West Seattle, Washington
27 Wednesday
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
7:02 AM: Good morning! No incidents reported in/from West Seattle and vicinity right now.
One note for today: Seattle Public Schools get out two hours early
(UPDATED 11:25 am Wednesday with clearer version of map as sent by city, embedded and linked below)
(Direct link to draft West Seattle Junction rezoning map)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“This has been brewing for a long time, but what’s been missing has been the community outreach,” observed Junction Neighborhood Organization director René Commons as her group began tonight’s meeting, with more than 50 people there to hear the first West Seattle briefing about the rezoning proposed as part of the mayor’s Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA).
Commons explained that she had expected JuNO would have been contacted by the city about a briefing once the proposal was ready to go public – but that didn’t happen, so JuNO had to request this briefing, on relatively short notice. She mentioned the “focus groups” that the city set up to work on this (when she asked if anyone from the focus group that included The Junction was here, no hands went up).
Who WAS there: Nick Welch (above) from the Office of Planning and Community Development, the staff person who had led the meeting of the Junction-included focus group that we covered downtown last month. (We recorded his presentation and the ensuing Q&A on video – 12:21 am update, see it below:)
While there still wasn’t a neighborhood-by-neighborhood review of the proposed Junction rezoning map, there was a lot of new information: Toward the start of his presentation, Welch said, in response to a question, that the final HALA maps weren’t likely to go to the City Council before “June at the earliest” – which is months later than we’d heard previously. Read More
If and when you have a few minutes for a survey:
The Southwest Seattle Prevention Coalition is a committed group of volunteers from the local community working with the County to provide funding towards youth substance abuse treatment and prevention in the community. We look to promote health and well-being, foster a sense of love and belonging, and prevent and reduce youth substance abuse through compassionate and culturally appropriate collaboration, which is a fancy way of saying we care about our kids!
Part of our work is understanding the diverse needs of our community, and there’s no better way to do that than by asking. The survey below shouldn’t take more than ten minutes to fill out, but every one that we receive gives us a better picture of what we need to improve on. It relates to concerns about the substance abuse of youth in our community and what should be done to address it, and is available online in both English and Spanish (links below), with translations in 18 other languages available in hard copy that we would be happy to get to you! Please let us know if you have questions or comments, and thank you for your contribution!
English: surveymonkey.com/r/KICHON2016
Spanish: es.surveymonkey.com/r/KICHSP2016
(King County Assessor’s Office photo)
Two and a half years ago, a two-building, 80+-apartment proposal for 3257-3303 Harbor Avenue SW [map] sailed through its first Southwest Design Review Board meeting. But it never came back for round two, and now city files indicate the plan has been scrapped entirely. A newly filed, early-stage plan for the site calls instead for 32 townhouses, in two rows between Harbor and 30th SW. Documents indicate the project will go through Administrative Design Review – no meeting, but a chance for public comment via e-mail, once the project proceeds further into the system.
This site already had a history before the now-dead apartment proposal – it had been owned by fugitive real-estate investor Michael Mastro, and had a development plan when it went on the market in 2007 under the working title Aqua Bella. County records show a bank took it over in 2010 and sold it to a real-estate firm in 2013.
P.S. Immediately west of this site, there’s a new proposal at 3239 Harbor SW for four townhouses and four live-work units.
ADDED: The new architect for 3257-3303 is Lemons Architecture, which also is part of the team for the not-yet-begun project at the former Alki Tavern site.
If you have had a bicycle stolen, we hope you have reported it to police – online or otherwise – to increase the chances it will find its way back to you, if found. Meantime, we publish reports of found-and-likely-abandoned-after-being-stolen bikes; here are four more:
FROM TT: Abandoned bicycle in the Roxhill area:
“There has been an abandoned bike in my alley for the past few days. It’s at the alley entrance on Cambridge Street, between 34th and 35th Avenues.”
FROM TP: Three abandoned bicycles on Pigeon Point:
“The pink and purple bikes are off to the side of the Andover stairs between 21st & 22nd Aves SW. The green bike is at 19th & Andover.”
IF YOU FIND A BIKE: Please let police know, and then tell us so we can get the word out too. If SPD can’t trace a bicycle through its serial number and a theft report, the bicycle might turn up on its @getyourbikeback Twitter feed.
