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Skies Over West Seattle, first edition of Fall 2015: Three conjunctions are on the way
September 29, 2015 7:24 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Skies Over West Seattle | West Seattle news

(Still lots to see in the sky, post-eclipse. Monday night moon, by Doug Branch)

By Alice Enevoldsen
Special to West Seattle Blog

I can see from all the photos here on WSB and on social media that plenty of people enjoyed watching Sunday night’s lunar eclipse, from as close as your own backyard, the sidewalk in front of your apartment, or a quick jaunt down to the nearest park.

What’s next? Three conjunctions in a row and maybe some fireball meteors.

Upcoming Conjunctions and ‘Hey, What’s That?’

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UPDATE: Hit-run crash at SB 99 ramp to westbound West Seattle Bridge
September 29, 2015 6:50 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:50 PM: If you’re just about to head this way – you might consider 1st, 4th, the low bridge, or I-5 because of a crash at the southbound 99 ramp to the westbound high bridge. SFD has just cleared, but police are still there.

6:59 PM: SDOT says the scene has cleared but “residual delays” are likely for a while.

8:34 PM: In comments, KJB says a hit-run driver is to blame and is asking for help if anyone’s seen a “silver wagon-type” vehicle with “significant damage to the passenger front.”

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What might West Seattle look like in 2035? Grab the steering wheel @ upcoming meeting – or speak up by e-mail, social media, postal mail …
September 29, 2015 4:44 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(Above, 1962 view looking west over Luna Park and beyond, from the Seattle Municipal Archives. Below, April 2013 aerial view looking south from Duwamish Head, by Long Bach Nguyen)

The seeds of our current growth and zoning, whether you like the way things are going or not, were sown many years ago – going back in the 1990s, during a big civic process. Maybe you weren’t here to get involved. Maybe you never heard about it. Here’s your chance to change that for the next 20 years. Right now – somewhat drowned out by a lot of other noise – another big process has been under way for a while, aimed at coming up with a road map to last through 2035. Even if you’ve missed earlier discussions, here comes another chance. West Seattle will be the site of one of five meetings coming up to talk about the next revision of the Comprehensive Plan. The announcement, just out of our inbox:

The Seattle Department of Planning and Development (DPD) will hold five community meetings this fall to solicit public comment on the Draft City of Seattle Comprehensive Plan. Titled ‘Seattle 2035,’ the Draft Plan was released for public comment on July 8, 2015. The updated Comprehensive Plan will be our roadmap for Seattle’s next 20 years.

The meetings will include open house displays and a presentation to provide a broad overview of the Draft Plan, highlight major changes and get feedback on proposed village expansion areas, especially areas near meeting locations. Since some of Seattle 2035’s policies about affordable housing will be implemented as part of the City’s proposed Housing and Affordability and Livability Agenda, there will be information and opportunity for feedback at the meetings.

The Draft Plan is informed by the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) that was released in May 2015. The Draft Plan includes goals and policies to help achieve our vision for Seattle’s future. Seattle is expected to grow by 120,000 residents and 115,000 jobs in the coming 20 years. The Draft Plan also includes a new Future Land Use Map, showing a pattern of growth that supports the City’s vision.

The City of Seattle is seeking public feedback on the Draft Plan as we continue to evaluate goals and policies to build a safe, livable, vibrant, and affordable city for all. City staff has already received hundreds of public comments on the DEIS and on the overall direction of the Draft Plan document.

DPD is extending the public comment period through Friday, November 20th. The Online Community Conversation will remain live through this period. Here’s how to join the conversation about Seattle’s future and provide comments:

1. Attend a community meeting in October or November

2. Read the Draft Plan Summary and check out the Draft Plan.

3. Join the Seattle 2035 Online Community Conversation and discuss the potential pros and cons of proposed policies with other Seattleites

4. Follow Seattle 2035 on Facebook and Twitter

5. Send comments by November 20, 2015:

a. Email comments to 2035@seattle.gov

b. Mail comments to the City of Seattle Department of Planning and Development, Attn: Seattle 2035, 700 5th Avenue, Suite 2000, PO Box 34019, Seattle WA 98124-4019.

