West Seattle, Washington
20 Sunday
If you missed the recent Big Band Dinner Dance at West Seattle High School – or if you were there and want to experience another night like that – you’ll want to be in the Madison Middle School Commons this Friday, 6-9 pm, for the Jumpin’ Jive Swing Dance and Auction. The West Seattle Big Band – featured in the clip above (courtesy of WSBB director Jim Edwards) from the WSHS event a week and a half ago – will perform, as will Madison’s own Senior Orchestra, Senior Band, and Jazz Band. All ages are invited for music, food, dancing (including lessons!), and auction bidding that will harmonize as the Madison music department’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Ticket information’s here.
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:34 AM: Good morning! So far, no incidents in/from West Seattle.
As the Legislature wrapped up its regular session – which moved immediately into a special session – our area’s largest political organization convened a panel to review how social-equity policy legislation fared this year. That was part of the 34th District Democrats‘ March meeting last Wednesday at The Hall at Fauntleroy, and we recorded the panel on video. Attorney and 34th District precinct-committee officer Jamila Johnson moderated the discussion featuring (left to right in our video) Rachel Myers, executive director for the Washington Low-Income Housing Alliance / Washington Housing Alliance Action Fund; Janet Chung, legal/legislative counsel from Legal Voice; and Doug Honig, communications director from the state branch of the ACLU.
This month’s 34th DDs meeting also was its last membership meeting before the March 26th caucuses in our state. A training session preceded the meeting; for those involved in the group, logistics were the big topic. If you’re planning to participate as a Democrat, here’s the info, and here’s where to go to find your caucus location. They start at 10 am on March 26th (which is a Saturday); this state-level guide explains how the process works.
(Our state is having a presidential primary on May 24th, but the Democrats are using the caucus process for their nominating-convention delegates, while the Republicans are using the primary for theirs.)
Friends and relatives are remembering Olga (Mitchell) McEwing, and wanted to share this with the community:
A long-time West Seattle resident, Olga McEwing died peacefully following a short illness on March 10, 2016, at age 96.
Olga was born on February 7, 1920. She emigrated to the United States from England with her parents Joshua and Ellen, and a younger brother, John, in 1927. She was a very generous person and cared a lot for others. She enjoyed music, gardening, and liked making the best pumpkin pies.
She was preceded in death by her husband James McEwing, 1919-1978.
Olga will be missed by The Kenney residents, the Schau and Matalone families, as well as many others, and will remain in our hearts forever.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
7:30 PM: Another round of brown-water reports tonight – we’ve heard from people in several areas we would generally describe as north West Seattle. The first thing we’ve advised, as always: Call Seattle Public Utilities‘ hotline at 206-386-1800. We have also contacted SPU’s communication team, and will update with whatever they find out is going on. (Also note: This is the SPU webpage with general advice about what to do if your water is discolored.)
(Added: Photo sent by Michelle)
8:24 PM: We’ve just talked with Andy Ryan from SPU. He says an SPU crew was using a hydrant in the 3200 block of Belvidere and that’s what stirred up the sediment in the lines. A water-quality inspector is following up on the reports the SPU hotline has received, but Ryan stresses that the water is safe to drink/use – but let it run as advised in the link we featured above.
P.S. Later this week, we’ll be publishing a report taking a closer look at how SPU monitors and tests drinking water, after a visit to its lab in SODO.
ADDED TUESDAY AFTERNOON: SPU tells us today they had about a dozen calls last night and half a dozen this morning. (If you have NOT called and are seeing discolored water, please call them!) SPU’s Ryan says the crew that used the hydrant did not let the water run as long as they should have – until it’s clear – and so, “We will be doing more training to ensure our crews understand their responsibilities in this regard.”
(WSDOT graphic)
No start date yet – but that two-weeks-or-so Alaskan Way Viaduct closure is in view, now that the Highway 99 tunneling machine has reached its “maintenance stop” just before going beneath the structure. The machine could stay stopped there for up to a month, says WSDOT in its announcement:
On Saturday, Bertha, the SR 99 tunneling machine, reached a planned maintenance stop near Yesler Way, after successfully mining almost 300 feet during the past three weeks. According to STP, the TBM functioned within required operating parameters. The machine has now mined a total of 1,560 feet.