The City Council is close to making final decisions on the city budget. Some of the changes proposed in recent weeks have been scrapped, and some new ones have been added. Tomorrow morning at 9:30 am, the council will go through the newest list of changes still on the table. See the current full list here; ones of potential interest in our area include:
(WSB file photo by Christopher Boffoli)
WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE CORRIDOR STUDIES: Our area’s Councilmember Lisa Herbold proposes spending $100,000 on two studies:
This proposal would provide one-time funding for two traffic management studies: (1) evaluate the feasibility of traffic management modifications to improve the eastbound Spokane St Viaduct connection to I-5; and (2) initiate an SDOT/WSDOT Peer Review Team to review traffic operational and safety improvement opportunities on upper and lower roadways and make recommendations.
These were originally proposed in last year’s West Seattle Bridge Corridor “whitepaper.”
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE’S 13TH-YEAR PROMISE PROGRAM: This proposal from Councilmember Bruce Harrell would allot a quarter-million city dollars to support the SSC program that provides a year of free tuition to any interested graduating senior from designated high schools:
The 13th Year Promise Scholarship program provides all graduating seniors from Cleveland, Chief Sealth International, Rainier Beach, and soon West Seattle high schools with one year of free in-state tuition at South Seattle College. Additionally, the program offers students a variety of workshops during their senior year to prepare for college enrollment and to improve math and English skills if necessary.
The funding provided in this green sheet is intended to assist South Seattle College in expanding the reach of the 13th Year Promise Scholarship program by funding non-tuition components of the program, freeing up existing resources to be used for the tuition expenses. This funding may be used for the Readiness Academy, COMPASS Improvement Workshops, and the 13th Year Bridge Program
TERMINAL 5 QUIET ZONE: Also from Councilmember Herbold:
The Port of Seattle is considering improvements to Terminal 5 to modernize the facility. As part of this project, the Port is considering implementation of shore power, a Terminal 5 quiet zone, and broadband back-up alarms to reduce the noise emitted from Terminal 5.
This Statement of Legislative Intent (SLI) requests that SDOT work with the Port of Seattle, the Federal Railway Administration, and the railway companies doing business at Terminal 5, to extend the quiet zone from Terminal 5 to the Delridge Way/W Marginal Way intersection.
The SLI requests that SDOT provide quarterly reports on this work to the Planning, Land Use, and Zoning Committee.
SOUTH PARK PUBLIC-SAFETY TASK FORCE: Proposed by at-large (and WS-residing) Councilmember Lorena González:
The Council requests that the Executive convene a Special Task Force of South Park residents to formulate and report to Council recommendations regarding the public safety and vitality of that neighborhood. It is the Council’s understanding that the written report of the Special Task Force would, as a general matter, accomplish the following:
1. Identify strategies for a new model of neighborhood policing, which will build on the micropolicing plans and community policing plans initiated by Chief Katherine O’Toole. The strategies should be replicable in other neighborhoods throughout the City, while flexible enough to reflect the unique situations or dynamics of other diverse neighborhoods; and
2. Identify strategies for a culturally and linguistically responsive data-driven approach to improving the City’s relations to and effectiveness with the South Park neighborhood, which will also inform the City’s engagement with all other neighborhoods.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT COMMISSION: The final step toward creating the mayor’s proposed Community Involvement Commission – to be a liaison group instead of maintaining ties to neighborhood district councils in that role – is spelled out in this item (PDF), which also redefines the Department of Neighborhoods’ role. It strikes out the word “neighborhood” in many cases, although one amendment is proposed: ” Subsection G would add support for neighborhood-based community-building to the list of functions of the Director of the Department of Neighborhoods.” Each City Council district will have one representative on the group; 7 other members would be appointed by the mayor.
The list of proposed changes will itself change before tomorrow’s meeting – while we were writing this story, it grew to 143 items – but you can review the titles and brief descriptions and look at others that might interest you by going here. If you have strong feelings, pro or con, about any of them, contact councilmembers ASAP – the info is all here (our area’s rep is at lisa.herbold@seattle.gov, and she’s been providing budget-process explainers on her website).
10:57 AM: Big Seattle Fire response for an “assault with weapons” call in the 9200 block of 17th SW [map]. According to the scanner, the weapon in question was a knife and the victim has a hand injury. We’re on the way to find out more.
