West Seattle, Washington
24 Friday
One more scene from this month’s West Seattle Art Walk, this past Thursday: Winning 2015 West Seattle Garden Tour poster artist Gretchen Flickinger was honored. Her work was on display at West Seattle Windermere in The Junction; that’s where WSGT president Jan Clow presented her with the $500 check for winning. (That’s the poster art behind them.) This year’s WSGT (co-sponsored by WSB) is on Sunday, July 19th; your ticket book gets you admission to nine great gardens (and includes their locations) plus Phil Wood‘s midday lecture on garden design. You’ll soon be able to buy yours at West Seattle Nursery or Junction True Value.
10:57 AM: “This rocks!” That’s the first comment we heard today from a visitor to the newly relocated West Seattle Farmers’ Market (WSB sponsor), on until 2 pm in the middle of California Avenue SW between Oregon and Alaska. As first published here last week, here’s the vendor map:
The move has been months in the making, officially – but it’s also been a years-long dream for some, with the knowledge that it brings more space for more vendors and more local nonprofits, plus more room for shoppers to roam, and more chances to show off The Junction’s bricks-and-mortar businesses to WSFM visitors. More photos to come, but better yet, just go see for yourself!
P.S. Transportation notes – only one bus route is affected, the 22; for vehicle parking, while the market block is off-limits until about 4 pm, the 45-space lot that formerly held the market is open; for bicycle parking, remember the “corral” on the southeast corner of California/Alaska. Also, east-west streets are all open, including Alaska and Oregon themselves.
2:43 PM: Adding photos. Above, the fresh produce is the star of the show this time of year. But as noted in our preview, you’ll find food trucks too – that made it a hit for Sammy and Annika, whose mom Lori shared the photo:
The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is back for summer appearances – we found them right by the south end at California/Alaska:
And we happened onto Ivy from market staff, with WSFM buttons:
(added) From MercyMoi, “August is making a necklace with beautiful paper beads”:
MM adds, “The artist (and farmers market rep) showed us how to make the beads, so I expect many textured jewelry projects this summer.”
Photo to share from the street site’s debut? Share it! Meantime, again, this is the market’s new home, so it’ll be back in the street every Sunday – except for July 12th, when it’ll be back at the old location in the 44th/Alaska lot since West Seattle Summer Fest will have taken over the street for the weekend.
It’s Flag Day in the USA – and the flags you’re seeing in The Junction while visiting for the newly relocated West Seattle Farmers’ Market (and/or for brunch, shopping, etc.) are in place courtesy of American Legion Post 160, whose volunteers put the flags in place this morning.
As mentioned here on Saturday, Post 160 agreed to help with what was left as an orphaned task after the death of Don Smathers. Post leaders tell us they’ll also be helping on Veterans Day; Independence Day is still open for somebody else to step up.
Voting in the first-ever Seattle City Council District 1 primary is sooner than you think. Ballots you’ll use to help narrow the field of nine candidates to two finalists will arrive in about five weeks. So it’s down to decision time, if you haven’t made your choice yet.
NEXT WEDNESDAY: 7-9 pm Wednesday (June 17th) at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, your next chance to see the D-1 candidates side by side will be presented by the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council. DNDC chair Mat McBride promises some format change-ups: “The audience will be equipped with a feedback/voting tool, and reactions to candidate statements will be displayed on screen.” Also – come early for dinner; Indian-food truck Spice on Curve will be at Youngstown. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
WHAT YOU MISSED LAST MONDAY: The Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council‘s candidate forum in the Pathfinder K-8 cafeteria used the “candi-dating” format – after introductions at the front of the room, the candidates circulated between tables. Seven of the nine candidates participated (Arturo Robles, Brianna Thomas, Chas Redmond, Jody Rushmer, Karl Wirsing, Lisa Herbold, Phillip Tavel – organizers said Pavel Goberman declined the invitation and Shannon Braddock was ill) and each table got to talk with five of them before time ran out. Since we’ve been videotaping all the D-1 forums, we had to do this one too; the format was a challenge for that, so our cameraperson picked a random table at which to record the turns. Challenging acoustics, but here’s the result:
Then we recorded the candidates answering one final question at the front of the room – they were asked what they specifically would do for Pigeon Point if elected, but the answers turned out to speak more to West Seattle-wide issues:
We also sat in at a second table without video. The questions varied from candidate to candidate, so no comparison is possible, but the questions asked by those at the table involved White Center annexation (we put that question to all candidates earlier this month), rent control and housing affordability, workers’ rights, education, transportation, weed control, and crime.