Feedback received on the Draft Comprehensive Plan will help inform the Mayor’s Recommended Plan, which will be released in early 2016.

(Five open houses are listed in the full announcement – following is the only one in West Seattle)

November 12, 6 pm to 8 pm (presentation at 6:30 pm)
Senior Center of West Seattle
4217 SW Oregon St.

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What you’ll be voting on in February: Seattle Public Schools details levies, answers questions
September 29, 2015 2:59 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Slide deck from last night’s meeting – see it here as a PDF)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Why DOES Seattle Public Schools put its levies on a “special election” ballot in February, instead of November when everything else is out to be voted on?

That was one of the questions asked – and answered – as the district led an informational meeting at West Seattle High School last night about the two levies it plans to put before you on February 9th, 2016, known as Operations and BTA IV (background info here).

This was the third in the district’s second series of five citywide meetings, deputy superintendent Flip Herndon said, and by far the best turnout, by multiple accounts – about three dozen people, around half there to show support for a project that’s not on the levy’s draft project list, the West Seattle Indoor Tennis proposal – yet.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Diapers, toys, tote taken in car prowl. Also, see where else thieves struck this week
September 29, 2015 1:12 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Crime Watch: Diapers, toys, tote taken in car prowl. Also, see where else thieves struck this week
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Maybe you’ve seen some of what car prowlers stole from Ashley last night?

My car was broken into last night on the corner of 48th Ave SW and Dawson St. My work badge from Seattle Children’s Hospital was stolen as well as a large pink beach tote with our last name on it full of beach toys, towels, and spare clothes and diapers, and my son’s school tote with his coat. I am certain that none of this is at all meaningful to the thieves but it is to me!! I wonder if they threw it out after looking through it. If anyone finds it, I would so appreciate getting it back!!

After receiving Ashley’s e-mail, we checked online SPD records for the past week.

Above is what the SPD Crime Reports map shows right now, dating back to last Tuesday – the car prowls on the map, north to south, are: Alki/61st, last Tuesday morning; 45th/Hinds, last Friday morning (reported here); 2900 block of Avalon, last Friday morning; 4000 block of 42nd SW, last Tuesday night; 5600 block of 35th SW, last Tuesday night; last Friday night, 2800 block of SW Barton; last Wednesday evening, 9400 block of 16th SW. To doublecheck the files, we also reviewed Tweets by Beat (which continually update on the WSB Crime Watch page), and found six others that hadn’t made the map yet, besides what Ashley reported above:

*4000 block of SW Brandon, reported this morning
*4000 block of Admiral Way, reported this morning
*3000 block of 38th SW, reported Monday morning
*1600 block of SW Roxbury, reported Monday morning
*4000 block of SW Concord, reported Sunday afternoon
*3000 block of SW Orleans, reported Friday night

(Also not listed, we noticed while checking the archives, the 8800 block of 40th SW car prowl reported here on Sunday.)

P.S. – PROWLED LATELY? Some “found item” listings turn up in the WSB Forums, like this one, so be sure to check there.

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YOU CAN HELP! Ticket time for White Center Food Bank’s Harvest Dinner and Auction
September 29, 2015 11:11 am
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP! Ticket time for White Center Food Bank’s Harvest Dinner and Auction
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

Earlybird price is about to expire for one of this fall’s biggest benefits. Kristina at the White Center Food Bank (which serves West Seattle from SW Myrtle southward, too) sends the reminder:

The White Center Food Bank’s 11th Annual Harvest Dinner & Auction is coming up on October 17, 2015 at South Seattle College’s Brockey Center. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and helps us to continuing feeding our community; in 2014, we served 64,473 people from West Seattle, White Center, and Burien. The auction is really fantastic this year, with items ranging from restaurant gift cards to a week in Mallorca, Spain, and everything inbetween; the dinner is a delicious steak and salmon entrée (vegetarian also available). Tickets are on sale now, and the price goes up October 1st, so the time to buy is RIGHT NOW! Last year, the event sold out, and we hope for the same this year. Information, tickets, and a preview of items up for bid, all available at whitecenterfoodbank.maestroweb.com

