West Seattle, Washington
05 Sunday
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
A few notes today, following up on our reports the past two days about the city Parks and Recreation Department changing concessionaires at Seacrest Boathouse – awarding the contract to Marination, whose proposal, the city says, outscored the one submitted by longtime operator Alki Crab and Fish.
First: Information we’d been pursuing since yesterday, when we asked Parks what happens next, and whether there’s any place for public comment in the official process. Parks spokesperson Dewey Potter sent the official policy – see it here – and adds:
Parks followed the steps in our policy and went beyond that by meeting with both of the top two proposers. These meetings did not change the scores or the outcome.
In response to the protest letter, which Parks received late yesterday, Parks will take these steps:
• Respond to the protest letter.
• Develop criteria, based on the business objectives outlined in the request for proposals, for evaluating the protest.
• Create a review panel of people (different from the original proposal reviewers), comprised of a representative of the Department of Neighborhoods, a representative of the Board of Park Commissioners, and the Acting Parks and Recreation Superintendent.
• Set up time for the review panel to evaluate the protest based on the established criteria.
• Set up a meeting with Alki Fish and Crab to go over their findings and decision.
• Ensure the review panel has all of the input received up to the date of their meeting.It’s important to note that this is a business process for Parks and Recreation based on business objectives (included in the Request for Proposals) designed to meet Parks’ business needs and based on City law and policy.
So bottom line, no. The contract does require final approval by the City Council, though.
If you are just catching up, Alki Crab and Fish’s contract with the city expired last summer. The city put out a “request for proposals” (RFP), and the result was a decision to award the contract to Marination, which came to fame two and a half years ago with its food truck, and has since also opened a bricks-and-mortar restaurant in Capitol Hill. We have numerous details in our report from yesterday, including links to both companies’ proposal documents. Supporters of both also have started online petitions – the one for Alki Crab and Fish fans is here, Marination fans here – and ACF supporters in the diving community, which uses Seacrest extensively, are planning a low-key rally this Saturday at noon between Seacrest and Salty’s, according to local diver Laura James, who says they are trying hard not to tie up traffic or cause trouble near the boathouse, so they are asking participants to park either south of Salty’s or up around Duwamish Head.
And a new development – just as we were finishing this story, we received e-mail from Marination, with whom we had exchanged notes previously for a short comment published in yesterday’s story. They sent a statement that follows, explaining their intent, and their surprise at how this has unfolded:Read More
Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Rambo Total Pest Control, whose owner Luke Rambo is a fourth-generation West Seattleite and a 1999 graduate of West Seattle High. 
(While his business is based in Puyallup, they serve his hometown, and he spends so much time here that when he walks into Sub Shop #9 in Morgan Junction, they know his order on sight.) Here’s what he wants you to know about how Rambo does its job:
Rambo Total Pest Control knows the area, climate, styles of construction, conducive conditions and biological requirements of our local pest species. Rambo can offer you a secure and targeted approach toward living pest-free while protecting your family, pets, homes, and businesses.
Luke explains, “Our clients enjoy the personal commitment we display toward resolving their complicated pest-control problems. They want a problem fixed right the first time, not excuses. We promise to provide a customized ‘shelter’ from the unwanted, disease-carrying, wood-destroying pests that threaten our clients’ peace of mind. If our clients feel that control has not been achieved, we will return free of charge until the problem is resolved. Another compliment we hear frequently is that our communication is excellent. We do our best to educate our clients on what our strategy will be, when to expect initial control to be established, what things they can do to help, etc. It is also company policy to call a day or two before scheduling our preventive-maintenance services. This adds a considerable amount of time to our days, but it truly sets us apart from our competition.”
Rambo Total Pest Control has an “A” rating with the Better Business Bureau and a 5-star rating on Yelp.com; we are members of the Washington State Pest Management Association and National Pest Management Association (Quality Pro-certified), as well as the Entomological Society of America, through which Luke Rambo earned the title “Associate Certified Entomologist.” Rambo Total Pest Control is online at rambopest.com, or call 253-848-6000; get a deal on your first service by using the coupon on the WSB Coupons page.
