West Seattle, Washington
24 Monday
(Late-night owl photo by David Hutchinson)
We’re socked in on the Gatewood/Fauntleroy line – how about you? The weather is supposed to improve later – and then, the National Weather Service says, it’ll be extra-hot over the holiday weekend. But we’re not there yet. Here are Thursday highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WADING POOL AND SPRAYPARK: The only West Seattle wading pool still open for the season is Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way), and the hotline confirms it WILL be open 11 am-8 pm today, as is Highland Park spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), both open daily through Labor Day.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Noon-4 pm Thursdays-Sundays, you’re invited to visit the home of West Seattle’s history, HQ of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, and these event-light final days of summer might be your perfect opportunity. (61st SW/SW Stevens)
SWAP MEET 4 PEACE & FILM SCREENING: 2 pm at Muse Gallery in North Delridge. Everyone’s invited to a “potluck-style mini-swap meet” and film screening at the wrap of a summer program:
Bring an item or two to swap w someone else! It could be anything- music, film, art related! Vintage clothes? Books? Music? Funny props? Art? Art supplies? Join us as we celebrate and wrap our 6-week summer session as Across the Bridge. We’ll also be screening Team Introvert’s short film “Star” right next door at The Skylark at 3 pm! We’re an all-ages crew of creatives, exploring work opportunities in Seattle and we went on 10 field trips this summer. Feeling proud of our crew and happy to connect with new friends and old! Join us! Bring a friend.
(3801 Delridge Way SW)
ALKI KIDS’ PLACE OPEN HOUSE: Still finalizing your plans for after-school care this year, especially with early-release Wednesdays new on the Seattle Public Schools calendar? 4-6 pm today, you can visit Alki Kids’ Place (WSB sponsor) to meet the new director and find out about the program. (6115 SW Hinds)
SINGER-SONGWRITERS PERFORM FOLK-POP: 8-11 pm at Parliament Tavern – Heather Edgley, Sarah St. Albin, Niagara Moon. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
(Photo courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary)
If you’re staying here on our beautiful peninsula for the holiday weekend, this might be one last thing on your summer bucket list – tour historic Alki Point Lighthouse. Again this summer, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has opened the historic lighthouse for free tours on many weekend days, but this weekend is it for the year – you can tour Saturday, Sunday, and/or Monday, 1 to 4 pm, be there by 3:40 pm to be sure you get in before it closes. The auxiliary’s Debra Alderman, who keeps us updated all summer on changes in tour dates, invites you to: “Come see a special piece of West Seattle history that has been keeping mariners safe for 104 years and still glowing strong! For more information, visit our website.” The lighthouse is at 3201 Alki SW.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
6:10 AM: Thanks for the texts. We start with a crash, confirmed by SDOT, on the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct at Seneca.
And wherever you are headed, watch out for slick roads. @WestSeaWx says “lots of drizzle out there thanks to a thick marine layer that moved in overnight.”
6:23 AM: WSDOT says the crash is blocking the 2 right lanes. Metro is warning of bus delays.
6:45 AM: SDOT says the Viaduct crash has cleared.
7:19 AM: Now there’s a “heavy rescue” response listed as westbound West Seattle Bridge at Delridge. The crash is on/at the offramp, not affecting eastbound traffic. We are off for a closer look.
8 AM: Took a long time to get within view from the north end of Delridge/west end of low bridge, but the scene is still mostly out of photographic range. A bus was on the ramp along with emergency-responder vehicles, but just as our photographer started walking that way across the intersection, the bus left. A car, pointed the wrong way, is partly in view.
SFD has cleared the scene. An SDOT crew is clearing debris.
With Labor Day weekend nearing, we’ve made a list of when local schools resume classes – a few already have!
PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Wednesday, September 6th, for all except kindergarteners, who start September 11th
HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Wednesday, September 6th, for all except kindergarteners, who start September 11th
VASHON ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT: Tuesday, September 5th, for all except kindergarteners, whose students start September 7th
INDEPENDENT & PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS
HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL: September 5th
HOPE LUTHERAN SCHOOL: September 5th
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL: September 5th
EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL: September 6th
SHOREWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL: September 6th
TILDEN SCHOOL: September 6th
WEST SEATTLE MONTESSORI: September 6th
WESTSIDE SCHOOL: September 6th
ALREADY IN SESSION
SUMMIT ATLAS CHARTER SCHOOL: Started August 21st
SEATTLE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL: Started August 24th
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL: Started August 28th
KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL: Started August 29th
POST-SECONDARY
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE: Fall quarter starts September 25th
Did we miss anyone? Please comment or e-mail us!
(WSB photo, looking west across the intersection at midday today)
As you know if you (a) went through the area today and/or (b) read our morning traffic coverage, the 59th/Admiral all-way stop is now in place: The signs are installed, and what was a pedestrian-activated signal is now flashing red. SDOT had told us that the work would be done “Monday or Tuesday” of this week. We had been checking morning and afternoon both days – no sign of crews. Then, we learned from two neighbors, SDOT showed up to do the work late last night, and was still on the scene, with loud equipment, past midnight. So we asked SDOT spokesperson Dawn Schellenberg why the work was done at that hour. “Because of the large volume of transportation projects being installed and the importance of meeting Levy to Move Seattle commitments, SDOT crews are currently working day and night shifts,” she replied.
Did night work mean overtime? “Overtime was not used for this project.”
Schellenberg acknowledged that advance notice to neighbors of nighttime work would have been a good thing. Since more work is coming up on other intersections along Admiral Way west of California (as announced two months ago), we asked about the plans for that work:
We’re finalizing designs at the other intersections and will issue work orders in the next few weeks. I don’t yet have information on schedule, or time of day. Agreed, public notice of night-time work would be good. I’ll try and keep apprised of our plans and update adjacent residents as appropriate.
This is all followup to the Admiral Way Safety Project that rechannelized the western stretch last year. Other work in the area included a few blocks of repaving two weeks ago, following continued complaints about the road’s condition.
Put the “labor” in your Labor Day weekend – before you get down to relaxing – and join the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s quarterly Adopt-a-Street cleanup this Saturday. 9 am-noon (and if you can’t devote all that time, give what you can), with coffee and treats before, sack lunch after, meeting at Metropolitan Market (41st/42nd/Admiral; WSB sponsor). Just show up – tools and bags provided – all ages welcome.
6:15 PM: Two notes in West Seattle Crime Watch:
DUMPED TOOLS: Know anyone who’s had carpet-laying tools stolen? Dan sent the photo:
They were found “on the median strip of SW Alaska St. between 46th and 45th Ave SW.”
RYAN COX CASE UPDATE: For the second time in three days, we went to the King County Courthouse this morning, where Gatewood stabbing suspect Ryan Cox was scheduled to be arraigned – to enter a plea to the charge of second-degree assault filed days after the August 8th attack. And again, the morning calendar ended after two and a half hours without his appearance – he again “declined to appear,” according to the document filed at midday saying the hearing is now rescheduled to 8:30 am tomorrow. We asked King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe what happens if this continues. “We always argue that a defendant needs to be present in court for arraignment. Arraignment will eventually be completed. The Court can also issue an order allowing the jail to use reasonable efforts to bring a defendant to court.” (For the record, at least one other defendant on the morning calendar was described in court as declining to appear.)
CAR PROWL – ADDED 6:40 PM: One more reader report, just received from Ayla:
My car just got broken into last night that is parked right in my driveway on 17TH AVE SW! :( It was completely rummaged through — everything in the console and glove compartment pulled out onto the seat. They took my Apple desktop that I just bought from Employee sale. It was covered on the back seat and since it was heavy, I was waiting for my son to come home to carry it inside the house. They also took my makeup bag, sunglasses, and some groceries.
