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West Seattle whale watching: Orcas traveling past us again
November 22, 2014 8:53 am
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo by Trileigh Tucker)
8:53 AM: Southbound orcas were seen from the Bainbridge-Seattle ferry about half an hour ago, according to a thread on the Orca Network Facebook page. That could place them off our shores now or soon. Still blustery out there, so you’ll almost certainly need binoculars (also, sounds like they’re closer to the east side of the Sound). Let us know if you see them!

9:38 AM: In comments, Gary noted them passing Alki Point, and we’ve since received Jeff Hogan (Killer Whale Tales)’s text report of a Lincoln Park-area sighting, still southbound. This time of year, they are chasing the chum salmon run – same one that has brought net fishers into view in the past few weeks – so here’s hoping they are finding the food they need for survival.

(Photo by Paul B)
2:27 PM: See comments for the orcas’ travels since then. Donna Sandstrom from The Whale Trail has just posted on Facebook that they’ve turned back northbound and could be passing south West Seattle shores again by 3 pm if they continue their current path. We’ve also added photos from earlier.

3:37 PM: Donna just called – the whales are visible from Lincoln Park, with the blows visible from this side, and she’s off to the South Alki area in about 10 minutes – look for a pod of people watching from shore (she brings excellent binoculars).

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West Seattle Saturday: Holiday open houses; donation drives; more
November 22, 2014 6:39 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Long B. Nguyen: Luna/Anchor Park, Don Armeni, & Hamilton Viewpoint all visible)
The weekend before Thanksgiving is the full-on kickoff for the holidays, and today’s slate of highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar won’t disappoint:

TURKEY GIVEAWAY: From 9 am until supplies run out, Eastridge Church is again giving away turkeys and bags of groceries to anyone who shows up – no proof of need required. (39th/Oregon)

SOUTHEAST ASIAN EDUCATION SUMMIT: 9 am-4 pm at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), presented by Southeast Asian/American Access in Education – free to attend; details in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)

LONGFELLOW CREEK SALMON WALK: 10 am, meet Puget Soundkeeper Alliance stewards at Dragonfly Pavilion to embark on an exploration of Longfellow Creek, learning about its salmon, as previewed in this WSB report. (28th/Dakota)

J.F. HENRY OPEN HOUSE, DAY 1: 10 am-6 pm, first day of the big Holiday Open House at J.F. Henry Cooking and Dining (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. Deals, demonstrations, treats, more – see who and what will be there and when, by going here. (4445 California SW)

JUNCTION TRUE VALUE OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-2 pm, the big holiday open house at Junction True Value (WSB sponsor)! Refreshments, gifts, prizes. Coupon for ornaments, good Saturday/Sunday. Bring nonperishable food donations for the West Seattle Food Bank! (4747 44th SW)

GREAT BIG BAZAAR: 10 am-3 pm, first day of the Great Big Bazaar at Peace Lutheran Church in Gatewood – details in our calendar listing. (39th/Thistle)

NORTHWEST ART & FRAME OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-5:30 pm, including demonstrations, refreshments, specials. (4733 California SW)

WHITE CENTER FOOD BANK HOLIDAY FOOD DONATIONS:11 am-2 pm, drop off turkeys (or cash) at the WC Food Bank‘s headquarters. (10829 8th SW)

CLOTHING-DONATION DROPOFFS AT VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: Again this year, West Seattle’s Vietnamese Cultural Center is going to spend Thanksgiving helping homeless people, and they’d love to have your help, via donations of clothing/socks/etc. You can drop the items off today (and/or tomorrow), 11 am-5 pm, at the center. (2236 SW Orchard)

FREE LUNCH AT WSPC: Hungry? Chilly? Just need some good company? Noon-1:30 pm, you’re welcome to come have lunch, free, at West Side Presbyterian Church. (3601 California SW)

KITTY HARBOR ‘PRE-BLACK FRIDAY DOORBUSTERS‘: Noon-5 pm, pre-holiday cat/kitten adoption specials at Kitty Harbor, as detailed here. (3422 Harbor SW)

WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK TURKEY DRIVE: 1-4 pm, drop off turkeys (or cash) at the WS Food Bank‘s headquarters. (35th/Morgan)

TEA WITH GEORGIE: She’s a comic, a musician, a writer, a rabblerouser … Don’t miss the chance to spend the afternoon in the company of West Seattle’s one-of-a-kind Georgie Bright Kunkel, 3 pm at Kenyon Hall. (7904 35th SW)

ARTS & CRAFTS SALE PLUS CRECHE EXHIBIT: 3-5 pm, first of two days at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church‘s newly expanded annual event – handmade holiday items for sale, plus a chance to see an exhibit of creches. (California/Hanford)

BEER CHURCH’S TURKEY BOWL: 5:30 pm at West Seattle Bowl. The lanes are sold out but you are invited to come down, cheer the Beer Church and its bowlers, have a brew, buy a raffle ticket, and most importantly, bring food (and/or money!) for the West Seattle Food Bank, which gets a big boost from this every year – and this is the 16th annual edition! (39th/Oregon)

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS’ GALA: As previewed here earlier this week, tonight is the night to celebrate with the West Seattle Community Orchestras at Highland Park Improvement Club, and help them support student music! Doors open at 6; we’re told there’s still room. (12th/Holden)

FLOURISH BEAUTY SHOPPING EVENT & DONATION DRIVE: 6-9 pm, with local vendors plus raffle/donation drive for West Seattle Helpline – details in our calendar listing. (Fauntleroy/Raymond)

THE BURNZ AT EASY STREET: 7 pm, free all-ages in-store concert with Seattle’s own The Burnz at Easy Street Records in The Junction. (California/Alaska)

‘DOGFIGHT,’ FINAL NIGHT: 7:30 pm, closing night for the musical “Dogfight” at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. (4711 California SW)

SOUTHWEST TEEN LIFE CENTER LATE-NIGHT THANKSGIVING: 8 pm, ages 13-19 get to celebrate early with a full Thanksgiving dinner at Southwest TLC. (2801 SW Thistle)

ALL THAT, BUT STILL … there’s more! Go directly to our calendar to see for yourself.

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‘Pre-Black Friday Doorbusters’ – the furry kind, @ Kitty Harbor
November 21, 2014 11:30 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news

Less than a week until the shopping day that’s become known as “Black Friday” (shop local indies!), we have word tonight of “Pre-Black Friday Doorbusters” … adoption “deals” at Kitty Harbor in West Seattle this weekend:

Avoid the crowds and bring home something much more special and lasting — an adopted cat(s)! This weekend, all colors of black kittens’ adoption donation is $20 less. We have panther black, elegant black, ink black, sleek black, reddish black, sexy black and more! Black cats are our personal favorite — they have cool personalities, beautiful eyes and are very loving. Did you know they were worshiped in ancient Egypt?

Prefer a more mature cat? Our 15 amazing adult cats want you to know that their adoption donation is just $50 this coming weekend. They’d like to remind you that they are yesterday’s kitten, are still playful, loving and very dignified.

It gets better! The above kitties will be sent home with their very own, special Christmas stocking, chock full of kitty kibble, toys, and catnip. Just our way of making sure you don’t have to go out shopping for their Christmas gift. We have 35 Adults, teenagers and kittens that are looking to meet you.

Kitty Harbor is at 3422 Harbor SW, open noon-5 Saturday and Sunday.

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West Seattle development: New Junction apartment-building proposal, 60 units at 4528 44th SW
November 21, 2014 8:57 pm
|      67 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

Scouring the latest Department of Planning and Development data, we turned up another new apartment-building proposal for The Junction. The 1952-built 8-unit building at 4528 44th SW (map), shown above in a King County Assessor’s Office photo, is proposed for replacement with what the city website describes as a “new 60-unit apartment building, five stories plus basement, five enclosed parking spaces.” The 5,850-square-foot site is zoned for development up to 65′ and borders the alley behind several retailers. It’s also almost directly across 44th from the under-construction 38-unit Lofts at The Junction at 4535 44th SW. According to the DPD website, this proposal will have to go through the Design Review process; no date set yet – it’s in the relatively early stages, with its newest “site plan” filed just this past Monday.

