West Seattle, Washington
24 Sunday
(WSB file photo, Lincoln Park wading pool)
With temps passing 70 degrees this week, we started wondering when wading pool/spraypark season would start. The city’s list is up – here’s the local dates:
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK**
May 27-September 4, 11 am-8 pm every day, 1100 SW Cloverdale
(**The city’s website carries the caveat that maintenance work under way now – during the big playground construction project – could push the schedule back.)
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL
June 24-September 4, 11 am-8 pm every day, near the north play area, 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW
DELRIDGE WADING POOL
June 26-August 20, noon-6:30 pm Mondays, Tuesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, 4458 Delridge Way SW
SOUTH PARK WADING POOL
June 26-August 17, noon-7 pm Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 738 S. Sullivan
E.C. HUGHES WADING POOL
June 28-August 18, noon-7 pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 2805 SW Holden
HIAWATHA WADING POOL
June 28-August 19, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, noon-6:30 pm, Walnut SW/SW Lander
And remember that the city only guarantees wading pools will be open on sunny days with temps 70 and up – you can check the hotline every morning during the season at 206-684-7796.
P.S. Seattle Parks‘ communications team tells us its big mega-announcement of not only wading pools but also swimming pools and beaches will be out soon.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Underscoring the interconnectedness of Seattle’s transportation network, looming changes downtown are stirring concerns and questions here on the other side of the bay. They re-emerged at the West Seattle Transportation Coalition‘s most-recent monthly meeting.
The changes are being discussed under the umbrella title One Center City; we first wrote about it back in January, and then WSTC talked about it in February, agreeing to arrange for an official briefing, which is what happened last Thursday night.
It’s all about a variety of major downtown projects and changes converging, to increase demand on downtown streets, starting next year – including buses getting booted from the downtown transit tunnel to facilitate convention-center expansion. And WSTC members and attendees asked some pointed questions. Read More
The end is finally near for 9029 16th Avenue SW, the South Delridge house that’s been the scene of three fires in five years, most recently February 25th. One month after a demolition permit was issued, heavy equipment arrived today. Just yesterday, we had sent an inquiry to the city Department of Construction and Inspections, which had ordered the owner to take care of the situation and then issued an extension to April 21st. Since as recently as yesterday afternoon (we’ve been going by to look every day or two), there was no sign of activity, we asked the city what would happen if it didn’t happen. The online log for the site shows yet another complaint filed by neighbors as of about a week ago. While writing this update, we just heard back from SDCI spokesperson Bryan Stevens, who says the city’s been told that demolition will start tomorrow. (If you see it any sooner, let us know – we’ll go by again later.) There’s a redevelopment proposal for the site, described as a “mixed-use building.”
(Wednesday morning peek view of The Olympics, photographed by Jim Borrow)
Quick look ahead to tonight, before the afternoon arrives…
GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT: Multi-vendor event at Alair gift shop, 5-9 pm – details in our calendar listing. Refreshments, raffle, more. (3280 California SW)
INCOME-TAX TOWN HALL: This was scheduled even before the City Council’s vote this past Monday on a resolution of intent to pursue a city “high-earner” income tax. The resolution’s co-sponsor Councilmember Lisa Herbold is on the program for the organization Trump-Proof Seattle‘s “town hall” meeting tonight in Olympic Hall on the south end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. Program starts at 6 pm. (6000 16th SW)
DESIGN REVIEW X 2: The Southwest Design Review Board meets tonight at the Senior Center/Sisson Building, with two projects on the agenda: 6:30 pm, it’s an Early Design Guidance review for the downsized 1250 Alki SW project, now proposed as a six-story building with ~44 condominiums, 66 offstreet-parking spaces. See the design packet here. Then at 8 pm, another EDG meeting, this time for the newest proposal for 4800 40th SW, a four-story building with 67 units, 46 underground parking spaces, and 5,400 square feet of commercial space. See the design packet here. Both meetings will have public-comment periods. (4217 SW Oregon)
HELP PLAN HIGHLAND PARK’S FIND IT, FIX IT WALK: First meeting of the community “action team” planning the May 25th event – everyone’s invited to be part of it, just show up! – is tonight, 6:30 pm, at Highland Park Elementary. (1012 SW Trenton)
GETTING READY FOR HIGH SCHOOL, PART 2: 7 pm tonight at Madison Middle School, it’s the second part of this two-part series, this time for Madison parents/guardians only. RSVP requested – our calendar listing shows how. (45th SW/SW Spokane)
EVEN MORE … on our complete-calendar page!