Such a low life and horrible heart! They must have needed it so bad for their drug money!I have to work overtime to purchase this computer! If they could go out and steal, why not use that energy to work for a guaranteed money? Why waste time and make other people’s life miserable! These thieves are heartless! They do not have values, morals, and discipline. I hope they catch these prowlers soon!
(Map from Sound Transit’s “system expansion” website)
West Seattle’s branch of Sound Transit light rail is still an estimated 13 years away, and major planning is a ways off too. But the West Seattle Transportation Coalition saw no wisdom in waiting, and organized a June workshop to collect early community ideas and feedback (here’s our as-it-happened coverage).
Today, WSTC sent Sound Transit its wrapup of what participants said, as well as documents with community comments collected in connection with the event.
Here’s the summary they sent, followed by the community-comment collections:
Dear Sound Transit Board Members:
The West Seattle Transportation Coalition (WSTC) sponsored and conducted a peninsula-wide, public workshop on June 22, 2017, to inform the community and gather their input on the ST3 light rail proposal for service to West Seattle.
Following an introduction on light rail by Tom Linde, P.E., and supported by traffic engineers Larry Wymer and Mark Jacobs, the WSTC shared the representational ST3 alignment for West Seattle, as shown in Sound Transit’s documents dated July 19, 2016 (C-03a2, Downtown to West Seattle Elevated, Rev. 1, Sheets 1-5), including station areas at Delridge, Avalon, and the West Seattle Junction. Workshop attendees were asked to complete a comment card and answer survey questions. The comments are attached.
In general, attendees expressed the following preferences:
*Run the rail line underground through the West Seattle Golf Course, and into The Junction—the central, historic West Seattle business district,
*Include a Park & Ride and a bicycle garage at each station
*Conduct more community meetings to gather public input,
*Regular Sound Transit must provide timely reports on options, decisions, and progress toward implementation
*Sound Transit and other transportation agencies are strongly encouraged to examine less expensive options that are not slope-challenged, and can be delivered faster, such as aerial tramway, app-centered van pools, and driverless vehicle systems.
To arrive at their results, WSTC workshop organizers and attendees identified several factors that they want taken into account, including: Read More
Story by Tracy Record
Photos and video by Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers
Anger flared at times as a standing-room-only crowd filled the South Park Neighborhood Center last night to hear from, and talk with, city reps who declared themselves committed to community safety.
The meeting was requested by community members weary of dealing with issues from gunfire to garbage to squatters, and suggesting a “disconnect” between city words and community reality.
We recorded it all on video, which you can watch, unedited, below:
“I understand your issues well,” said Kathy Nyland, Department of Neighborhoods director – and Georgetown resident – opening and facilitating the meeting.
She thanked the crowd for its patience while the city got the meeting organized.
City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, whose district includes South Park, said its issues have been at the forefront since she took office but it’s clear “I need to do more. … It takes a lot of vigilance to address issues in this community and other communities that are difficult and complex.”
Trouble with the Washington State Ferries vessel M/V Hyak on the Bremerton run is leading to changes that will, in a domino effect, put the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route on a 2-boat schedule starting tomorrow. WSF published this announcement with full details. WSF says this could last up to two weeks.
(UPDATED THURSDAY NIGHT with garage-sale dates/times, Saturday and Sunday 10-4)
By Linda Ball
Reporting for West Seattle Blog & White Center Now
Case Justham says he doesn’t sleep very well, so he stays up and reads cookbooks all night. His mom Linda Justham says her son looks at the science of food, down to the molecular properties of a dish. Case is quick to point out that he’s not a scientist, but he likes to try non-traditional cooking methods.