FINAL FORUM? In addition to the June 17th event mentioned at the start of this story, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce also has finalized the plan for what might be the final forum before the primary – July 15th at the Brockey Center on the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. It’ll start with a 5:30 pm meet-and-greet, then 6 pm opening statements, followed by table-to-table “candi-dating,” and a closing statement. This will be open to all, members and non-members, no admission charge. (6000 16th SW)
The big event today: The West Seattle Farmers’ Market moves to its new home in the street!
(Photo added 8:48 am, as vendors set up)
FARMERS’ MARKET MOVE: Today is the first day for the West Seattle Farmers’ Market to set up in its new permanent home, California Avenue SW between Oregon and Alaska. Hours are the same, 10 am-2 pm; each Sunday, that block will be off-limits to vehicles 7 am until approximately 4 pm. Check out this WSB update to find out about some of the new vendors. And check out Junction businesses and restaurants while you’re there – some will have celebratory specials, such as WSB sponsor Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW, right on the market block). We’ll have a separate story about the first day of the market move – come back to WSB later today or tonight and share your thoughts about it.
Also today:
LAST DAY FOR ZATZ A BETTER BAGEL: As reported here on Friday, the bagel shop in The Admiral District says it’s closing after 20 years, and told us (and others) that today is the last day. (2348 California SW)
(Thanks to the texter who shared this photo of the pool entrance’s relatively new signage)
COLMAN POOL: Final day of the final preseason weekend for Colman Pool on the shore in Lincoln Park, three sessions between noon and 7 pm; see the schedule here.
KITTY HARBOR: West Seattle’s cat/kitten adoption center is open noon-5 pm. (3422 Harbor SW)
NATIVE FOOD ENGINEERING: 1-4 pm, free program at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse (doors open at noon), details in our calendar listing. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
ROY ZIMMERMAN AT KENYON HALL: A lively way to wrap up your weekend – satirical and other original songs, 7:30 pm at historic Kenyon Hall in Sunrise Heights. Details in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)
Plus a transportation note:
WSF’S SUMMER SCHEDULE: Today’s the first day of the Washington State Ferries summer schedule.
(Sealth staff & students’ procession at start of this afternoon’s ceremony)
Story by Tracy Record
Photos/video by Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers
YOLO.
You probably know that’s short for “You Only Live Once.” It started and ended what language-arts teacher Breanna Whited told the Chief Sealth International High School Class of 2015 at its graduation ceremony this afternoon. (More on her speech later.)
Though commencement is considered to be the start of the rest of graduates’ lives, as Sealth principal Aida Fraser-Hammer detailed, the 267 graduating seniors already have achieved quite bit. She went through a long list of achievements including more than 20,000 hours in community service and $1.2 million in college scholarships.
The principal noted some of the class’s “bold” accomplishments – from a World Water Week focus on the unglamorous but life-saving topic of toilets, to Hafid Yassin‘s dunk seen ’round the world.
The first student to speak was Timothy Wo, who observed that “we’re all thinking right now … ‘it’s over’.” (That’s him in the frame grab below, but the video is of the entirety of the rest of the ceremony, beginning with the principal’s speech.)
To get to “the promised land of graduation,” he said, he and his classmates “crossed the land of procrastination.” Whatever lies ahead for them in the immediate future, he expressed confidence they would “reap success, whatever it is, and make it into whatever it can be.”
Another student speaker, Monica Harris, urged her classmates to “stand tall – we have nothing to fear.”
And she celebrated the fact that “by persevering, we have proven we deserve to be here today.” The proud family and friends had proven that too, and they were saluted during the ceremony.
They of course exhibited plenty of exhilaration themselves:
Back to staff speaker Whited, introduced as “hilarious and beautiful.”
She spoke warmly and personally to her now-former students, saying she watched them while chaperoning the senior prom three weeks ago: “It was OK for me to cry there, which I did, because I had to be strong to speak to all of you today.”