11:09 AM: Our crew has arrived. All but one of the SFD units have been dismissed – the victim did not require a medic unit. Police, including a K-9 team, are looking for a suspect who is described in part as wearing all red and toting suitcases, last seen southbound on 17th SW.
11:15 AM: All we know about the circumstances: “Domestic-violence incident,” per police.
(Western Grebe, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Highlights for the rest of today/tonight:
DROP-IN CHESS: 4:30-5:30 pm at High Point Library, kids/teens welcome, all skill levels. You’ll find chess sets and guidance from an adult chess coach. Free. (35th SW/SW Henderson)
BRIEFING/Q&A ON JUNCTION-AREA REZONING: 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building, as previewed here – tonight’s Junction Neighborhood Organization meeting is the first time a city staffer will be presenting a briefing and Q&A on one of the draft rezoning maps made public last month as part of the mayor’s Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda. (4217 SW Oregon)
HOPE LUTHERAN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 6:30-8 pm, all prospective Hope Lutheran School (WSB sponsor) families are welcome to visit this open house “to learn more about our academics, specialists, sports, and extracurricular activities.”
FUTURE COLLEGE STUDENT IN THE FAMILY? 6:30 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, financial planner Albert Israel presents a free college admissions/financial aid workshop. RSVP requested – 206-926-5398 or timothy.r.walsh@ampf.com. (2306 42nd SW)
WSCPC CANCELLATION REMINDER: As mentioned last night, this month’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting is canceled; next scheduled meeting, January 17th.
LIVE MUSIC: Jukehouse Hounds, 8 pm at Parliament Tavern in The Admiral District. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
SEEN THE WSB WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAY GUIDE YET? Much more to be added, but there’s plenty in it already – so browse westseattleblog.com/holidayguide when you get a chance. And if you are planning a public holiday-season event, now through New Year’s, please send the info ASAP – editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!
Changes are proposed for the Seattle Public Schools Assignment Plan starting next year, and the first of five briefings around the city is set for next Monday (November 21) at Chief Sealth International High School. The district announcement says that “the plan for 2017-2018 continues most of the assignment rules in effect during 2016-2017.” Three items on the list of proposed changes are outside West Seattle, but these others might be of interest:
Modifying Highly Capable Cohort pathways;
Adding Chief Sealth as the southeast dual language immersion pathway high school;
Removing conflicting assignment guarantees for new-to-the-district 6th-8th grade students;
Moving the date when waitlists are dissolved from August 15 to August 31; and
Updating school and program names and locations.
The School Board Operations Committee is supposed to get the first full look at the proposal this Thursday; the agenda is not on the district website yet, so we’re checking to see when it will be. Monday’s community meeting is at 6:30 pm in the library at CSIHS (2600 SW Thistle).
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
7:02 AM: Good morning. So far, no incidents in/from West Seattle. It rained all night, so watch out for standing water.
One road-work alert for later this week: Paving on surface Spokane St. Thursday, if rain doesn’t get in the way again.
8:37 AM: Still no incidents but we’ve heard more about early-morning “puddle” problems by clogged drains. Check the ones near you when you can, since we still haven’t gotten past leaf season.
The King County Council has finalized its budget. Back in September, we mentioned two items in County Executive Dow Constantine‘s original proposal, so here’s an update on how those fared:
The first was a plan to cut the KC Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit, which would have meant no more helicopter availability for Seattle Police as well as other agencies assisted by the KCSO helicopters. The final budget did NOT include that cut, so the helicopter will stay in service.
Second, the proposal to provide “stable funding” for the King County Water Taxi (West Seattle to downtown and Vashon Island to downtown) stayed in the budget, according to a statement from King County Council chair Joe McDermott, who represents the areas served by the Water Taxi. As we reported in September, the funding will come from a levy that is already in place, originally intended for the Water Taxi, then shifted to buses, now shifted back.
The latestWest Seattle Crime Watch reader reports:
THIEVES STEAL ITEMS FROM STROLLER: From Moon:
Two people stole my wallet in front of my house at around 2:41 pm today, Monday November 14th at 23rd Ave SW.