We thank Rambo Total Pest Control for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
Our partners at the Seattle Times have just made maps breaking out the vote around the region on the two most-discussed statewide initiatives in last month’s elections, liquor privatization (I-1183) and tolling (I-1125). The graphic above is taken from one of the maps published by the Times – green areas supported I-1183 (the darker the green, the stronger the support), red/pink areas did not. See both initiative breakouts here. P.S. The transition to privatized liquor sales gets into high gear this Thursday, when 1183 becomes law and would-be sellers can start applying.
More money is being moved to the West Seattle Reservoir Park project, which is creating new park space adjacent to Westcrest Park in Highland Park after the formerly open-air WS Reservoir was covered (top photo). But that does NOT mean more features – in fact, it means fewer feature reductions than the project had been facing because of an expensive, unanticipated twist, and it means, as Parks’ senior capital-projects coordinator Virginia Hassinger puts it, they now can “get back going on the park design” since they figured out how to cover the costs for street improvements:Read More
If you use Washington State Ferries, from Fauntleroy or anyplace else, you probably know about Vessel Watch – the GPS-enabled online feature that shows you where any given ferry is at any time. WSF just announced it’s added a feature to Vessel Watch: The estimated time of arrival (ETA) for whatever ferry you’re keeping an eye on. Read on for the details:Read More
Followup from Nichole at Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor) – residents and other community members succeeded in “stuffing the bus” with donations for Nickelsville residents of all ages last Saturday. We brought you an in-progress update here; Nichole sent followup photos today, including the “stuffed bus” above and this next pic of someone who also deserves a nod – resident council leader Richard Matteo, who played a big organization role too and was out that cold morning collecting cash donations at the coffee/cocoa/cookies table:
Right after they finished collecting at 4 pm, as it was already getting dark, they drove the bus down to the encampment (West Marginal Way SW/Highland Park Way) and unloaded everything that had been donated:
(P.S. The neighborhood closest to Nickelsville will be talking about it tomorrow night – Highland Park Action Committee has Nickelsville on the agenda again, 7 pm Wednesday at the Highland Park Improvement Club building, 12th/Holden.) Meantime – tons of holiday giving going on all over West Seattle this season – hooray for everyone’s generosity! We’ve listed some of the opportunities on the Holidays page, and there’s more in the pipeline – please let us know if you have a drive going on, or a request to share.
For the second consecutive year, Riley Fredericks has the winning idea for the next West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival traveling parade float. Last year, while she was still a reigning Junior Court Princess, Riley’s “Sparkling Seattle” idea won the vote at the December Hi-Yu meeting – and last night, her proposal for the theme “Secret Garden” did the same. That’s Riley above with the concept model she brought to the Hi-Yu meeting/holiday potluck at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church Hall; here’s a closer look at the model:
Other suggestions included “Sunlight Seattle” from current Junior Court Queen Thea, “The West Seattle Beach Party,” “Picnic in the Park,” and “Through the Emerald Looking Glass.” Next step: Riley’s concept will be turned into the official float design, and there’ll be a community-wide button-design contest too. Meantime, Hi-Yu’s new Senior Court royalty joined her Junior Court counterparts (Queen Thea, Princess Elena, Princess Amanda) at the meeting:
Kayli Schulz is a Holy Names student, looking ahead to studying biology in college, and takes lessons at Kathy’s School of Dance in The Junction. Hi-Yu, which has a new president – James Kline – plans more extensive outreach this year to businesses and the rest of the West Seattle community; WS is the last community in the city to have a traveling float, which represents our area all around the region, including the big Seafair Torchlight Parade every summer (by the way, the West Seattle Grand Parade date is set for next year – you’ll see Hi-Yu there too – mark your calendar for July 21, 2012). Hi-Yu’s online presence has changed, too; for now, find them at facebook.com/WSHiYu.
This morning, Seattle Police are out with another of their periodic reports on what the Aggressive Drivers Response Team is up to. More West Seattle enforcement this time – including multiple citations for 50+ mph on West Marginal Way SW. See the latest list here.
ADDED 7:08 PM: And yet another round posted on SPD Blotter tonight – though it’s not all West Seattle this time, it does include a few local school zones.