Mentioning she was a 1985 high-school graduate, she said, “I am you in 30 years … and yes, you’ll still be this fabulous.” With the help, Whited continued, of three things to remember, starting with: “Apologize quickly, even when you are right – you will be loved and you will be happy. It’s better to be happy than to be right.”
The essence of her other advice: Shut down your “negative self-talk,” and “do what you love,” which she said she’s been doing for decades. And shortly thereafter, the Chief Sealth Class of 2015 was off to find a way to follow her advice.
OTHER NOTES: One of the valedictorians and the salutatorian, Sophia Boyd and Olivia Boyd, are sisters, and the daughters of former longtime CSIHS principal John Boyd. Samuel Orlin also is valedictorian. … SPS executive director of southwest schools Israel Vela had a stand-in, northwest ED Jon Halfaker, because he was at his son’s graduation in Kent … Last year, umbrellas were in use because of the threat of rain; this year, one was in view because of the sun:
Newest developments in the ongoing Shell presence at Terminal 5 and challenges to it:
WHAT’S UP AT THE DOCK: The latest vessel in the Shell fleet to come dock by the Polar Pioneer is the supply ship Harvey Explorer:
Lynn Hall shared the photo, noticing its arrival in Elliott Bay around 2 pm Friday; it’s one of the vessels specifically called out in the U.S. Coast Guard rule for “safety zones (and) restricted navigation area” related to the Shell Arctic-drilling fleet. We’re also seeing, frequently checking MarineTraffic.com, what appears to be a more constant presence of police/security/port tender boats near T-5. The “Shell No” coalition says it’s watching for signs of potential departure any day now; members expect to deploy a “rapid response” flotilla once they get those signs. It’s based at Don Armeni Boat Ramp:
We photographed the flotilla HQ last night, while musicians performed on the protest barge offshore.
The next major event announced at the barge is tomorrow:
CANOE PROCESSION/RALLY TOMORROW: The Native advocacy movement Idle No More is organizing a canoe procession and rally tomorrow, starting with departure from Don Armeni 10-11 am tomorrow, followed by a rally on the platform, and concluding with a blessing ceremony in late afternoon. The latest information is being posted via this Facebook event page.
MARITIME ‘INTERVENORS’ ASK TO JOIN APPEAL OF CITY ACTION: As first reported here last month, it’ll be late July before the city Hearing Examiner hears the Foss/Port/Shell appeal of the city’s “interpretation” saying the fleet shouldn’t be here. The newest document filed in the case is in support of Foss/Port/Shell, from maritime interests calling themselves the “T-5 intervenors.”
The “T-5 intervenors” are listed as: Alaska Marine Lines, American Seafoods Company, American Waterway Operators, Arctic Fjord, Inc., Arctic Storm, Inc., Ballard Oil Company, Crowley Maritime Corporation, Glacier Fish Company, Premier Pacific Seafoods, Sailors’ Union Of The Pacific, SSA Terminals, LLC, Transportation Institute, and Vigor Industrial LLC. They are asking for permission to “intervene” and show support for the appellants in this case. Their document, embedded above, says they believe that if the interpretation is upheld, it will adversely affect their interests, which, they say, are not exactly the same as Foss, Shell, and the Port:
DPD’s attempt to reinterpret an issued permit after-the-fact has serious far reaching implications on the viability and reliability of the myriad and numerous permits granted to and relied upon by the T-5 Intervenors. For example, any one of the T-5 Intervenors could potentially receive a Notice of Violation at a moment’s notice upon DPD’s reinterpretation of their permits in response to intense political pressure. Or fishing vessels or freight barges could be barred from calling into and docking or mooring for off-season storage and maintenance at Port facilities because DPD changed its mind regarding those operations for similar perceived political reasons at issue in the Appeal. Such a reinterpretation that effectively ejects vessels from their regular operation will undoubtedly and indirectly affect Vigor’s, SSA Terminals, LLC’s and Ballard Oil’s ability to service the array of shipbuilding, repairing, fueling and loading needs of such vessels and operators throughout the region. Neither T-5 Intervenors— nor anyone doing business in Seattle for that matter— can afford to have the terms of their permits and entitlements redefined after issuance. While the Appellants are focused on the Permit and Interpretation at issue in this Appeal, the T-5 Intervenors are focused on the sanctity and security of the permits and entitlements that are part of the bedrock of the maritime industrial community in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.
