West Seattle, Washington
03 Friday
(File photo)
Illegal dumping is a big problem – our check of WSB archives underscores that, turning up a pile of reports. Just how big? District 1 City Councilmember Lisa Herbold has stats in her latest e-mail update, sent this morning – and reveals that Seattle Public Utilities has a new approach for handling the problem:
Since 2014, the number of illegal dumping service requests to SPU has jumped from about 5,000 to an astonishing 11,500 in 2015. As a result, unfortunately, the average response time went from 21 days to 28 days. To address this SPU decided they needed to find a way to both 1. Reduce the current service request backlog and 2. Improve future response times.
In order to do that, last week SPU assigned temporary staff to consolidate the backlog of service requests. As of February 18th they had 100% of the backlogged requests reviewed and found that approximately 25% were duplicate requests. This clearly demonstrated a need to address the issue of illegal dumping differently. In other words, SPU shifted from an enforcement model that only responded to complaints, to an enforcement model that also includes proactively clean up illegal dumping in areas where it happens frequently.
SPU is now preparing “clean sweep” maps and routes for cleanup crews where they will drive each street to pick up both reported and unreported items – especially in those locations that have frequent illegal dumping activity, so that pick-up opportunities are maximized, the complaint backlog reduced, and response time improved.
Your options for reporting illegal dumping are listed here – and of course, there’s also the city’s Find It Fix It app.
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:43 AM: Another morning off to a relatively quiet start – no incidents in or from West Seattle.
Two reminders:
TRANSPORTATION COALITION TALKS VIADUCT CLOSURE TONIGHT: Now that Highway 99 tunneling has resumed, planning continues for an Alaskan Way Viaduct closure once the tunnel machine goes beneath that structure. The West Seattle Transportation Coalition gets briefed tonight – all welcome; bring your questions. 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center (6400 Sylvan Way).
SATURDAY NIGHT/SUNDAY MORNING I-5 LANE CLOSURES: Repair work will close up to 4 lanes of NB I-5 between Highway 599 and I-90, 10:30 pm Saturday to 5 am Sunday.
8:24 AM: Seattle Fire units have just been dispatched to a crash on northbound I-5 at I-90, so that could affect the exit from the eastbound bridge to I-5.
8:36 AM: This crash is now reported to be blocking three lanes. So if you’re headed northbound, you’ll want to either wait, or plan an alternative to I-5 for now.
8:50 AM: The lanes have reopened, but the NB I-5 backup is reported to be five miles – which will take a while to clear.
Five years after becoming co-chairs of the Highland Park Action Committee, Carolyn and Billy Stauffer have stepped down, and their successors were chosen at Wednesday night’s meeting. Afterward, they sent the photo and announcement:
Pleased to introduce our new leaders! Shown left to right in the attached photo are:
Craig Rankin – vice-chair
Beth Andrisevic – secretary
Michelle Glassley – treasurer
Michele Witzki – speaker liaison
Gunner Scott – chairThank you to Highland Park and Riverview for these new awesome voices for our community!
HPAC meets on fourth Wednesdays, 7 pm, at the historic Highland Park Improvement Club building at 12th and Holden – watch hpacinfo.wordpress.com for updates.
This was a big night of orchestral music at Chief Sealth International High School – four orchestras in all!
The main event was the Seattle Symphony, side by side with the West Seattle Community Orchestra. Video recording wasn’t allowed for that, but we did get the opening acts on video – above, the Sealth orchestra, directed by Jorge Morales, introduced by Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark. They performed works by Holst and Vivaldi. Next, the West Seattle High School Orchestra, directed by Ethan Thomas:
The WSHS musicians performed selections from the score of “Jurassic Park.”
The student musicians were the opening act for the Symphony and Community Orchestra – we caught a photo of musicians from the latter, who joined the Symphony for “Finlandia” (Op. 26) by Sibelius.
The Symphony’s program included works by Mozart.
