West Seattle, Washington
17 Wednesday
Announced via a Facebook event page, a demonstration at noon Saturday in The Junction, titled “Black Lives Matter: Silent march for youths and friends.” The link was e-mailed to us overnight; the times on the responses indicate it was announced sometime before 3:15 pm yesterday. Local volunteer and entrepreneur Lashanna Williams writes in the invitation:
Together we show that this has to stop, and we are the agents of change. We are. Our children are. We ARE agents of change.
Don’t wait for someone to change it…. Let’s do it.
Saturday at noon together, we will walk around the festival carrying the names of the black lives lost to police violence this year. Together we will hold space for the lives taken, we can create space for change, meaningful change.
My son, danté and my daughter, coco, will be just outside Easy Street Records at 12:00. They will help to lead silent peaceful protest line through the festival.
Kids, please bring your parents. Parents, please bring your kids and walk.
I know an hour doesn’t right all the wrongs, but it is a way to express our anger and sadness with our children, formulate thoughts with other adults, and just share space with others who are just DONE.
Peaceful image on a turbulent night. Thanks to Mark Rhea for the photo taken Wednesday at Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook on Beach Drive.
Thanks to the tipsters who let us know about a Highland Park/South Delridge arrest on Wednesday – a suspected burglar with a long record. The arrest followed 911 calls from multiple neighbors who reported a woman allegedly going through their area trying doors and windows. The 26-year-old suspect had a bail hearing today, and we obtained the probable-cause documents, which say SPD received “several 911 calls” about “a female trying to break into houses.” The addresses listed are in the 8600 and 8800 blocks of 17th SW and the 8800 block of 18th SW; the documents say that neighbors interrupted her at two of those addresses, and that the homeowner confronted her at the other. Police then found her at 18th SW and SW Thistle and discovered she had two arrest warrants, for theft and trespassing. The probable-cause document also says that stolen mail was found, from a residence in the 8100 block of 18th SW, and describe her as a “known burglar and auto thief (and) known drug user.” Online court files show she has at least three felony convictions in King County, all of which appear to have resulted in plea bargains; documents in this case say her “last known address” – a term that could mean current home, or not – was in White Center. She’s in the King County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bail – $10,000 for the current case, $5,000 for the two warrants; the jail register also shows that this is her sixth booking there this year. She is due back in court on Monday, by which time charges could be filed.
7:09 PM: One hour into West Seattle Summer Fest Eve, the rain is lifting and people are out in the street in The Junction, as festival setup gets going.
Remember that California SW is blocked off between Edmunds and just south of Genesee, except for east-west traffic on Oregon, and Alaska is blocked off between 44th and 42nd:
It’s also, as mentioned earlier, West Seattle Art Walk night – come on down and join the party!
7:29 PM: Listen to musicians from Jazz Night School, playing outside West 5 again this Summer Fest Eve:
Here’s our earlier preview with info on what’s happening tonight.
7:50 PM: More music – as part of tonight’s Art Walk slate @ CAPERS (WSB sponsor):
Also at CAPERS, artist Genna Draper:
See the full venue list for tonight’s Art Walk here.
9:04 PM: A bit of the Jazz Night School Big Band (which we also streamed for a while via Periscope):
Jazz Night School Big Band @ @Westfive as Summer Fest Eve continues…. pic.twitter.com/SixVQXWSJZ
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) July 8, 2016
(More photos later.) West Seattle Summer Fest officially begins at 10 am Friday; see you there.
This summer, West Seattle has more free outdoor music than ever:
*The big West Seattle Summer Fest main-stage lineup this Friday-Saturday-Sunday
*GreenLife at Summer Fest includes music on the Garden Stage
*Music Under the Stars classical concerts at Delridge CC continue the next three Mondays
*West Seattle Big Band‘s Concert in the Park at Hiawatha on July 19th
*Six Thursday-night Summer Concerts at Hiawatha, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, starting July 21st
*Live music at the Alki Art Fair, July 23-24 at the beach
And now, we’ve just received the lineup for Providence Mount St. Vincent‘s four-Friday series!
(WSB file photo, overlooking concert zone on south side of The Mount’s campus)
Bring your family and join in on the fun on The Mount’s south patio. Food and beverages available for purchase. Free popcorn and snow cones. Face painter available free of charge. Come early and get a good spot. Special Note: Please bring your own lawn chairs or blankets as there is a limited number of chairs available for guests.