I was getting ready to go out with my baby. I put the stroller out first and then went inside my house to get the baby since both baby and stroller were so heavy and I couldn’t carry them at the same time and climb the stairs up to the street. I was stupid to leave my bag on the stroller and went inside to get the baby. When I came out, I realized my wallet and a baby blanket were gone! I didn’t expect someone to steal my stuff within seconds. But I should have been more careful.
Thanks to my neighbor. I was able to get the footage of the thieves through their camera. The pictures show that a man and woman walked toward my stroller (out of range of the camera) and they took my blanket and the wallet and walked back. They probably used the blanket to cover the wallet. I’m so frustrated and sad that I can’t even feel safe in front of my house. I can’t believe someone would take my stuff in broad daylight when I went inside the house for a few seconds!!! I feel so frustrated, angry and helpless.
The video is not embeddable/downloadable so we can’t show it here but you can watch it on the Nest website by following this link – at the start, you see the two walking from screen right to left, then offcamera for a while, then just before the one-minute mark, they appear at screen left and walk back the other way, with the stolen blanket clearly in view. If you have any information about them, the Seattle Police case number is 16-412123.
DRIVEWAY CAR PROWL: From Stacy:
My car was broken into (Sunday) night, in our driveway off California, near 42nd & Dakota. Luckily, I keep my car EMPTY so they only got some change and headphones in the center console. (Left the sunglasses but took the sunglasses case). Did not break window, (I may have left it unlocked when running out to car during the Hawks game and was in too much of a hurry to get it locked), but just really surprised at the desperation to break into a car with NOTHING in it. Just goes to show what they will do if they actually see something!
OTHER CAR PROWLS: Katie reports that “multiple cars were rummaged through Saturday night (near) 49th/Dakota. Not much was taken besides some sunglasses and headphones but a good reminder to keep porch lights on to light up the dark streets this timeof year … and don’t leave anything in your car that you’d be sad to lose.”
PUBLIC SAFETY SURVEY REMINDER: You have until month’s end to voice your thoughts about crime, safety, and policing – if you haven’t already, publicsafetysurvey.org is where to do it.
Congratulations to Kim Sharpe Jones and Kendall Jones of the Beer Church for rolling up another big score at one of the holiday season’s first big fun(draisers), last Saturday night’s Turkey Bowl. Their 18th annual sold-out bowling benefit at West Seattle Bowl brought in 1,600 pounds of food and $5,000 for the West Seattle Food Bank, which had a team there too:
Other teams included Furry Faces Foundation:
More than half the participating groups were from breweries or pubs – and many donated fundraising items too:
As mentioned here last week, the event also was the launch party for the Beer Church IPA, raising money for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America‘s Northwest Chapter. Here’s where to look for it in the days/weeks ahead!
Most months, the third Tuesday brings the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, an opportunity to bring neighborhood concerns to local police, to get updates on local crime trends, and to hear from a guest speaker on a crime-related issue. Not this month, though – WSCPC president Richard Miller has canceled tomorrow’s meeting while recovering from an injury. The group doesn’t usually meet in December, so that means the next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, January 17th.
Three years ago, the supportive-housing complex Cottage Grove Commons opened at 5444 Delridge Way SW, housing more than 60 previously homeless people. The Community Advisory Committee set up before it opened has been dormant, but is about to be reconvened, and the complex’s owner/operator, DESC, asked us to share this announcement:
DESC is hosting a meeting of the advisory committee for its Cottage Grove Commons housing program on November 22nd at 6:30 pm for a check-in meeting on how things are going with the program.
The advisory committee met regularly from 2012-14, during the development phase and early operational phase of the program. Since the building opened in late 2013 DESC staff have had involvement with neighborhood groups and events, where they have been able to talk with neighbors about issues or concerns. Additionally, some neighbors have contacted DESC directly from time to time with concerns. Bringing the advisory group back together will allow for a discussion about how things have been going and what adjustments may be recommended.
The meeting will take place at Cottage Grove Commons at 5444 Delridge Way SW at 6:30 pm on November 22nd. Neighbors are welcome to attend as well.
(WSB photo, Sunday night)
5:37 PM: New information today about how police tracked down the 29-year-old burglary suspect arrested at Hiawatha Playfield last night (WSB coverage here). He remains in jail, bail set at $10,000 during a hearing this afternoon. And probable-cause documents say an alert neighbor is to thank for helping track him down.
