West Seattle, Washington
15 Friday
Via Twitter, Patrick reports a tree/branch down across the west side of Fairmount Avenue, in the ravine between Admiral and Alki. It’s been reported (in off-hours or weekends, road-blocking debris can be called to 911, if necessary). This is a reminder that though the weather has calmed, the National Weather Service still has a Special Weather Statement in effect in our area, warning of this type of risk (slides in particular) after all that rain and snow saturated the ground, with wind as a chaser.
What you see above is a collage of the 70 “Be My Junction Valentine” photos taken by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s “We Love the Junction” task force last Sunday in front of the Campbell Building at California/Alaska. As we showed you here on WSB that morning, people turned out despite the rain; final tally for those photos was 149 people and 13 dogs. If you were among them, SWSHS has sent you this link (where anyone can go to see the photos one by one, whether they participated or not). And the SWSHS has this reminder about what’s happening the day after Valentine’s Day:
Also in the e-mail to the photo subjects was an indication of the timing of the two Junction-related hearings scheduled during the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board meeting on Wednesday, February 15, at City Hall.
According to the meeting agenda, the landmark designation hearing for the Hamm Building (main tenant Easy Street Records) will start about 4:10 p.m. and last 45 minutes. The agenda also says the landmark nomination hearing for the Campbell Building (main tenant Cupcake Royale) will start about 4:55 p.m. and last 60 minutes.
The task force is encouraging people to attend the hearings. The task force will ask all supporters in the room to stand to show their support for Hamm and Campbell landmarking. Those wishing to speak at either hearing will be limited to one minute each.
The task force also asks that people e-mail messages of support to Erin Doherty, city landmarks coordinator, at this address by Sunday, February 12, to allow for the messages to go to board members in time to read them before the hearings.
More information on the Junction landmark campaign can be found here.
City Hall is at 400 5th Avenue. The meeting will be in the Boards and Commissions Room on its 2R level, which you can reach via elevator from the main and lower lobbies. And if you’d like to review the nomination documents for the two proposed landmarks – which are full of information and historic photos – the Campbell Building is here, the Hamm building here.
It’s still peak season for youth-sports signups! Today West Seattle Baseball wants to remind you that its registration continues for just under two more weeks; deadline is February 24th. WSBB has divisions for ages 4 through 18 – full details, and the signup link, can be found on the league website.
(WSB photos)
Not only is West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor) a place to cowork – it’s also a place to connect with your neighbors, especially today! Until 2 pm, in honor of Neighbor Day, several local groups/organizations have reps there to answer your questions – including West Seattle Time Bank, Plant for the Planet – Washington State, Urban Homestead Foundation, Terraganics Living, Seattle Farm School, West Seattle Bee Garden, West Seattle Food Bank, The Community General Store, and Backyard Barter.
(Office Junction co-proprietors Stefan and Christine)
(Kids’ activity table)
Stop in (6040 California SW), have a cup of coffee, and find out how to get more connected within the West Seattle community.
11:29 AM: Until 1 pm, you’re invited to a centerpiece of Neighbor Day – touring a local fire station. In West Seattle, two stations are open for tours, recently renovated Station 29 in Admiral (2139 Ferry SW) and relatively new Station 37 in Sunrise Heights (35th SW/SW Holden). As our photo (taken a few minutes ago at Station 37) shows, all ages are welcome – it’s your annual chance to meet local firefighters outside times of emergency! (Other Neighbor Day events are in today’s West Seattle Saturday highlights list.)
2:16 PM: Two more photos added – above, neighbors getting a closer look at Engine 37; below, a REALLY close-up look for some:
You might just get another chance for a fire-station tour this year – we’ll be watching for completion of the new Station 32 in The Triangle.