The Hearing Examiner now will decide whether to allow this group to intervene. Its filing came days after a decision granting environmental groups’ motion to intervene on the city’s side.
Today brought the one morning each year that you’ll find a fishing pond on the dock at Seacrest Boathouse, courtesy of the West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club. The club’s annual Kids’ Fishing Pond offers young West Seattleites, up to 14 years old, a free chance to find out a bit about fishing.
Moms and dads, grandpas and grandmas, were all there, along with Sportsmen’s Club members, to help the kids navigate the waters – and the bamboo poles:
They got to keep their catch if they chose – this photo was tweeted at us by the Gerding family:
Maddie's success at West Seattle Sportsmen's Club Kids Fishing Pond. @westseattleblog photo by Dad @patrickgerding. pic.twitter.com/RJ8u4LTe6G
— sgerding (@sgerding) June 13, 2015
Find out more about the Sportsmen’s Club here.
(Added: Photo by Gary Jones)
1:48 PM: From the “in case you wondered, too” files: Thanks to the tipster who texted (206-293-6302 any time) that the 420-foot US Coast Guard Cutter Healy is off Alki Point right now. Our tipster also points out that the Seattle-based Healy has a big mission ahead in late summer, headed for the North Pole to study the chemistry of Arctic waters. (P.S. Thanks in advance if you have a photo to share – we can’t get down to the water right now!)
2:20 PM: Thanks to Gary Jones for the photo we’ve added atop this story – which, as you’ll see, includes other vessels in what he says appears to be a ceremony. We’re checking! (USCGC Healy did have a change of command earlier this month, for starters …)
4:20 PM: Might be related. Eve says she inquired at the lighthouse after noticing party preparations there and was told it was for a retiring captain.
Two updates from this past week’s West Seattle Girls Softball championships:
WEDNESDAY NIGHT’S GAME: We stopped by Fairmount Playfield on Wednesday night after a tip that we’d find the 12U championship game there. Final score – (Vashon) Rockettes 13, (West Seattle) Flame Throwers 5. In our photo, that’s Kate from the Flame Throwers, at left, with Pippa from the Rockettes trying to evade the out.
MONDAY NIGHT – UMPIRES’ SURPRISE: The Monday night slate led to an interesting story from Kayleen Dunson, the West Seattleite who is this region’s Umpire In Chief:
The West Seattle Girls Softball fastpitch league is usually covered with just one umpire. Most of the players in the league range in ages from 10-15 and it is a true recreational level. This year, the league requested two umpires for the championship game – to give the girls the thrill of playing the game with two umpires. Seattle UIC Kayleen Dunson didn’t want to stop there. “I thought it would be awesome to give these young players the sense that they were in the big leagues – let’s give them 3-umpires, just like the college players.”
(Umpires with players – from left, Mike Katz, Kayleen Dunson, Shani Neamen)
Dunson lives in West Seattle and cut her teeth umpiring this local league. “These young women, their coaches, and their parents are models of great sportsmanship and a supportive enthusiastic community. I wanted to give all of them something to remember.”Dunson was assigned to work the game with another local West Seattle umpire, Shani Neamen, and so recruited yet another West Seattle umpire, Mike Katz, to join the crew. The all-local umpire team arrived on site and were treated like rock-stars; cheery hellos from the fans, giggles and whispers of “it’s my favorite umpire” from the players; and strong hearty handshakes from the coaches.
But there was only one team at the park – the other team had to forfeit, so there was no game to umpire. That didn’t stop the group from taking a team photo with the three umpires and breaking out into a raucous game of kickball.
“This is softball at its absolute best,” Dunson said. “And we will be back next year!”
Find out more about WSGS at westseattlegirlssoftball.com.