(WSB photo, April 20th)
The driver in the crash that closed 35th/Morgan for four hours two weeks ago is charged wth vehicular assault, felony hit and run, and reckless endangerment. The charges filed against 27-year-old Treveon R. Smith were first reported by seattlepi.com; we just obtained the court documents, which summarize what investigators say happened as Smith drove his 2002 Dodge Intrepid northbound on 35th SW with “three acquaintances” inside on the afternoon of April 20th:
He was speeding at highway speeds on a 30 mph arterial. He lost control and crashed into a parked van and then spun into trees coming to an explosive uncontrolled stop. The defendant was ejected during the crash. Witnesses to the crash rushed to help the passengers exit from the car which caught on fire and began to burn. The defendant was seen “jogging” away from the scene wearing only a t-shirt and boxers, but was soon caught in an alley. He initially fought, but became more cooperative when it was pointed out that he had injuries and the firefighters were trying to help him. The defendant admitted he was the driver and admitted smoking PCP or methamphetamine and marijuana earlier.
One of Smith’s passengers, a 35-year-old woman, was described as still being hospitalized in critical condition as of the court filing last week. Another passenger suffered minor injuries, and the third was reported to have declined medical attention. The police report accompanying the charging documents says Smith, a South Seattle resident, was likely going at least 60 mph when he first crashed into a parked Seattle Housing Authority van before his car went on to stop in the 35th/Morgan intersection. He remains in the King County Jail, with bail set at $50,000.
Two updates at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor):
NEW PARTNER FOR AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM: SSC has announced that it’s been selected by Delta Air Lines “as an approved partner college in training future aviation maintenance technicians for careers with the global aviation company.” The AMT program is FAA-certified and has been training technicians since the 1970s. This is the second partnership between SSC and Delta, which launched a paid internship program there in 2014. The college’s announcement says that this means “Delta will also help recruit future AMT professionals to the program and look to hire South-trained graduates for positions in their global workforce.”
Meantime, here’s an aerial look at progress on the new building at SSC:
INTEGRATED EDUCATION CENTER UPDATE: Eight months have passed since we wrote about SSC’s Integrated Education Center project. After West Seattle pilot/photographer Long Bach Nguyen shared that recent photo of progress on the project, we asked SSC communications director Ty Swenson how it’s going. His reply: “We are still aiming to have the new IEC building ready to open for Fall Quarter, which starts September 25.” Read more about the new building here.
Another quick reminder before the day’s news flow gets going: West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2017 is now just nine days away. It’s our 10th year of coordinating WSCGSD – which started three years before that, so this is the 13th year! – and we are in the final stages of making the maps. Plural, because we have a clickable online version that includes the numbered list of sales and, when you click any sale, its description, as well as a printable map/listings packet. And yes, we’re on track to make them available here and at westseattlegaragesale.com this Saturday as promised. Starting tomorrow we’ll be rolling out some previews, too. 300+ sales again this year, north to south, east to west, all sizes, all sorts of stuff. The official sale window is 9 am-3 pm Saturday, May 13th – some listings promise earlier openings, later closings, even extra days, so get ready for advance planning starting THIS Saturday (May 6th). Questions about WSCGSD? garagesale@westseattleblog.com any time!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
6:45 AM: Good morning. Fog is the big factor this morning. The Water Taxi is running late because of it, according to an alert a few minutes ago.