Seattle Tunnel Partners will spend up to one month inspecting the machine and performing planned maintenance. Scheduled work includes:
· Performing hyperbaric interventions
· Inspecting the cutterhead, main drive unit and screw conveyor
· Replacing cutting tools
· Extending the conveyor belt and the high voltage cable.When STP has completed its maintenance work, crews will tunnel out of the maintenance stop and beneath the Alaskan Way Viaduct. WSDOT plans to close the viaduct for approximately two weeks to allow the machine to pass beneath the structure.
We will provide the public with advance notice of the closure, but the start date isn’t yet known. It will depend on the amount of work that must be completed while the machine is in the maintenance stop. STP won’t know the extent of the needed maintenance until inspections are complete, a process that could take approximately two weeks of the one-month maintenance period. Check www.99closure.org for additional details as the closure approaches.
More backstory here. Wondering how the closure will be handled? See our report (including video) on the briefing the West Seattle Transportation Coalition got last month from state and county reps; the WSTC was told WSDOT will do its best to give at least two weeks’ warning of the closure’s start.
Seen this stolen car? It was stolen around 4 am today in Highland Park, from 12th SW/SW Holden: “All green, bright green wheels on driver’s side, child’s car seat, iPhone, children’s clothes inside.” Plate number is AIC0067. Call 911 if you see it.
(WSB photo from Friday: TV crew examining Pronto station outside City Hall downtown)
3:38 PM MONDAY: With some changes, the much-discussed Pronto bike-share buyout has just won Seattle City Council approval, 7-2, with West Seattle/South Park City Councilmember Lisa Herbold voting “no” (along with at-large Councilmember Tim Burgess). Herbold said, among other things, that she didn’t think it was wise for the city to buy equipment they wouldn’t likely want to keep. Among the amendments that passed was one by West Seattle-residing at-large Councilmember Lorena González, as noted and tweeted by Seattle Times reporter Daniel Beekman:
This amendment by @CMLGonzalez requiring @seattledot work w/ low-income populations and communities of color passes https://t.co/VnMYyEFqzW
— Daniel Beekman (@DBeekman) March 14, 2016
So far, there is no definite plan to expand the bike-sharing program to the peninsula. We’ll add the summary and meeting video later when they’re available.
ADDED TUESDAY: Here’s the meeting video, as published on the Seattle Channel website today:
Whether you’re going to one of the local fundraisers this Saturday night – or just looking for a chance to go out and have fun – here’s a chance for your elementary-school-age kid(s) to have fun too: “Night Out with West Seattle High School Gymnastics.” From 5-11 pm Saturday at the school, the kids will learn basic gymnastic skills, play games, and have treats, and you’ll be helping the program pay off its new, required spring floor, which the families had to pay for themselves, and are sharing with Chief Sealth IHS. They’ve already raised two-thirds of the cost and have $8,000 left. Saturday’s event is $50 for one child, $65 for two in the same family. Please RSVP ASAP to Karen Lansdowne, who says, “High school sports is such a great way to teach kids leadership, social skills, and working within a team. It keeps them busy, off their phones, and off the streets.” E-mail her at kelansdowne@hotmail.com or call 206-227-6807 to sign up for Saturday.
The “rapid-load” pile test scheduled at Terminal 5 this afternoon has been rescheduled to tomorrow (Tuesday, March 15th), according to Port of Seattle spokesperson Peter McGraw:
In response to concerns we’ve heard, we are postponing today’s test.
One of the reasons for the last test being more noticeable may have been its location at the south end of Terminal 5. When we reschedule, it will use less fuel than the last test, with the amount of fuel being the same as what was used in previous tests. We will also use noise and vibration monitoring devices in the vicinity of 37th & Prescott.
The tests will take place tomorrow and Thursday, both at noon. These will be the last of the rapid load tests.
A video made public by the port last week shows, close-up, what these tests look and sound like.