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West Seattle Tuesday: Change school start times? Meeting tonight. Plus, North Delridge Action Plan workshop; Design Review changes ‘open house’; more…
September 29, 2015 9:45 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Tuesday: Change school start times? Meeting tonight. Plus, North Delridge Action Plan workshop; Design Review changes ‘open house’; more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(California sea lion, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Highlights of what’s up today/tonight, featuring listings from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

NATIONAL COFFEE DAY: Go wish WSB’s coffee sponsors Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (4410 California SW) and C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW) a happy “National Coffee Day”!

BABY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at Southwest Library – songs, stories, rhymes for wee ones up to a year old. (35th SW & SW Henderson)

QUILT SHOW AND LUNCHEON: 11:45 pm lunch, 12:30 pm quilt show at Senior Center of West Seattle – check to be sure there’s room! (SW Oregon & California SW)

NORTH DELRIDGE ACTION PLAN: Come find out about the draft plan and talk about your hopes and dreams for the area – including the future of Delridge Way and vicinity as a “multimodal corridor” – during a 6-8 pm workshop at Delridge Community Center; details in our calendar listing. (4501 Delridge Way SW)

CHANGE DESIGN REVIEW? The city’s been working on “improvements” to the Design Review program, and is having two open houses – neither is in West Seattle, but at 6 pm tonight in Columbia City, it’s the closest one. Details here. (4721 Rainier Ave. S.)

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION WITH SCHOOL BOARD REP: West Seattle/South Park’s rep on the Seattle Public Schools board, Marty McLaren, has her next community-conversation meeting tonight at High Point Library, 6-8 pm. (35th SW & SW Raymond)

CHANGE SCHOOL START TIMES? TALK PROPOSED ‘BELL TIMES’ TONIGHT: For the second consecutive night, Seattle Public Schools is bringing a big topic to a meeting in West Seattle. 6:30 pm, the next round of discussion about changing “bell times” – school schedules – is happening at Chief Sealth International High School. See the superintendent’s Draft Proposal by going here (note, for example, that West Seattle High School would start an hour later than it does now, and Denny IMS & Madison MS would start almost 2 hours later than they do now); more info about the meeting here. (2600 SW Thistle)

MORE! for tonight, tomorrow, beyond on our complete calendar.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday updates and alerts; NB I-5 crash; stalled vehicle on EB WS Bridge
September 29, 2015 6:47 am
|      43 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:47 AM: The morning starts with trouble on northbound I-5 downtown, a deadly crash that has left only one lane open at Mercer.

6:57 AM: While SDOT described it as a lane, traffic reporters say it’s just the shoulder at one spot. WSP says the scene of the crash, which killed a motorcycle rider, stretches across 150 feet. As noted in comments, other northbound routes (especially 99) are slowed by the spillover.

7:14 AM: Thanks to Erica for calling with the tip – a stalled vehicle is blocking one lane of the Fauntleroy end of the bridge, not too far past Fauntleroy.

7:18 AM: Just heard the dispatch on that, so police are on the way to check it out.

7:21 AM: Again, NB I-5 remains almost completely blocked on the north side of downtown. WSP now says the crash scene stretched across 400 feet.

7:33 AM: While monitoring for updates, we’ll mention two other transportation notes:

BUS BRIEFING: It was late Monday afternoon before the City Council, as the Transportation Benefit District Board, finally heard from Metro leadership. We’ll be publishing the full story when the Seattle Channel video of the meeting is available; in short, there was no specific explanation of why West Seattle routes seemed to be disproportionately affected, just a couple things we’ve heard before – that the overall cancellation rate systemwide is miniscule, and that it should all be better in October (mid-to-late) when they finish hiring, which was described as a lengthy process. (So far this morning, the cancellations tweeted by Metro are NOT on West Seattle routes.)

WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE CORRIDOR ACTION REPORT – SPECIAL MEETING: Announced even later in the day, but with three weeks’ notice – City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen will host a meeting in West Seattle about the report covered here a week ago, suggesting 27 possibilities for improving the “West Seattle Bridge-Duwamish Waterway Corridor.” 6:30 pm Monday, October 19th, at the Sisson Building (home of the Senior Center) in The Junction, California/Oregon. (Here’s our story from last night.)

7:51 AM: Via scanner, we’ve heard police just say the eastbound high bridge is now clear – but still affected by the backup from the northbound I-5 crash (where one lane is open, no ETA for investigators to clear the scene).

8:39 AM: Still just one lane at the NB I-5 scene. We’ll continue to update here past the top of the hour, even once we move to other news at the top of the home page. Meantime, even school buses are affected, the district tweeted:

8:48 AM: Mike Jensen reports via Twitter that there’s (still?) a stalled vehicle on the eastbound bridge, parallel with Nucor. So if you’re going to brave the backup anyway, Admiral/Avalon might be better than the Fauntleroy entrance to the bridge … Mike Lindblom has tweeted that the backup stretches quite a distance back on Delridge Way.

9:28 AM: Per an exchange overheard via scanner a few minutes ago, apparently 911 didn’t have word about THAT stalled vehicle. A police unit told them about it and is now handling it.

9:33 AM: I-5 northbound lanes are all open at Mercer following the motorcycle-crash investigation, but backups are still reported northbound just about everywhere – will take a while to clear.

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WestSide Baby gets County Council spotlight for Diaper Need Awareness Week
September 28, 2015 11:43 pm
|    Comments Off on WestSide Baby gets County Council spotlight for Diaper Need Awareness Week
 |   Health | How to help | West Seattle news

You probably recognize WestSide Baby‘s executive director Nancy Woodland at left-center of the photo, provided by the King County Council, whose members hosted her and Eastside Baby Corner‘s Renee Zimmerman on Monday in honor of Diaper Need Awareness Week. We feature WS Baby’s big drives throughout the year, and those donations are vital – to stay dry, clean, and healthy, a baby/toddler needs an average of 50 diaper changes a week, and diapers can’t be purchased with food stamps or WIC vouchers. That fact affects 10,000 babies/toddlers in King County whose families are living below the federal poverty level. The county announcement quotes Woodland as noting, “Diapers for one child can cost upwards of $70 per month, and most daycares won’t accept children without an adequate supply, leaving parents without child care unable to get to work and trapped in a cycle of poverty.” Here’s how to help.

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West Seattle development: City, builder seek to dismiss challenge to ’14 units, not 104′ microhousing building at 3050 Avalon Way
September 28, 2015 9:55 pm
|      32 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from August)
New developments in a neighborhood group’s challenge to what would be West Seattle’s biggest microhousing building, 104 “bedrooms” at 3050 SW Avalon Way: The city and developer Columbia Builders are both asking the Hearing Examiner to dismiss the latest appeal filed by Seattle Neighbors Encouraging Reasonable Development (NERD), which was founded in the neighborhood just north of Avalon. The group’s fight, now in its third year, continues to center on the city’s definition of microhousing and the reviews that are required, or not required, because of it. In this case, while the 3050 Avalon project will include 104 “bedrooms,” each a unit with a private bathroom, they’re clustered around shared kitchens, allowing the city to consider it 14 “dwelling units.” That means it falls beneath thresholds for environmental and design review, because in both categories, that threshold is 20 “dwelling units” in the midrise zone where the property is located.

This latest appeal relates to an announcement in early August, as reported here – an “interpretation” which Seattle NERD had requested, regarding whether the development really could be viewed as “14 dwelling units” and therefore exempt from those reviews. The city said yes:

The question raised for interpretation was whether the 104 bedrooms in the proposed building should be regulated as separate dwelling units. Each of the bedrooms has a private bathroom. Early versions of the plans showed counters with sinks in each bedroom, outside the bathroom, but those features were eliminated before the plans were approved. The interpretation concludes that the individual bedrooms are not designed and arranged as separate dwelling units, and that the proposed building is appropriately regulated as a 14-unit apartment building based on the plans as modified.