OVERNIGHT BRIDGE CLOSURE: SDOT is scheduled to set to start at 9 pm tonight, close the west end of the West Seattle Bridge again tonight, ~9 pm-5 am, for streetlight work.
STADIUM ZONE: 7:10 pm, Mariners are home again vs. Angels.
7:19 AM: Washington State Ferries says the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run is 15-20 minutes behind because of the fog.
8:33 AM: The delays are now up to almost an hour.
11:08 PM: Thanks to those who just called/texted about a crash near Fauntleroy/Juneau that has led to a police search. After crashing his vehicle into the construction site at that intersection, we’re told, the driver got out and ran – neighbors asked if he was OK but he apparently just kept running. One witness tells us he appeared to be in his 20s, about 5-10, possibly “Latino or Asian,” with a distinctive clothing detail – wearing a white #23 Nelson Cruz Mariners jersey.
11:37 PM: Just went over for a photo of the crash scene. The driver hasn’t been caught yet, an officer at the scene told us, also saying the car, which went through the fence along Fauntleroy, is not reported as stolen (a semi-common reason for abandoning it after a crash). He confirmed the Nelson Cruz jersey detail, too.
Just announced – and you’re invited:
This Friday, May 5th, from 5-9 pm, the West Seattle Chapter (#23) of DAV (Disabled American Veterans) is hosting a community potluck at their Chapter Hall, located at 4857 Delridge Way SW. The potluck is open to all. DAV provides services for men and women who were injured or disabled while serving our country. The warm people at DAV offer a welcoming place for vets and their families to connect with each other and receive support. Feel free to come and enjoy the food and community at this special West Seattle gathering in support of our local heroes.
Family and friends are remembering Patricia Anne Juhl, and sharing this tribute with the community:
Patricia Anne Juhl passed away at Harborview Medical Center on April 30, 2017.
She is survived by her five children: Laura, Frederick, Andrew, Christopher and Thomas. She was preceded in death by her husband of 31 years, Frederick, in 1992. She was the daughter of William and Gertrude Daiber, and sister to Peggy Daiber, all of whom also preceded her in death.
Patricia was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and relocated to Alaska in 1952. She moved in 1959 to Seattle, where she gave birth to Laura and met her future husband, Frederick. Patricia and family moved in 1982 to West Seattle, where they still maintain two residences to this day. Patricia was the driving force of unity in her family through financial difficulties and saw to it that all of her children were well taken care of. Patricia worked for Catholic Community Services in Seattle from 1983-2004, when she became primary caregiver for her ailing son.
Patricia was a great inspiration to all who met her and will be greatly missed by all. Mourners are encouraged to post messages here or onto the the Facebook page of Christopher Juhl (ChristopherLisa JuhlHirsch) A memorial will be held in a few weeks. All who would like to attend are encouraged to.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
Two reader reports and a followup:
STOLEN CAR: The car’s owner sent the photo above and reports, “My car was stolen early this morning on Juneau St. It’s a white ’91 Subaru Justy with a white circular Foo Fighters sticker on the trunk. (The windows are tinted now.) The license plate number is 988-YDT.” Call 911 if you see it; the SPD incident number is 17-154153.
PROWLER/INTRUDER: From a resident near Seacrest, who reports this happened on Monday:
I walked my dog right before I was about to leave my house, which is my usual routine. I noticed a strange man lurking around my building so after bringing the dog back inside, instead of going down the elevator and opening my garage door to leave, I sent the elevator down alone and then ran back to the front window. The man placed himself directly in front of the garage door exactly where I would be standing when it opened. He was unaware that I was watching him and I snapped his photo — the time in the photo is 9:12 am. When the door didn’t open the man conversed with a second man who appeared behind him and then they left. The police have the first man’s photo and will be circulating it, but his description is white male, about 6 ft tall, with muscular to stocky build. He was wearing a gray knit cap and black jacket with what we believe to be Marmot on it. He also had a very thick beard that frankly didn’t look real. The other man also had an elaborate beard, but I didn’t get his photo.