(Our beautiful neighborhood, and beyond – photographed by Long Bach Nguyen)
Happy “Neighbor Day”! Here are today’s highlighted events, some in honor of Neighbor Day, some not … from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WHITE CENTER SHELTER WORK PARTY: 9 am-1 pm, you’re invited to join a big work party to help spruce up the King County building that is becoming a shelter for families, to be managed by Mary’s Place. (8th SW/SW 108th)
VALENTINE CRAFTS: 9 am-noon, kids 12 and under are invited to PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) to create Valentine cards and crafts for family and friends. (California SW/SW Stevens)
HALA REZONING: ADMIRAL WORKSHOP: As previewed again here on Friday, 9:30 am-12:30 pm at West Seattle High School. If you live and/or work in the Admiral Residential Urban Village, come learn what Mandatory Housing Affordability means, and might mean for your area. (3000 California SW)
ARCHBISHOP AT THE MOUNT: Seattle Archbishop Peter Sartain will lead Mass at the Providence Mount St. Vincent Chapel for World Day of the Sick, 9:30 am. Details in our calendar listing. (4831 35th SW)
NEIGHBOR DAY DROP-IN: Visit West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor), have a cup of coffee, and meet your neighbors to talk about what’s good in the world. Craft table for kids. Drop in any time, 10 am-2 pm. (6040 California SW)
SOUTH DELRIDGE BUS TRIANGLE WORK PARTY: Join the South Delridge Community Group to show TLC to this triangle of land that was the subject of a workshop last weekend (WSB coverage here). 10 am-11 am. (Delridge Way SW/SW Barton)
PANCAKE BREAKFAST: 10 am-noon at Delridge Community Center, come enjoy pancakes and help support ensuring more people can enjoy DCC programs. (4501 Delridge Way SW)
ALL-CHOCOLATE POP-UP: 10 am-3 pm, five candy makers are selling their creations at Sound & Fog. (4735 40th SW)
FIRE STATION TOURS: As part of Neighbor Day – previewed here – you’re invited to visit West Seattle’s Fire Station 29 (2139 Ferry SW) and/or Fire Station 37 (7700 35th SW) 11 am-1 pm.
SEEKING SEATTLE’S SURVIVING SALAMANDERS: RSVP ASAP to join naturalist Stewart Wechsler at Camp Long, 11 am. (5200 35th SW)
WINE AND CHOCOLATE: 2-7 pm at the Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) tasting room, get ready for Valentine’s Day with wine and Intrigue Chocolate Co. candy pairings. (5910 California SW)
‘SHINE A LIGHT’: Neighbor Day event at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center, 2-5 pm. Come join in a potluck with dishes from around the world and show your support for all your neighbors, including a “Shine a Light” event at 5 pm. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: 5 pm, Seattle Lutheran‘s boys team hosts La Conner in a district playoff game. SeaLu’s senior girls will be recognized before the game, since weather canceled their last home game earlier in the week. (4100 SW Genesee)
SOUL JAMBALAYA: Free concert celebrating Black History Month, as previewed here (where you’ll find the highlighted list of performers), 7 pm, in the Chief Sealth International High School Auditorium. (2600 SW Thistle)
MAURICE & HIS THING: Live, free in-store concert at Easy Street Records, 7 pm. (California SW/SW Alaska)
ALTERNATIVE INDIE ROCK: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern – The Loveless Building, We Are Not Mel Tormé. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
JONNY WOODS: 9:30 pm, live music at Alki Beach Pub. No cover. (2722 Alki SW)
AND THERE’S MORE … check our complete-calendar page!
(WSB photo: Coach of the Year Keffrey Fazio, Metro League 1st Team’s Nate Pryor)
Between the Friday night Metro League championship games in the Chief Sealth IHS gym, all-league honors were presented. Above, from West Seattle High School boys’ basketball, Keffrey Fazio is the league’s Coach of the Year, and Nate Pryor was chosen for the all-league first team again.
Also announced, the all-league girls’ teams, with Sealth’s Labrea Denson and WSHS’s Jasmine Gayles on the 2nd team, and WSHS’s Grace Sarver and Sealth’s Sydney Thomas on the 3rd team.
(We haven’t found the full list online yet but will add when we do.)
Another basketball score from tonight: The Chief Sealth International High School boys came close to a district-playoff spot – but lost to Ballard 61-59, who scored in the final seconds of their qualifying game, played at Garfield HS.
6:56 PM: We’re at the Chief Sealth gym, where the Metro League basketball championship games are being played tonight. The girls’ title game has just ended, with the West Seattle High School girls losing to still-undefeated Bishop Blanchet. They were tied 27-27 at halftime, but Blanchet pulled away in the second half, and the final score was 62-46.
10:12 PM: Photos and details added, and what’s next for the WSHS girls: Read More
We start tonight’s West Seattle Crime Watch update with two reader reports:
STOLEN VEHICLE FOUND, WITH MORE LOOT: The photo above is from Jennifer, whose stolen car – reported here earlier this week – was found, with others’ stolen property:
My car was recovered by the SPD on the 1200 block of SW Holden and filled with stolen property including 2 bikes on bike rack … It was operating as mobile drug unit, car filled with drugs and needles, 3 people arrested, cell phones in car, and interior completely trashed, Thule rocket box and roof rack missing … hopefully bikes and other stolen property can get reunited with the owner.