Also taking a turn on stage, District 1 City Councilmember Lisa Herbold:
She thanked the Symphony for coming to West Seattle, mentioning that they were the only musical group from Seattle to win a Grammy this year. The concert was free, part of the Symphony’s community programs, and supported by local volunteers including members of the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle.
Two-wheeled West Seattle Crime Watch news:
STOLEN MOPED: From Tim – “I wanted to reach out and report my stolen moped in hopes someone has seen it around the neighborhood. It’s a vintage 70’s green Sachs Balboa, taken from my backyard on 21st Ave SW between Barton and Cambridge near Westwood Village. … It has a long seat, lime green grips on the handle bars, and a large aftermarket exhaust tied to the frame with leather cord.”
FOUND BICYCLE: Jen photographed this bike apparently dumped in Sunrise Heights:
If it was stolen from you, let us know the # of the report you filed so we can pass on the location.
Thanks to Martha Kongsgaard for the rainbow photo from The Junction, right around this evening’s sunset.
Two wildlife sightings just in via text (206-293-6302 any time):
-Whale spotted off Alki about an hour ago – not an orca – the texter thought it might have been a gray whale; Orca Network had word of a humpback off Manchester (right across the Sound) early today. Here’s a handy guide to species ID, from The Whale Trail.
-Coyote strolling the sidewalk “on 48th between the intersection of Beach Drive and Lincoln Park Way and Graham.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: The in-the-works West Seattle restaurant we’re getting the most questions about right now is Kizuki Ramen, previously Kukai when we first reported its Junction plan last August. So if you’re wondering when it will open (etc.), here’s what we have found out:
By Randall Hauk
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Ramen fans of West Seattle can look forward to late April, the current target for the opening of Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya in The Junction.
The West Seattle outlet of Kizuki will be the fourth Seattle-area location for the Japan-based ramen chain that’s currently undergoing a name change from Kukai. When the company opened its Bellevue location late in 2012, that was its first outside Japan. Now, after successful openings in Northgate, Capitol Hill, and Beaverton, Oregon, Kizuki’s management is excited to come to the peninsula.
“Kizuki recognized the opportunity to be a part of an ever-growing destination and diverse neighborhood in West Seattle,” says Kizuki District Manager and 17-year West Seattle resident Patrick Haight. “We are excited about offering a unique and different dining experience in The Junction.”
Haight says the company already employs several West Seattle residents at other locations, including a general manager, which should help bring some local feel to a restaurant dealing in one of the world’s great comfort foods. Here, by the way, are two Kizuki interior photos shared with us to give you an idea of what you’ll find inside the 42nd/Alaska location:
Just out of the WSB inbox, the most attention-grabbing calendar-event title we’ve seen all day: Nerdy 30s and 40s of West Seattle: Inaugural Drinks. Kati says this 7 pm event on March 11th, at The Bridge (California/Graham), is to: “Meet new friends and have fun in West Seattle! We are a group of sociable nerds in our 30s and 40s interested in meeting other sociable nerds for fun times on the peninsula.” You can RSVP and join the Meetup group by going here. And it’ll be in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar soon – thanks again to EVERYONE who sends info to share there (editor@westseattleblog.com, at least a week in advance).
Thanks to Elise Olson for sharing the photo collage from Global Reading Challenge competition at Arbor Heights Elementary, one of a dozen West Seattle schools on the list of this year’s participants. The Exploding Platypi won the AH in-school challenge with a perfect score of 120 and move on to the semifinals downtown on March 8th. GRC is described by the Seattle Public Library as a “battle of the books” competition for 4th and 5th graders; here are the books they’re reading this year. The teams that emerge from the semi-finals citywide will compete in the finals at the downtown library on March 22nd.
As you’ll hear the city Office of Housing director Steve Walker explain toward the start of our video, last night’s second West Seattle briefing on the proposed Housing Levy expansion/renewal was scheduled for a variety of reasons – because it was requested, because the first one was in a small room, and because on that previous night the slide projector didn’t work. So if you couldn’t be there last night, but have questions about the levy, which is expected to go to a vote this August or November – watch and/or listen. Many of the questions/concerns focused on whether this is doing enough to help, given the cost, and also on how increasing property taxes are affecting payers. You’ll find lots of info about the levy here.