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Holiday giving: West Seattle Food Bank turkey drive Saturday
November 21, 2014 8:00 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

The West Seattle Food Bank is up to 300 of the 500 turkeys it needs for the holiday season. It’s just added another chance for you to help close the gap. From WSFB’s Judi Yazzolino:

We will be holding a last-minute Turkey Drive tomorrow at the West Seattle Food Bank, from 1 pm to 4 pm. Drop off your turkey/donation and get a tour of our facility from our Executive Director or Operation Managers. In addition to turkeys, we also need stuffing.

We’ll also be at the Junction True Value Christmas Open House, Saturday from 10 am – 2 pm greeting holiday shoppers and selling raffle tickets for $5. You have a chance to win wine tasting for 10 at Viscon Cellars on California Ave. with appetizers paired for the wine by The Bridge. Thank you to both of them for donating. See you on Saturday.

WSFB HQ is on the southeast corner of 35th/Morgan – donors can pull into the garage from Morgan just east of 35th. JTV (a WSB sponsor) is at 44th/Edmunds.

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Crime Watch: SPD goes public with SeaStat trends, data, including current West Seattle burglary hotspot
November 21, 2014 5:46 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Just made public by Seattle Police – the SeaStat crime data that top brass has been reviewing regularly. Until now, as we have mentioned to SPD several times, precinct-level data hasn’t been updated publicly on the department website since the April stats. Here’s the citywide SeaStat slide deck presented Wednesday – and here are Southwest Precinct toplines we’ve noted while going through it:

That’s the main West Seattle trend called out in the November 19th stats – six burglaries in 10 days in an area including parts of Gatewood, Sunrise Heights, and Upper Fauntleroy. The slide deck also includes year-to-date stats for major crimes; all categories are down except auto theft (up 12 percent, less than a third of the citywide percentage increase), aggravated assault (up 1%), and (added) rape, which has more than doubled, from 4 to 10:

Note that the Southwest Precinct serves South Park as well as West Seattle; the July homicide on the slide above, only one this year in the precinct, was a double murder in South Park, in which a 45-year-old man was charged with killing his mother and stepfather. West Seattle’s most recent murder was the still-unsolved killing of Stephen Jeffries, Jr., less than an hour before the end of 2013.

This edition of SeaStat also calls out auto-theft and shots-fired trends around the city; for the latter, 31 so far this year, down from 35 last year. Again, here’s the full slide deck from last Wednesday’s citywide briefing, including the SW Precinct toplines we pulled out.

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West Seattle salmon: Help Puget Soundkeeper scout, and save, Longfellow Creek coho
November 21, 2014 3:04 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle salmon: Help Puget Soundkeeper scout, and save, Longfellow Creek coho
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photos by Torin Record-Sand for WSB, unless otherwise credited)
Tomorrow morning, you’re invited to join Puget Soundkeeper Alliance for a walk along Longfellow Creek in North Delridge, as the group continues to investigate the health of local salmon. We got a preview by joining Kathryn Davis and Michelle Piñon from Soundkeeper on Wednesday as they were joined by Elissa Ostergaard, a creek steward from South King County.

As WSB readers had reported earlier this month, they say they’ve seen many coho in the creek. We didn’t see any live fish on Wednesday, perhaps because of the semi-long dry spell (now over), but we did learn what you can find out from a dead fish, once one was spotted:

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Followup: Driver found guilty of assault for hitting bike rider in North Delridge
November 21, 2014 12:55 pm
|      36 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

More than a year after a charge was filed, there’s a verdict in the case of a woman charged with assault for deliberately driving her car into a co-chair of the North Delridge Neighborhood Council. According to court files, King County Superior Court jury has found 38-year-old Erika Soerensen guilty of second-degree assault against 33-year-old Jake Vanderplas. After two days of deliberations, jurors reached the verdict this past Wednesday, two weeks after proceedings began with pre-trial motions.

