West Seattle, Washington
21 Wednesday
(WSDOT photo)
Back on Monday, we reported that WSDOT was launching (and advertising) an info campaign about the Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition that’ll start after the Highway 99 tunnel opens, expected in early 2019. As part of it, an “online open house” was set to go live today. While it wasn’t ready when we looked this morning, it is now. Go here to check it out, including some of the side topics that have been discussed here, including the transitional tunnel-to-Viaduct plan, and what happens to the Battery Street Tunnel. The last page of the “open house” site includes a chance to comment – and remember there’s also an in-person open house downtown a week from tonight (drop in 5-8 pm Thursday, August 10th, 1400 Western Ave.).
(WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
If you noticed a sizable police response in the Admiral area this past hour, here’s what we’ve found out. WSB’s Christopher Boffoli reports that, in the 2600 block of 45th SW, “SPD at the scene told me that this began as a court-ordered warrant service. The subject was initially cooperative with officers but on the way to the car he apparently changed his mind and started a scuffle. One officer was treated at the scene for some scrapes and cuts. No serious injuries with either the subject or the officers.”
Another commercial space at The Whittaker (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW; WSB sponsor) has been leased. Orangetheory Fitness will move into a 3,905-square-foot space in the south building, Weingarten Realty confirms. Orangetheory Fitness is a chain with hundreds of locations, specializing in what it calls “heart-rate-based interval training.” You can see its future location on Weingarten’s Whittaker “site map” above, which also shows that nobody is signed yet for what was to be the Whole Foods space – the site map indicates that could go to two tenants. (The other four businesses shown on the site map – BECU, CityMD, MOD Pizza, and T-Mobile – were announced a year ago and expected to open later this year.)
Another red sunrise today – photographed this time by Ann Anderson. The visibility otherwise appears to have improved a bit – at least, looking to the west, where Vashon is more in view than it’s been for a while. But remember, the burn ban continues. Meantime, here’s what’s on the highlights list, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:
BLUE ANGELS PRACTICES: The Navy jets, visiting for Seafair, will be practicing together today during two windows that, as mentioned in our morning-traffic report, also include I-90 closures east of I-5 – now through 12:15 pm and 1 pm-2:40 pm. As usual, they take off from, and land at, Boeing Field, not far east of West Seattle.
BEE STORY TIME: 11 am, story time moves out to the West Seattle Bee Garden in High Point Commons Park! (Graham/Lanham)
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)
PLANET EARTH ROCKS! For ages 7 and up, 2:30 pm at Southwest Library: “Become a geologist and learn how rocks can tell us stories about everything from the formation of the planet, to fossils or asteroids and meteors from space with staff and exhibits from the Burke Museum!” Free, registration NOT required, just show up – more info here! (9010 35th SW)
JACK AND THE DRAGON: Oregon Shadow Theatre puppets and live music at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 3:30 pm – details here. (2306 42nd SW)
FOOD TRUCK: One of the West Seattle spots with regular food-truck visits is Ounces beer garden/tap room (all ages) in North Delridge – you can check their calendar to see who’s coming on what night. Tonight, it’s scheduled to be Peasant Food, 5-9 pm. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
GO SKATE ALKI! You’re invited to “grab your skates and bring your friends and family for an Alki Beach skate night!” Meet up at Seacrest (by Alki Kayak Tours) 6 pm; post-skate gathering planned too. If you need skates, Alki Kayak Tours rents them. (1660 Harbor SW)
RIVERSIDE MEMORIAL CLEANUP: 6 pm, you can join the Southwest Seattle Historical Society in cleaning up the memorial area for this weekend’s tour. (3810 17th SW)
SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: As previewed here last night, The Adarna performs, free, 6:30 pm on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center: Bring a chair/blanket, picnic if you want to, all the friends and family and neighbors you can gather, and enjoy the third of this year’s six free Thursday night concerts presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. (Walnut south of Lander)
DESIGN REVIEW FOR 8854 DELRIDGE WAY SW: 6:30 pm at the Sisson Building/Senior Center, it’s the Southwest Design Review Board‘s first look at 8854 Delridge Way SW, a four-story building with 31 microstudio apartments and a commercial space, proposed for what’s currently the site of a closed-by-fire-damage ex-auto shop. The design-packet link and other info can be found in our preview from last week. The meeting includes a public-comment period. (4217 SW Oregon)
SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: 7 pm at Lincoln Park, GreenStage presents “Comedy of Errors.” Free! More info in our calendar listing. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
Family and friends will gather Sunday to remember Denis Lavoie. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:
Denis J. Lavoie, 54, passed away July 30, 2017, surrounded by his loving family and friends.
