) outage in still under investigation but there is a possibility that it was caused by a bird. The resulting fault caused two lines to wrap together, resulting in the larger impact of the outage.”

BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Snapdragon’s weekend West Seattle pop-ups

Stephanie sent that photo, writing, “We walked past this new place and stopped in for some massive pastries (savory and sweet)!! Wanted to share so others know about it too! We had the cinnamon roll and cherry pastry, both were amazing and huge!!” If you’ve already been there, you know it’s Snapdragon, the Vashon bakery that’s been slowly rolling out its West Seattle expansion on the ground floor California/Oregon corner space at the Senior Center of West Seattle. In our last update, they mentioned “pop-ups” while they work toward opening full-time in the space. We stopped in today after Stephanie’s note and confiremd that they’re now open Saturdays 9 am-3 pm and Sundays during “Farmers’ Market hours” (10 am-2 pm).

ROAD WORK: Two Sunday notes

First, the 21st/22nd/23rd repaving finished early.

That’s part of the Puget Ridge/Pigeon Point street sections repaved this past week. SDOT had said the work would continue through today; we took the photo Saturday evening and noted the equipment was all gone, then went back this morning to confirm – the work’s done. Restriping and other finishing touches yet to come, of course.

Meantime, SW Genesee at the bottom of the hill between Avalon and Delridge remains down to one lane, alternating traffic, while a new concrete paving panel cures, closing a section of the westbound lane, so be careful in that area and allow extra tie.

Memorial planned April 27 for Tricia McLean, 1962-2024

Family and friends will gather April 27 to remember Tricia McLean, and are sharing this remembrance now:

Tricia Lynn McLean; October 6, 1962 – March 18, 2024
An Obituary and Love Letter from a Brother, for a Sister

Tricia died. Tricia. Died. …

Two words that are so opposed to one another that, when uttered together, it is simply incomprehensible.

“Wait… Tricia? Died? What?! No!?!”

Our hearts skipped a beat, our stomachs dropped, our mouths went dry, and those words spun relentlessly in our heads as we struggled to comprehend the incomprehensible. Yet, that is what occurred on Monday morning, March 18, 2024.

At the time of this writing, full comprehension only now setting in, acceptance still far ahead, there is a case to be made that contradicts those words and this tragedy: Tricia didn’t die. Tricia lived!

Born Tricia Lynn Owen on October 6, 1962, she was the second of five children to Robin and Beverly Owen. This was a Catholic household, so the kids came fast and early, close together. It was loud, busy, often hilarious, sometimes maddening. But mostly wonderful – in that classic middle-class 1970s ‘Brady Bunch’ sort of way. We shared bedrooms, rode bicycles, traveled in station wagons, ate at the table, said grace, camped, went fishing, watched drive-in movies, attended softball games – all of it. And all of it together.

Yet, somehow, the five of us managed to carve out our own individual identities. Some would say we were independent. Some would even say we were fiercely independent. And none of us more fierce than Tricia. She always had a certain determination about her. I think she considered herself somewhat of an underdog. She had a chip on her shoulder that fostered the audacity to rise above her perceived commonness; to be that person capable of proving anything she believed was right. A rebel. She lived.

As we all grew, grade by grade, matriculating through St. Anthony’s School in Renton, and on through Renton High School, this strong-willed rebel became a stunningly beautiful young woman, utterly devoid of conceit. She hated her hair. But she loved style. Britannia jeans, painter pants. Tricia was the taste-maker among us. She brought disco into our house. She loved soul. Dad didn’t much care for it, but that was counterculture. That was breaking the mold. She was just so damned cool. And that was the life… she lived.

And as she grew into adulthood, that chip on her shoulder began to fill with intellect, cerebral prowess, dignity, and class. She became resolute in her opinions and her choices. She was someone who seemed determined to manifest her own destiny. Tricia went on to college at Central Washington University. She valued education. She said many times, even then, that she would prioritize education in her family. College, she said, would be a requirement, not a choice. This, coming from a young lady who had grown up in a blue-collar, working-class home. Again, breaking the mold.

And she was right. I think college is where Tricia put all the pieces of that fierce independent personality, keen intellect, and sheer beauty together. She formed lifelong friendships, brought college radio home in the summer (Dad didn’t much care for it), and she traveled, spending a summer in France. She lived.

And oh the boyfriends… so many suitors; so little chance…

Until one day, having graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Business and Accounting and beginning to forge her career doing the books for a small wholesale bakery, in walks this young man with sandy blond hair, a big wide smile, and a casual, confident demeanor. He shared her ambition, love for education, and so many formative experiences in common, growing up. All packaged within a rakish, boisterous attitude that contrasted with Tricia’s ferocity. It was, indeed, a match made in heaven.