The assault happened near 26th SW/SW Andover on July 8, 2013, and first came to light later that day in a letter by Vanderplas, sent to and published by Seattle Bike Blog later that day. Police found Soerensen six days later, slowed by the fact it had a California plate but had been sold to her a few months earlier; prosecutors charged her in October with second-degree assault, of which she has now been found guilty.

The investigation indicated that Soerensen had first passed Vanderplas “at a high rate of speed” while northbound on 26th SW, a neighborhood-greenway street; he then passed her, and after following him at 20 mph for several blocks, repeatedly honking her horn, she swerved into Vanderplas, who suffered a hand injury, and then she drove away; police tracked her down about a week later. As noted in charging documents, her 2002 Nissan Sentra “has a curb weight of 2,519 pounds” while Vanderplas’s 2007 Schwinn LeTour bicycle weighs about 30 pounds.

Her sentencing is set for January 9th, in the courtroom of Judge Regina Cahan, who presided over the trial. The standard range for that crime is three to nine months’ imprisonment.

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Cassis: Welcoming the bistro on Alki as a new WSB sponsor
November 21, 2014 12:01 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Today we’re welcoming one of our newest WSB sponsors, Cassis, the bistro at 2820 Alki Avenue SW. Here’s what proprietor Jef Fike wants you to know:

The summer crowds are gone from the beach and we’re anxious to meet our new neighbors!

Cassis Bistro was open for 7 years on Capitol Hill and was a top ten restaurant in Seattle during that time. We have re-located to West Seattle and we love our new community.

Our food is anchored in French traditional bistro fare. It’s not fussy or precious. It’s just delicious, hearty, and comforting with lots of classics. Our menus change monthly to reflect the seasons and the local, fresh ingredients so readily available in Seattle. We work with small farmers and are committed to organic, grass-fed, non-processed ingredients. We have a great happy hour as well as wine specials on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning in December. We will also be doing Sunday suppers beginning in December.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter at jef@cassisalki.com and like our Facebook page, Cassis. You can also follow us on Instagram at cassis_alki.

See you at the beach!

We thank Cassis 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.

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Followup: Bridge backup from hour-and-a-half tow-truck wait = Case of ‘confusion’
November 21, 2014 10:51 am
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

10:51 AM: Remember last week’s high-bridge backup, involving a lane blocked by a crash-damaged car that didn’t get towed for an hour and a half?

(Our screengrab from just before the tow truck arrived – note the police car toward the right)
City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen has just published his tale of trying to sort out how that happened, and the bottom line is:

SPD told him they thought they are legally at the mercy of whatever the driver wanted to do about getting towed.

But – the City Attorney told Rasmussen – they weren’t.

So, Rasmussen writes, SPD Chief Kathleen O’Toole promises she will “have officers trained to eliminate the confusion.”

You can go here to read what he went through to find this out (including the behind-the-scenes timeline of last week’s incident, which largely matches what we had reported, including a mention at one point of a possible 2-hour tow-truck wait).

P.S. Rasmussen adds that an even-longer delay from earlier this year – remember the 4-mile, 5-hour Highway 99 closure in June? – will get a review in the council Transportation Committee, which he chairs, at 9:30 am December 5th, along with “SDOT and SPD’s new emergency incident response plan for these types of major closures.” (You can read the “after-action report” about that incident here.)