On the environmental front, the site does include what the city considers a “steep slope,” which triggered a limited environmental review, but otherwise, the city issued a “determination of (environmental) non-significance.” A full environmental review would include issues such as traffic effects; this building, like most microhousing buildings, was designed with no offstreet parking.

The appeal currently is set for a November 5th hearing before the examiner, if the dismissal motions aren’t granted. The points on which they are argued are complicated but basically contend that the examiner doesn’t have jurisdiction, and that SeattleNERD made a procedural error by not appealing the “underlying decision” on the issue. You can read all the documents in the case here.

The project has now been in the pipeline for almost three years; we first noticed and mentioned it in November 2012. It’s been almost exactly a year since the city told its developers – among others – that, as the result of a court ruling, they would have to undergo Design Review if they didn’t change their plans. This project, and the microhousing building under construction at 3268 Avalon, did that, and continued on through the system.

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BIZNOTE: One-of-a-kind West Seattle business Nurturing Expressions expanding, with a quick boost from you
September 28, 2015 8:38 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Health | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

West Seattle-founded and headquartered Nurturing Expressions (WSB sponsor) is planning a cross-Sound expansion in hopes of helping more mothers, babies, cancer patients, and others who use its growing array of services. This video explains:

It’s not only showing off what they’re going to do in Kitsap County – where, founder Tracy Corey says, the services are very much needed, but the video was also their entry for the small-business-assistance edg3 FUND competition, in which Nurturing Expressions is a semi-finalist, with finalists competing for a $20,000 grant. Getting to the next round involves votes, and yours can help NE reach across the water to help. You won’t be asked to sign up or “like” anything, but you will be asked for your e-mail address as part of a verification process, since it’s limited to one vote per address (the final step is checking your e-mail to verify) – scroll down this page to find Nurturing Expressions. Voting ends this Wednesday at 5 pm.

P.S. Nurturing Expressions’ West Seattle shop, if you haven’t been there, is in The Junction at 4746 44th SW, suite 201 (second floor).

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What would you do to fix West Seattle Bridge traffic? Come talk about it October 19th
September 28, 2015 6:12 pm
|      48 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo by Christopher Boffoli)
Just announced: A special meeting about the West Seattle Bridge Corridor – not just about what’s in that new city “action plan” first reported here a week ago, but also about what you think should be done to fix its often-snarled state. We just found out about this from the office of City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who’s hosting the meeting; they’ve scheduled it with three weeks’ advance notice so you have time to make plans to be there if you’re interested. The basics: 6:30 pm Monday, October 19th, at the Sisson Building (home of the Senior Center of West Seattle), southeast corner of SW Oregon and California SW. If you missed the report and its 27 possibilities for improving the flow in what the city is now calling the West Seattle Bridge-Duwamish Waterway Corridor, follow the link above, or take a look at the “white paper”:

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West Seattle back-to-school: Fall quarter’s first day at South Seattle College
September 28, 2015 4:12 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Puget Ridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Photos courtesy South Seattle College)
This just might be the final “back-to-school” day of the year in West Seattle. It’s the first day of fall quarter at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), headquartered at 6000 16th SW on Puget Ridge. SSC spokesperson Kevin Maloney tells WSB that more than 5,000 students are enrolled, including 103 13th-Year Promise Scholars, and that students “were greeted this morning with breakfast bars, coffee, and a warm welcome by staff members scattered throughout campus.” Those staffers include Computer Science instructor Ravi Gandham:

The fall quarter, which includes 55 instructional days, ends on December 16th; winter quarter starts January 4th.

P.S. A “Welcome Fair” is scheduled for noon-2 pm Thursday by the Clock Tower (which is shown in the top photo).

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FREE! What Westside School is giving away at former campus on Friday
September 28, 2015 3:20 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Sunrise Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

From Shoshannah Hoffman at Westside School (WSB sponsor), word of freebies this Friday – take note, this is at its FORMER location in Sunrise Heights, NOT its new one in Arbor Heights:

After the big move, Westside School has tons of free stuff to give away! On Friday, October 2, from 10 am-3 pm, Westside School will be opening the doors of its old building and giving away tons of great school furniture.