Dinner: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Live music: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pmAugust 5
Cherry Cherry (Neil Diamond Tribute Band)
Featured Entrée: Grilled Salmon Caesar Salad with Toasted Focaccia
Special Dessert: Outrageous Cherry-Cherry BarsAugust 12
The Haggis Brothers (“Celtic, country and other foot-stompin’ fun tunes”)
Featured Entrée: BBQ Pork on a Ciabatta Roll with Spicy Slaw
Special Dessert: Carmel Apple Bread PuddingAugust 19
The 85th Street Big Band (“swing favorites from the ’30s, ’40s, & ’50s”)
Featured Entrée: Kalbi Ribs with Soba Salad
Special Dessert: Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese IcingAugust 26
Danny Vernon as “The Illusion of Elvis”
Featured Entrée: Skirt Steak with Grape Tomatoes, Roasted Peppers, Crumbled Blue Cheese and Grilled Corn with an Herb Vinaigrette
Special Dessert: Mini Peach Pies with Streusel ToppingIn addition, all dinners offer grilled hamburgers, veggie black bean burgers, hot dogs.
The Mount is at 4831 35th SW.
The 29-year-old man arrested for allegedly firing a semi-automatic rifle into the air at his North Delridge apartment on the 4th of July is now charged. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has just filed one count of first-degree unlawful firearm possession against 
Tony Samoun. Charging documents lay out the same allegations as the probable-cause documents from which we wrote yesterday’s bail-hearing report – that police were in the area, heard suspected gunshots, learned 911 calls had come in, and found witnesses near 25th/Dakota, leading them eventually to Samoun, who is described as having confessed to shooting into the air as part of an Independence Day celebration. The charging documents contain a little more information about the gun that both police and prosecutors called an “assault rifle” – it is described as a “Romar AK-47 … 7.62 caliber semi-automatic rifle,” found “unloaded, without a magazine in it,” behind a washing machine in the apartment, where police found “sixteen fired 7.62 casings” in the front yard. Its serial number is listed in the report but there’s nothing further about its origin.
Samoun’s bail remains at $50,000, the amount set yesterday. The charging papers say he has 15 prior convictions between 1999 and 2011, most of them property crimes. The photo above is from 2010, the newest one on file at the state Department of Corrections.
Two quick West Seattle Crime Watch notes:
CAR PROWLERS INTERRUPTED: Michael reports this happened early Tuesday near 47th SW and SW Oregon, west of The Junction: “Just an FYI, at 4:30 am I caught 4-6 teenagers (all girls, one boy with a “cowboy” type hat), probably 14-16 years old, trying to open all the cars on my street. Turns out mine was unlocked, so I caught them in the act and called cops. They were walking down 47th and Oregon, southbound. Not sure if cops caught them but they continued to try handles down the next 2 blocks.”
FOUND BICYCLE: From Dina:
We just found this bike [Wednesday], black with red lettering, propped up against our wall near 13th Ave. & Henderson SW. No idea who left it or why, but maybe it was stolen – someone might recognize it. It has a flat rear tire. I’ve blurred the text on the lower bar – the owner should be able to identify that text.
Think it’s yours? Let us know. Meantime, another CW report is in the works for later today (awaiting court information).
Another West Seattle Summer Fest preview, with hours to go until the streets close at 6 pm – the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s festival plans center on its “We Love The Junction” campaign – get your button, take a walking tour, be part of a group photo, share your thoughts …
The Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s “We Love The Junction” Task Force plans a variety of activities during West Seattle Summer Fest that will invite attendees to support the preservation of key buildings in The West Seattle Junction.
The headquarters for these activities will be the Southwest Seattle Historical Society booth, next to the Easy Street Records booth, just north of the main Junction intersection of California Avenue SW and SW Alaska Street.
The activities are part of the yearlong campaign of the “We Love The Junction” Task Force to support the historical society’s effort to secure city landmark status for the Campbell Building (main tenant Cupcake Royale) and the Hamm Building (main tenant Easy Street Records).
On Saturday and Sunday, July 9 and 10, the task force will stage 360-degree group photos at noon, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm and 5 pm at the California/Alaska intersection just north of the festival’s main information booth.
The photos will feature a “We Love The Junction” banner in the foreground and include the Campbell Building and Hamm Building. Everyone is encouraged to come and pose in one or more of these unique photos, which will be posted immediately on social media.