ADDED 10:39 PM: Councilmember Rasmussen shares this forwarded e-mail sent department-wide by Chief O’Toole tonight:

From: O’Toole, Kathleen
Sent: Friday, November 21, 2014 5:33 PM
Subject: Impeding Traffic

The ability to move vehicles and people about the city can be seriously impeded by a single blocking vehicle. During a recent incident on the West Seattle Bridge, traffic was unnecessarily delayed for hours pending the arrival of a tow truck. Officers should know that a vehicle may be impounded WITHOUT prior notice if “the vehicle is impeding or is likely to impede the normal flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic.” (SMC 11.30.040) If an owner’s selected tow company is not able to respond in a timely manner, the officer should request an impound via Communications to have the impeding vehicle removed from the scene promptly.
(http://www.seattle.gov/police/publications/manual/06_120_impounding_Vehicles.html)

If disabled vehicles are not impeding the flow of pedestrian or vehicle traffic, owners may request tow companies of their choice.

Kathleen M. O’Toole
Chief of Police

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West Seattle Friday: Wine; movies; music; theater; school benefits
November 21, 2014 10:01 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Varied thrush, photographed in Lincoln Park by Trileigh Tucker)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for today/tonight:

BOOKFAIR TODAY/TONIGHT TO BENEFIT ROXHILL ELEMENTARY: As explained here earlier this week, all day, a percentage of purchases at Barnes/Noble (in store or online) will go to Roxhill Elementary if you mention it’s their Bookfair day (see the voucher # in our story) – plus, special in-store readings at the Westwood Village store tonight. (2600 SW Barton)

FALL WINE RELEASE … at the Northwest Wine Academy on the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, including complimentary tastings. Second of three days, 2-7 pm – more info in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)

JAZZ AT SALTY’S: Tonight’s music slate starts at 5 pm at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor) with the New Orleans jazz sounds of the Dave Holo Trio. (1936 Harbor SW)

MORE MUSIC TONIGHT … various venues, go directly to the calendar!

REACHING FOR THE STARS: West Seattle High School‘s annual auction is tonight at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) – see our calendar listing for details – 5:30-8:30 pm. (6000 16th SW)

HPIC MOVIE NIGHT – SPECIAL EARLY START! This time around at Highland Park Improvement Club, doors open at 6, kids’ short film (think Peanuts and Thanksgiving!) at 6:15, main feature at 7 (see our calendar listing for description). Movie’s free, chairs available (or BYO pillows/blankets), concessions available for purchase. (12th/Holden)

‘DOGFIGHT’ AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm, this “romantic and heartbreaking story,” a musical based on a 1991 film, continues at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction – final weekend! (4711 California SW)

‘GATHERING BONES’: Performance at Twilight Gallery in The Junction, 8 pm (doors open at 7), details in our calendar listing – check to see if tickets are still available, as space is limited. (4306 SW Alaska)

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Holiday giving: Turkey drive this Sunday and other ways to help White Center Food Bank (which serves part of West Seattle too)
November 21, 2014 9:04 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

It’s time for our seasonal reminder … did you know that West Seattle is served not only by the WS Food Bank but also by the White Center Food Bank, whose “official” territory begins at SW Myrtle? We mention this so you can be sure to include BOTH in your holiday giving. We’ve been mentioning WSFB donation drives, and now we have some WCFB info too:

TURKEY DRIVE THIS SUNDAY: 9 am-noon at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), drop by with a turkey – White Center Food Bank executive director Rick Jump (at right, file photo from 2011 holidays) will have a refrigerated truck onsite so you can drop by with a frozen turkey and know that it will get to a WCFB client before Thanksgiving.

IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT TO FAUNTLEROY ON SUNDAY, STOP BY WCFB ON SATURDAY: For holiday food donations, the food bank has added extra dropoff hours at its HQ this Saturday, 11 am-2 pm – 10829 8th SW (map).

OR, DONATE FOOD DURING REGULAR HOURS: 9 am-5 pm Mondays-Fridays, you are welcome to stop by that same address with food donations. (Or a check! Speaking of which …)

DONATE MONEY: Most of the time, food banks can buy more with your dollar than what you can get for it at a supermarket. (Turkeys, we’re told, are the rare exception, given the Thanksgiving-season prices.) Here’s the “donate” page on the WCFB website.