Check out student musicians James, Kelli, and Emma from Madison Middle School performing “The Time of Your Life” during their Bookfair kickoff last Friday! Thanks to librarian Stacia Bell for pointing it out. It’s continuing through this Friday and it’s atop today’s highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar –
MADISON MIDDLE SCHOOL BOOK FAIR: The official announcement:
Madison Middle School is hosting its first Book Fair of the year at Barnes & Noble in Westwood Village until December 9th. If you would like to support Madison Middle School students and the purchase of new books for their library, you can shop at any Barnes & Noble store or online at bn.com/bookfairs between now and this Friday, December 9th, and a percentage of everything you buy — books, movies, CDs, Nooks, lattes in the cafe–will benefit Madison students. Just be sure you mention Madison Middle School’s book fair at the register and use the bookfair voucher code 10619799 when shopping online. You can also email the Bookfair code to family and friends across the country and they can benefit Madison with their purchases as well. Thank you for supporting reading at Madison Middle School!
Speaking of reading … and music …
AT THE LIBRARIES: From the Seattle Public Library calendar of events – Toddler Story Time at the West Seattle Branch, 10:30 am; Baby Story Time at the Southwest Branch, 11:30 am; Citizenship Class at the Southwest Branch, 6 pm; Family Story Time at the Delridge Branch, 7 pm.
HOLIDAY CONCERT: They’re the local music organization so big, its annual holiday concert happens in two installments! Tonight, the second concert by West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ Debut and Intermediate orchestras, also featuring Endolyne Children’s Choir (as seen last Saturday night at the West Seattle Junction Tree Lighting), 6:30 pm in the auditorium at Chief Sealth International High School – details here; $5 suggested donation.
CHAMPAGNE TASTING: Super Deli Mart (35th/Barton) is presenting a holiday Champagne/sparkling wine tasting tonight, 6-8 pm: The announcement says its lineup includes: Louis Roederer Cristal, Dom Perignon, Vue Clicquot, Moet & Chandon Imperial, Louis Roederer Brut Premier, GH Mumm, Taittinger, Alma Negra & 8 others, and that they’ll offer orange juice for mimosa fans.
NIGHTLIFE: Open mike at Skylark Café and Club hosted by Tekla and Brian, all-acoustic, 7 pm … Rock music/pop culture trivia at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm … The Starlight showcase at Shadowland (home to the All-Stars who rocked the Junction Tree Lighting), 9 pm. (Always happy to mention live entertainment – but you have to let us know about it – editor@westseattleblog.com – if your venue has a calendar of events that is regularly updated, that works too; send us the link)
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS AND INFORMATION: We’re continuing to update our all-season page – which includes lists of Christmas-tree lots, bright holiday lights to see, tree lightings ahead, Christmas Ship schedule, and a lot more (including solstice, Hanukkah, and New Year’s info as we get/find it) – it’s on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page.
Dozens of West Seattle girls joined forces tonight for an evening of friendship and generosity. The report – and photos – are courtesy of Rosina Geary, Troop 40890 leader:
Six West Seattle BROWNIE Girl Scout Troops got together tonight for their 3rd Annual Christmas Cookie Exchange. Approximately 80 Girl Scouts (2nd and 3rd graders) gathered together to celebrate the holidays, exchange cookies, and get to know one another.
These Scouts had a great time celebrating the holidays tonight. At the same time, they hope to pass this good holiday cheer to the homeless and hungry members of our community. Here is what they did —
*Each Scout donated canned foods, which will be delivered to the West Seattle Food Bank.
*Each Scout also donated 1 dozen cookies (that’s 80 dozen cookies!). These will be given to:
*The Union Gospel Mission – An organization that provides emergency care and long-term recovery services to hurting and homeless people in Seattle.
*PSKS (Peace for the Streets by Kids from the Streets) – An organization that provides support and services to Seattle area homeless youth and young adults.
By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog
From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers – catching up this time with reports made available after the Thanksgiving holiday:
*Recently, a citizen called 911 to report seeing a man shoot a seagull with a BB gun in the 6500 block of 34th SW. When asked why he shot the bird, the suspect said, “I’m tired of having bird poop on my car.” Officers found the bird, which had fallen from a power line after the attack. It was bleeding heavily and its wing was barely attached to its body. The Burien emergency veterinary hospital agreed to treat the bird. The suspect told officers he had been shooting at birds from his home for “a long, long time.” His BB gun was confiscated.
Ahead, six more summaries, from a reported luring attempt to a call that went beyond a door-to-door alert:Read More
Seattle Police use the closed Genesee Hill Elementary campus for training now and then, and neighbors are well aware of that, but something about the police tape around the school tonight led several people to ask us what was going on. (One caller said they hadn’t received the usual neighborhood notice.) We’ve confirmed with SPD, it IS training, and shouldn’t go any longer than 11 pm.
