West Seattle, Washington
22 Thursday
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch so far today:
CASING: Laura reports this happened around 4 am near 50th & Edmunds [map]:
A car was driving south on my street (50th ave SW); the car stopped every few houses; two individuals got out, walked up to the houses on either side of the street and shined flashlights into the homes. Perhaps they were looking for open windows/easy access in this heat? I reported this to the police. A good reminder to secure windows if open.
We asked Laura for a description of the car; she says all she could see was that it was “smaller … maybe a hatchback, dark blue or black.”
TAGGING VANDALISM: Via Twitter, @unclebol reports taggers vandalized Gatewood Elementary (a city landmark featured in this week’s Seattle Times Then and Now column) overnight. Here’s how to report tagging/graffiti vandalism (and if you see it in progress, call 911).
Thanks to Pete Commons for the photo from Saturday – the Blue Angels’ final Seafair performance of this year is part of what’s on the highlights list for today.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Love salads? Lettuce is part of what’s at or near its peak. Market’s open 10 am-2 pm in the street in The Junction (California between Oregon and Alaska). Remember
TODAY’S WADING POOL/SPRAYPARK HOURS: Lincoln Park wading pool and Highland Park spraypark are both open 11 am-8 pm today; also open, Delridge wading pool, noon-6:30 pm. (Find addresses here)
BENEFIT CAR WASH: The Chief Sealth IHS Cheer Hawks are washing cars at Les Schwab in Burien, 11 am-3 pm, $5 donation. (13609 1st Ave. S.)
BLUE ANGELS FINALE: It’s the second and final day of the official Seafair airshow, with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels (and other participants) taking off from nearby Boeing Field. The Blue Angels go up between 1 and 1:30 pm, which means I-90 will be closed east of I-5 between 12:55 pm and 2:40 pm.
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: 1-4 pm, free lighthouse tours with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary – be there by 3:40 pm to get into the final group to be admitted for the day. (3201 Alki SW)
ZEN MASTER VISITS: All are welcome at the Vietnamese Cultural Center in West Seattle this afternoon: “Visiting Zen Tibetan Lama Master Thich Vien Phap from California will teach and practice ‘How To Release The Depression In Your Life’.” 1:30 pm. (2234 SW Orchard)
NEW YORK DOG FILM FESTIVAL: Two screenings, 3 and 5 pm at Admiral Theater, with dogs welcome – as previewed here back in June. (2343 California SW)
FOX AND BONES: Live music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)
SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: 3 pm at Lincoln Park, GreenStage presents “Richard II,” directed by Susannah Rose Woods. Free. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
PREVIEW THE WEEK AHEAD … via our complete calendar!
Still a lot of West Seattle summer fun ahead. The next festival is coming up next Saturday – Delridge Day 2017, 11 am-3 pm on August 12th at Delridge Community Center park. The fun includes kids’ activities, skating clinics at adjacent Delridge Skatepark, music, vendors, community groups, food, and local police presenting the “Picnic at the Precinct” section. WSB is co-sponsoring Delridge Day again this year and we look forward to seeing you there!
The newest monthly newsletter from Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Burbridge focuses on firearm safety, and includes an offer of a free cable lock. Read it all below (or in PDF, here):
The locks are expected to be available by mid-month – SPD has some on order, and Jennifer says a private donation will make more available. Again, contact her directly if you are interested – jennifer.burbridge@seattle.gov – that’s also how to reach her if you:
*Have questions, concerns, and/or want to request her presence at a future meeting.
*Request a presentation on firearm safety and violence prevention
You also can meet her at the Delridge Day festival, one week from today, 11 am-3 pm at Delridge Community Center park (4501 Delridge Way SW). Delridge Day will again this year include the SW Precinct’s annual “Picnic at the Precinct.”
4:03 PM: SFD has quickly extinguished what was described as a wall fire at a house in the 8100 block of Delridge Way SW. No injuries reported.
5:37 PM UPDATE: Added photos from WSB’s Christopher Boffoli, who says firefighters weren’t certain how this started, but it appeared to have originated on the outside of the wall.