We reported last night that the burglary was in the Alki area; it actually happened near Me-Kwa-Mooks Park. The residents told police they were only away for about 20 minutes when someone broke in around 3 pm, stealing jewelry and two rifles. A neighbor gave police a description of the car, including its Oregon license plate, which was quickly traced to a rental company. Just after 5 pm, the neighbor called 911 to say the car was back at the house. While headed there, police saw it at Admiral and California, then in the Starbucks parking lot, where the driver jumped out and ran south.
As we reported last night, a wide-ranging containment/search operation ensued. Then around quarter past six, a resident called 911 to report someone was hiding in his yard. An officer spotted the suspect walking east on SW Lander shortly afterward; a foot chase ensued, and then the suspect “got into the prone position near the playfields,” at which time he was taken into custody.
His last known address was in Federal Way, according to the police report, but the narrative says he took police to “where he stored the stolen guns” – three guns were recovered at an address near 2nd SW and SW 122nd in North Burien. The suspect is due back in court Wednesday, by which time charges could be filed.
1:53 AM: The suspect is out of jail after posting bond.
One of the last major components of the three-month-long surface Spokane Street paving project, east of the low bridge, is now planned for Thursday. Crews had been trying to get it done on recent weekends but the weather just didn’t cooperate. With dry weather forecast, here’s what the contractor hopes to do on Thursday:
· AREA 1 (Eastbound and westbound Spokane Street through lanes) and AREA 2 (Spokane Place) will be paved during the day – starting after 9 am;
· AREA 3 (Gate 1 to Terminal 18) will be paved after the gate closes – starting after 6 pm; and
· AREA 4 (Ramps from southbound 99 and westbound Spokane Street Viaduct) and AREA 5 (Lower Spokane Street) will be paved after 6 pm.
NOTE: THERE WILL BE TRAFFIC IMPACTS AND DETOURS DURING THE PAVING WORK. HOWEVER, GATE 1 ACCESS TO TERMINAL 18 WILL REMAIN DURING NORMAL HOURS OF PORT OPERATIONS AND ACCESS TO BUSINESSES AND FUELING OPERATIONS WILL BE PRIORITIZED AND MAINTAINED.
2:05 PM: It began with the preannounced 1:30 walkout – which we’ve been covering on Twitter – then two gatherings on the south side of Thistle, and now hundreds of students who left school in a pre-announced protest of last week’s election results have marched east on Thistle toward Delridge, with police ahead and behind them.
March heading east on Thistle pic.twitter.com/Tr1Vt1cNQB
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) November 14, 2016
2:08 PM: They headed southbound on Delridge, and now have turned west onto Trenton, according to WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand, who is walking alongside the crowd.
2:22 PM: Still westbound on Trenton, past Westwood Village.
(added) The signs below represent the biggest concern we heard from talking to groups of students in the crowd – that immigrant relatives and friends would be forced to leave the country.
We’re also hearing scattered reports of protesters in other parts of West Seattle – a group south of Admiral, a group near Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in North Delridge.
2:34 PM This had wrapped up with students returning to the Sealth/Denny campus. Denny is now out for the day; Sealth’s final bell is 3:15 pm. And yes, that’s a TV helicopter, though there’s not much to see.
2:55 PM: Thanks to those who forwarded a note sent to Madison families saying about 50 walked out. A group walked out at Pathfinder K-8 too (thanks to Lisa for the note). And Justin tweeted this from Jefferson Square:
@westseattleblog West Seattle High School student having another Walk Out protesting Trump. pic.twitter.com/4hMsQVVlxE
— Justin Rush (@justin_devs) November 14, 2016
As far as we know, all the walkouts/protests in West Seattle are over now.
4:23 PM: More photos added inline above.
4:40 PM: We just checked with Seattle Public Schools spokesperson Luke Duecy regarding district policy for today’s walkouts. As was the case with last week’s West Seattle HS walkout, he says, “When a student leaves school without permission, the district considers that an unexcused absence. Students may not get the chance to make-up work missed. That decision on whether to allow a student to make-up work is up to an individual schools’ principal.” The district estimates that 5,000 students in all walked out of 20 middle and high schools, including Sealth and Denny, today. Also:
Seattle Public Schools is steadfast in our support for all students. While the protests are not sanctioned by the district, SPS students do have the right to peacefully demonstrate and express their personal views.