BURGLARY SUSPECT CHARGED: The suspect in the Saturday morning incident we covered in North Admiral has been charged with second-degree burglary. 35-year-old Joseph A. Salem was arrested after neighbors reported a prowler between the 2100 blocks of California SW and Ferry SW, and a car he was reported to have been seen in turned out to have been stolen from Pierce County.
(WSB photo, Saturday morning)
The charging papers allege he stole the car from Tacoma residents after breaking into their house and living there while they were out of town. He then “parked the stolen vehicle in West Seattle and appears to have been living out of the vehicle”; on Saturday morning, police say, he was seen trying the doors to two residences and then was found in a garage. They say he told them he was on duty for a security company, and that the car belonged to a friend. The security company confirmed he was an employee but said he was not on duty Saturday morning; the car’s owners told police said they did not know Salem, but that their home had been broken into and someone had taken their car. His bail remains set at $5,000.
Morgan Junction’s business district is getting busier all the time. A new addition is on the way: Part3Salon proprietor Valerie Caracuzzi reports she’s moving, since her longtime Admiral location at 2719 California SW is set for redevelopment. The new location will be at 6527 California SW (the former Jackson Hewitt office next to Second Gear Sports [WSB sponsor]), where she hopes to open in early June – in a seamless move from the current spot. “While I’m sad to be leaving that space, we’re super-excited about the next chapter,” she says.
A funeral Mass is planned tomorrow in West Seattle to celebrate the life of Kathie Delaney Nielsen, 58. Here’s the remembrance her family is sharing with the community:
Kathie was born in Spokane on February 12, 1959, the youngest of four daughters of Thomas P. and Dorothy Delaney. The family moved to West Seattle when Kathie was 8, and she graduated from Holy Rosary Elementary and Holy Names High School. Kathie worked at the Seattle Times, first as a messenger, then in the circulation department as a receptionist and a district advisor, where she made lifelong friends, and where she met her future husband John Nielsen.
Kathie loved singing and playing her guitar. Family parties centered around her playing and singing John Denver songs for all her sisters, brothers-in-law, Mom, Dad, nieces, cousins, and friends. She had an incredible sense of humor and she and her favorite cousin Mark would entertain us for hours with their crazy skits, and later with her husband, John, keep us laughing with their clever banter.
She was outgoing, loving, welcoming to everyone she met, and cared deeply about helping people. Kathie adored her husband John, and her son Lucas was the light of her life. Lucas’s daughter Kendall brought such joy to them all and was the centerpiece of their life from the moment she entered it.
She is survived by her husband of 33 years, John, son Lucas & granddaughter Kendall, her three sisters, Patty (Chuck) Lutz, Chris Hanley, and Sue (John) Stine, Jim Hanley, her nieces Jennifer Vike Hanson, Charlotta Jackson, Jeannine Manuel, Jamie Hanley, Maureen Lutz, Jessica Greene, Erin Lutz, Delana Newell and nephew Kenny Nielsen, and her Zappone cousins. A funeral mass will be held in celebration of her life on Thursday, May 4th, at 11 AM at Holy Rosary in West Seattle. Donations may be made in Kathie’s name to the charity of your choice.
Kathie left us far too soon and we will all miss her until we are with her again.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
The big news from last night’s Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council meeting goes with the notebook pictured above: It’s full of contacts, cards, agendas, and other documents gathered by Amanda Kay Helmick, who has stepped down after four years of leadership with the group. Mat McBride is with her in our next photo – the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council chair who helped shepherd WWRHAH into existence:
(Here’s our report on WWRHAH’s first meeting in February 2013.) Eric Iwamoto has co-chaired WWRHAH with Helmick recently, and Kim Barnes has taken on a major role, especially regarding the Westwood-Highland Park Urban Village’s destiny with HALA Mandatory Housing Affordability upzoning, and other land-use issues, but the group hasn’t yet decided its leadership path forward. They’ll talk about it next month – when the major topic is expected to be the HALA MHA draft Environmental Impact Statement, due out soon – and they’re also planning a door-to-door campaign to reach people who might not have heard about WWRHAH.