Free “We Love The Junction” walking tours of The Junction also will be offered during Summer Fest. Here are the tour topics, times and leaders:
“The ABCs of the West Seattle Junction Historical Survey,” 12:15-1:15 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, leader Deb Barker, who served on the survey’s steering committee.
“If These Buildings Could Talk: Stores of the Past,” 2:15-3:15 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, leaders Peder Nelson, vice-president of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society board.
“The Art of History: The Murals of West Seattle,” 3:15-4:15 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, leader Clay Eals, executive director, Southwest Seattle Historical Society.
In addition, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society booth will feature a “We Love The Junction” chalkboard, on which visitors can write their reasons for their attachment to West Seattle’s shopping hub. The answers will be photographed and posted online.
“We Love The Junction” buttons will be for sale at the booth for a $1 donation. Brochures explaining the campaign will be available, and people will be invited to sign the campaign’s statement of support.
Also, the booth will feature the popular “Guess the Number of Lincoln Logs” contest, and $100 Golden Tickets for a chance at winning a Holland America “Choose Your Cruise” will be on sale.
This summer, the historical society plans to submit landmark nominations for the Campbell and Hamm buildings prepared by a consultant funded by a 4Culture grant.
Scroll through our other festival previews in this WSB archive.
(Photo by Zack Malson)
Yes, rain’s possible on this VERY busy West Seattle Thursday, but you’re local – you know not to let that get in the way of a good time.
SUMMER FEST EVE: The streets in The Junction close at 6 pm for West Seattle Summer Fest setup, rain or shine, and that means the Summer Fest Eve fun begins. It’s also West Seattle Art Walk night, usually on the second Thursday, but on the first one this month to coincide with Summer Fest Eve. Entertainment is planned at West 5 – the big band and jazz quartet from Jazz Night School – and at Elliott Bay Brewing (planning a band and kids’ entertainment, plus a benefit beer release). We’re checking on “what if it really does rain?” backup plans and will update, so check back here later. (UPDATE – The venues have tents on standby!)
Now, here’s the map/venue list for tonight’s Art Walk, 6-9 pm:
Among the participating businesses are four WSB sponsors:
*Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW), featuring “Abstract Cityscapes” by Melanie Biehle
*CAPERS Home (4525 California SW), featuring florals by Genna Draper, ceramics by Beth Farrow, and harp music by White M.O.T.H.
*Wallflower Custom Framing (4735 42nd SW), with photography by Troy Sass
*Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW), paintings by Laura Beso and the winery’s new summer releases
MURAL TOURS, TOO: Also during tonight’s Art Walk, meet at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (4410 California SW; WSB sponsor) at 6 and 7:30 pm for tours of The Junction’s historic murals.
Also happening today/tonight:
LUNCH AT THE LIBRARY: It’s the Kids’ Café! No need to bring proof of income or other documentation – kids and teens can get free lunch 12:30-1:30 pm today (and Tuesdays-Wednesdays-Thursdays through Sept. 1) at Delridge Library. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
DELRIDGE GROCERY CO-OP FARMSTAND: 4-7 pm next to the Delridge P-Patch, fresh produce for sale (also look for Delridge Grocery volunteers with a “mini-farmstand” at West Seattle Summer Fest on Friday and Saturday). Today’s fresh list includes apricots, peaches, blackberries, black raspberries, blueberries, sugar snap peas, kale, lettuce, basil, zucchini, baby beets, Walla Walla onions, scallions, green cabbage, purple potatoes. (Delridge Way/Puget Boulevard)
(added, per comment reminder) FIND IT, FIX IT WALK PLANNING: If you live, work, and/or otherwise have an interest in the Roxhill-Westwood area, you’re invited to help plan the Find It, Fix It Community Walk that’s set for July 25th. First planning meeting is tonight – just show up! 6:30 pm, Southwest Library. (35th SW/SW Henderson)
LIVE, LATE NIGHT: 9 pm, DLO3 is live with “vintage soul” at Parliament Tavern in The Admiral District. No cover. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
Last Friday, our first-ever bonus weekly e-mail-exclusive edition of WSB EXTRA debuted. As explained in our announcement last month, it’s *NOT* a recap or digest or list of story links – not a substitute for coming here to see what’s going on – but rather, something extra, quick infobits we find or receive that don’t turn into stories, as well as “comment of the week,” some “behind the scenes.” some “did you know” … If you’re not already signed up, we’re extending the invitation again – go here to subscribe. We’re sending it on Fridays – aiming to have it out by early afternoon most of the time (edition #1 was later because of a busy news day).