Case (photo at right), a self-taught chef, is presently the sous chef and butcher at The Swinery in West Seattle. With mom Linda, sister Piper Carscadden, brother Drew Justham, and wife Amy Justham, they are partnering to open the family’s first restaurant, Brass Knuckle Bistro in White Center. Case will be the chef, Carscadden will work the front end and social media and Linda will do the books, eventually turning them over to Carscadden. The others will be mostly silent partners, although Drew has extensive front-end experience and will probably be present in the first few weeks.
The entire family lives in West Seattle but they chose what was until three months ago the location of 3.14 Bakery at 9602 16th SW, just south of Roxbury, for the bistro (and are having a “garage sale” there later this week Saturday and Sunday – more on that below).
(Bewick’s Wren, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Midweek highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WADING POOL AND SPRAYPARK: The only West Seattle wading pool still open for the season is Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way); it’s open 11 am-8 pm today, as is Highland Park spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), both open daily through Labor Day.
TINKERLAB GIZMOS & GADGETS: One last Wednesday-afternoon session before summer break is over, drop-in fun with STEM-based crafts at Delridge Library, 1-3 pm. All welcome. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
SAFETY WORKSHOP: Seattle Neighborhood Group presents this free workshop at Delridge Library, 3:30 pm: “Keeping Your Property Safe and Crime Free.” Organizers say, “This is a FREE workshop designed for property managers, landlords, and anyone else that is interested in building safer communities. We’ll discuss how to identify and prevent illegal activities at your property, tips for effective Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), how to create excellent rental agreements, and how to work with residents to make your property a great place to live!” (5423 Delridge Way SW)
HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN: Summer growing season is still going strong. Today’s your next chance to buy produce steps away from where it was grown, 4-7 pm at the weekly High Point Market Garden Farm Stand. (32nd SW/SW Juneau)
GROUP RUN: 6:15 pm at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), tonight’s group run is sponsored by the upcoming Snohomish River Run – details in our calendar listing. All runners welcome! (2743 California SW)
DELRIDGE GROCERY CO-OP TOWN HALL: 6:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, as previewed in our latest progress report on the volunteer group that has long worked to bring a co-op grocery store to Delridge – hear what the market study showed, how you can help, and what’s next. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
AT PARLIAMENT TAVERN: SUP (Sonic Unity Project), 8-11 pm. Jam improv featuring RL Heyer (guitar), Brad Gibson (drums), and special guests. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
SEE WHAT ELSE IS UP … by checking our complete calendar!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
6:35 AM: Good morning! No incidents reported so far in/from West Seattle.
59TH/ADMIRAL ALL-WAY STOP: Last week, we reported that SDOT planned to make the 59th/Admiral change “Monday or Tuesday” of this week. We’ve been checking, and hadn’t seen any work by late Tuesday afternoon. Now we’ve learned crews were working at the intersection late last night. We plan to follow up with a firsthand look in the next hour or so, but in the meantime, if you travel through there, heads-up.
6:54 AM: Still no incidents in the area. One more heads-up – you might see school buses out in force today and tomorrow; a local driver tells us they’ll be practicing their routes, one week in advance of the start of classes at Seattle Public Schools.
7:11 AM: Still incident-free – and cloudy. Meantime, in case you missed it Tuesday evening – the new crosswalk that’s been years in the planning on the west side of Alaska/Fauntleroy/39th is now open.
7:56 AM: Just crossed the bridge, headed toward downtown to cover a court hearing. Aside from a little slowing toward the crest (we enter the bridge from Fauntleroy Way), fairly fast-moving, and 15 minutes after leaving HQ, we’re already on 4th Avenue. One right-lane closure on 4th for the paving project, a bit north of the bridge, and more lane-narrowing near Walker, but no backup.
(Above, original design made public in March; below; revised design announced today)
Sent late today by SDOT – news that they’re scaling back on planned pedestrian improvements because of possible future development. The update sent to the project mailing list was signed by outreach lead Michael Charles:
I am touching base with you to share an update on SDOT’s Chief Sealth High School Walkway Improvements project. This project is part of the Neighborhood Street Fund program, which funds community-requested projects.