11:39 AM: He’s said it before, and last night at the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting (full story to come), Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis said it again: Car prowling remains our area’s biggest crime problem. This morning, we have two reader reports:
36TH SW NORTH OF FAUNTLEROY: Mike sent the photo and reports, “Someone smashed our car’s tinted rear window early this morning. SPD officer stated this is happening more frequently. Thieves are only breaking tinted glass to check for valuables. Nothing taken.”
WESTCREST PARK: Janet reports, “My passenger window was smashed and bag grabbed in main parking lot (by community garden) at Westcrest Dog Park around 5:30 p.m. yesterday, 2/23. Bag stolen. Reported to police, but be careful!”
ADDED 1:59 PM: We’ve heard from Taren about a Sunrise Heights car prowl mentioned in comments:
We had an auto break-in last night on 35th Avenue SW in front of Trinity Church near Holden. The burglar/vandal broke the passenger side window with a rock. The key items stolen were a medium (18×10) grey metal toolbox containing primarily craftsman screwdrivers and pliers, a red back-pack style auto emergency kit (purchased pre-filled) and a large new-in-box Star Wars toy (black box… Star Wars The Black Series Jabba’s Rancor Pit Set).
(By Flickr member Charge, shared via WSB Flickr group)
Our daily look at what’s up for the rest of the day/night, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
HIGHLINE PREMIER FC SOCCER TRYOUTS: They start tonight at Highline Stadium, 6 pm for boys born 2000-2001, 7:30 pm for boys born 1998-1999 – see the full tryout calendar, and register, by going here. (430 S. 156th, Burien)
SEATTLE SYMPHONY AND STUDENT ORCHESTRAS: 6:15 pm, as previewed here, the music starts at Chief Sealth International High School‘s auditorium, with CSIHS and WSHS orchestras before the Seattle Symphony takes the stage at 7; the program also spotlights West Seattle Community Orchestra musicians. Free! Bring $ for Denny-Sealth Performing Arts benefit bake sale. (2600 SW Thistle)
‘TELL ME WHAT TO SAY’: Free parenting seminar, plus wine tasting and appetizers, starting at 6:30 pm at Northwest Wine Academy on the north side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. Details in our preview – including the e-mail address for registering. (6000 16th SW)
HIGHLAND PARK ACTION COMMITTEE: 7 pm, monthly meeting at Highland Park Improvement Club. Spotlight topic: New leadership for HPAC. (12th SW/SW Holden)
POEMS AND STORIES: Claudia Castro Luna, Seattle’s Civic Poet (and a West Seattleite), is a featured reader, along with Janet Yoder, at Poetrybridge‘s monthly Poems and Stories event at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), including a community microphone. 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
TREEHOUSE OPEN MIC: Signups at 7:15 pm, event starts at 7:30 pm – music, poetry, comedy, whatever you bring to the Treehouse Lounge. (2206 California SW)
Your dollar(s), donated to the West Seattle Helpline right now, will go farther thanks to matching funds, as the Helpline’s Chris Langeler explains:
In November 2015, Nucor Steel Seattle paired with one of their suppliers, Graymont, to provide $10,000 in community matching funds to the West Seattle Helpline. These funds were used to match donations made at the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Dinner & Auction. Their matching support helped make that night the most successful fundraising event in the history of the West Seattle Helpline!
We recently learned that Nucor and Graymont have now allocated $2,414.77 in additional matching funds, specifically for utility assistance through our One-Time Assistance Program. By working with Seattle City Light, Seattle Public Utilities, and Puget Sound Energy, this program helps prevent electricity, water, and gas shutoffs for families recovering from an unexpected hardship.
We ask our neighbors to help us access these funds to keep the lights and heat on and the water running for local families through the rest of the cold weather season. All donations made online to the West Seattle Helpline before March 4th will be matched up to a total of $2,414.77. If we meet our goal, we will be able to help up to 100 additional members of our West Seattle community stay safe and warm in their homes while they get back on their feet!