P.S. WC Food Bank development director Kristina Dahl says food/financial donations at Roxbury Safeway (as part of Northwest Harvest’s “Hometown Harvest”) benefit WCFB. Ask for her if you stop by WCFB HQ weekdays, and she’d be happy to give you a tour!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Rainy Friday; weekend preview
November 21, 2014 7:02 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Rainy Friday; weekend preview
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
So far this morning, the rain is the biggest factor affecting everyone heading out for the day:

WEEKEND NOTES: Here’s the citywide weekend advisory from SDOT.

8:08 AM: As you can see on the top left camera, there’s a stalled vehicle on the ramp – Justina sent first word via Twitter, that it’s up the eastbound ramp “from Luna Park.”

8:22 AM: Camera shows police have now arrived behind the stalled SUV.

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West Seattle development: 3824 California SW finished with Design Review after 4th meeting
November 20, 2014 8:34 pm
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(Renderings by Johnston Architects)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The project proposed for the former Charlestown Café site at 3824 California SW went before the Southwest Design Review Board for the fourth time tonight. Board members agreed to allow it to advance out of the process, provided several conditions were met – mostly fine-tuning.

The project now includes 27 units in six three-story buildings, punctuated by courtyards, with 26 parking spaces on the east side of the site. (You can see the full “design packet” here.)

As the two-hour meeting began, Megan McKay of Johnston Architects reviewed changes to the project since last time around, including removal of a live-work unit, and revisions in landscaping and street-tree plans (they’re asking for a “departure” to maintain the existing street-tree zone along California, and they’re planning to add trees along Bradford, on the project’s south side).

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Update: Driver hits pedestrian at Delridge/Brandon; police say victim did not survive
November 20, 2014 4:36 pm
|      66 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WSB photo: Vehicle involved in collision, per police)
4:36 PM: Thanks to everybody who has messaged us about an emergency response at Delridge/Brandon – we’re working to find out more; avoid the area for now.

4:39 PM: This is reported to be a case of a vehicle hitting a pedestrian – a ~40-year-old man, and medics are doing CPR on him right now. Delridge will be closed for hours – the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad is on the way to investigate, as they do with all crashes that result in serious injuries or worse. Metro Route 120 is being rerouted, according to a text alert – use stops north of Brandon or south of Juneau. The victim is being taken to Harborview, per SPD.

5:01 PM: We’re at Delridge/Brandon, which is where southbound traffic is being detoured west (and where northbound traffic is being detoured to, coming from south of here). Congested, to say the least, so if you can delay your return home, or find a very alternative way to get around – do it.

(Added: Photo by Alex)
5:20 PM: Police tell us at the scene that they’ve been told the pedestrian did not survive.

6:22 PM: According to a tweet from police, Delridge has reopened.

11:01 PM: No further official information tonight about the victim or the crash circumstances; we’ll be following up tomorrow.

FRIDAY NOTE: We expect to write a separate followup later today, but in the meantime, in case you don’t read the comment section: A DESC spokesperson confirms to WSB that the victim was a Cottage Grove Commons resident. Police have yet to release further information about the crash; a commenter who identifies herself as the victim’s sister says he was in the crosswalk when hit.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON NOTE: Police have published a short update on SPD Blotter. We noted it earlier in comments but also want to note here, since our full update is still in the works – the two new pieces of information are that the victim was 52 years old, and that he was crossing at the intersection when hit.

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Early warning: More King County Wastewater Treatment work ahead, this time at two Alki sites
November 20, 2014 3:13 pm
|    Comments Off on Early warning: More King County Wastewater Treatment work ahead, this time at two Alki sites
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

Another alert from King County Wastewater Treatment, this time for work coming up in the Alki area in early December. See the alert here or scroll through it below:

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Sex-sting arrest in restaurant parking lot
November 20, 2014 1:43 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

ORIGINAL REPORT, 1:43 PM: You might have seen/heard regional-media reports last night about a 60-year-old man described as an Everett firefighter, arrested in a Seattle sex sting. Seattle Police have just released a little more information about the case, including noting that the arrest happened in West Seattle. This afternoon’s SPD Blotter report says the man was arrested …

… Wednesday afternoon after he showed up for a rendezvous with an underage prostitute, who turned out to be an undercover detective.