(Photo courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary)
Just heard from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary that they have room in a boating-safety class in West Seattle next weekend. Here’s the announcement:
The US Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering a day-long About Boating Safely class on Sunday, August 13, 2017, 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the West Seattle Veterans Center, 3618 SW Alaska.
Topics to be covered include: boating “rules of the road,” safety equipment, how to avoid accidents, what to do in an emergency, fueling safety and more.
This course, taught by experienced boaters, is a great beginniner/intermediate course. SUP and kayak paddlers and personal watercraft boaters welcome! Families and couples are encouraged to attend together. This class satisfies the requirements for the Washington State Boater Education Card.
Course fee of $35. Second person sharing a course book: $20. Please pre-register by contacting instructor Mike Brough: mikeb@zipcon.com
Just in from Puget Sound Clean Air Agency: The burn ban’s been lifted. From the announcement:
The Puget Sound (area) has returned to mostly GOOD and MODERATE air quality due to shifting winds bringing cleaner air at the surface (breathing level). We expect this weather pattern, and GOOD and MODERATE air quality, to continue through the weekend and into next week…
Alex Rottler spotted those two jellyfish while paddleboarding about a week ago off the 5000 block of Beach Drive and wanted to share the photo. As best Alex, and we, can ID them, it’s a lion’s-mane jellyfish that used its long, stinging tentacles to capture an egg-yolk jellyfish; read about both here.
A different wildlife view accompanies today’s highlights – that’s a 360-degree view of bunnies in “Diver Laura” James‘s West Seattle yard. Meantime, here’s some of what you can see and do in person today:
FAUNTLEROY TREE AMBASSADORS: Join them working at the Fauntleroy Way/Juneau triangle, 9 am-noon! Details here. (Fauntleroy/39th/Juneau)
RIVERSIDE TOUR: 10 am-noon, join the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s annual tour of historic Riverside. $5/person. (West Marginal Way SW and SW Marginal Place)
LINCOLN PARK FOOD TRUCK: Lil J’s Super Dawgs is back on the beach, 11:30 am-3:30 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
BLUE ANGELS TODAY: Today and tomorrow bring the official Seafair airshow, with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels taking off from nearby Boeing Field between 1 and 1:30 pm. That means I-90 will be closed east of I-5 between 12:55 pm and 2:40 pm today and tomorrow.
NO ALKI LIGHTHOUSE TOURS TODAY … but you can visit the lighthouse 1-4 pm on Sunday.
WADING POOLS AND SPRAYPARK OPEN TODAY: Lincoln Park wading pool and Highland Park spraypark are open 11 am-8 pm; Delridge and Hiawatha wading pools are open noon-6:30 pm. (Find addresses here)
WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: You can show up as early as 6:30 pm; movie’s at dusk, with “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” on the big screen tonight in the festival street by the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor). Here’s our preview with the rundown on food trucks, freebies, more. (36th SW/SW Snoqualmie)
IMPROVISATIONAL WORLD MUSIC/AMERICANA: That’s what you get with the Aloha Shredders at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: 7 pm at Lincoln Park, GreenStage presents “Comedy of Errors,” directed by David Gassner. Free! (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
MUSIC AT OUNCES: Aaron Gonzalez is live in the beer garden at Ounces in North Delridge, 7 pm. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
BLUEGRASS @ KENYON HALL: Ryegrass performs at 7:30 pm – check with Kenyon Hall to be sure you can still get a reservation. (7904 35th SW)
WILL WE SEE ANOTHER RED SUNSET? Jamie Kinney sent this view Friday night:
Tonight’s sunset will be just after 8:30 pm.
SOUTH SOUND TUG AND BARGE: Performing with Sphie at West Seattle Brewing, 9 pm. (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW)
AFROCOP WITH BILL HORIST: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern. $7 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
MUCH, MUCH MORE … on the calendar for today/tonight – check it all out by going here.
Musical memories filled the south side of the Providence Mount St. Vincent campus Friday night, as Cherry Cherry kicked off this year’s Summer Concerts at The Mount – four free Friday night shows.
Lead singer Steve Kelly exuberantly asked the crowd to take a group selfie with him mid-show:
All are welcome at The Mount’s concerts, which start at 6 pm Fridays – come early if you’re interested in buying dinner and/or drinks, available on the patio starting at 5:30 pm – you can sit in the sun or shade:
Next week, it’s an annual favorite, Danny Vernon‘s Illusion of Elvis. (The Mount is at 4831 35th SW.)