To help West Seattle Helpline acquire these funds and be there for our neighbors in need, please make a contribution online by Friday, March 4th at:
Our sincere thanks to Nucor and Graymont for their generous donations and to the West Seattle community for their wonderful, ongoing support. The West Seattle Helpline’s motto is “Neighbors Helping Neighbors since 1989.” We are grateful every day to have the best neighbors anyone could ask for!
Helpline is a nonprofit that provides emergency assistance to “help prevent evictions and utility shutoffs (and) provide transportation assistance” and also hosts the West Seattle Clothesline, “a volunteer-run clothing donation and distribution center for low-income families.”
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:47 AM: Good morning! No incidents in or from West Seattle so far.
9:01 AM: After a quiet commute, we do have a look ahead to Thursday night, when the West Seattle Transportation Coalition returns to its regular meeting space, 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center (6400 Sylvan Way), and the agenda includes planning for the Alaskan Way Viaduct closure once the Highway 99 tunneling machine goes beneath it – timely since tunneling just resumed yesterday. From the agenda:
I. Membership Business – Vote for newest Board Member. Board positions open for May!
II. Vision Zero / 20mph: Gordon Padelford
III. Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program – Molly Freed; Brief presentation on the Viaduct replacement and closure information plus Q&A
IV. King County Metro – Chris Arkills; Update on Metro’s role during viaduct shut down.
V. Discussion on WSTC’s Sound Transit 3 Survey and Next Steps
All are welcome.
9:46 AM: Two problems to mention: A stalled vehicle blocking the left lane on northbound I-5 just north of the West Seattle Bridge, and a car fire at 16th/Roxbury.
9:50 AM: Advance alert for northbound I-5 in our area on Saturday night/Sunday morning:
Drivers heading into downtown Seattle on northbound Interstate 5 should prepare for possible delays overnight Saturday, Feb. 27-28. Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews will close multiple lanes of the freeway to repair overhead lane control signs.
Closure details
-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, to 5 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 28
-Up to four left lanes of northbound I-5 from State Route 599 to Interstate 90 will be closed.
-The northbound I-5 off-ramp to Corson Avenue South/South Michigan Street will be closed.
-All northbound I-5 traffic will be rerouted to the collector-distributor lanes at the I-90 off-ramp and back on the mainline just before the Cherry Street on-ramp from 2 to 2:30 a.m.
Tuesday was the big day that Chief Sealth International High School‘s Ethics Bowl teams had been anticipating for three weeks – their trip to Olympia as one of the trophy-winning schools in the competition. Thanks to teacher Noah Zeichner for the photos and report:
Nine students from CSIHS spent the day in Olympia today getting an close-up view of state government.The trip was a reward for placing 3rd in the High School Ethics Bowl in January.
The first stop was the Supreme Court where they listened to oral arguments. The Chief Justice welcomed the group, which also included students from Rainier Beach, Lakeside, and Seattle Academy.
After lunch, the students had a chance to meet all 9 Supreme Court Justices. The students shook their hands and had a chance to ask questions.
They also talked with Nick Brown, the Governor’s Legal Counsel and with Representatives Hunt and Zeiger, the winners of the first-ever Gabrielle Giffords Award for Civility in State Government. Other highlights of the day included tours of the Governor’s Mansion and the Capitol Building.
Read more about this year’s Ethics Bowl competition here.
(WSB photo: 1416 SW Roxbury, in which Origins will open)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The second recreational-marijuana store licensed in West Seattle will likely be the first one to open.
A week and a half ago, we reported on the first store license, for 5440 California SW. That building is set to undergo some remodeling and proprietor Maryam Mirnateghi didn’t expect to be open for up to two months.
Now, the second West Seattle license has been granted, for Origins at 1416 SW Roxbury, #D – and its proprietor told us today that he expects Origins will be open within two weeks, as soon as the city grants a permit to change the use from a medical office.