We’re featuring at least one light display a night – and tonight is thanks to suggestions on Twitter and Facebook. It’s at 41st/Concord in Fauntlee Hills (map), a neighborhood where you’ll find more than a few other lavishly lit homes. We’re adding it to the list on the WSB Holidays page; got someplace to suggest light-lovers look? Share the location – thanks!
When the City Council’s Committee on the Built Environment voted unanimously last week in favor of West Seattle Triangle rezoning (WSB coverage here), they approved a few amendments to the previous proposal. Before the full package moves on to the full Council for a final vote, they’re inviting you to comment on those amendments, and a two-week countdown starts today. Here’s the official notice, explaining the amendments and requesting comment, as issued by the city today.
The word’s in from Dinah Brein at the historic Admiral Theater – this year’s free Christmas movie is … the one in the trailer clip atop this story … “A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie’! 7 pm Tuesday, December 20th. Here’s the official announcement:
The Admiral Theater, the Admiral Business Association and The Admiral Blockbuster present ‘It’s A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie’ -Tuesday, December 20.
What would life amongst the Muppets have been without their unofficial leader Kermit the Frog? This holiday confection, not only spoofs the Yuletide classic , It’s a Wonderful Life, but also takes satirical aim at such pop cultural phenomena as Moulin Rouge and Fear Factor.
The plot is set in motion when evil banker Rachel Bitterman (Joan Cusack) forecloses on the Muppets’ famous variety theater, with the intention of building a gaudy nightclub. But Bitterman’s machinations take a back seat when apprentice guardian angel, Daniel (David Arquette), shows Kermit what conditions would have been had he never existed. Oh yeah, Whoppie Goldberg is cast as God!
Join Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy and a star studded cast in this heartwarming holiday classic that will bring joy to the world this Christmas at the Admiral Theater!
For the fourth consecutive year admission is free, but we ask that everyone bring donations for the Humane Society and the Seattle Animal Shelter including crates, high-end dog food, collar’s leashes, blankets, etc. This time of year, the shelters run low on these much needed supplies.
The movie starts promptly at 7 PM. Beer & wine will be available for the adults, upstairs in the Crow’s Nest Lounge.
(NEW INFO FOR MONDAY NIGHT 12/12 – Closure will start 10:30 pm because of football.)
New information this afternoon in a road project we’ve been tracking for months: The earthquake-safety upgrade of the Fauntleroy Expressway section of the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge. The city has just announced the dates/times when it will be closed so the contractor can lift sections of the bridge to install seismic-safety features. From SDOT:
The first closures of the Fauntleroy Expressway are scheduled to occur December 12, 13 & 14. Each night the Fauntleroy Expressway will be closed at 9:00 p.m. and reopened the next morning at 5:00 a.m. These closures mark the beginning of a series of night and early morning closures that will take place through June of 2012.
In numerous community-group briefings we’ve covered leading up to this, the detour plan has generated some questions. Here’s the one-sheet explaining it all. The project actually has been under way for a few months, but the first phase has mostly involved reinforcing columns under the bridge, and has not involved traffic effects. Meantime, SDOT says it’ll announce additional closure dates as they are set; project consultant Josh Stepherson had said at community meetings that once the contractor goes through the first round of bridge-lifting, they’ll have a better idea of how the subsequent ones will go.
(File photos of Seacrest and Marination, both by Christopher Boffoli)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Multiple developments today on the story we reported yesterday, picking up on a report by our partners at the Seattle Times that the city-owned Seacrest Boathouse‘s longtime operator, owner of Alki Crab and Fish, lost the contract to run the site:
We’ve just confirmed with Seattle Parks that the operators of the popular food truck Marination Mobile, which has been visiting West Seattle weekly for more than a year, are the people to whom the city intends to award the contract. There’s also an online petition circulating to “save Alki Crab and Fish,” as first reported in comments on our Sunday story – and (added) one in support of Marination.
First – From Parks spokesperson Dewey Potter, in response to our inquiry this morning:
Alki Crab and Fish finished second to Marination by a score of almost 45 points. Going beyond the normal evaluation process, Parks staff had oral interviews with the top two candidates and that did not change the outcome.