One night after the Southwest Design Review Board looked at 8854 Delridge Way SW (WSB coverage here), its next meeting is set, and it involves another project in the same area: 2222 SW Barton, just southeast of Westwood Village. Last September, the board OK’d the Early Design Guidance version of the proposal (WSB coverage here), during which they were told the site might hold up to 80 apartments. For phase 2 of Design Review, the plan now is described as “a four-story apartment building containing 27 small efficiency dwelling units and 39 apartment units in an environmentally critical area.” The review is penciled onto the schedule for 6:30 pm Thursday, September 7th, at the Sisson Building/Senior Center (4217 SW Oregon). The design packet isn’t online yet, but should be by the end of the month.
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is onscreen tomorrow night at the SW Snoqualmie festival street next to the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor), for the third of this year’s six free West Seattle Outdoor Movies. You can show up as early as 6:30 pm; movie’s at dusk (9-ish), and here’s what happens inbetween:
*Two food trucks: BC Zhang and Kiss My Grits
*Pre-movie kids’ activities presented by the Y
*Nonprofit-benefiting concessions available for purchase
*Free root-beer floats courtesy of WSOM co-sponsor The Beer Junction (featuring Husky Deli ice cream)
*Whirligigs free to kids in the audience, donated by WSOM co-sponsor Curious Kidstuff
*Raffle-ticket sales, with proceeds benefiting West Seattle Helpline; items up for grabs including two $50 gift cards for Admiral Theater (donated by WSOM co-sponsors Zack and Jodi Hill) and a 12-cupcake gift card from WSOM co-sponsor Cupcake Royale
Bring your own chair/blanket and get ready for a fun night!
6:52 PM: Thanks for the texts. SB 35th is blocked at Juneau right now because of a 2-car crash. No serious injuries; no one being taken to the hospital – so SFD has just left.
6:54 PM: One SB lane has just reopened. Juneau remains blocked west of 35th – might be that way until the damaged cars are clear, as one is up on the curb of the NW corner of the intersection (photo added above).
7:35 PM: Just went by again. Outside SB 35th lane still blocked as is Juneau to the west. No tow trucks in sight.
7:50 PM: Thanks to Jay for the text saying the tow trucks have arrived.
8:54 PM: And shortly thereafter, Patrick reported via Twitter, the scene was clear.
SIDE NOTE: On Twitter, Matt brought up the potential changes ahead for this intersection, which has had high-profile crashes over the year. We checked the archives and it was exactly one year ago today that SDOT had its 35th SW Safety Project Phase 2 “open house” in High Point – mentioning that a signal or other crossing improvement was possible at 35th/Juneau as part of the West Seattle Greenway project. But the “most promising route” unveiled for that in June didn’t include 35th/Juneau at all. And we’re still waiting to hear about the next steps on 35th SW Phase 2.
Though the original plan was to repave 63rd SW this week, south of Alki SW, it was still in the condition shown above (photographed Thursday evening) when we took another look earlier today. At day’s end, SDOT sent this updated schedule:
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) advises travelers that crews will be paving 63rdAve SW between Alki Ave SW and SW Admiral Way through August 8.
Through August 8, travelers can expect:
-There will be lane closures 24 hours a day on 63rd Ave SW between Alki Ave SW and SW Admiral Way.
-The two inside general purpose lanes on 63rd Ave SW will be closed.
-The bike lanes on 63rd Ave SW will be closed. A signed detour will be posted.
-Northbound and southbound traffic on 63rd Ave SW will be routed to the outside curb lanes until the work can be completed.
-There will be no parking on 63rd Ave SW during this time.
-The work is expected to be completed on August 8.This project is part of SDOT’s Arterial Major Maintenance (AMM) program.
No update on Beach Drive yet.
If you’ve shopped and/or worked in The Junction, you might know Jeannie. Even if you don’t – those who do are hoping you can help her. We were asked to share the announcement:
We at Jan’s Beauty Supply in West Seattle are starting this GoFundMe page for our dear friend and business associate Jeannie Scarpello. She has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer for the second time.