He will be remembered for his kind heart and his adventurous spirit.
Denis leaves behind his wife Cindy and sons Thomas and Lucas.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 6, at 2:00 at Fauntleroy Church in West Seattle.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
In case you’re wondering, work really has begun on the long-closed, arson-damaged restroom/storage building at Riverview Playfield. Our photo above is from Wednesday morning – as we pulled up, workers were visible on the roof and operating the equipment that’s in the photo, but they were out of view before we got the camera out. Neighborhood advocates had been aghast to hear at one point that the relatively new facility might remain closed, waiting for repair funding, for several more years, but Parks confirmed in May that $200,000+ had been allocated from the levy-funded Seattle Park District, and during the Highland Park Find It/Fix It Walk days later, Parks confirmed the plan. They then said work would start with the roof, and that’s what a building permit has been issued for. Parks expects the building will be ready to reopen in fall.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
6:55 AM: Good morning! No traffic incidents reported in/from West Seattle so far.
Reminders:
PAVING: The crews repaving a section of north Beach Drive at Andover are scheduled to move next to 63rd SW between Admiral Way and Alki Avenue. Details here.
BLUE ANGELS CLOSURES: I-90 is scheduled to close east of I-5 for Seafair (Blue Angels) practices and airshows today through Sunday. From the WSDOT website:
Thursday, Aug. 3: 9:45 am – 12:15 pm; 1- 2:40 pm (practices)
Friday, Aug. 4: 12:55 – 2:40 pm
Saturday, Aug. 5: 12:55 – 2:40 pm
Sunday, Aug. 6: 12:55 – 2:40 pm
WATER TAXI SERVICE INTERRUPTION STARTS MONDAY: The West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxis will be out of service for up to a week starting Monday while their downtown dock is moved to a temporary location north of Colman Dock. Here’s our coverage of the media briefing this past Monday as construction of the temp dock began.
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight.
STOLEN CAR: Shelley says she’s been walking around hoping to spot the car ditched somewhere … it belongs to her daughter, who’s been serving in the Peace Corps. Maybe you’ll spot it:
I’ve been parking along 41st for about a year now and first, my Camry had been broken into twice and then I sold it. So, while I was inbetween cars, I decided to get my daughter’s first car all set up and running great for her return in December from the Peace Corps. I had mechanics fix quite a few things and had it running good and looking nice and then…my HUGE mistake parking it along 41st where it was outright stolen last night WITH a club locked to the steering wheel and ZERO items inside. Nothing. It is a red 1998 Honda Civic with license plates ANT5326.
We had had it stored in a driveway for the last year in Shoreline and I just thought it would be nice to get it running and up to snuff for her when she returns…and now this. It was her prized first car that she had worked hard and saved her own money for, and it was FINALLY running right. I’m just sick about it. What I’ve noticed lately is that there are way less cars all of a sudden along 41st and wonder if others have had their cars stolen? How would we know this without getting the word out. Usually this part of 41st off Edmunds Street is packed with cars and yesterday and today there were tons of open spots. No towing going on either. The police checked for me when I reported it this morning. So, it was stolen between 8 pm 8/1 and 7 am 8/2 as I had checked on it each time I walked my doggie to make sure it was fine there have been so many break-ins of late. If they only knew what they took, it’s more than a car to my daughter and I’m just sick that it was on MY watch. How could folks be so callous and selfish knowing they are taking a substantial investment from somebody they know nothing about? Anyhow, it is a longshot, but it’s a nice, clean and straight shiny red car with newer tires and a white W in the back rear window.