Along with HALA, another major issue is how – whether – the future Delridge RapidRide H (Route 120 is converting in 2020) will relate to/engage with the area. Helmick said she had been trying to reach Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s office and SDOT to get some key questions answered and so far had nothing but what she called “radio silence.” Here’s what she had sent:
At the WWRHAH meeting on Tuesday, our group made it very clear to SDOT that they needed to clarify their role in upgrading the 120. Specifically, SDOT needs to clarify whether it is planning the route, ie; removing / consolidating stops, or working on the pavement, roadway and pedestrian improvements.
Therese Casper from SDOT acknowledged the need for collaboration between SDOT and Metro on the routing issue. Metro has a known process for surveying their riders to find out where they are going, how far they have to walk, etc. Doug Johnson of Metro, who was at the meeting, acknowledged that is has been several years since a 120 survey was taken. We would like see SDOT start the collaboration by requesting Metro have the survey done before the design phase begins.
We also cannot stress enough the need for SDOT to consider the HALA/MHA upzone proposals in the Westwood Highland Park Urban Village. Currently, the 120 does not run through the heart of the Westwood Highland Park Urban Village. The folks in the Highland Park are cut off from bus service because of this, and the upgrade does nothing to rectify that. Comparably, the C Line, runs along California Ave SW specifically because of the Urban Village instead of taking the faster route along Fauntleroy Way.
Lastly, without significant attention paid to improving the ingress/egress to the peninsula, it doesn’t matter how fast you can get from Roxbury to the bridge. The City must find a way to improve this situation.
WWRHAH has been working on issues surrounding Metro and the impacts of bus service to the community for 4 years. We have seen very little in the way of solutions for our area, but we see the Move Seattle Levy as an opportunity to do something amazing that will improve mobility, connectivity and livability for an area that is under served.
Also at last night’s WWRHAH meeting:
CRIME UPDATE: Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Ron Smith said Westwood Village is still having shoplifting issues, and the precinct continues to work with management to get some structure in place that will allow police and businesses to work more efficiently in tackling the project.
COUNCIL CANDIDATE: City Council Position 8 candidate Dr. Hisam Goueli came to the WWRHAH meeting, mostly to listen to and learn about the area’s issues.
Transportation was front and center. Among other topics – Dr. Goueli mentioned he’s a doctor, and promptly was informed that West Seattle is without a hospital. He’s one of 10 candidates currently in the running for the citywide position that Councilmember Tim Burgess currently holds but is not seeking to keep.
WWRHAH needs you more than ever – and you’ll find them at 6:15 pm first Tuesdays in the upstairs meeting room at Southwest Library, 35th SW/SW Henderson.
Question/concern/comment for Southwest Precinct police? Get to Junction Starbucks before 2:30 pm – Coffee With a Cop is happening now.
It’s a nationwide program; in Seattle and some other cities, it’s partnering with Starbucks for 100 events this year. Until 2:30 pm at this one, just drop in – no speeches, no pre-set topics.
This Saturday is the city’s next West Seattle “open house” about HALA – the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda, which has drawn the most attention in the past six months for its proposed MHA (Mandatory Housing Affordability) component. MHA seeks to upzone commercial and multifamily property around the city, and single-family property in urban villages, to give developers added capacity in exchange for either locking in a percentage of units as “affordable,” or contributing a set sum to a city fund that will be used to build “affordable” projects somewhere else. If you haven’t already checked to see what’s proposed for your neighborhood, here’s the citywide interactive map. Plus, we’ve learned that a new tool will be offered at Saturday’s open house:
(Photo courtesy Department of Neighborhoods)
You could say it’s HALA gone “holo.” Morgan Junction community advocate and citizen land-use watchdog Cindi Barker found out about it by going to a version of the open house held in the Northgate area last weekend. She discovered that the city is now offering “before”-to-“after” views of the proposed changes, including what she describes as “a station where you could put on a 3D lens/helmet and you ‘walked’ down the block and watched the older existing buildings go away and buildings built to the new zoning come in.” The technology the city is using is Microsoft HoloLens.