One more day until a momentous Sunday in The Junction:
(WSB photo from Flag Day 2013)
FLAG DAY HELP THANKS TO POST 160: The death of Don Smathers earlier this year not only brought memories and mourning, but also the question: Who would make sure flags are up in The Junction on key holidays, as Don had done for so many years? Susan Melrose of the West Seattle Junction Association tells WSB that American Legion Post 160 has offered to help, so when you see the flags on Flag Day tomorrow, that’s who to thank.
Of course we know you’ll be in The Junction tomorrow to check out the debut of the new West Seattle Farmers’ Market location:
WHAT YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT THE FARMERS’ MARKET MOVE: WS Farmers’ Market management is out with a list of “10 cool things” about the market’s move into the street, starting tomorrow (California Avenue SW between Oregon and Alaska). If you don’t want to read the whole list, a few highlights:
*More room to shop – 28,000 square feet, up from 16,000 sf in the 44th/Alaska lot (which reverts to parking as of this Sunday, except for July 12th, when it will host the market again on West Seattle Summer Fest Sunday)
*9 new vendors, listed by WSFM as “including Mariposa Farm, Left Foot Farm, Nelli Farm, Yellow Belly Farm, Starvation Alley and Seola Bee, which sells honey from hives kept in West Seattle.”
*Prepared hot food will be for sale, for the first time, from vendors including Falafel Salam, Girls Gone BBQ, and Loki (longtime vendor which now gets to bring its sliders and hash). Look for sidewalk-café tables supplied by the Junction Association!
And market management points out that the move will bring shoppers closer than ever to The Junction’s year-round bricks-and-mortar restaurants (and retailers!) so you can visit them too while you’re there.
WSFM hours are the same, 10 am-2 pm; the market block will be a no-parking zone 7 am-4 pm.
(Alki Statue of Liberty during Friday night sunset; photo by Jeff Kaufer)
Good morning and happy weekend! In case you hadn’t seen them already on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s our list of highlights for today:
WEST SEATTLE SPORTSMEN’S CLUB’S FISHING POND FOR KIDS: The annual tradition is under way right now at Seacrest, under the canopies we photographed Friday evening:
Until 11 am – or until they run out of trout. Poles provided. Free to kids 14 and under. (1660 Harbor SW)
ALKI BEACH CLEANUP: 9 am-11:30 am, Seal Sitters and friends will be on Alki, picking up trash to be sure it doesn’t get into the water and endanger sea life. Details in our Friday night preview. (61st/Alki)
SHOREWOOD ON THE SOUND STREETS OF SALES: Community garage sale in Shorewood today, just south of West Seattle, 9 am-4 pm! More info, and map, here.
BENEFIT BARBECUE LUNCH: At West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), 11 am-3:45 pm, get a pulled-pork barbecue sandwich lunch with proceeds going to Pencil Me In For Kids. (California/Fauntleroy)
LONGFELLOW CREEK CELEBRATION: All are invited to join IslandWood School and friends at Greg Davis Park, 11 am-2 pm, to celebrate Longfellow Creek and students’ investigation of this precious West Seattle waterway – details here. (2600 SW Brandon)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Noon-4 pm, the home of West Seattle’s history is open for you to visit. ADDED: “And if you have photos from the 1930s and earlier, you can bring them into the museum from noon to 3 p.m. today for scanning as part of a new Seattle history book.” (61st/Stevens)
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, CAPERS: The Junction store celebrates its 30th anniversary with cake noon-4 pm, a jewelry trunk show, and more; details in our calendar listing. (4525 California SW)
TOUR THE ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE: Free lighthouse tours continue, starting at 1 pm, last tour of the day at 3:40 pm, courtesy of US Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers. (3201 Alki SW)
REMODELING? BUILDING A CUSTOM HOME? Free workshop at 2 pm at award-winning Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) – call to check if there’s still room; info’s in our calendar listing. (5458 California SW)
CHIEF SEALTH INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION: 2 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex, it’s our area’s last high-school commencement ceremony for this school year, sending off the Chief Sealth International High School Class of 2015. (2801 SW Thistle)
LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT: C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), the West Seattle Eagles, and The Skylark all have listings on our calendar page.
7:39 AM: Traffic reminder before we get to today’s other highlights: The northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct is closed, and scheduled to stay that way until 3:30 pm (we’ll update if it reopens earlier), because of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon/Half Marathon. See the full citywide closure list here.