STOLEN BICYCLE: From Kay:
I rode my bike home from Colman swimming pool to my house (in the 9000 block of) 4th Ave SW, left bike in driveway by garage, came in to change clothes, came out to put bike into garage and it was gone. This was between 1:30 – 3 PM Monday, July 24. Bike had Danish bike basket (with carrying handle and hooks to go over handlebars). In basket was cloth bag with bike gloves, bike lights) Under seat in pouch was a red bike cable with lock. If anyone sees the black Bianchi RC women bike with the bike basket, please call 206-720-4024.
(SDOT graphic for 59th/Alki all-way-stop conversion)
One month ago, SDOT announced its plans for pedestrian-related changes to intersections along the west stretch of Admiral Way. Today, another announcement: What was described in that late June announcement as a “tentative” plan to convert 59th/Admiral to an all-way stop is now an official plan:
The crossing improvement will be installed in 2 phases. Before the start of the 2017/2018 school year, we will install new signage and signal modifications to convert the intersection to an all-way stop. These changes will encourage slower vehicle speeds through the intersection.
We’ll evaluate the all-way stop over a few months, and if it’s performing well, we’ll install phase 2 improvements, which include decorative painted curb extensions, a relocation of the westbound bus stop, and a red flashing all-way stop beacon.
Most of the other intersections where SDOT plans changes will also have “decorative painted curb extensions”; SDOT asked in June for opinions on three potential designs, and says this one won:
The 59th/Admiral news and curb-extension pattern are in this mailer that SDOT says it has sent to nearby residents. Details of the other intersection changes that’ll be made later this year were in our June report and are on the project webpage. This is all a followup to the rechannelization of Admiral west of California SW last year.
The photo and report are from Brent Lindblom:
Congratulations to the Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club swimmers who advanced to the Greater
Seattle Summer Swim League “GSSSL” ALL CITY Championship Meet.
Above from left to right and top to bottom:
Brendan Stoll, Dominic Flack, Ben Kinerk, Ty Lindblom, and Hannah Tittel
Lucas Richardson, Will McGlothlin, Lachlan Swanson, and Cookie Hooper. (Not in the photo, Tyler Lenzie)The meet was held at Innis Arden Swimming Club in Shoreline.
Your Arbor Heights All City Winners are:
Ty Lindblom: 1st Place 15-18 Boys 50-yard Back and 5th Place boys 100-yard Individual Medley
Hannah Tittel: 6th Place 15-18 Girls 50-yard Free and 5th Place 15-18 Girls 50-yard Butterfly
Ben Kinerk: 5th Place 15-18 Boys 50-yard Breast
Dominic Flack: 6th Place 15-18 Boys 50-yard Breast
Lucas Richardson: 6th Place 13-14 Boys 50-yard Free
Lachlan Swanson: 5th Place 11-12 Boys 50-yard Breast
Will McGlothin: 4th Place 11-12 Boys 50-yard Breast Stroke
Cookie Hooper: 4th Place 8 and under Girls 25-yard Butterfly and 25-yard Back StrokeRelays:
5th Place Boys 15-18 200-Yard Medley Relay:
Ty Lindblom, Dominic Flack, Tyler Lenzie and Brendan Stoll
5th Place Boys 15-18 200-Yard Free Relay:
Ben Kinerk, Tyler Lenzie, Brendan Stoll and Ty Lindblom
Alternates:
Naomi Williams
Cassidy Wells
Flora Medina
JJ Hartog
Ryan KlemCoaches: Hannah Tittel, Nate Williams, Nicole Roed and Chris Veraya
Two outdoor concerts in the next two nights:
THE ADARNA @ SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: Thursday night at 6:30 pm, The Adarna performs this season’s third Summer Concerts at Hiawatha show, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. Concert organizers describe their sound as “Jet City Rock … fun high-energy rock n’ roll suitable for all ages along the vein of Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age.” The band’s name is taken “from a mythical phoenix-like songbird in Filipino folklore”; The Adarna formed five years ago and has been on seven national tours as well as performing internationally for US troops in five countries. Bring your own chair/blanket, picnic dinner if you want, family, friends, neighbors, co-workers – the show’s free, on the east lawn at
Then on Friday:
FIRST SUMMER CONCERT AT THE MOUNT: The four-Friday-night series at Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW) starts this week:
Just a reminder that the first Summer Concert on the South Patio at The Mount is this Friday, August 4th, featuring Cherry Cherry – a Neil Diamond Tribute Band. Dinner is available for purchase from 5:30 to 7 pm and live music is performed from 6 to 7:30. All are welcome to this family-friendly community event. Admission is free. Food and beverage available for purchase. Free snow cones and popcorn. And a reminder to bring your own lawn chairs or blankets.