Items include:

Bookshelves
Folding chairs
Teacher desks
File cabinets
Rugs
Tables
Chairs of all sizes
Much more!

Come check it out at 7740 34th Ave SW. Everything is first-come, first-served.

And yes, Hoffman says, they’ve already worked with recipients before just opening the doors for this: “We spent quite a bit of time giving away items to local schools, but still have a bunch of stuff.”

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YOU CAN HELP! Crop Walk in West Seattle next Sunday
September 28, 2015 1:36 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP! Crop Walk in West Seattle next Sunday
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Liann Sundquist: Fauntleroy Church kids have signs ready for Sunday’s Crop Walk)
Take a walk along Alki this Sunday, and help fight hunger with every step – locally and globally. Judy Pickens shares the invitation:

Scores of West Seattleites are lacing their shoes for the annual Crop Hunger Walk on Sunday, October 4, and more walkers and donations are welcome. The three-mile walk along Alki Beach aims to raise $23,000 for nutritious food and clean water, plus awareness of hunger concerns here and around the world. Start time is 1 pm at Alki United Church of Christ (6115 SW Hinds).

Program coordinator Church World Service will direct 25 percent of the funds raised to local food initiatives such as the West Seattle and White Center food banks. The remainder will go to initiatives around the world, including on-the-ground assistance as Syrian refugees cross Serbia.

The West Seattle walk is one of 1,300 happening across the country this fall. Ten West Seattle congregations will have contingents.

You can register to walk, and/or donate, right now – just go here.

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West Seattle whale watching: Sightings reported in Alki area
September 28, 2015 10:51 am
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo taken from Alki today, by Trileigh Tucker)

10:51 AM: Multiple reports of whales in the Alki Point vicinity. First, the Orca Network cited a WSF report of orcas; Jeff from Killer Whale Tales says it might instead be the humpbacks that have been in the area. Off to look!

11:24 AM: Breezy morning so lots of whitecaps off both Constellation Park and Alki – hard to see whale spouts unless you’re really close (or have a great eye/telescope). Jeff says the humpbacks have been breaching in the ferry lanes north of Alki Point. (West Seattle-based The Whale Trail offers a species-by-species guide if you’re not sure you’d know the difference between a humpback and an orca.)

12:41 PM: West Seattle photographer Trileigh Tucker saw one from Alki – and has the photo to prove it. Added above – thanks!

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Shell quits Arctic offshore drilling: Will rigs return to West Seattle’s Terminal 5?
September 28, 2015 8:50 am
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

(June 2015 WSB photo)
8:50 AM: Three and a half months after its Polar Pioneer rig left West Seattle, Arctic-bound, Shell announced overnight that it will “cease further exploration activity in offshore Alaska for the foreseeable future.” Shell said it “safely drilled (an exploration) well to a total depth of 6800 feet” and found “indications of oil and gas,” but not enough to justify continuing, so the “well will be sealed and abandoned.”

In addition to the controversy over Arctic drilling itself, Shell’s local presence still had some unresolved issues, including a pending city Hearing Examiner decision on the appeal of last May’s Department of Planning and Development “interpretation” saying more permits were needed for its use of Terminal 5 as part of Foss Maritime‘s lease. After multiple days of testimony over the summer, documents are still being filed in the case.

But the immediate question is whether any of Shell’s fleet will be headed back this way; besides the Polar Pioneer, several Shell support vessels used T-5 before heading north to the Arctic Ocean.

(May 2015 photo by Paul Weatherman: Shell’s Aiviq and Polar Pioneer @ T-5)
We talked this morning with Foss spokesperson Paul Queary. He says the company is “obviously disappointed” about Shell’s decision to abandon the offshore Arctic, but they don’t know yet what the oil company will do “regarding the vessels coming back to T-5.” Queary says there are still some loose ends at the very least, including items “to be picked up” and cargo to be offloaded. Shell or no Shell, he says, Foss still has a lease with the Port of Seattle and is “seeking other opportunities” for utilizing the space.