We had actually sent a note to Marination last night after various things we’d heard led us to suspect they might be the winning proposer; we have not yet received a reply. However, Parks has included both the grading from the evaluation and Marination’s proposal – while we read through it to summarize, you can see the document here (PDF).
Second – The online petition is here. Diver/photographer Laura James created it early this morning. As of right now, more than 240 people have signed it. Parks says they are expecting a written protest from Alki Crab and Fish’s owner by the end of today; the formal procedure calls for that to go to Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams, who would have the final say (pending City Council approval early next year). The pro-Marination petition (also from WSB comments) was created in early afternoon, here.
ADDED 1:03 PM: Regarding the fate of Alki Kayak Tours, which has been a subcontractor at Seacrest, renting watercraft, skates, and bikes, and leading tours (with some of those services called for by Parks) – Parks spokesperson Potter acknowledges AKT owner Greg Whittaker “expressed concern that he would lose out as a result of the evaluation of the proposals Parks received … Parks staff have talked with (him) and advised him that renting boats for recreational fishing and general boating activities will continue to be an integral part of the operation at Seacrest moving forward, and that once the protest is resolved, the newly selected operator, assuming that decision stands, is interested in subleasing that side of the operation and that he is welcome to engage in that discussion about that possibility.”
ADDED 1:53 PM: Key points of Marination’s proposal, and some background for those who aren’t familiar with their operation (and ADDED 3:33 PM, more reaction including theirs plus the current contract-holder):Read More
(August 2011 photo by David Hutchinson)
Love ’em or hate ’em, you can see/hear them from here – and they’re not going away. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are coming back to Seafair for at least two more summers. Just announced:Read More
In case the sun doesn’t appear again today – there’s a memory from Sunday, courtesy of Darren Pilon. (Thank you!) Meantime, before we get on with the rest of the day’s news, here are some of the scheduled highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
SOUTHBOUND VIADUCT CLOSURE OVERNIGHT TONIGHT: 10 pm-5 am, but two southbound onramps – at Columbia and Elliott – are scheduled to close at 9 pm, and there will also be “rolling slowdowns” for the northbound lanes overnight. Details in our preview from last week.
LIFE’S JOURNEYS: 1-2:30 pm at West Seattle Senior Center. From organizers: “This group will explore the territory we find ourselves in when involved in a significant transition. Are you in a changing time – relationships, housing, health, mobility, losses, retirement, etc? Are you looking for ways to make new connections?” Facilitated by Laurie Becharas, Licensed Marriage and Family therapist, and D’vorah Kost, Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Cost: $20/month donation; no one turned away for inability to pay.
LIKE TO COOK? West Seattle Cooking Club! Today’s theme: Wrapped. Bring a dish and join in. 2:30 pm, Beveridge Place Pub.
BAN THE BAG? Support or oppose a plastic grocery-bag ban in Seattle? Tonight, all interested are invited to the public hearing at Seattle City Council chambers downtown, 5:30 pm (signups at 5 pm).
ART LENDING LIBRARY: It doesn’t open often – so tonight’s a rare chance! From 6 to 8:30 pm on the second floor of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge). Look for entrance signs at the side door off the main north lot (if you’ve found yourself in the downstairs Youngstown hallway you’ve gone too far). There is parking in the main north parking lot and also on the street. If you would like to become a new member, this is the time to do it. The process is easy and you can check out a piece of art at the same event.
WEST SEATTLE HI-YU: General meeting, 6:30 pm at St. John’s the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California SW (enter through the SE doors). Bring ideas/drawings for a 2012 Hi-Yu float theme. It’s also the Holiday Potluck; bring something to share
LECTURE ON EARLY CHILDHOOD: The We Are Family Community Lecture Series presents Terry Goetz, early childhood specialist, 7 pm at Admiral Congregational Church, 4320 SW Hill St. From the announcement: “Find out why providing a rich, multi-sensory world for infants, toddlers and preschoolers supports optimal brain development. … The lecture will appeal to caregivers, teachers and parents who want to be actively engaged in a child’s development during the first five years of life.” $10; refreshments and child care available.
HIP-HOP MONDAYS At Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), Studio Santina is teaching Hip Hop and Funk dancing for kids and adults. Visit studiosantina.com for class times; to register, call (206) 369-7197.