Thirteen years ago, she survived her first terrible battle against this awful disease with chemo and surgery. This time it is much more serious, requiring a double mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy. She lost her beloved sister, Betty, to this insidious disease a few years ago. You can imagine how emotionally distraught she is.
Jeannie has worked in the Junction for many years and is one of our brightest lights! Always caring for others, she lifts spirits with her contagious smile and genuine concern. She is truly loved by many.
It is extremely humbling to be in a position where you cannot provide for yourself. It is our hope to ease her stress of daily living without an income. Jeannie needs to focus all her energy and her strength on this fight for her life.
Please donate and help us be her light during her darkest days. Anything and everything helps! Thank you in advance for your generosity and support!
Again, the donation page is here.
FIRST REPORT, 12:45 PM: Thanks for the tips – we went to The Junction to check out reader reports about major tagging vandalism overnight, with huge tags painted in at least one bus shelter as well as multiple large tags on the bricks on the north side of the Senior Center of West Seattle. When we arrived, we found Mike already at work with a pressure washer, getting rid of the vandalism outside the Senior Center. There are other tags on various structures, and cleanup is obviously a big time and money drain for building owners, but the best way to deter more of this is to clean it up as fast as possible, police advise – whether by washing or paintover (and cleanup IS required). We had to leave The Junction before checking on the Route 50 shelter from which Rich had sent a photo showing a huge tag covering almost all the etched glass, but we advised him to call the Metro graffiti/vandalism hotline to report it for cleanup – 206-477-3850. The city also has a hotline for graffiti vandalism on public property: 206-684-7587, with an online report form here.
If you see a vandal in action anywhere, call 911 – as this city webpage notes, vandals have to be caught in the act to be prosecuted.
P.S. What you think you know about graffiti/tagging vandalism is probably wrong, as the Seattle Police detective assigned to that beat told the WS Crime Prevention Council in a briefing we covered a while back.
3:53 PM UPDATE: We went back to the Senior Center to check on progress – Bradi had joined Mike in the cleanup:
We also talked with Lora Swift, executive director of the West Seattle Junction Association, which has offices across SW Oregon from the Senior Center. She said they are strategizing what to do with a few other vandalized spots, like a streetlight pole kitty-corner across California/Oregon with big black spraypainted lettering.
(WSB photo)
FIRST REPORT, 12:01 PM: Two months ago, we reported on “soft demolition” for an upslope structure that’s part of the long-in-the-works project including the ex-Alki Tavern site. Today, demolition of the street-level structures along Harbor Avenue is under way.
(Photo by Carolyn Newman)
The crew started at the west end of the site; the former tavern – closed almost 4 1/2 years ago – is one of two structures on the east end. What’ll be built on the site: A six-floor mixed-use building with 15 residential units, office and “light manufacturing” space, ground-floor retail/commercial, 41 offstreet parking spaces, and a public hillclimb/breezeway between California Way and Harbor SW. We’ll be checking on demolition progress late this afternoon.
3:22 PM UPDATE: We went back just under an hour ago and the two structures on the west end were both gone, as was the crew.
At the left edge of the photo is the brick west side of the ex-tavern.
(Osprey, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Highlights for the rest of your Friday:
WADING POOLS AND SPRAYPARK OPEN TODAY: Lincoln Park wading pool, 11 am-8 pm; Highland Park spraypark, 11 am-8 pm; Hiawatha wading pool, noon-6:30 pm; EC Hughes wading pool, noon-7 pm. (Find addresses here)
(Blue Angels photographed by David Hutchinson as they flew over Elliott Bay during Monday arrival)
BLUE ANGELS: Their Friday “practice” show (which is usually the same as the “real” one on Saturday and Sunday) should start with Boeing Field/Museum of Flight takeoff between 1 and 1:30 pm; the I-90 bridge closure is scheduled for 12:55 pm-2:40 pm, today and both days this weekend.