Sean Miller explains that they formerly operated a medical-marijuana outlet in the same building, as well as one in South Park, both now closed. Origins will be licensed for medical marijuana as well as recreational, but Miller says that component doesn’t go into effect until July.
His company, he says, is being evaluated for two other licenses, including a location over the city/county line but just blocks away in White Center, at 9823 15th SW, and one on the Eastside.
Asked what will set his store apart, Miller said, “The biggest thing that we’re trying to do with Origins is, bring a better name and a better feel to the industry. Right now you walk into a recreational store and you feel kind of dirty and like you’ve done something wrong before you’ve done anything … We’re trying to create an atmosphere like a Starbucks, you walk in and feel really welcome.” He says that includes a “very high-end build … with slates and cork floors. When people look at it, they think it’s a jewelry store because of the level of finish. We want to do that with multiple locations and legitimize the industry,” for customers of all income levels.
He’s expecting to be open along the lines of 10 am-8 pm Mondays-Fridays, 10 am-6 pm Saturdays and Sundays. No website yet, he says.
P.S. As mentioned in our previous story, you can look for other application locations on Mark’s map – one still pending in West Seattle is the site of longtime medical provider Northwest Patient Resource Center at 35th/Roxbury.
That’s the trailer for “Screenagers,” which you can see for free this Thursday night in West Seattle, with a bonus – a chance to talk with filmmaker Dr. Delaney Ruston afterward. Local entrepreneur and mom Jackie Clough is organizing it in connection with the upcoming launch of SeattleTeenBlog.com. It’s a subject right at the heart of 21st-century parenting:
This documentary explores how learning, playing, and socializing online affects teens’ developing attention span, self-esteem and moral instincts. SCREENAGERS examines the risks of failing in school, social isolation and digital addiction. The film explores solutions to handle screen time and provides parents with tools to help young people develop self-control and find balance in their digital lives.
It’s at 7 pm Thursday (February 25th) at Fauntleroy Church’s Fellowship Hall (9140 California SW). No ticket required, but please RSVP so they know how many seats to set up – you can do that here. (Jackie advises arriving a few minutes early.)
That’s the winning art chosen for this year’s West Seattle Garden Tour poster. Here’s the announcement from tour organizers:
The West Seattle Garden Tour received nearly 30 art submissions in response to this year’s artist competition. We are pleased to announce West Seattle artist Cynthia Turner as the winner for her piece entitled “Wild, Wild Flowers.” Her original artwork using a medium of cut paper, gel medium, acrylic on canvas board, will be auctioned on the day of the tour (July 17) to benefit WSGT’s 2016 designated beneficiaries. Cynthia’s art work along with several other ‘honorable mentions’ will also be on display during the June 2016 West Seattle Art Walk.
From Turner’s artist statement: “Using my personal ethos of using mostly up-cycled and re-purposed materials, as well working within the West Seattle Garden Tour’s theme of ‘The Art of Gardening,’ I set out to make a piece that was slightly mid-century in feel, using paper that I found or already had on hand. With this piece, I tried to create a feeling of a wild garden that was designed by nature and happenstance, yet is also clean and graphic.” Read more about Turner and her work here; find out more about this year’s tour here.
The city’s moving toward a new proposal for dogs in Seattle parks – and this Thursday night, the Seattle Parks Board of Commissioners will hear how Parks leadership is leaning.
That briefing document prepared for the Parks Board hints at what might be in the proposed People, Dogs, and Parks Strategic Plan, due out soon for public comment. It’s been a subject of discussion in several community meetings we’ve covered recently, starting with the Delridge District Council‘s meeting last November.
For one, the document says Superintendent Jesús Aguirre is NOT expected to call for “unfenced, (certain) hours-only” offleash periods in parks. It also says he’ll recommend limiting the number of dogs that can be brought to a park to three per person. And he’ll recommend that development of additional off-leash areas go “through regular new park development and/or existing park redevelopment processes.”
One more note from the briefing paper: “Beginning this month, there will be a two-person team, one Animal Control staff and one Parks and
Recreation staff, patrolling parks with the sole purpose of enforcing leash and scoop laws.”