The second round of election results is out, and the “top two” in each of the three Seattle city races are all the same as last night. For mayor, it’s Jenny Durkan and Cary Moon, whose lead over #3 Nikkita Oliver is now almost 2,000 votes; for council Position 8, it’s still Teresa Mosqueda and Jon Grant, who’s about 900 votes ahead of #3 Sara Nelson; for council Position 9, it’s still Lorena González and Pat Murakami, with all others ~10,000 or more votes behind. See all the results here; next ballot count is due about this time tomorrow. 104,000+ ballots have been counted so far, just under 23 percent of the city’s voters.
Thanks to Charlie Anthe for that photo that’s more about what you don’t see than what you do – Charlie explains that view from the West Seattle Golf Course usually includes the downtown skyline, which by early afternoon was completely obscured. Up here over Lincoln Park, we’re noticing that even nearby Vashon is all but impossible to see. It’s still the wildfire smoke, mostly from British Columbia, which is having one of its worst fire seasons ever. And it’s led to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency calling a Stage 1 outdoor burn ban that takes effect right now, because of air quality (or, the lack of it) – here’s what that means:
STAGE 1 BURN BAN
No burning in uncertified wood stoves or inserts, or fireplaces. No outdoor burning. EPA certified devices and pellet stoves are allowed.
No
Fireplaces
Uncertified Wood Stoves
Uncertified Wood Inserts
Outdoor Burning
And the National Weather Service alert (Excessive Heat Warning) remains in effect through 9 pm Friday, with tomorrow expected to be hotter than today.
P.S. The NWS tweeted this view from above:
Today's NASA Terra satellite image of the smoke #wawx pic.twitter.com/r5hJZWjTS8
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) August 2, 2017
ADDED WEDNESDAY NIGHT: James Bratsanos sent this photo of the sunset, even redder than Tuesday night:
(Photo courtesy Ventana Construction)
Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) has just officially announced its new location – just blocks south of the old one that’s being redeveloped by that site’s owner. Ventana has moved from a log house to a “hacienda”:
We are excited to announce the move of our headquarters to a new location at the corner of California Avenue SW and SW Raymond Streets. This is exactly two blocks south of our leased office location, which was our base of operations for 10 years. Only one digit in the address has changed – 5958 California Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98136.
Moves are bittersweet, especially given how much we invested in and adored our rented office, but change is part of life-particularly when you’re in the construction business. We feel very lucky to have been able to stay on California Avenue SW in the Morgan Junction neighborhood, which has been our home since the company’s inception in 2003.
We are also thrilled to be stewards of one of the dwindling number of original buildings on California Avenue SW. The Hacienda was built in 1930 and still has the original finishes-mahogany millwork, coved ceilings with heavy texture plaster, a small fireplace with an alcove and red oak floors. It is in remarkably good shape given that it was a rental for most of its years. In the 1937, the tax assessor’s office noted that rent was $30/month.
It’s also one of the few corners that still looks substantially the same as it did in the King County Archive photo [above], which we believe is from the late ’30s. The streetcar tracks are gone, as are the beautiful street lights in the left of the photo, but much is unchanged. Proposed multi-family development planned around our building may soon change the character of this corner of Morgan Junction permanently.