4:04 PM: As pointed out in comments, 99 reopened an hour ago.
By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog
This edition of our periodic feature The WSBeat contains summaries written from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers – generally cases that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?” Or on the bridge, or the beach, or …
*Sunday afternoon, bicycle officers were patrolling in the 3400 block of Beach Drive SW in response to citizen complaints about narcotics and narcotics dealing during summer months. As they approached an Audi they saw a man leaning into the driver’s window, exchanging cash with the driver for a small plastic bag. Coming alongside, they saw the passenger trying to hide more plastic bags under the seat, and spotted a wad of bills (totaling $1738) on the driver’s lap. Both individuals were taken into custody for Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act (VUCSA) with intent to deliver and manufacture. The small bags tested positive for cocaine and were packaged as evidence. In accordance with law, the money and the cellphones of both men were seized due to their likely association with drug sales. The driver was dismayed to learn that his vehicle (“But I have only one more payment!”) would be seized as well.
*(Editor’s note: This was one of the Alki-area street-robbery reports we had been trying to find out more about:) Late Saturday, friends were socializing in Whale Tail Park (5800 block of SW Lander) when a group of seven or eight males approached. One grabbed a gold chain from around the neck of the victim, who responded with profanities. At this, the robber pulled a semi automatic pistol from his waistband, shoved it into the victim’s torso and then demanded his belt (an expensive one…it is unclear how the robber knew about the belt, which was hidden under the victim’s shirt). The robber and his friends walked off southbound. Only description of the group members: A mix of Samoan and Black males in their late teens or early twenties. One wore a bright red cap. The primary suspect was described as a Samoan male. The victims, who all live in West Seattle, said they did not know any of them.
We heard police dispatch to a report of a purse theft on Pigeon Point tonight – didn’t hear the circumstances, but this reader report has since come in:
We (were) at Pathfinder School 8th grade graduation; my cousin had a emergency call to make, she left her purse on her seat, and she came back. it was gone – not even a few minutes. It’s a pink Michael Kors purse, has all her ID, passport, and all her important information. Today 6-8 pm. We didn’t see who took it; we called police, let the principal know; she had a sick family member (who) had a seizure and needed to take the call. If someone knows who took it, please return it – thanks.
Or, if you find it discarded somewhere – let police know.
That’s an official alert that you should read if you are likely to travel through or near Lowman Beach, the north end of Lincoln Park, or 48th SW/Lincoln Park Way/Beach Drive SW in that area any time in the next few weeks. It’s about the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow Project‘s next phase, starting Monday, which includes work in the streets as well as work on the million-gallon tank across the street from Lowman Beach Park. Please note that the alert includes words of warning for bicycle riders and bus riders, as well as drivers.
Thanks to Lamont Granquist for that photo from earlier this week – yes, taken from a distance, while a Seal Sitters Marine Stranding Network volunteer guarded the pup near Alki Point Lighthouse. We saved it so we could publish it with this reminder of tomorrow morning’s beach cleanup on Alki – meet Seal Sitters at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki) at 9 am; the cleanup continues until 11:30, but whatever time you can give to it will be appreciated. The cleanup is in honor of Sandy the seal pup who died in 2012 after getting tangled in marine debris, and the Arroyos gray whale whose 2010 necropsy revealed a belly full of trash. Whatever you clean from the beach tomorrow (or any other day) will be that much less pollution in our waters – if it’s left on the beach, it’ll get into Puget Sound eventually.
If you liked the May 29th KEXP Hood-To-Hood victory party in West Seattle … or if you missed it and want another chance … good news: WS just “won” the challenge again. As mentioned in our daily preview, this was the designated day for donations, with neighborhoods “competing,” and when it all ended at 6 pm, West Seattle was about a thousand dollars ahead of Capitol Hill and vicinity, so we get the party next year too. It’ll be a while before the date and other details are set, but stay tuned.
4:06 PM: Thought this one would be clear by peak pm commute, but it isn’t yet, so: A crash is blocking the right lane of the westbound bridge, Spokane Street Viaduct section, right by the 1st Avenue South ramps and Harbor Island exit. Scanner-monitored discussion seems to indicate tow availability is an issue. So if you are heading this way sometime soon, southbound 99 might be a better bet than anything to the east of it.