Rowing fans! You’re invited to watch and cheer as the Duwamish Rowing Club hosts its first-ever regatta on the Duwamish River, 8 am-noon on Saturday (July 9th). Mike Merta from DRC says:
The DRC Ospreys Youth and Adult crews will be competing against Lake Stevens Rowing Club and Renton Rowing Club. Bring a blanket and some snacks and plan for a morning picnic while watching the races. We will have some music playing in the park and there will be someone calling the races.
16 match-style races are planned. Best vantage points are along the shore in South Park, where DRC is based – Duwamish Waterway Park (7900 10th Ave. S.; map) or the finish line at the street-end park at 12th S. and Elmgrove (map).
P.S. See this comment for the course map.
(West Seattle Hi-Yu in Monday’s Burien 4th of July Parade – photo by Murray’s Photography)
Summer is the busiest time for West Seattle Hi-Yu – an all-volunteer organization – and that includes participation in West Seattle Summer Fest, where you can see this year’s traveling parade float (“Around West Seattle”) and more. From Hi-Yu’s Gloria Teves:
July is a busy month for West Seattle Hi-Yu with parades (Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade and Burien on the 4th, the West Seattle Grand Parade, Des Moines, Chinatown, Greenwood, and of course the Seafair Torchlight Parade!), participating in West Seattle Summer Fest and attending the West Seattle Big Band Concert in the Park at Hiawatha on July 19th. Hi-Yu is the last volunteer organization in Seattle that builds a traditional parade float that includes royalty and participates in a number of area parades.
These activities, and others, wouldn’t be possible without dedicated volunteers. Through the years, Hi-Yu has benefitted from the guidance of two of its most dedicated volunteers, Jay and Joanne Murray. At the end of September, the Murrays will be retiring from their many years of service to Hi Yu. Stop by the Hi-Yu booth during Summer Fest to say hello and wish Jay and Joanne well as they begin their travels this fall.
On Friday, July 8, Hi-Yu’s 2015 Senior Court Queen and current Seafair Princess Kelly Jean Crum will be at the booth to answer questions about Hi Yu and how it’s associated with the Seafair Foundation for Women scholarship program. Other past Senior Court Queens may be available throughout the weekend to answer similar questions.
On Saturday (July 9th) at 11:30, Haley Beebe will be crowned the 2016 Senior Court Queen on the California Stage at the north end of the festival). After the coronation, come meet the new queen, as well as the 2016 Junior Court, at the Hi-Yu booth. While at the booth, you can take pictures on the float (we’ll have a sash and crown available for you to wear during your pictures (using your own device), and learn more about Hi-Yu and how you can get involved. Hi Yu’s booth will be on Alaska Street between California and 42nd SW. There is no cost for taking pictures on the float but donations are greatly appreciated.
2016-2017 will bring big changes to Hi-Yu as it moves forward as an organization. There is a chance that this could be the final year of Hi-Yu if we don’t see an increase in involvement. We need (and welcome!) your input. If you can’t make it to Summer Fest, please feel free to send Jay and Joanne a note to thank them for their service, or inquire about how you can help Hi-Yu. You can reach Hi Yu by email at: info@westseattlehiyu.com or via the Hi-Yu Facebook page.
You are also welcome to join us at our regular meetings. In July, we meet each Monday at 7:00 pm at Admiral Congregational Church, 4320 SW Hill.
(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)
6:07 AM: Good morning and welcome to Thursday. It’s the eve of West Seattle Summer Fest, with the roads closing tonight both for festival setup and for pre-festival fun. Here’s what you need to know:
STREETS CLOSE @ 6 PM: That’s California Avenue SW between SW Edmunds and SW Genesee (with SW Oregon remaining open to east/west traffic), and SW Alaska between 42nd and 44th.
BUS REROUTES START @ 5 PM: That’s according to the reroute plans linked from the Metro “alerts and updates” page, which will be in effect until post-festival breakdown/cleanup wraps up late Sunday night:
C Line – here
Route 22 – here
Route 37 – here
Route 50 – here
Route 55 – here
Route 57 – here
Route 128 – here
Route 773 Water Taxi Shuttle – here
8:46 AM: We’ve had two reports about this hazard to bicycle riders:
Many small (1′ diameter) piles of broken glass have appeared next to the fog line on both sides of the street on Beach Drive, from one end to the other.