This, of course, is a love story of its own. But, suffice it to say that I think Chuck McLean was the first man in Tricia’s life that ever truly fascinated her. She would tell me years later, “I wasn’t sure about Chuck at first, but each day with him just kept getting better, then each year, and so on. And it still just keeps getting better.” That stuck with me. That’s living.

Tricia and Chuck were married in a beautiful winter ceremony in Seattle on December 21, 1990, and found a house near Lincoln Park in West Seattle. She gave birth to two girls, Chelsea and Julianne, and a boy, Charlie (Chuck). The birth of her first child seemed to have a profound effect on her. My sister, Tracee, said that at the moment Tricia held her newborn daughter in her arms, her true faith awakened.

They raised their family in the Catholic Church at Holy Rosary Parish in West Seattle; the kids attended school there. And of course, Tricia became integral in that church and school community, even becoming the chairperson for organizing WestFest, a huge carnival-like fundraising event for the parish, and President of the School Commission. She loved her church and lived her faith.

She lived.

As her children grew (all of them attending college, of course), so did Tricia’s career. She started at the Seattle Storm in 2008 when she was hired as the Vice President of Finance and Human Resources and in 2014, became their Chief Financial Officer. The Storm had become as much her family as her church had been. She made room for all of it. Tricia was the biggest Storm fan I knew.

What I didn’t know was just how accomplished she was. In 2019 she was recognized by the PSBJ as a CFO of the year honoree. I had to find out from Chuck. It wouldn’t surprise me if only very few of her friends and family knew the full scope of her accomplishments because Tricia was the last person to bring praise or attention onto herself. She never craved the spotlight, often choosing to spend birthdays away somewhere with Chuck. She would hate all this fuss about her, now. But that’s what happens when someone you love suddenly goes away. With so many friends and colleagues – too many to list here – and her family who are her everything…

And here we all are, still in shock. Tricia was always such a straight shooter; she didn’t mince words if she had an issue with you. Indeed, I can only imagine that she is currently having a few words with God about the timing of all of this. And yet, nor did she mince words if she told you how proud she was of you, or how much she loved you.

So neither will I. This sucks. There is no silver lining that I can see to such an amazing person being plucked from us at this time. Although, I don’t suppose any time would be ideal – Tricia just kept ascending. This final ascent is hard for us. But Tricia’s faith was strong. And so must ours be, for if we lose it, we jeopardize the chance to see her again.

So let us all go on, and live like Tricia would, or as best we can. Because if we don’t, it’s death.

There will be a funeral mass on Saturday, 27 April, 2024 at 11 AM at Holy Rosary Church in West Seattle, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tricia’s name. A few of her favorite organizations include Mary’s Place, Holy Rosary School – Fr. Mallahan Endowment Fund, and Turn Point LIghthouse Preservation Society. (The Lighthouse is where Chuck proposed and Tricia said “yes!”)

(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)

WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 10 notes

(“Mason bee, pollinator extraordinaire!” says photographer Rosalie Miller)

Here’s what’s happening (and not) on your West Seattle Sunday!

NO WATER TAXI: Service is canceled again today while the crew and vessels get ready for added spring/summer service (Friday/Saturday later-evening runs) starting next Friday. Service resumes tomorrow.

HIGH POINT LIBRARY CLOSED: The branch at 3411 SW Raymond is closed Sundays through at least early June as part of a schedule shuffle as the system deals with staffing shortages.

MINI-POLAR PLUNGE: 9 am every Sunday, you’re welcome to join a group plunge into Puget Sound off Alki – meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meets at 9 am Sundays at rotating locations – today it’s Ampersand Café (2536 Alki SW).

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: The market is open today, 10 am-2 pm as usual, on California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon, offering spring vegetables, flowers, and fruit, plus baked goods, cheese, fish, meat, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from cider to kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, candy, more! Here’s today’s vendor list.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE SHOW: Wondering what it’s like to drive an EV? Noon-2 pm at Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation‘s parking lot (7141 California SW), talk with your neighbors about theirs at this community-organized show.

CLASSIC NOVELS (AND MOVIES) BOOK CLUB: Meets 3 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), but arrive 2:30-ish to buy beverages and chat. This month’s book: “July’s People” by South African novelist and Nobel Prize winner Nadine Gordimer (1981).

PEARL JAM ALBUM LISTENING PARTY: Gather at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW) at 3 pm to listen to Pearl Jam‘s new album “Dark Matter.”

SECOND MATINEE FOR ‘ENGLISH’: The popular new play continues at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3 pm. Ticket link in our calendar listing.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Wrap up your weekend with music by the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8-10 pm.

Are you planning something that should be on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basics – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!