LOOKING FOR HOLIDAY INFO? Christmas lights, Christmas tree sales, and upcoming events … all on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page.
Just never know what you’ll find in a Seattle City Council committee agenda. Reading through the ones available early today for meetings coming up this week, we discovered that the council’s Public Safety and Education Committee, chaired by Councilmember Tim Burgess, 
is scheduled for an “Arbor Heights Fire Briefing” when it meets at 9:30 am this Wednesday, last item on the agenda. The scheduled briefers are Seattle Fire Department Chief Gregory Dean and Seattle Public Utilities director Ray Hoffman. This goes back to the August 27th fire that destroyed a home on 41st SW (WSB coverage here); hydrant problems hampered firefighters’ ability to make a quick full attack on the flames. The hydrants and water system are SPU’s responsibility; we have followed up with them several times since the fire. Two days afterward, they promised an “after-action review”; two weeks later, we had information about hydrant testing; then there was a promise of larger hydrants where water-main sizes permitted, and we updated the status of that work last month. (And in a side note, an SFD investigator discussed the fire at length during October’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting.)
Wednesday’s council-committee meeting is at City Hall downtown and will be live on the Seattle Channel, cable 21 or online.
After 2 years in business at 2329 California SW, it appears the restaurant/bar Porterhouse is closed. Over the past week-plus, several WSB’ers e-mailed to say they had been told by restaurant staff that Porterhouse would shut down its West Seattle restaurant/pub after Saturday night, but management/ownership did not confirm this when we asked. However, all signs point to the closure having indeed happened. For one, it was dark on Sunday during what would have been operating hours (no note on the door when we went by, though); for two, its West Seattle website at westcoastales.com switched Saturday night to an error page; for three, its West Seattle Facebook page no longer exists. No one answered the phone Sunday during what would have been prime dinnertime.
Porterhouse opened in August 2009, eleven months after Blackbird Bistro closed in that same space. Last July, it closed briefly for an “extreme makeover” and reopened with a new menu focused on burgers. The original Porterhouse in the Skagit County town of Mount Vernon appears to still be open. As for the West Seattle space’s fate – looks like it’s up for sale. (Addendum: Confirmed later Monday, when a “BUSINESS FOR SALE” sign went up in the window.)
The screengrab at right from the city’s police-call map tells the tale: The spray-paint can is the city map’s icon for property-damage reports; the map is not real-time, so the icons represent mostly incidents reported last night or this morning. Though details on those reports aren’t available, so we don’t know details of the “property damage,” the icon locations correspond with what we’ve heard anecdotally through a variety of channels – a spate of vandalism incidents against cars. First word we had was this morning, when a WSB’er who asked to be anonymous reported, “This morning coming back from coffee at 6 am i noticed a truck with its street side window broken out. The truck was on SW Hill St between 42 and 44th streets. And a few minutes ago I found half a blue rubber glove hanging on a trailer lock handle and a fresh thumb print in the dirt on the trailer door lock. This happened near Hill St and Sunset.” We got two other reports as well – read on:Read More
EDITOR’S NOTE: Thanks so much to Fauntleroy Creek volunteer Dennis Hinton for sharing earlier updates as well as this wrap-up on the annual coho watch at the creek, restored a decade ago. Since no fish returned last year, this year’s returns were cause for celebration.
By Dennis Hinton
Special to West Seattle Blog
The first three coho spawners to come into Fauntleroy Creek this year were spotted by volunteer Jack Lawless and friends on Saturday morning, Nov. 19.
The last two spawners were seen by watcher Anne Samenfink on Saturday morning, Nov. 26. They were the first fish that Anne has seen in 10 years of watching.
All told, eight creek volunteers spotted 14 coho during the season, compared to zero last year.
Watchers also noted:
*Three spawning pairs (location of their redds marked)
*Three coho carcasses (examined by volunteer biologist Steev Ward)
*20 Alki Cooperative Preschool kids, plus chaperones, seeing two spawners on their Nov. 21 field trip.
*About 100 people checking out spawning activity from the fish-ladder viewpoint (SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way SW, across from the ferry terminal). Note: The viewpoint is a treat to visit anytime but is especially interesting during spawning season (Halloween to Thanksgiving).
Local volunteers joined the county-wide Salmon Watch program in 2000. Since then, watchers have tallied 479 spawners (chart after the jump):Read More
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