We’ll be following up on other aspects of the Shell announcement and will add to this story as the day goes on.

11:38 AM: Earthjustice, which went to court to try to stop the lease the port signed in February, sent a statement: “Shell’s departure from the Arctic Ocean removes for now a major threat to the region’s wildlife, already suffering from climate change more rapid than anywhere on earth. Arctic Ocean oil drilling is a thing of the past. The world cannot afford to burn the vast majority of known fossil fuel reserves, let alone to search for unknown oil in Arctic Ocean, risking an irreplaceable region and wildlife in the process. President Obama now has an opportunity to build on his climate legacy and end Arctic Ocean drilling for good. It’s time to invest in the future of clean renewable energy and a sustainable climate for future generations.”

12:04 PM: A statement from Mayor Murray: ““I am pleased that Shell has ceased their Arctic drilling operations. The people of Seattle stood up to oppose the use of our city as a base for expanded Arctic drilling. With today’s announcement, it is time to move forward. I am committed to working with the Port and our critical maritime industry to build a clean economy of the future that provides high-paying maritime jobs and preserves our environment.”

1:26 PM: And from County Executive Dow Constantine: “While we should all be relieved that Shell Oil decided not to drill in the Arctic, this will not be the last proposal to drill for fossil fuels in that region, posing both local and global environmental risks. Let’s seize this opportunity to make King County a hub for clean-technology development and take the lead in creating a sustainable 21st-century economy.”

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TONIGHT: West Seattle briefing on upcoming school-district levies
September 28, 2015 8:41 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Biggest event on tonight’s local calendar is about the two Seattle Public Schools levies headed for your ballot in the February 2016 election. They’re not finalized yet, so if you have something to say – or just want a preview – this is your chance: 6:30 pm at West Seattle High School (3000 California SW), it’s a community meeting about the Operations and Buildings/Technology/Academics/Athletics (BTA IV) levies. The district has a page of background links here. As reported here in August, the biggest local item proposed for the BTA IV levy is money to renovate and reopen E.C. Hughes Elementary in Sunrise Heights (photo at left), the site leased for the past five years by Westside School (WSB sponsor), which has now moved into its own permanent location in Arbor Heights, leaving the Hughes building empty again, 26 years after its original closure. E.C. Hughes (7740 34th SW) would be renovated and expanded to hold up to 550 students. The proposed project list specifies work at other local schools, including the roof at WSHS and the HVAC system at Gatewood Elementary. At tonight’s meeting, the announcement says, SPS staff “will present information, ask for comments and answer questions.”

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday alerts and updates
September 28, 2015 6:51 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:51 AM: Good morning! We start with a transit alert:

WATER TAXI RUNNING LATE: King County just texted that the West Seattle Water Taxi is running about 15 minutes late due to “a vessel swap for mechanical reasons.” Water Taxi Watch shows the backup vessel Melissa Ann headed toward Seacrest right now.

7:15 AM: Metro just texted/tweeted this bus cancellation:

Metro’s general manager Kevin Desmond is to brief city councilmembers about the cancellations when they meet this afternoon as the >Transportation Benefit District Board, which is supposed to oversee how the voter-approved tax to raise money for more bus service in Seattle is spent.

7:23 AM: West Seattle Water Taxi’s back on schedule, per King County alert.

7:30 AM: From commenter NewNative: “Looks like a #56 stalled on the Seneca hill. Still there when we approached and our driver #57 sat there not knowing how to pass it. Despite a metro supervisor directing traffic.”

4:27 PM: Another cancellation just announced:

The meeting we mentioned earlier, with a briefing expected by Metro’s GM, is just now under way at City Hall; we’re monitoring via Seattle Channel online.

4:55 PM: And another one:

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PHOTOS: Watching the ‘supermoon’ eclipse from West Seattle
September 27, 2015 7:19 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Skies Over West Seattle | West Seattle news

(SCROLL DOWN for Monday additions)

7:19 PM: Thanks to Craig B for that photo from Hamilton Viewpoint Park, where a sizable crowd was reported by sunset, awaiting a hoped-for view of the eclipsed supermoon. Are you seeing it yet?