The draft plan is now expected to be made public next month, with public meetings in April and May, and a final plan in June. Meantime, the board meeting this Thursday starts at 6:30 pm at Parks HQ downtown (100 Dexter Ave. N.).
ORIGINAL REPORT, 12:47 PM TUESDAY: Just in from WSDOT – it’s “conditionally lifted” the suspension order for its Highway 99 tunnel contractor, and the tunneling machine is digging again. Here’s the announcement:
Seattle Tunnel Partners has received conditional permission to resume tunneling operations on the SR 99 Tunnel Project. STP resumed mining today after WSDOT conditionally lifted the “suspension for cause” that halted mining and barging-related activities last month following two safety incidents.
As part of the conditions for lifting the suspension for cause, STP will be permitted to tunnel forward and install approximately 25 concrete tunnel rings. During this time, they must demonstrate that they have implemented a number of changes to ensure they can safely continue mining. These changes include:
Updated tunnel work and quality plans, including calculations of the amount of soil removed during excavation of each tunnel ring.
Realignment of key personnel within their quality assurance program.
New quality assurance protocols.
New personnel at key positions within the tunneling operation.
Restructured daily tunneling meetings that include additional participants and protocols.WSDOT made the decision to conditionally lift the suspension for cause after its team of tunneling experts evaluated documentation submitted by STP over the past several weeks. While mining can resume, barging activities are still restricted pending submittal of additional documentation.
(Photo by Andi Szilagyi)
11:20 AM: Avoid California/Alaska – a jackknifed truck is blocking most of the intersection. No injuries. Police have arrived to direct traffic.
11:24 UPDATE: The camera view now shows the truck has moved a bit and is now blocking one northbound lane, north of the intersection.
11:36 AM: A tow truck has just arrived.
11:44 AM: Scratch that – it’s actually Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, which will be taking a report, and is hoping to get the truck moved further along within the next quarter-hour or so:
(Photo by Dan Ciske)
Thanks to everyone who sent photos of this morning’s beautiful moonset – the “Snow Moon” that rose right after sunset last night went down right around sunrise today; we’re featuring four views (remember, you can click a photo to open a larger view in “lightbox” mode). Should be another gorgeous moonrise tonight – just after 7 pm, according to the WSB West Seattle Weather page. Here’s what else is ahead tonight:
CHIEF SEALTH IHS SHOWCASE: 6-7 pm, as previewed here last weekend. All welcome as Chief Sealth International High School showcases its programs, both academics and athletics. (2600 SW Thistle)
BLACK HISTORY MONTH DINNER: Right across the street from the school, the CSIHS Black Student Union is presenting an all-community Black History Month dinner at Southwest Teen Life Center tonight, 6-7:30 pm. Details here. (2801 SW Thistle)
(Photo by John Kalinoski)
CRIME, SAFETY, TRANSPARENCY: Southwest Precinct police will brief the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network at 6:30 tonight about the latest crime/safety concerns around the peninsula – and WSBWCN leaders have booked a special guest: SPD’s new director of transparency and privacy, Mary Perry. All welcome – you don’t have to be part of a Block Watch to attend. (2300 SW Webster)
(Photo by Lynn Hall)
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HOUSING LEVY? Later this year, you’ll be asked to vote on an expanded Seattle Housing Levy that the mayor says is a key part of this year’s work to alleviate the housing-affordability crisis. Hours after he went public with his first proposal, it was discussed at a meeting in West Seattle – where participants asked city reps to come back for a longer discussion/briefing. Tonight’s the night. If you have comments/questions, the place to be is the Senior Center of West Seattle, 6:30-8 pm. (California SW/SW Oregon)
(Photo by Chris Frankovich)
WEST SEATTLE CROCHET AND KNIT CIRCLE: Don’t just sit home with your yarn … bring it to Uptown Espresso in The Junction for this weekly meetup, open to all, regardless of skill level. Starts at 7 pm. (California/Erskine/Edmunds)
MORE NIGHTLIFE: Music, trivia, karaoke – see the times/places on our complete calendar.
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