We continue to remodel homes, often with additions and whole-house renovations, in West Seattle and other neighborhoods in the city. We also build custom homes and backyard cottages (DADUs). We welcome inquiries via phone 206-932-3009 and our website www.ventanabuilds.com
We are also proud to have been a supporter of independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via advertising in the West Seattle Blog for 10 years as of this coming February.
SIDE NOTE: Before you ask, we’ll be checking on the timetable for the move of the house in which Ventana was previously headquartered.
(Photos by Gary Jones)
1:03 PM: Running later than usual – due along the downtown waterfront at 1 pm but just now approaching Alki, passing South Bainbridge – the Seafair Parade of Ships has begun. (And yes, that’s why you’re seeing helicopters over Elliott Bay to the north.)
The two US Navy ships, destroyer USS Michael Murphy and amphibious-transport USS Anchorage, are in the lead, followed by Royal Canadian Navy ships and the US Coast Guard cutter Mellon. And a Seattle Fire Department fireboat is just off mid-Alki awaiting them. Still very hazy from wildfire smoke, so visibility isn’t good enough to photograph them until they’re passing.
Fireboat and Navy ships as Seafair Parade passes Alki pic.twitter.com/LgjxETKhCP
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) August 2, 2017
(WSB video)
1:22 PM: Now passing Alki, with the fireboat spraying a welcome.
1:40 PM: The fireboat and Navy ships are about to round Duwamish Head, with the Canadian and USCG ships passing mid-Alki behind them.
5:26 PM: Photos added. The ships are now docked downtown – if you’re interested in touring them, this Seafair webpage has the times, places, and rules.
12:06 PM: The acclaimed West Seattle restaurant Blackboard Bistro has announced it will permanently close in 2 1/2 weeks. The following is the full text of the announcement we just received from its proprietors, who included the two accompanying photos:
Dear Editor and West Seattle Community,
On August 19th, Blackboard Bistro will be closing its doors for good.
The reasons for closing are simple. At the end of last year, Ginger had to stop daily operations to stay at home and look after parents full time. Due to increasing need at home and my right-hand Lady no longer at my side at Blackboard, we are having to let go of the dream…..
We have had a wonderful 7 years making friends and welcoming them into our restaurant and lives and passion. Thank you for all the support, we will miss you and being able to share food with you.
Cheers! Jacob Wiegner, Ginger Wiegner and family
We have followup questions out, including whether the restaurant is for sale, as it was for a while in 2012. Blackboard Bistro opened in August 2010 at 3247 California SW, which had been home to two other restaurants in less than three years, before Blackboard Bistro’s seven-year run.
1:49 PM: The Wiegners say yes, the restaurant is for sale.
Today we’re welcoming Cup of Hope Baskets and Gifts as a new WSB sponsor. New local sponsors get the opportunity to tell you about themselves, and here’s what Cup of Hope would like you to know:
Summer may not last long here in Seattle, but that doesn’t mean the experience needs to fade. Whether you’ve been a guest in someone’s home or simply want to surprise your guest upon arrival, Cup of Hope Baskets and Gifts offers a selection of designer gift baskets to make those memories last throughout the year.
Every basket we create features an exquisite bone china teacup, boldly designed fine porcelain cup, or a sporty way to carry a favorite beverage, and award-winning luxury organic teas. Filled to the brim with joyful accessories and trimmings, Cup of Hope baskets become treasured keepsakes guaranteed to delight and inspire long after they’re delivered. The collections are designed to be uplifting, and to inspire relaxation, encouragement, celebration and thankfulness.
Free Gift Offer for West Seattle Blog Readers
You deserve something special too, so be sure to learn more about your appreciation gift below.