WORDS, WRITERS, WEST SEATTLE: 5-7 pm at Barnes & Noble in Westwood Village, this month’s featured author is Jenny D. Williams:
The free author-talk series is presented by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. (2600 SW Barton)
SUMMER CONCERTS AT THE MOUNT: Tonight’s the first of four free Friday night concerts on the south side of the Providence Mount St. Vincent campus. Dinner/drinks available for purchase at 5:30 pm, music at 6 pm with the Neil Diamond tribute band Cherry Cherry. Bring your own chair. Free popcorn/snow cones! (4831 35th SW)
CORNER BAR: First Friday of the month means it’s Corner Bar night at Highland Park Improvement Club, 6 pm! Come hang out with your neighbors. (1116 SW Holden)
SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: 7 pm at Lincoln Park, GreenStage presents Shakespeare’s “Richard II,” directed by Susannah Rose Woods. Free! (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
ABBAGRAPHS: 8:30 pm at Parliament Tavern, “West Seattle’s tribute to everyone’s favorite Swedish supergroup.” $8 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
MUSIC X 3: 9 pm at The Skylark, Jordan Lowe, Young-Chhaylee, Caleb Yi. $8 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
LOOK INTO THE FUTURE … including the weekend … via our complete calendar.
Before we get to what’s happening today, one note about something NOT happening this weekend – Sunday’s scheduled Community Advisory Committee meeting for city-sanctioned Camp Second Chance on Myers Way has been postponed, according to an announcement received this morning, citing “unforeseen circumstances.” A new date/time/location is TBA. The committee is a city-required condition for each of the six sanctioned encampments around the city; we covered its first three monthly meetings (here, here, and here).
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:09 AM: One nearby traffic alert this morning – police are investigating a deadly crash on 1st Avenue South at Fidalgo [map] in Georgetown, and 1st will be closed there while that continues.
Otherwise, we have reminders for you again:
PAVING: Beach Drive at Andover and 63rd north of Admiral are both in progress, we noted while checking the area Thursday evening.
BLUE ANGELS CLOSURES: I-90 closures east of I-5 for Seafair (Blue Angels) practices and airshows continue today through Sunday, 12:55 pm-2:40 pm each day, per the WSDOT website.
WATER TAXI SERVICE INTERRUPTION STARTS MONDAY: No West Seattle or Vashon Water Taxi service starting Monday while the downtown dock is moved to a temporary location north of Colman Dock so the new permanent dock can be built. Here’s our update from earlier this week.
7:42 AM: Couple more notes – Speaking of the Water Taxi, you have a few more days to take its online survey … and the “online open house” for the Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition plan is now up and running.
8:44 AM: SPD says 1st Avenue S. at the crash scene should reopen soon, and has released a few details about the collision, saying it involved a motorcycle rider – who was dead at the scene – and car driver.
9:45 AM: 1st Avenue S. has reopened, SDOT reports.
Thanks to everyone who sent photos from last night’s red-again sunset – above is by Harry Pohlman; below, by Jim Borrow. We thought we’d wait to see how things looked this morning before publishing a weather update.
Verdict: No change. Still smoky. The National Weather Service has a Special Weather Statement about that saying the smoke is expected to persist at least through Saturday – and its Excessive Heat Warning is still in effect through 9 pm tonight, though temperatures haven’t been quite as high as feared. Last night, we also had multiple reports of what seemed to be ash accompanying the smoke – let us know if you’ve noticed that. And the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency‘s Stage 1 Burn Ban – no outdoor burning – continues TFN.
Just out of the WSB inbox:
Our locked car in our alley just had rear window broken. My husband heard the black 4 door import car with approximately 4 white adult males cruise the alley. He walked outside and they drove off, only then did he realize the rear window was broken. Police have been notified. Thanks for costing us money we don’t have!
We live a block south of Admiral.
Police reiterate, call 911 if you see a crime or suspected crime in progress.
Something new at New Luck Toy: One patron now has a seat at the bar with his name on a plaque.
That’s Brent Amaker, local musician and entrepreneur – you might remember him as the headliner on West Seattle Summer Fest night 2 – seen below with New Luck Toy co-proprietor Chef Mark Fuller.
Story goes that Fuller told Amaker the plaque was OK as long as he installed it. That happened Thursday afternoon – instead of a guitar, Amaker wielded a power tool. Final result – crafted by Jimmy Davies of Craftsman Copper in Olympia:
The bar-with-Chinese-food at 5905 California SW has been open almost 10 months.
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