CAR PROWL IN HIGHLAND PARK: We don’t have other details but WS says a neighbor’s vehicle was rifled through on Tuesday night and shared this security camera video:
Recognize anyone? Let police know.
Now, two followups:
SOUTH DELRIDGE SWAT CASE: Bail was set Thursday at $100,000 for the 31-year-old Burien man arrested after the SWAT standoff on Wednesday. Probable-cause documents reveal he also had two warrants out for his arrest in unrelated cases. They also say police first were called to the house around noon after the suspect allegedly hit his ex-girlfriend as she tried to get away from him. One of the warrants for his arrest is in connection with a case on which he is awaiting trial; it was issued last September when he failed to appear for arraignment on charges of possessing stolen mail and other stolen property. Those charges trace back to an arrest in Burien last May. The suspect is due back in court Monday.
RECKLESS-DRIVING SUSPECT BACK IN JAIL: The 24-year-old man arrested in The Junction last weekend was booked into jail again last night, and was out again this morning. The arrest was on suspicion of driving with a suspended license; no complaint was filed but Municipal Court records show charges were filed in connection with last week’s arrest, so we’re naming the suspect, Casey Carlstedt, whose overnight jail stay was his 10th booking into King County Jail since last April. The charges filed against him and linked to last weekend’s incident: Disobeying a traffic-control device, “no valid operating license with valid ID,” and driving without insurance. We’ll continue watching the case.
Thanks again to everyone sharing Crime Watch reports so your neighbors all around the peninsula know more about what’s happening – we hope crime will NOT happen to you, but if it does, once you’ve reported it to police (911 if it’s happening now or just happened), let us know … 206-293-6302 if breaking, editor@westseattleblog.com if not. Thank you!
Two outages to mention: First, thanks to Bianca for reporting a blown transformer near 35th SW/SW 112th – that’s likely what’s to blame for a 51-home outage toward the south end of 35th SW and part of the Seola Beach area.
Meantime, Comcast phone service is out for a multi-county area, including at least part of King County. We’ve heard from one business – Greentree Animal Hospital – that says you can reach them by e-mail in the meantime, greentreeanimalhospital@gmail.com – if anyone else has alternate contact info, we’d be happy to mention it.
One more reminder – tomorrow is the day that people who live and/or work in Admiral are invited to a Community Design Workshop about the rezoning that’s proposed for the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) component known as Mandatory Housing Affordability.
(Direct link to draft Admiral Urban Village rezoning map)
This proposal would upzone property within the city’s Urban Villages – plus all multifamily/commercial property, in an UV or not – and require builders/developers to either dedicate part of what they build as “affordable,” or pay into a fund that will go toward affordable housing somewhere in the city. You can click around this interactive map to see what’s proposed where you are. Then, 9:30 am-12:30 pm Saturday at West Seattle High School (3000 California SW), it’s the Admiral version of this big recent meeting in The Junction – first a presentation, then Q/A, then table-by-table conversation to get your feedback. Here’s the official city announcement. Whether or not you’re going, you can get your feedback to the city via hala.consider.it or e-mailing halainfo@seattle.gov.
Three West Seattle business notes:
WILDWOOD MARKET, PHASE 1: Lonjina Verdugo is all smiles as phase 1 of Wildwood Market has soft-opened in Fauntleroy at 9214 45th SW. They’re starting with sandwiches, soup, and more, for take-out or dine-in:
Growler fills, too. The rest of the market will be Phase 2. Open today until 8 pm; see the menu here and here.
NEW MORGAN JUNCTION BUSINESS: At 6965 California SW, what long was West Seattle Kids Salon (before a brief stint as a campaign office for now-Congressmember Pramila Jayapal) is now a martial-arts studio. Greta from Capoeira Brasil Seattle says that in addition to classes, their space is also “available for hourly rental for other movement arts such as yoga and dance instruction.”
MY THREE LITTLE BIRDS ADDS ANOTHER PHOTO-SESSION DAY: Steps away at 6959 California SW, My Three Little Birds has just begun three days of Valentine photo sessions.
Today and Saturday are sold out, proprietor Jennifer Young tells us, so a third session was added 11 am-2 pm Sunday. Come to the store or e-mail photographer Rachel McGuire ASAP to book time on Sunday.
Her address is rachel@rachelmcguirephotography.com – you get three images for $40.
(It was a day for sledding, not studying, at Madison MS on Monday. Texted reader photo from the WSB snow-day gallery)
It’s the flip side of Monday’s snow day – Seattle Public Schools has announced that the makeup day has now been officially scheduled, so the last day of classes for this school year is now Monday, June 26th, instead of Friday, June 23rd. Here’s the updated SPS 2016-2017 calendar, which is also a reminder that this year includes a full week of mid-winter break, week after next.