How Cup of Hope Began: Treating Yourself Is the Best Medicine
Nancy Parker is the founder of Cup of Hope Baskets and Gifts and a breast cancer survivor. Back in 2006, she underwent chemotherapy, the most emotionally draining and vulnerable time in her life. During those treatments, she was served hot tea, but in styrofoam cups. It was there and then she decided that she at least deserved a pretty cup to drink her tea from. Along with her cup, she would pack a few other goodies to go with her tea. That became her first “basket.”
Her baskets got noticed, so Nancy made up more of them for her cancer support group. The ladies loved them! This overwhelmingly positive experience catalyzed her into launching Cup of Hope Baskets and Gifts. “Giving something pretty, tangible and memorable can have an immeasurable impact on someone’s day. And giving something that lasts long after that day, is a continual reminder of just how much you care,” Nancy believes. It’s this philosophy that drives Nancy to continue her gift basket donations to Seattle and Eastside hospitals through patient navigators and social workers. She also provides free delivery to hospitals located on First Hill.
Thank You, West Seattle
As an appreciation to the wonderful West Seattle community, receive a complimentary Be Strong book, filled with quotes that inspire, with your gift basket order placed through the month of August. Use the promo code BESTRONG and save on shipping costs too by selecting the free pickup option when you check out.
We thank Cup of Hope Baskets and Gifts for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
Thanks to Wendy Pugh for the sunrise/skyline view from early today – flip side of last night’s reddened sunset, as the smoke from regional wildfires lingers in our area. Meanwhile, the heat warning is still in effect, and today’s expected to go into the 90s, so take good care of yourself and those you love. Now – here’s what else we can tell you about the day ahead:
FIREFIGHTER STORY TIME: 10:30 am at West Seattle (Admiral) Library – take preschoolers to meet firefighters and learn about fire safety. (2306 42nd SW)
WADING POOLS AND SPRAYPARKS: Three local wading pools are open today – Lincoln Park is open 11 am-8 pm; EC Hughes, noon-7 pm; Hiawatha, noon-6:30 pm. Highland Park Spraypark is open 11 am-8 pm. (Find addresses here)
HOT TOPICS FOR SENIORS – CLEARING SPACE: Noon at Southwest Library, current and future seniors are invited to talk about the power of downsizing. Details in our calendar listing. (9010 35th SW)
SEAFAIR PARADE OF SHIPS: Around 12:30 pm, look from north West Seattle shores (Alki, Duwamish Head) for the two U.S. Navy, one U.S. Coast Guard, and two Royal Canadian Navy ships headed for the 1 pm parade past the downtown waterfront.
FREE LUNCH FOR KIDS/YOUTH: Again today, 12:30 pm-1:30 pm, Delridge (5423 Delridge Way SW) and High Point (35th SW/SW Raymond) Libraries offer free lunch to anyone 18 and under.
TINKERLAB GADGETS AND GIZMOS: 1-3 pm at Delridge Library, free, all ages. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN: Fresh produce, sold right next to where it’s grown, 4-7 pm at the weekly High Point Market Garden Farm Stand. (32nd SW/SW Juneau)
JIM PAGE: Live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
OPEN MIC AT SKYLARK: Sign up at 7:30 pm, perform at 8:30 pm, at the weekly all-ages-until-10 pm (21+ after that) open-microphone night at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
DANCEABLE COUNTRY … with The Loose Heels and Smokey Detour at Parliament Tavern, 8-11 pm. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
AND THAT’S NOT ALL … see the full list of events for today, tonight, beyond, on our complete calendar.
5:38 AM: Seattle Fire has a “full response” arriving at a house in the 9200 block of Delridge Way SW [map].
5:44 AM: SFD describes the house as small and “boarded up.” Firefighters spotted a hole in the floor so they are fighting the fire “defensively” – from outside. Avoid that area of Delridge, as it’s an extensive response, blocking the road.
5:54 AM: Our crew is there; we’ve added a photo. It’s the same house that had a fire back in May, and a deadly fire three years earlier. No word of injuries in this fire so far; firefighters report it’s under control. Note that the address on the SFD log right now is NOT accurate – 9226 is the address for the auto shop to the south, which is NOT involved.