4:51 PM UPDATE: The traffic camera has been turned, so we can’t see the original scene, but checking other cameras, the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct seems to be moving OK. However, we’ve just heard police dispatched to the Marginal/Chelan/Delridge/etc. intersection for this afternoon’s anti-Shell protest. Can’t tell from the SDOT cameras what’s happening there (except that police are just arriving, and then going out of frame); we’re on the way to check it out.
5 PM: Also happening now: A mid-level SFD response on Bradford west of Avalon. They’re handling a deck fire.
5:25 PM: The fire response is way uphill from Avalon toward the Bradford dead-end, not affecting traffic. We also have just passed the five-ways intersection; police and a few demonstrators, one with a megaphone, are visible, and westbound traffic on West Marginal is backed up to a block south of the bridges.
5:35 PM: Passing back westbound 10 minutes later – the demonstrators aren’t there any more; a group of bicycle officers are under the flyover a short way north off the spur of West Marginal.
5:42 PM: TW pointed out in comments that RapidRide C Line is running slow; Metro has just texted to blame “traffic.” No further elaboration.
SDOT‘s been saying for months that it was about to announce its next round of school-zone speed cameras, and every time we’ve checked with them, they’ve said the most likely contender in West Seattle would be Delridge Way, by the Boren Building (home to STEM and interim home, for one more year, to Arbor Heights Elementary). Now it’s official. Just in from SDOT:
To reduce speeding and improve safety for school children, contractors working for the City of Seattle will begin installing speed enforcement cameras for six schools starting Monday, June 15.
[The only West Seattle location is]:
* Delridge Way SW for K-5 STEM at Boren
Once functional the cameras will take photos of vehicles that exceed the school zone speed limit of 20 m.p.h., and drivers will receive citations in the mail. The school zone speed limit is in effect for approximately one hour in the morning as students arrive at school and one hour in the afternoon when students are dismissed. Flashing beacons have been installed to emphasize the times when the school zone speed limit is in effect.
The camera installation work will occur from June through August. Seattle Police will issue warnings for 30 days beginning September 9 and will start issuing citations on October 9.
See the full announcement, including the other five new camera sites around the city, by going here. West Seattle already has three school-zone speed cameras: Fauntleroy Way by Gatewood Elementary, and two on SW Roxbury, by Roxhill Elementary and Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School.
From Johnny and Kalynn on SW Austin in Gatewood:
We woke up this morning and our truck had been stolen. It’s a Red 1994 Ford F150 XLT. The license place is C89822C. Only the back license plate is on. The front has no plate. If anyone has seen it, we would really like to get it back.
If you see it – as SPD advises, call 911.
More news in the works, but first – a photo break! Bald eagles are increasingly common sights along West Seattle’s waterfront – but have you ever seen one this up-close-and-personal? Lynn Hall shares the view from Anchor (Luna) Park on Duwamish Head. It’s been almost eight years since bald eagles came off the Endangered Species List, but as this page explains, they are still protected.
ORIGINAL REPORT, FRIDAY MORNING: Thanks to everyone who called and messaged this morning with word that Zatz A Better Bagel in The Admiral District has announced it’s closing its doors after Sunday. We went to the shop to confirm this, and also have spoken with its proprietor. Zatz has been listed for sale for a while, but no buyer has come forward, owner Don Nolan told WSB by phone. He says they’re closing because the business has been “in Chapter 11.” He’s owned the shop for 9 years, and it had been open for a decade before he took it over. Zatz’s closure will leave four restaurant/bar spaces shuttered within one Admiral block, following the Benbow (ex-Heartland Café) in March, The Cask last fall, and Royal India Grill in May 2014.
ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: We went by late this afternoon in hopes of catching the final bagel buyers, but by 4 pm (an hour earlier than posted), Zatz was already closed, empty racks visible through the window. Here’s the sign on the door:
We heard from several readers who said Saturday was busy too; Christine sent us a note Saturday morning pointing out the crowd and saying that, as a regular, she was shocked to hear about the imminent closure: “We’re here this morning having our last Scrambagel and thanking the great staff for all the years of wonderful memories and.delicious bagels!”
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