Any time a student leaves school without permission the district considers it an unexcused absence.
Staff are not taking part in the student-organized demonstrations. Some staff could observe students during their protest for safety and security reasons.
As a district we are responding to the requests and needs of our community and many schools are developing lessons and activities to have appropriate, post-election conversations in school buildings.
Regarding staff “observ(ation),” we saw both Sealth principal Aida Fraser-Hammer and Denny principal Jeff Clark on the sidewalk along Thistle, as well as assistant principals and at least one school security official who was telling students from the start of the walkout that they had to do it off school property (unlike some smaller demonstrations we covered earlier in the year which happened on the plaza by Sealth’s entrance).
The photo and report are from Alex:
Maybe not news but first time I’ve seen them, two jostling for space just upstream of fishbone bridge if you walk into the woods a little, just now!
Woo hoo, said our toddler!
The bridge is a bit north of Dragonfly Pavilion.
Another pre-holiday helping opportunity:
Do you have a couple hours Thursday, November 17 (12:30 – 3:00)? The White Center Food Bank will be doing one of our holiday food distributions and we’re short about 10 people. For questions or to volunteer, please contact Audrey Zemke at audrey@whitecenterfoodbank.org or 206-717-2531.
The WC Food Bank, by the way, serves part of West Seattle (south of Myrtle) as well as WC and vicinity.
A Good Samaritan just saved somebody’s life northwest of The Junction. Kelly texted the photo, explaining:
I was just driving down 44th near Andover and found a man face down all by himself, nobody around, I called 911, they had me roll (him) over and do chest compressions until the medics got here. …Doesn’t seem to be anybody who knows him in the neighborhood, he looks like he’s in maybe late 60s.
The medics have just taken the man to Harborview Medical Center. Kelly says he did not have a wallet or ID on him but did have cash and an iPhone. If you are looking for someone who might be this man, we would advise calling 911 to start with.
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and newly launched West Seattle Holiday Guide:
STUDENT WALKOUT: Multiple schools around the city plan a student walkout at 1:30 pm today. Locally, Chief Sealth International High School is the only local school announced as participating, as reported here on Friday night. A citywide announcement this morning says Garfield, Nova, Franklin, the Center School, and UW are also participating. A 2:30 pm rally at Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill is planned as a followup, and then a 4:15 pm rally at Westlake Park downtown.
PHYSICAL THERAPY NIGHT: 5:30 pm at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), a free one-to-one injury assessment with Biojunction Sports Therapy. (2743 California SW)
NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 6:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, NDNC’s Michael Taylor-Judd says, “we will be discussing long term plans for the Council and a number of other groups and issues affecting our neighborhood.” All welcome. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
FAMILY STORY TIME: 6:30 pm, stories, songs, rhymes, and more at High Point Library, for children of all ages. (35th SW/SW Raymond)
QUIZ NIGHT: 7:30 pm at The Skylark, free, all ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
DADS’ BOOK CLUB: Second weekly meeting for this new group, 8:30 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club. Here’s how to get involved. (12th SW/SW Holden)
(Photo by Gary Jones – orcas seen from Alki Point area)
8:41 AM: Thanks for the tips – orcas are reported to be in the area again today. The person who called said they’re closer to the Vashon/Blake side, across from Fauntleroy; Jason points us to an Orca Network sighting thread with reports that they’re spread out and not necessarily heading in one direction. So if you’re on-peninsula and interested, take your binoculars over to the west-facing shore and have a look! (They were seen Sunday morning in Elliott Bay, as reported here, but the weather was a little murky for optimal viewing.)
9:06 AM: Thanks to Donna Sandstrom from The Whale Trail for this update – it’s a large group and they’re heading north, visible from the Alki area currently.
9:24 AM: Just got a report that a ferry going between Bremerton and Seattle has stopped so the orcas can pass!
9:36 AM: Just added (the top) photo from Gary Jones in the Alki Point area. Meantime, our texter says the ferry is moving again. (206-293-6302 any time, text or voice, that’s our breaking-news hotline, and whale sightings are always news!)
11:31 AM: Gary sent more photos that we’ve added to this story, including one showing the Bremerton ferry riders (aboard M/V Walla Walla) whale-watching as mentioned.
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