6:04 AM: Some of the SFD units are being dismissed. No one inside, no one hurt, so far as firefighters have determined (update: as of a few minute later, they’re searching again). SFD’s investigator has been summoned to find the fire’s cause. Metro Route 128 is being rerouted, according to an alert just texted/tweeted.
6:27 AM: Route 60 is rerouted too. Meantime, our crew is back and we’ve added another photo. We’ve checked the property’s history, in light of the multiple fires; no complaints listed since 2015, and no redevelopment plans on file.
7:15 AM: Metro says buses are back to regular routes.
12:15 PM: SFD spokesperson Lt. Sue Stangl tells WSB the fire investigator could not determine what caused today’s fire, so it will remain officially “undetermined.”
(Photo by David Hutchinson, from Alki Beach)
Thank you to everyone who sent photos from tonight’s sunset, reddened by wildfire smoke that kept thickening as the day proceeded. Up in British Columbia, the smoke is hindering the fight against the fires that are causing it.
(Photo by Jamie Kinney, looking over the Fauntleroy ferry dock)
Our state has fires burning too, but nothing like what’s going on in B.C.
(Photo by Jim Borrow, from Upper Alki)
You can check the air-quality status on the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency website.
(Photo by Gary Jones, from Alki Point)
And remember we’re still under an Excessive Heat Warning alert through Friday night.
(Photo by Jeff Kaufer, from Constellation Park)
The smoke is even mentioned in the forecast.
8:06 PM: As if the night’s not busy enough, the first election results are in.
Here’s where to see Seattle Mayor results. Top four in the first round of results are:
Jenny Durkan 32%
Cary Moon 16%
Nikkita Oliver 14%
Jessyn Farrell 12%
Seattle City Council Position 8, the top three:
Teresa Mosqueda 31%
Jon Grant 24%
Sara Nelson 23%
Seattle City Council Position 9, the top three:
Lorena González*, 61%
Pat Murakami, 20%
David Preston, 10%
King County Proposition 1, sales tax for cultural access
No 55%
Yes 45%
Seattle Port Commission, Position 1, top two
John Creighton* 35%
Ryan Calkins 28%
Seattle Port Commission, Position 3, top two
Stephanie Bowman*, 55%
Ahmed Abdi, 28%
Seattle Port Commission, Position 4, top two
Peter Steinbrueck, 25%
Preeti Shridhar, 21%
(Asterisks = incumbents. Percentages are rounded.) You can find all the results here – King County Elections’ next update is expected tomorrow afternoon.
(WSB photo – substituted for originally published phone pic)
7:23 PM: We’re on our way to the 3700 block of SW Thistle for a house-fire response. More to come.
7:25 PM: First firefighters to arrive say they’re seeing smoke from the basement, and that everyone is out OK.
7:31 PM: We’re just arriving. Thistle is blocked off by fire units west of 35th SW – and side streets are blocked by Night Out parties. Via radio exchanges, we’re hearing this is an “appliance fire” and it’s tapped. No injuries reported.
7:43 PM: Much of the initial big response is being dismissed, now that this is winding down. Neighbor Mike shared this video of the first SFD personnel on the scene:
MONDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: SFD says it was an accidental fire, caused by a malfunctioning battery charger, and that damage to contents and structure totaled $20,000.
It’s Night Out 2017 around West Seattle – and around the U.S.!
6:16 PM: Our first stop is in Seaview, where Ellis and friends “would like to tell the people of west Seattle that kids are holding a block party.” Ellis explained, “Me and my friends have been selling enough lemonade this summer raise $114,” and that’s how they funded it. Above, Ellis is at center, with Jaslynn and Zoe. Next stop, Jon‘s neighborhood southwest of The Junction (though Jon himself hadn’t arrived yet):
This one’s not a street-closing party, “just neighbors barbecuing and hanging out” – we are doing our best to get to the other parties that e-mailed to let us know it would be OK if we stopped by for a photo, and we also welcome a pic of your group – westseattleblog@gmail.com is the best address right now since we’re on the move, or via phone, to our 206-293-6302 round-the-clock hotline. Meantime, we’re seeing LOTS of blocks closed for parties – so, lots of neighborhood-strengthening going on tonight – 275 registered in West Seattle and South Park, SW Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Burbridge told us!