The Vice/High-Risk Victims Unit (HRVU) detective had exchanged messages with the 60-year-old firefighter during an online sting targeting men looking for sex with underage girls, and the man had agreed to meet up for sex.

The suspect showed up to meet what he believed was an underage prostitute in West Seattle, and detectives took him into custody.

We expect to have more information after the man’s bail hearing this afternoon and will update this report.

3:41 PM: We have just received the court document with the police account of what happened, following the suspect’s bail hearing (he’s now held in lieu of $50,000 bail). Will transcribe here. First, to answer your most likely question, already asked in comments (and we had a call out to police, as-yet unanswered), “where did this happen?”: The initial rendezvous was set to happen in the Taco Time parking lot in The Triangle, and the suspect was expecting to follow his contact (the nonexistent 15-year-old’s “father”) to an apartment from there. Adding …

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Update: Power outage at Westwood Village
November 20, 2014 12:31 pm
|    Comments Off on Update: Power outage at Westwood Village
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Westwood

12:31 PM: Thanks to Deb and Melissa for the notes about this. A power outage is affecting some of the stores at Westwood Village. Melissa says it’s in the center of the mall, including Barnes and Noble, which is closed for the day since repairs are not estimated to be complete until after 4 pm. Again, this has not closed ALL the WWV stores, but if you’re headed that way in the next few hours, you might check first if your destination is open or closed.

4:15 PM: The outage is no longer on the City Light map, which indicates it’s fixed.

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Reader report: ‘Construction project’ in Lincoln Park treetop
November 20, 2014 12:19 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | Wildlife

Thanks to West Seattleite Art Cazares for the quick clip and this report:

It has been one or two years since I last witnessed the birth of a new clutch “eaglets” at Lincoln Park, in West Seattle. I watched meticulously last time the Bald Eagles produced their clutch resulting in two chicks; one which died or fell out of the nest. Even more exciting, was to witness the successful raising on the one chick who grew into young adulthood and eventually flew away. Many at the park marveled each day and set up cameras and lawn chairs to witness the daily feedings and events.

Well, I’m pleased to report that the eagles have returned and once again; the warbled communication of their cries can be heard as they rebuild the nest that was partially destroyed by wind storms just a couple of months ago. I’ve included footage that i took just yesterday as the female returned to her nest with twigs and branches. It’s exciting to see that this mated pair might be planning for a new family next year. I’ve been to Lincoln Park 3 days in a row in the early morning to witness this rebuilding.

If you stand below the nest (which is about 100 feet up), you can see many branches sitting at the base of the trunk of the evergreen tree…auspiciously, the eagles have done some remodeling! :)

Cheers and best of luck to the “love birds!”

Just might be the same eagle photographed by Trileigh Tucker and shown here two weeks ago (or that eagle’s mate)! (She also documented, 2 years ago, the eaglet that Art mentions.) Read more about bald eagles here.

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West Seattle biznotes: Reasons to visit Morgan Junction tonight
November 20, 2014 11:18 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Also happening tonight – all within a few blocks of California SW in Morgan Junction:

TRY GLUTEN-FREE FRIED CHICKEN: From proprietor Bruce @ Harry’s Chicken Joint (WSB sponsor):

We are introducing a new product, *fried chicken without breading* for those who prefer a gluten-free option. Chickens will be available in whole ($24/12 pc) or half ($13/6pc) and are smoked and then fried in our cast-iron skillets. This is a delicious alternative.

We are inviting folks to come to the Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) tonight at 6:00 for free samples. Call Harry’s at 206-938-9000 for more details.