(Photo by Long Bach Nguyen – looking southwest toward West Seattle, with Lake Union in foreground)
While the National Weather Service has a Wind Advisory in effect until 3 pm (keep everything charged!), our highlights all start after that, so things should be calm in time for you to check out one or more of the following! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WINE AND CHOCOLATE: Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) is open 5-9 pm and continuing to offer, with Valentine’s Day in mind, special pairings of Viscon wines and Intrigue Chocolate Co. truffles. (5910 California SW)
HIGHLAND PARK ART LOUNGE: Something new at the never-a-dull-moment Highland Park Improvement Club: Tonight’s the debut of the HPIC Art Lounge. 21+. 7 pm, you’re welcome to bring your materials, art projects, come hang out, enjoy the HPIC bar. And/or, sign up for the Bottles and Brushes class (fee) that also is happening tonight. (12th SW/SW Holden)
HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: The West Seattle High School girls play Bishop Blanchet for the Metro League championship tonight in the Chief Sealth IHS gym (2600 SW Thistle), 5:45 pm. … Same start time for the Chief Sealth IHS boys’ game vs. Ballard, at Garfield HS (400 23rd Ave.), vying for a spot in the district tournament.
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT: “The Secret Life of Pets,” doors at 6, movie at 6:30 pm, at Highland Park Elementary. Free – but bring $ for concessions, raffle, etc.! More info here. (1012 SW Trenton)
SWEETHEART SWING: 6:30 pm at Brookdale West Seattle, benefit featuring West Seattle Big Band, appetizers, and beverages, to help the Alzheimer’s Foundation. Call to see if there’s still room. (4611
SOUTH SOUND TUG & BARGE: Live music, 8 pm at West Seattle Brewing. No cover. (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW)
****LATE-NIGHT LOW-TIDE WALK: 11:04 AM UPDATE – The Seattle Aquarium says this Constellation Park walk is canceled.****
MAURICE & HIS THING: Live music, 9 pm at Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
JUSTIN KAUSAL-HAYES: Live music, 9:30 pm at Alki Beach Pub. No cover. (2722 Alki SW)
AND THERE’S EVEN MORE … on our complete-calendar page.
(WSB photo from 2015 sale)
The West Seattle Cooperative Preschools want to let buyers and sellers know that their benefit consignment sale is on again this year, 9 am-1 pm Saturday, March 4th, at the VFW Hall in The Triangle (3601 SW Alaska):
Mark your calendars for the 5th annual West Seattle Co-op kids’ consignment sale. Anyone can consign at our sale, so tell your friends and spread the word. Come consign with us and get 65% of sale price then receive a check in the mail a week later. The Preschool keeps 35%, which we give back to local families in our community through scholarships, making preschool affordable for all families. We partner with WestSide Baby, giving them all donated items after the sale. Come consign or sell with us and make a positive impact in your community. To register, or for more information, go here.
And if you have questions, WSCPkidsale@gmail.com is how to reach the sale organizers.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
7:11 AM: Good morning! No traffic incidents so far in/from West Seattle.
If you’re using the Vashon ferry dock, Washington State Ferries has the latest on the effects of yesterday’s nearby slide.
Weather: The National Weather Service’s Wind Advisory for the area is now in effect, through 3 pm.
Transit: A cancellation announced by Metro:
Transit Alert – Route 57 to downtown Seattle due to leave the Alaska Junction at 7:06 AM will not operate this morning.
— King County Metro (@kcmetrobus) February 10, 2017
7:17 AM: And another cancellation:
Transit Alert – Route 56 to downtown Seattle due to leave Alki at 7:23 AM will not operate this morning.
— King County Metro (@kcmetrobus) February 10, 2017
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
9:54 PM: An overtime thriller tonight – the West Seattle High School boys-varsity basketball team beat Rainier Beach, 61-56, in their postseason game at Chief Sealth IHS. That brought the Wildcats a third-place finish in the Metro League tournament. Next stop for head coach Keffrey Fazio‘s team, the district tournament, and a 5:30 pm game Tuesday (February 14th), again in the gym at Sealth. Their opponent won’t be determined until this Saturday.
10:55 PM: Adding photos and details. The first half saw WSHS challenged in keeping control of the ball. But after halftime, the Wildcats started controlling rebounds during the low-scoring third quarter.
Top scorer for WSHS tonight was #1 Nate Pryor (21 points). In the fourth quarter, he and #22 Yusuf Mohamed (11 points) had back-to-back three-pointers.