Exactly two months from today, it’s the 12th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day – the one day of the year that our area becomes the epicenter of person-to-person, in-person recycling – Saturday, May 14th, 9 am-3 pm.
If you’re new to our area, this is NOT one big garage/yard/etc. sale, but many sales of many sizes, in many places (usually including a couple of venues open to multiple sellers who just don’t have room wherever they live, or who only have a small amount of stuff to sell). Since 2008, we’ve coordinated it, including creating online and printable versions of the map, marketing and distributing it far and wide. This year, we’ll open registration on Monday, April 4th – three weeks from today – so check back here and at the official WSCGSD website when that day arrives, if you’re interested in participating!
(Thanks to Wade for the photo of Sunday’s double rainbow on Alki)
Busy Monday already – and here are highlights of what’s scheduled for the rest of today/tonight:
EARLY DAYS’ NEW LOCATION: Today’s the second Monday, 10:30 am-noon, for this parenting-support group to meet at Nurturing Expressions (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. More info here. (4746 44th SW, Suite 201)
ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVERS: A free twice-monthly support group, 1:30-3 pm, meets today in the east dining room at Providence Mount St. Vincent – details here. (4831 35th SW)
ANOTHER PORT TEST: Another “rapid-load” piling test is scheduled at Terminal 5 around 3 pm today, the port told us last week. See our report for a video clip showing exactly what happens during these tests.
COMMUNITY ORCHARD OF WEST SEATTLE: If you can spare some time in the late afternoon/early evening, it’s time to work in the orchard – stop by 4-6 pm today or find other opportunities via the info in our listing. North end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)
GAME NIGHT WITH SHELTERBOX: 6:15 pm at Meeples Games (WSB sponsor), play games AND find out about ShelterBox, which “provides emergency shelter and vital supplies to support communities around the world overwhelmed by disaster and humanitarian crisis.” More here. (3727 California SW)
NO NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL MEETING TONIGHT … it’s been canceled, but community members are urged to attend this week’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting, 7 pm Wednesday at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
BLUES AND MORE: 8 pm at Parliament Tavern, Rippin Chicken takes the stage. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
SEE OUR COMPLETE CALENDAR for even more – browse it here, any time.
(10:53 AM UPDATE: Highland Park Way and Morgan have both reopened, post-crashes)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:28 AM: Good morning! While Seattle City Light is still working on outages around the city, the map does not show any remaining in West Seattle that would seem to affect this morning’s commute – but please let us know if you discover otherwise (206-293-6302 text or voice, when you can use the phone safely/legally – from the passenger seat or after you get where you’re going) – thank you. Meantime, no incidents in the area, and for Eastside-bound commuters, yes, the 520 Bridge *did* reopen early this morning after wind-damage repairs.
6:42 AM: Just texted (thanks!) – the Delridge/Henderson signal is in flashing-red mode. (If you see a signal out, or road hazard, please report to SDOT at 206-684-ROAD, and then let us know.)
7:05 AM: Heavy rescue call for a crash at West Marginal/Highland Park Way. Avoid the hill. One tipster says it’s a multiple-car crash. We’re en route.
7:26 AM: It will be closed a while – serious enough that the special investigation team is being called out. Police are blocking the hill both ways. 8th southbound to Roxbury is jammed.
7:48 AM: Olson/Myers light is still flashing red and that’s making Roxbury backup worse.
7:54 AM: We finally made it to West Marginal/Highland Park Way. W. Marginal is open both ways. It’s the Highland Park Way hill that’s blocked off, and of course the turn to Highland Park.
SFD spokesperson Corey Orvold is here and just told our photographer that two cars are involved, each with one person inside, a 19-year-old woman in one, 21-year-old man in the other, and he has been taken to Harborview. Photo added – the crash scene is about 100 yards up the hill south/SW of Pioneer Industries, and debris is strewn across the roadway, so once the investigators are done, there will be a significant cleanup too.
8:08 AM: And for further verification that it will be closed a while:
Per crew on the scene, Highland Park Way SW just west of W Marginal Way SW will be closed for at least 2 hours while @SeattlePD investigates
— seattledot (@seattledot) March 14, 2016
8:23 AM: Bicycle riders and pedestrians are being allowed on the downhill HP Way sidewalk.