‘LADIES’ NIGHT’ WITH PIZZA: Three other Morgan Junction businesses are teaming up for a Ladies’ Night extended-hours shopping event tonight, 6-9 pm. One is Peel and Press (6503 California SW), which is providing pizza and appetizers at the other two, Second Gear Sports (6529 California SW) and My Three Little Birds (6959 California SW), both of which are featuring “new items for the holidays and, of course, high quality, gently used resale/consigned goods” with giveaways and discounts.

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West Seattle Thursday: Native Culture Night; Design Review; Morgan Junction zoning change; Alki Community Council…
November 20, 2014 9:04 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Thursday: Native Culture Night; Design Review; Morgan Junction zoning change; Alki Community Council…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Jordan, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Just a sampling of what’s on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for today/tonight:

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME … at Southwest Branch Library, 10:30 am. (35th/Henderson)

FALL WINE RELEASE … at the Northwest Wine Academy on the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, including complimentary tastings. First day today, 2-7 pm – more info in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA & HOW THE CITY DEALS WITH IT: 5 pm tonight is the symposium mentioned here earlier this month – not in West Seattle, but possibly of interest given the number of dispensaries here. City Hall downtown. (600 4th Ave.)

NATIVE CULTURE NIGHT: 5:30-7:30 pm, you’re invited to this event at Highland Park Elementary School:

The Highland Park Community Pow Wow Association is hosting Native Culture Night on Thursday, November 20th from 5:30-7:30 pm at Highland Park Elementary School! There will be traditional drumming, storytelling, a silent auction featuring authentic native artwork and crafts, and delicious cultural foods for sale. This event is open to the whole community. Funds raised will go towards the 2nd Annual Traditional Mini Pow Wow hosted at Highland Park Elementary on March 20th.

HPES is at 1012 SW Trenton.

INFORMATION NIGHT AND EXHIBITION OF LEARNING: Families interested in Westside School (WSB sponsor)’s middle-school program are invited to visit tonight for an information session at 6 pm in the school library, followed by the Exhibition of Learning throughout the school. Details in our calendar listing. (7740 34th SW)

FLY FISHING IN PUGET SOUND: Free seminar, 6-8 pm at Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. Please RSVP; details in our calendar listing. (42nd/Oregon)

4TH DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MEETING FOR EX-CAFE SITE: The 27-unit proposal for 3824 California SW, former site of the Charlestown Café, returns to the Southwest Design Review Board – which hasn’t met in more than two months – tonight at 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle. This could be the final meeting, if the board gives its approval. See the revised design here. (Oregon/California)

LIVE IN THE MORGAN JUNCTION AREA? Tonight a special community meeting looks at how to change the area’s Comprehensive Plan to allow the proposed townhouse development on Church of the Nazarene property. That would be a zoning change for what’s currently a single-family-housing site, and community discussion is sought on how to word the change so it’s very specific to this project. 7 pm at The Kenney (WSB sponsor); details in our calendar listing. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL ANNUAL MEETING: 7 pm at Alki UCC. If you only make it to one ACC meeting a year, make it this one. Scheduled topics include Water Taxi shuttle, growth of summer beach volleyball, and 2015 board/officers election. (6115 SW Hinds)

AND THERE’S MORE … on our calendar.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday on the move
November 20, 2014 7:17 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:17 AM: Only thing to note so far in the commute, the lane closures on 99 north of downtown, one lane closed in both directions for emergency sewer repairs, scheduled to continue until tomorrow. And – wet roads after overnight rain.

7:39 AM: From comments – eastbound bridge backup but no obvious cause so far. (We’ve checked all the sources and no word at this point of crash, stall, etc.)

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West Seattle schools: $6,000 in books for Sanislo readers
November 19, 2014 11:48 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle books | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Photo republished with permission)
Sanislo Elementary librarian Craig Seasholes is excited about a big gift for the young readers with whom he works – those boxes are part of a donation of nonfiction books worth $6,000! They’re courtesy of the Seattle Public Library/Paul G. Allen Family Foundation collaboration and Sanislo parents are invited to stop in the library during conference week next week for a closer look. Find out more on this Sanislo webpage.

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