The night’s second-leading scorer for WSHS was #5 Abdullahi Mohamed with 18:
Regulation play ended at 46-all; in OT, board control and foul shots helped WSHS get the win. According to the bracket, their Tuesday opponent will be whichever team takes Saturday’s game between Mercer Island and the winner of tomorrow’s Chief Sealth-Ballard game.
First of two high-school basketball updates tonight: Though the Chief Sealth International High School boys lost to Cleveland, 81-61, in tonight’s postseason game at Garfield HS, they have one more shot at a spot in the district tournament. Head coach Colin Slingsby‘s Seahawks will play Ballard at 5:45 pm tomorrow at Garfield; winner goes to districts, loser’s done for the year. Sealth won its last game against Ballard, 65-62 on January 31st.
If you weren’t able to get to last night’s annual PTSA-sponsored Chief Sealth International High School/Denny International Middle School safety meeting – we recorded it on video. The major headline: This year has been much less eventful than last year, which meant no major controversies or crime concerns to talk about last night, unlike the same meeting last March (WSB coverage here).
Most of last night’s presenting participants were the same as last year: Read More
While the weather brought some problems today, it also brought beauty. Three views of this afternoons rainbows – first, from Kathleen Dedon, over Westwood Village:
Kersti Muul on Alki:
Jim Borrow, from further east along Alki:
Thanks to everyone for sharing photos! editor@westseattleblog.com or text to 206-293-6302.
(Constellation Park, 2:30 this afternoon – photo by Jason Bell)
4:26 PM: Following up on our midday coverage of water and mud trouble – more weather news this afternoon. First, three National Weather Service alerts you should know about:
*The Special Weather Statement about slide risk, mentioned in our earlier coverage too.
(Off Alki Point this afternoon – photo by Bruce Easter)
*Another Coastal Flood Advisory for the early-morning high tide tomorrow – the water could be at least a foot higher than predicted because of weather factors.
*Wind Advisory for 8 am-3 pm tomorrow, with sustained wind from the southwest 20-35 mph and gusts to 50 mph.
But the mud is today’s trouble. If you’re using the main Vashon Island ferry dock, for example, here’s a problem:
(Photo courtesy King County Roads)
The King County Transportation Department sent word of “a significant landslide that occurred this afternoon on 103rd Avenue Southwest near the Vashon Ferry Terminal parking lot. Crews are working to channel ferry traffic onto Vashon Highway Southwest instead of 103rd. Crews estimate it will take about eight hours to clear debris from the road. Travelers in the area should expect delays.”
Meantime, Ted Ellis sent this photo of mud along Seola Beach Drive:
Ted says, “This is one of three different slides … and part of the road looks like a pretty big wall of mud might come down.” We’re off to check on a few other things … more to come.
4:54 PM: We went back to West Marginal Way SW, a short way north of Highland Park Way, and discovered SDOT crews are still there:
One to two SB lanes are blocked there as crews work on water and debris trouble, so southbound traffic is being diverted into the center lane for a short distance. We have also gone by a trouble spot on which reported this morning – Delridge at Myrtle; the northbound lane is still fairly well puddled.
5:50 PM: We also went to Seola Beach Drive for a look at the slide mentioned above. There are indeed multiple spots with signs along the southbound side of the road, in the section that’s greenbelt on both sides – here’s the most-sizable slide spot on the slope:
It’s not blocking a travel lane, so far.
10:55 PM: King County’s Brent Champaco sent this update on the Vashon slide:
103rd Avenue SW on Vashon Island near the north ferry terminal will remain closed until 5 a.m. tomorrow morning (Friday, Feb. 10) … From 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. the roadway will be open to northbound traffic only in order to accommodate ferry rush hour traffic. At 9 a.m. the roadway will close so clean up crews can continue their work. Clean up is taking longer than expected due to the amount of debris including a large tree.
Last weekend, we noted that the Highway 99 tunneling machine was in the zone where it would pass beneath the Battery Street Tunnel and the Seattle Center Monorail. This afternoon, WSDOT reported that it’s gone beneath the former and on its way to the latter. The machine is now 115 feet beneath the surface and climbing upward, 100 feet higher than the tunnel’s deepest point. WSDOT also reports that roadbuilding continues and is already halfway down the 7,692-foot path that’s been dug – here’s a document with updates on that and other parts of the project. WSDOT adds, “Work has also begun on the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems within the tunnel. Crews began installing these systems near the stadiums last week …” Read today’s full tunneling update here.
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