The glass is exactly where cyclists would normally ride, so you’ll need to ride out in the roadway to avoid flats. Be careful out there. -JH
As we’ve told both people who reported it, if you see something of danger in the right of way, to anyone – riders, walkers, drivers – please report it ASAP to SDOT so they can investigate/clean it up. Their 24-hour dispatch is 206-386-1218.
Wednesday night’s sunset was about the clouds more than the color:
That was JayDee‘s view from Upper Alki. Below, from James Bratsanos in southwest West Seattle:
And from Bill Schrier via Twitter:
Fascinating sunset sky in West Seattle USA tonight. @westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/eRtnkulcYm
— Bill Schrier (@billschrier) July 7, 2016
Thanks to all who shared photos!
9:52 PM: West Seattle’s most-asked-about restaurant-in-progress has set an opening date. During an event at Shadowland tonight, as dumplings were circulated, we heard from a reliable source that its sibling establishment Dumplings of Fury – just across the California/Oregon intersection – expects to open on Wednesday, July 20th. Looking for confirmation, we see the date announcement was tucked away in this online corner.
ADDED THURSDAY MORNING: Phone photo of aforementioned dumplings:
As we continue previewing West Seattle Summer Fest, we have word another tradition continues this year. The announcement and photo are from West Seattle Quilters:
For the 11th year in a row, the West Seattle Quilters have created their raffle quilt to benefit the West Seattle Senior Center. The 2016 queen-sized quilt, titled “Star Dusk,” features a star pattern in quiet grays and blues, with red accents.
Raffle tickets for the quilt are $1 each, and all the money goes directly to the West Seattle Senior Center. Ticket sales begin July 8 at the West Seattle Summer Fest (look for us outside the Stop and Shop). After the festival, tickets will be available at the Senior Center at the reception desk. The drawing will be held October 28, 2016, during Rainbow Bingo at the Senior Center.
Quilters work together on the raffle quilt beginning with pattern selection in February and working through June to complete it. Last year’s raffle quilt raised $2,000 for the West Seattle Senior Center.
West Seattle Quilters meet at the Senior Center on the first and third Mondays of the month at 7pm to share quilting ideas and projects. Quilters of all ages are welcome!
Stop and Shop is on the lower level of the Sisson Building, headquarters to the Senior Center, on the southeast corner of California/Oregon, near the north end of the festival zone.
As promised, we followed up today on the case of the man arrested in North Delridge for allegedly firing what police described as an “assault rifle” on the 4th of July. We just obtained probable-cause documents from this afternoon’s bail hearing for the 29-year-old suspect, whose bail was set at $50,000.
The documents say he is a resident of the apartment in the 4100 block of 25th SW where witnesses say they saw him “shooting a long gun into the air,” an officer wrote in the report. As mentioned in yesterday’s SPD Blotter report, the shots were first heard by officers who were behind the DSHS building in the 4000 block of Delridge at the time, around 11:20 pm on the 4th, describing what they heard as “6-8 rapid-fire gunshots.” They were advised via radio that 911 calls had come in, too. When they got to the building, one officer “took up a position” behind it, their partner did the same in front, and the officer in the rear saw the suspect leaving the building shortly thereafter, “holding a long gun in his right hand.” The officer ordered him to put it down, but the suspect “ignored (the) orders and instead turned and ran back inside the building while still carrying the 
long gun.” Several minutes and repeated “orders” later, the officer writes, the suspect and nine other people left the apartment; police got a relative of the building’s owner to give consent to a search, and inside, they say, the found “an AK-47” (SPD photo at left), subsequently finding “16 spent 7.62mm casings (which they) photographed and collected” from the front yard. The report adds that the suspect “admitted to firing the weapon … stating that he fired off some celebratory rounds into the air while some fireworks were set off.” They then discovered, checking his record, that he had multiple felony convictions.
The report does not say anything about the gun and its ownership beyond the “AK-47” and “long gun” description. That information might be part of charging documents, which prosecutors could file as soon as tomorrow, before the suspect is due back in court. Online court files indicate he also lived at the 25th SW address at the time of his most recent felony conviction, a drug case dating back to the fall of 2007.