9:01 AM: New rollover crash reported – via scanner, 34th/Morgan, “vehicle hit a parked car and is flipped over on its top.”
9:16 AM: Morgan is blocked from just east of 35th SW to Lanham – we’ve added a photo of the flipped car, which is in the eastbound lane. The parked car the driver hit is on the westbound side of Morgan:
No major injuries so far as we can tell – a private ambulance is at the scene.
9:34 AM: Metro has sent an alert that Route 128 is routed off Orchard/Sylvan/Morgan between Delridge and 35th because of the aforementioned crash.
10:10 AM: Highland Park Way is reopening both ways, according to police discussion monitored via scanner – the post-crash cleanup is over.
10:53 AM: Metro has just sent the alert that it’s back to normal service on Morgan/Sylvan/Orchard, so that scene has cleared too.
(Photo courtesy John Lang)
Before the weekend ends – one last event report: Results of the Fairmount Ravine community cleanup. Again this year, we have the wrapup from John Lang, who is handing over the job of coordination from hereon out.
The 24th annual Fairmount Ravine Cleanup was a success on Saturday 3/12. Thank you to the 18 hardworking volunteers of all ages who participated; most of the group removed trash under the Admiral bridge, primarily the west side, and six others removed invasive ivy from the mature trees. The morning started damp but Mother Earth must have been pleased with the community’s effort because the cleanup ended in sunshine.
(WSB photo: Volunteers cleaning under the bridge)
The weather-protected area under the bridge continues to attract the homeless and partyers. It is the Admiral district’s version of the Jungle. They bring third-world sanitation with them as all their garbage is thrown downhill. Between 80-90 large garbage bags were filled with trash! This includes a couple hundred beer bottles, many broken, large furniture, broken bicycles etc. There was enough to fill up the DOC flatbed truck twice. We post signs a week in advance warning that the area will be cleaned and to have personal possessions removed.(WSB photo: John Lang & Officer Flores)
Once again, we appreciate participation by [Community Police Team] officers Jon Flores and Kevin McDaniel, with the Seattle Police Department, providing security and helping with traffic control. Three cheers to our local merchants, Metropolitan Market and Starbucks, for their generous support of this community effort.Thank you to everyone who made this year’s cleanup a success. A special shout out to Matt Algieri, who is taking over leadership of this annual event. The Fairmount Ravine cleanup is a great example of community pride and putting into action the teamwork necessary to tackle a difficult situation to generate positive results.
Not sure where Fairmount Ravine is? It goes beneath the Admiral Way Bridge, between Admiral and East Alki (here’s a map).
ADDED MONDAY: John just sent word that the total weight of what they picked up was 3,740 pounds … close to two tons.
(EARLIER AS-IT-HAPPENED STORM COVERAGE is here)
8:23 PM: The windstorm is officially over – the National Weather Service has canceled the “high wind warning,” which at one point was to be in effect until late tonight. Still some clouds, with showers remaining in the forecast; you probably noticed the early-evening hail.
(Photo tweeted by Todd Vandermark)
And lots of cleanup remains to be done. Some of the most urgent trouble spots have been cleared – we just went back to the eastbound bridge onramp at Avalon (etc.) to verify that it is fully open again. We have a few others to check on – if a road remains closed (or partly blocked) near you, please let us know – 206-293-6302 or editor@westseattleblog.com.
The largest remaining power outage on the map for West Seattle is one with 200+ customers out just west of Delridge, north of Orchard:
9:38 PM: We’ve replaced the screengrab of the SCL outage map, because another 100-plus customers in that area have subsequently lost their power. And there’s another cluster of almost 100 who are still out to the west, also shown in the screengrab.
Traffic-wise, we’re told Olson/Myers in southeast West Seattle is flashing red. That’s one we’ll check on in the early morning, before the major commute hours. You’ll want to take extra time to check on your commute route tomorrow – for example, if you cross Lake Washington, the 520 bridge is closed overnight after storm-related damage, though WSDOT expects to have it open for the am rush.