Saturday’s open house is 10 am-noon (May 6th) at Westside School (10404 34th SW; WSB sponsor) in Arbor Heights. Besides the opportunity to learn about and comment on the HALA proposals – including West Seattle’s four urban villages and South Park – the city says it’s expecting booths/tables for other initiatives/agencies: Age Friendly Seattle, Design Review (changes), Natural Drainage, Play Streets, Open Space Plan, Democracy Vouchers, Neighborhood Streets and Greenways Projects (SDOT), and Metro Transit.
(August 2016 photo by Kevin Freitas)
The dates are set for this year’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies series – six Saturday nights in July and August, starting July 22nd, free. This is the 13th year for the series and the first one with all movies to be shown in the “festival street” (SW Snoqualmie) on the south side of the newly expanded West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor), which was still under construction when the series moved there for last year’s final movie (photo above) but is all done now!
WSB is WSOM’s media sponsor again this year and it’s time for the traditional request for your thoughts on which six movies to show. This year, organizers let us know they’re doing it a little differently – besides just asking for suggestions, they’re also asking for thoughts on a list of movies that have come up in their early discussions. Those movies are:
The LEGO Batman Movie
The Jungle Book
Zootopia
Beauty and the Beast
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Queen of Katwe
Kong: Skull Island
Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them
La La Land
Jurassic World
Finding Dory
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
So if you have favorites among those, AND/OR other suggestions, please comment!
For reference – here are the lineups from the past five years:
*2016’s movie lineup was “Star Wars Episode VII,” “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” “School of Rock,” “Skyfall,” “The Lego Movie,” “Princess Bride”
*2015’s movie lineup was “Zoolander,” “Singles,” “Raising Arizona,” “Big Hero 6,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Rocky Horror Picture Show”
*2014’s movie lineup was “Gravity,” “Spice World,” “Sleepless in Seattle,” “The Blues Brothers,” “The Goonies,” “Frozen”
*2013′s movie lineup was “Goldfinger,” “Devil Wears Prada,” “Muppets,” “Avengers,” “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” “This Is Spinal Tap”
*2012′s movie lineup was “Pretty in Pink,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Lion King,” “Iron Man,” “Yellow Submarine,” “Top Gun”
Suggestions are being collected for the next two weeks, so we’ll remind you again! Thanks!
(Horned grebe with breeding plumage – photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Morning through night, here’s what’s up around West Seattle:
FAUNTLEROY FALL FESTIVAL FUNDRAISER @ ENDOLYNE JOE’S: Today/tonight, dine at Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor) and part of the proceeds go to the Fauntleroy Fall Festival, a free, fun, volunteer-run event. Go have breakfast, lunch and/or dinner! (9261 45th SW)
BABY STORY TIME: Bring your one-year-old-and-under wee ones to High Point Library, 11:30 am-noon. Free and fun. (35th SW/SW Raymond)
OFFICE JUNCTION MEETUP: Entrepreneur? Solopreneur? Telecommuter? Or … ? West Seattle’s only coworking center, WS Office Junction (WSB sponsor), invites you to its free weekly meetup, noon-1:15 pm. (6040 California SW)
COFFEE WITH A COP, THE SEMI-SEQUEL: Concerns/comments/questions for local police? Drop by the Junction Starbucks any time between 1-2:30 pm today for the rescheduled Coffee With a Cop chat. (California/Alaska)
EVENING DANCE TIME: Everyone’s invited to the Senior Center of West Seattle 6-8 pm for evening dance time with musician Lauren Petrie. All ages; 21+ can buy $3 drinks from the no-host bar. (4217 SW Oregon)
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building. Agenda items include the Chelan CSO project and an update on the indoor-tennis center proposed for the courts west of Southwest Pool. (4217 SW Oregon)
JIM PAGE, LIVE: Singer-songwriter at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
‘THE KARATE KID’: Wednesday nights, Tap Station plays a favorite movie on the big screen in the back. 7 pm tonight, it’s “The Karate Kid.” (7900 35th SW)
SEE WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING … check our complete calendar here.