Updated Design
In the original design, we planned to have a walkway along 25th Ave SW. This was removed because of the likelihood that a developer will submit a permit for construction on the east side of 25th Ave SW in the relatively near future. Knowing this, we’ve removed the paved walkway on 25th Ave SW from the project design, because the developer will be required, per the City’s Land Use Code, to construct similar right-of-way improvements.
We recognize that this is unwelcome news to some of you who looked forward to the improvements on 25th Ave SW. While it could still be several years before this development takes place, the high likelihood of its occurring means that investing public funds at this location would not be prudent.
We will continue to advance the project and improve the walkway on 26th Ave SW. Please see the project website to view the updated project design.
(That’s the second map at the top of this story.) This is the first major update since project feedback was sought back in March. The project website now has an updated “fact sheet.”
As for the possible development, we’ve just checked the parcels along the east side of 25th and have not found any early-stage filing that would correlate with what the city’s referring to, so far. But there’s vacant land on the north side of Trenton and 25th (as spotlighted unpleasantly during last year’s Find It, Fix It walk) – we’ll keep watching the files.
From James:
I wiped out on my bike today, barrelling down Genesee between Avalon Way & Delridge. A bike malfunction locked up my back wheel and I was thrown. The injuries were semi-serious, but I was trying to crawl my way back to my bike and get home. I’m glad I didn’t. She calmed me down, insisted that I sit, called 911 and (I think) waited until the fire brigade arrived. The ambulance picked me up and I just got home from Harborview. Staples in my head, cracked helmet, and about 2 sq ft of aggregate road rash.
Thanks to that nice woman who stopped and called the cops for me. I likely otherwise would have pretended everything was cool, but at the time I was likely concussed and in a haze. Now that I have my wits back, I could easily see myself walking back up the hill and trying to ride home when I had a hard time remembering what year it was in the ambulance. I also had a hard time remembering who the president is, which is a nice side effect of concussions if you’re into that sort of thing.
Again, thanks to that kind woman. Seattle is becoming a gritty city in some parts, but I’m happy to have nice neighbors in West Seattle.
The long-anticipated SW Alaska crosswalk on the west side of Fauntleroy Way is now open (lower half of the top photo). First word came in a short time ago from Matt, who also sent the photos:
Finally! They painted the stripes this morning and it was open by the afternoon. They also re-striped East across Fauntleroy.
The walk signal is about 15 seconds long and the turn arrow does remain red; however, I did observe one southbound car start to proceed through the right turn when the signal turned green for the other two lanes only to stop quickly when they saw a pedestrian crossing. I’d suggest caution when crossing here as it may take a while for people to get used to a crosswalk being here.
This crosswalk has been years in the making – though SDOT installed it, it was part of The Whittaker‘s (WSB sponsor) “public-benefit package,” required for its alley vacation; the crosswalk goes from The Whittaker’s northeast corner across SW Alaska to Spruce (LA Fitness + apartments). We’re told there’s still a little more work ahead at this intersection, so don’t expect to see it crew-less just yet.
At Lincoln Park, the removal of ~91 trees and trimming of ~170 more is under way. (We took the photo above along Fauntleroy Way this morning.)
This is the work we first told you about back in June after touring the area with a group of nature and park advocates.
At the time, Seattle Parks said the work – to remove trees and limbs that are dead or in danger of dying – was imminent, despite the fact that public outreach had been scant. Read More
The photo and report are from BrianD:
Our house sitter found this bike near the Fauntleroy Ferry dock over the weekend, Silver/gray with red front forks. To claim, give us some sort of identifying feature – what is printed on seat, what is printed on handlebars, or what sort of markings are on the frame. If not claimed in a few days, it will be turned over to SPD.
Yours? Contact us and we’ll connect you.