6:45 PM: Our photos above and below are from our stop at Sara‘s block party, west of The Junction. So organized – they have a planning committee for the Night Out party, and she’s on it!
They have a bouncy house for the neighborhood’s youngest residents, too.
6:56 PM: We weren’t planning another stop so close by, but we saw SW Precinct Lt. Steve Strand arriving at 47th/Edmunds – police and fire personnel are visiting some of tonight’s parties as usual – and we had something to ask about:
While we were there, of course, we took a group photo.
(P.S. The unrelated incident we asked about was one that led to several texts earlier, a person taken into custody at 35th/Findlay – we got there just as police were leaving. Lt. Strand says the person was in crisis and was out in the street dodging cars. The person was taken to the hospital for evaluation.)
Meanwhile, Karen just sent this photo from her block party in High Point:
7:11 PM: Now we’re on Alki Point near Bar-S Playfields, where Sherie let us know that her neighborhood was having its first-ever Night Out block party:
7:27 PM: We were heading to North Delridge when a house fire broke out in Gatewood, so we have to interrupt our Night Out tour for now, but will continue adding your photos! Like this one from SW Orchard, on the other side of Gatewood:
The photo was taken while Night Out attendees listened to a talk on Cooper’s Hawks, by Ed Deal. Meantime – imagine Seattle’s most-famous marching band rocking your block party:
@Allcityband rocking our block party @44th & Dawson! Very cool! @westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/PqzXH9ixbs
— James (@SeattleDad) August 2, 2017
(Update) Here’s video Nick shared from ACB at 45th/Dawson:
Apparently the All-City Band split into two groups tonight in lieu of rehearsing, and visited several block parties!
8:02 PM: The house-fire coverage is wrapped up and we’re back on the road, trying to get to a few more block parties. First, we’re in Highland Park, where Christie invited us to stop by:
Also from Highland Park – Marcia tweeted a photo:
We ❤️our neighbors!! #NationalNightOut @westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/YgLl2VlxFF
— Marcia Ventura (@marciaventura) August 2, 2017
Looks like it’s going to be an incredible sunset, too, through the wildfire smoke…
8:39 PM: Our last stop, 37th and Graham – thanks to Aaron for the invite:
Neighbors brought a couch out into the street for their Night Out party – that’s what the kids lined up in front are sitting on. And just after we left Aaron’s neighborhood, Michael sent this photo from just about a block away – 38th and Raymond:
And when we pulled up to HQ in Upper Fauntleroy, our neighborhood block party was still going, so we grabbed a photo:
8:53 PM: The official time period for parties is ending (though we’ve noted in 10 years of as-it-happened coverage, you don’t find many going past 8:30). Here are more of the photos you shared – thanks! First, from Max in East Admiral:
Our neighbors in South Park have a mini-golf-themed party every year, “South Park Putts Out,” and shared this photo:
From 18th and Brandon, where SFD made a visit:
At Walnut/Stevens in Admiral:
Next photo was taken at 48th/Dawson by Don Brubeck, who explains: “West Seattle Bike Connections had a bike tour of street parties instead of a meeting indoors. Get to see kids playing in safe streets and neighbors getting together.”
One of more than a few places with live music – 4000 block of 40th SW:
From Cinda on 42nd SW in Gatewood, a few of her neighbors around a table, talking – the best part of Night Out, catching up with the people who live nearby:
And from Tamsen’s block party in Upper Morgan:
It’s 11:50 pm and that’s our last addition, for now. Don’t let neighborhood solidarity be a once-a-year thing … in addition to Block Watches (find out more about those here), get together for the sake of preparedness (everybody know where, and what, your nearest Emergency Communication Hub is?), community cleanups … the possibilities are endless.
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