(Added: Myrtle Reservoir Park photo, by Steph)

7:43 PM: Alice Enevoldsen tweets from Kevin Freitas‘s eclipse-viewing party that they’re seeing it – a hint of red:

7:47 PM: Moments later, we glimpsed it looking east from the top of the SW Genesee hill at Avalon.

(Added: Photo by WSB’s Christopher Boffoli)
8:16 PM: Via tweeted and e-mailed photos, and a brief spin around for a firsthand view, it’s clear LOTS of people are/have been out for a look:

8:40 PM: The eclipse has peaked but continues until its official conclusion at 10:22 pm, according to the timing listed here (Alice shared that link).

10:57 PM: All over! Next total eclipse of the moon, 2018. See all the phases of this one in Kevin Freitas’s chronicle of the (mentioned above) viewing party he hosted. And with this next photo from Chris Frankovich …

… it’s “good night, moon.”

ADDED MONDAY: A few more photos. First, Jason Enevoldsen‘s sequence:


(Click image for larger view)
Trileigh Tucker‘s view (that’s a plane leaving Sea-Tac)

And a last look at the “supermoon” before it set this morning, about 12 hours before it rose – from Lynn Hall:

You can check the moonset/moonrise (and sunset/sunrise) times ANY time via the WSB West Seattle Weather page, by the way.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Package theft; car break-in; bag found
September 27, 2015 6:34 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes this evening:

PACKAGE-THEFT VIDEO: This reader video is from 34th and Morgan, 6:43 pm this past Thurdsay:

Two people go through a gate, come back out, enter the next one, and when they emerge, the first person is carrying something extra – which the person whose system recorded the video says is the bag delivered to their doorstep from Macy’s. Let police know if the people in the video look familiar.

CAR BREAK-IN: In Upper Fauntleroy this morning, 4 am in the 8800 block of 40th SW, a car window was broken and “some sports gear of minor value stolen.” The victim says a neighbor’s security camera recorded it (we’re asking if they have any images to share) and that the “video showed that the people who did it looked into several cars with a flashlight before breaking into ours. Definitely a good lesson to not leave anything in your car (even though in our case it was just two small bags)!”

SPEAKING OF BAGS: The person who found this one thinks it’s probably discarded loot from a home or car break-in – it wasn’t far from what’s been a burglary/car-prowl hotspot lately – so take a look:

The finder says, “My husband found this backpack in the alley behind our house. (Between 35th & 36th, Findlay & Brandon). All of the zippers were open. There are some workout clothes and shoes still in it. I know there have been quite a few break ins lately. Would love to get it back to
its proper owner.”

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UPDATE: Big response, small fire in 10200 block 41st SW
September 27, 2015 4:21 pm
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: Big response, small fire in 10200 block 41st SW
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

4:21 PM: A big Seattle Fire response is on the way to a possible house fire in the 10200 block of 41st SW (map). More to come.

4:26 PM: First unit on scene said it appears to be a small fire on the deck.

4:46 PM: We confirmed that on scene. So small, firefighters were able to extinguish it quickly. No injuries, little damage, SFD left right after we got there.

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Off West Seattle, cruise season’s about to end until next year
September 27, 2015 3:28 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Around 4 pm, Holland America Line’s Amsterdam and Noordam and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Pearl are scheduled to sail out of Elliott Bay, ending the 2015 Seattle cruise season. According to the Port of Seattle‘s media advisory for the departures:

For the eighth year in a row, Port of Seattle cruise terminals welcomed over 800,000 revenue passengers. This year brought 192 cruise ship calls. Seattle’s cruise business — currently leading all cruise homeports on the West Coast in passenger volume — is responsible for over 3,600 jobs, $441 million in annual business revenue, and $17.2 million annually in state and local tax revenues. Each homeported cruise vessel brings $2.5 million to the local economy.

Amsterdam and Noordam are leaving Pier 91 in Magnolia; Norwegian Pearl is sailing from Pier 66 downtown.

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