(UPDATED 5:18 PM with Metro’s Summer Fest reroutes, just posted)
4:24 PM: It’s the day before the night before West Seattle Summer Fest – and we have more updates on what’s happening Thursday night (Summer Fest Eve) as well as Friday-Saturday-Sunday for the festival itself:
SUMMER FEST EVE AT WEST 5: One of the original presenters of Summer Fest Eve entertainment in the street is West 5 (4539 California SW), and we just got the lineup from proprietor Dave Montoure – musicians from the Jazz Night School will be back for a second year, their Big Band and a jazz quartet.
PET JUNCTION ADDED: One more Summer Fest feature has just been added to the lineup – look for Pet Junction on the sidewalk by Next to Nature (4543 California SW).
SIDEWALK SALES: When you’re going through the Summer Fest vendor list, take note of the year-round Junction merchants who are listed too – Summer Fest has its roots in what was an annual mega-sidewalk sale, and the tradition continues for many stores.
WHERE TO FIND THE FARMERS’ MARKET ON SUNDAY: This is the second Summer Fest since the Farmers’ Market moved into the street, so maybe fewer people will be confused this year – the market DOES happen on Summer Fest Sunday, 10 am-2 pm as always (although the festival itself doesn’t start up until 11 am on Sunday), but just for that day, you’ll find it in its “old” location, the lot behind KeyBank, 44th/Alaska.
West Seattle Summer Fest’s official hours are 10 am-6 pm Friday and Saturday, 11 am-5 pm Sunday; music runs longer on Friday-Saturday (see the California Stage schedule here). Find festival info here; we’ll continue with previews through tomorrow – scroll through this WSB archive for our earlier previews – and with coverage from The Junction starting tomorrow night, throughout the weekend!
ADDED 5:18 PM: Metro has finally posted reroute information for Summer Fest, Thursday night through Sunday night. Find it here.
2:56 PM: Police are checking out a report of an “agitated” man near Delridge and Barton, carrying something that looks like a pole or a machete, and since the Guardian One helicopter wasn’t far away, its crew volunteered to come take a look too. This might not turn out to be much of anything but since the helicopter will immediately attract a lot of attention, we’re mentioning it and will be monitoring.
3:00 PM: Police are reported to have made contact with the man.
3:07 PM: Our ground crew verified police were talking with that man (photo above), though we don’t know what the item he was reportedly carrying turned out to be. Meantime, the helicopter has since moved a short distance to check out the 9000 block of 17th SW, where police tell us there was a report of a possible prowler in back yards.
(UPDATED 3:49 PM to clarify that the average bill will go up $1 – your bill may vary)
(Seattle City Light image: Gorge Dam)
The average electricity bill is going up about a dollar starting next month. Seattle City Light‘s announcement explains the surcharge it’s about to add, and might be keeping for a few years. In short – blame it on the weather:
Low revenue from the surplus energy Seattle City Light sells to other utilities has triggered a 1.5 percent surcharge on electricity rates, starting in August.
City Light generates power at its hydroelectric projects. When the utility has more electricity than its customers need, it sells that power to other utilities and uses the money to keep prices low for its retail customers. For 2016, City Light anticipated $60 million in revenue from such wholesale energy sales, but the utility is on track to earn only about $43.5 million as a result of warm spring weather at a time of low prices on the wholesale energy market. The warm weather melted mountain snow earlier than is typical, which meant City Light’s hydroelectric projects were producing surplus energy at a time of lower demand and lower prices than the utility might have seen in June or July.
To make up the difference between what was expected in the budget and actual revenue, City Light draws from a rate stabilization account created in 2010 to offset the volatility that comes with generating and selling hydropower. If the amount in the account dips to $90 million or below, a 1.5 percent surcharge is automatically applied to every customer’s bill until the account is refilled to $100 million.
The rate stabilization account had $89.1 million in it June 30, which triggers a surcharge that will be applied to customer bills, starting in August. The surcharge will add $1 to the typical residential customer bill every month. This is the first time an automatic surcharge has been triggered since the rate stabilization account was created.
Based on current financial forecasts, City Light projects that the surcharge could stay in place into 2019. Should the rate stabilization account’s balance fall to $80 million or below, the surcharge would automatically increase to 3 percent.