The storm scenes from Houston might have convinced you to review your disaster preparedness. Local preparedness advocate Cindi Barker shares word of a unique opportunity that’s not in West Seattle but might be helpful because this kind of training isn’t being offered by the city of Seattle at all any more. She summarizes it as “a special class offered for people who have access issues (ADA, seniors, learning barriers) so that they can take a class and train in Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) skills, (which) can still be used by people at any time to respond to a disaster.” The Accessible CERT class is happening in Redmond, three full days:
It is a CERT class trained using a variety of learning styles. It is based on the concept of universal accessibility. It is designed for any person who self-identifies as having a disability and members of advocate groups for people with disabilities. Of course, all are welcome!
The class is three days long. Friday, September 29th, through October 1st, 2017. The first two days are interactive classroom training. The third day, participants will respond as a team to a staged mock disaster.
The entire course is free of charge, will have full accessibility, sign-language interpreters, lunch is included, and we will cover the cost of transportation for individuals with disabilities if requested.
Again, it’s free, but registration is required, and spaces are limited – go here. (Even more details are available via this fact-sheet flyer.)
The photo and report – more of a request, really – are from Hillary:
My wheelchair-bound mother and I have had to keep our sidewalk at 24th Avenue SW and SW Holden closed until we can get a retaining wall replaced. Our retaining wall failed due to rain and contractor error in February. The city insists we keep the sidewalk closed and pay to do so. We have had to put up sidewalk-closed signs at our own expense. They have been repeatedly stolen and vandalized. It has happened again this week. Both signs, which cost us $152, were stolen. We get the wall replaced in September. We have spent several thousand dollars to keep the sidewalk closed already. We can’t keep replacing signs. Could you please appeal to the community on our behalf? We just want our signs back. No questions asked.
Thanks to Ben for today’s featured bird – video of a peregrine falcon seemingly oblivious to other birds’ harassment at Westcrest Park. Meanwhile, the week before Labor Day continues, it’s a smoky and warm Tuesday – here are highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WADING POOL AND SPRAYPARK: The only West Seattle wading pool still open for the season – this is the last full week! – is Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way); it’s open 11 am-8 pm today, as is Highland Park spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), both open daily (weather permitting, and today that’s certainly not an issue) through Labor Day.
FREE LUNCH FOR KIDS: From our ongoing listings for three West Seattle locations where kids can get lunch while school’s out – noon-1 pm at Neighborhood House High Point, 12:30 pm-1:30 pm at Delridge Library, 12:30 pm-1:30 pm at High Point Library.
FREE BUSINESS PLANNING CONSULTATION: 2:30-5:30 pm at Delridge Library – but you need an appointment; our calendar listing explains how. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
SOUTH PARK COMMUNITY SAFETY MEETING: 7-8:30 pm at South Park Neighborhood Center, tonight’s the community-requested meeting intended to discuss “emerging issues and growing concerns,” with city and community reps, including Councilmembers Lisa Herbold and Lorena González. Doors open at 6:30 pm. (8201 10th Ave. S.)
COMEDIANS’ POWER HOUR: 8-11 pm at Parliament Tavern: “The joking-and-drinking roadshow that’s had showdowns from New York to New Orleans has come to the Pacific Northwest to find out which Seattle comic has what it takes to call themselves CPH Champion.” $6 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
SEE WHAT ELSE IS UP … for today/tonight/beyond, by browsing our complete calendar.
Looking for work? For the first time ever, West Seattle employers are joining forces to look for you. We’re now just eight days from the Westside Job Fair, presented by the West Seattle Junction Association, West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, and WorkSource, with co-sponsors including WSB (where we offer local businesses free help-wanted ads year-round). You can see the updated list of participating employers here. The event is set for 10 am to 1 pm Wednesday, September 6th, at Great American Diner and Bar (4752 California SW) – bring resumés and be ready for on-the-spot interviews.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:29 AM: Good morning! No incidents so far in/from West Seattle.
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