One of West Seattle’s smaller public elementary schools is reaching out to you in a big way. You are invited to this year’s Sanislo Elementary School end-of-year party – with a silent auction, tasty food, fun games, music and dancing. It’s happening Friday, June 9th, at Highland Park Improvement Club, and tickets are only $10. You can buy yours right now online by going here, or visit the Sanislo campus (1812 SW Myrtle on Puget Ridge; map) after school Wednesdays (like today!) and Fridays to buy tickets in person – school’s out at 2:05 pm. Sanislo parent and PTA treasurer Megan Garcia e-mailed WSB to share the news and says tickets will be on sale through May 26th.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
6:59 AM: Good morning! Again this morning, we start without any incidents in or from our area.
BRIDGE CLOSURE SCHEDULED AGAIN TONIGHT: The third overnight closure for streetlight work on the westbound west end of the high bridge is set to start at 9 pm tonight, and we’ll be checking with SDOT to verify that.
STADIUM ZONE: The Mariners are home vs. the Angels again tonight at 7:10 pm.
(Reader-texted photo from 35th/Othello last Thursday, final official day of SDOT’s ‘Pothole Palooza’)
It started loudly, and ended quietly. After commenter Bolo asked if SDOT‘s trumpeted Pothole Palooza had ended, we asked, and got the reply today.
Short version: Yes.
Longer, from SDOT spokesperson Sue Romero: “Our Pothole Palooza campaign has finished, although pothole-filling is always ongoing for our crews. During the 11-day campaign (April 17 to 27), crews filled about 8,400 potholes; in the 2-week period of the campaign that included Friday, April 28, crews had filled 8,700 potholes.” (No regional breakout.)
According to an SDOT video wrapping up Pothole Palooza, that’s close to half the number of potholes their crews fixed in the entirety of 2016 (19,074). SDOT workers got extra help from Seattle Parks workers during PP. And as Romero said, they’ll continue responding to pothole reports – you can file them online here (see the pothole-report map here), call 206-684-ROAD, and/or use the city’s Find It, Fix It app.
P.S. As for repaving instead of just pothole-filling – here’s our most-recent followup on the Roxbury and Avalon projects that are planned “as soon as 2019.”
Two notes from Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network tonight.
(Photo by David Hutchinson – taken last Friday at very-long-lens distance)
First, harbor-seal pup Taffy, who we’ve told you about before, is now in rehab. From Seal Sitters’ Robin Lindsey:
Early Saturday morning we were finally able to capture seal pup Taffy, whose health issues were a growing concern, especially because of the potentially dangerous location of her chosen stretch of beach at Alki. After coming ashore almost every day for over a month (with the exception of a couple of weekends when the beach was so busy with activity), her health had begun to take a downturn. Thankfully, she started out as a quite robust, older and wiser seal pup, now estimated to be 8 or 9 months old. …
Thanks to the public for being tolerant of a semi-permanent tape closure of the small grass area along the sea wall, right above her favorite little nook. Because she was so wary and skittish, she was often scared back into Puget Sound by people standing too close above her. Even with the tape buffer zone, Taffy could not get undisrupted rest. It’s tough for wildlife to find quiet spots to rest and forage in urban areas.
Taffy spent the weekend being stabilized and treated at PAWS.
Robin was awaiting an update on Taffy’s injuries and possible infection and plans to update Blubberblog here.
Meantime, want to volunteer with Seal Sitters? Here’s your next chance to jump in!
Seal Sitters will be holding our volunteer training/Spring Session on Saturday morning, May 13th – RSVP is required to ensure seating.
For details about the training and to learn more about Seal Sitters and NOAA West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, please visit our website.
(Photo by Robin Lindsey)The photo above shows volunteer Sarah, who enthusiastically protected Taffy and educated the public – even in the cold rain. We are always in need of additional great, reliable volunteers!
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