Once the account balance is refilled to $100 million, the surcharge is automatically removed. If strong surplus energy sales ever push the rate stabilization account’s balance to more than $125 million, the City Council can choose to reduce rates, have City Light pay down existing debt or direct the utility to pay for capital expenses with cash instead of borrowing money.
(WSB file photo of Terminal 5)
If you have something to say about the proposed “modernization” project at West Seattle’s Terminal 5 – especially something you hope the project will include, in response to environmental factors including traffic, noise, water quality, air quality – you’re running out of time to say it during this round of planning. You might recall that the comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement was extended, by community request, after last month’s public hearings; the new deadline is just two days away – 4 pm Friday, July 8th. Information that might help:
Official Port links:
The “online public meeting”
Volume 1 of the Draft EIS document (13 MB PDF)
Volume 2 of the Draft EIS document (65 MB PDF)
Other links of potential interest:
WSB coverage of the first community meeting on June 5th
WSB coverage of the second community meeting on June 9th
WSB coverage of T-5 discussion at West Seattle Transportation Coalition in May
WSB coverage of official DEIS release announcement in May
Neighbors’ concerns/petition
So, you know what you want to say, but want to know how to say it? Here’s how to comment, from the Port website:
The comment period will end at 4 p.m., July 8. Comments can be submitted online at t5eis.publicmeeting.info and via email at SEPA.p@portseattle.org.
Written comments can be mailed to:
Paul Meyer (Email: meyer.p@portseattle.org)
Environmental Services
Port of Seattle
P.O. Box 1209
Seattle, WA 98111
(It’s ‘Woodpecker Wednesday,’ per Mark Wangerin, who photographed this female downy woodpecker)
LAST OF THE SUMMER’S LOW-LOW TIDES: 12:50 pm today brings the last lower-than-minus-two-feet low-low tide of the summer, -2.2 feet. And it’s the Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists’ last day until mid-July; they’re scheduled to be out at Constellation and Lincoln Parks, 11 am-3 pm.
LUNCH AT THE LIBRARY: No proof of income or other documentation required – kids and teens can get free lunch 12:30-1:30 pm today (and Tuesdays-Wednesdays-Thursdays through Sept. 1) at Delridge Library. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
PLAY GAMES FROM AROUND THE WORLD: 3-4 pm at Southwest Library, geared toward K-5-aged kids. (35th SW/SW Henderson)
2ND HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN FARM STAND: 4-7 pm, buy fresh West Seattle-grown vegetables and flowers, steps from where they were picked! For an idea of what’s sold and for how much, see our report from last Wednesday’s season-opener. (32nd SW/SW Juneau)
SOMALI STORYTIME: 5-5:30 pm at the High Point Library, it’s story time in Somali. All welcome. (35th SW/SW Raymond)
BALLOT MEASURES @ SWDC: 6:30 pm at the Sisson Building/Senior Center, the Southwest District Council meets, with the agenda including the August 2nd election’s two Seattle ballot measures – Prop 1, the Housing Levy, and I-123, the elevated waterfront park. Here’s our preview from last night. All welcome. (California SW/SW Oregon)
LOTS OF NIGHTLIFE: Music, trivia, more – see the listings on our complete calendar!
(Photo from 1st ‘STP’ ride in 2013, courtesy West Seattle Bike Connections)
Going to West Seattle Summer Fest on Sunday? Here’s a memorable way to get there: For the fourth year, West Seattle Bike Connections invites you to join its “Mini-STP” ride, which travels (mostly on) California Avenue SW from Seattle (Street, in North Admiral) to Portland (Street, in Gatewood) and then backtracks to the festival. In case you haven’t seen it yet in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s the invite:
Have you ever wanted to do the Seattle to Portland bike ride? And never trained for it, or forgot to sign up? Here is your chance to do it in 2 hours and end up at a huge finish line party, without leaving West Seattle!
Sunday, July 10
9:15 am start
Hamilton Viewpoint ParkWest Seattle Bike Connections will be riding again from SW Seattle Street to SW Portland St … and back north to Summer Fest at the West Seattle Junction, for a fabulous finish-line party. After an hour or two there, participants can ride home independently, or ride with a leader back to Hamilton Viewpoint.
Easy pace. Family friendly! For children riding their own bikes: parent or guardian please read and conform to Cascade‘s policy and call ride leader at least a day in advance.
Find even more info, including a route map, on WSBC’s website.
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