Also: As mentioned in the comment section – and just now, via Twitter – some are experiencing a Comcast outage.
Last but not least: One more downed-tree photo came in tonight, this one a 30-year-old thundercloud plum that fell at Kelly‘s house in Highland Park:
If you’re dealing with a downed tree, we would be interested to hear what you find when you start calling around for help. We expect local services will be megabusy.
11:43 AM: Thanks to Darlene for letting us know Southern is still closed – downed tree and wires – west of California, heading onto 44th.
(SCROLL DOWN for newest power/road/other updates. 5:40 PM TOPLINES: Most WS power outages over; tree blocking EB bridge ramp from Avalon)
(Screengrab from City Light outage map showing only scattered outages left as of 6:28 pm – click to go to “live” map on SCL website)
1:46 PM: The wind has kicked up big time and we have the first reports of power outages. The Seattle City Light map is turning pink fast. Biggest outage so far in West Seattle: More than 1,600 homes/businesses from Beach Drive to Fauntleroy, roughly from Brandon to Morgan. Also, a tree’s down across northbound California, 4700 block in The Junction:
Thanks for the photo – text 206-293-6302 or editor@westseattleblog.com – you also can post photos in comments – and we’re of course on Twitter at @westseattleblog – where this just came in:
@westseattleblog Tree down on California Ln up hill from Harbor Ave. pic.twitter.com/CpyqHRLPkS
— s|n|a (@sna23) March 13, 2016
2:02 PM: We also have word of a tree down on Highland Park Way, and an HP outage.
2:10 PM: Just added a current screengrab of the City Light outage map. PLEASE stay home if you can – trees are coming down in many areas and you don’t want to be under the next one to fall. If you ARE out, please remember that when signals are out, they are a four-way stop – we have a Twitter report of people just “blowing through” signals that are out of power. And once you’ve reported problems, please be patient – so far more than 34,000 homes and businesses are out around the city.
2:24 PM: Speaking of signals, they are out on major routes including 16th through Highland Park (at Holden and Austin, according to a text we just received). Another reason to stay home unless it’s an emergency – some businesses are out of power. (Please let us know when you’re back as well as when you’re out!)
2:39 PM: Just in, a tree down across Fairmount Avenue toward the north end of the ravine between Admiral and Alki:
Thanks to Thore for that photo. Also just received – tree down on Avalon by Yancy (thanks to the person who texted this):
2:51 PM: Updated the outage-map screengrab for West Seattle again, atop this story. Doesn’t appear to have worsened in the past 20 minutes or so. Citywide, the number also has remained steady, around 35,000 customers (homes/businesses) out. But there goes another strong gust as we type – so don’t get complacent yet if your power has remained on (ours has in Upper Fauntleroy/Gatewood, so far). And as someone has pointed out in comments, we’re not being alarmist when we warn against going out if you don’t absolutely have to, because of the danger of falling trees – one has killed someone in Seward Park (here’s the SFD tweet). Signal outages are a hazard too – along with 16th, as mentioned earlier, the Morgan Junction outage has California/Fauntleroy out, as we just were reminded by a scanner mention.
3:04 PM: Thanks to Keith for word of tree trouble on northbound 35th between Alaska and Avalon. More trees are falling than in some windstorms, and that’s most likely because of how waterlogged the ground is from the far-above-average rainfall we’ve been having. If you’re anywhere near the water, especially west-facing WS, you’re seeing whitecaps and waves – Nick sent this from Me-Kwa-Mooks vicinity:
Many are asking “how long will our power be out?” Our stock answer is to assume the worst and be surprised if it’s better. Could be many hours, judging by past windstorms (we’ve covered them going back to the legendary one in December 2006, which was stronger than this and led to some people being out for more than a week). Citywide, the number of customers out is up to more than 40,000 now. Here’s SCL advice on what to do if/when your power’s out. … Also just heard via scanner, chain-link fence onto southbound 35th at Avalon; tree blocking the switchbacks from Upper Fauntleroy to Lincoln Park in Northrop/44th/Southern vicinity (added: photo from Linda)…
Also, tree trouble at 16th/Thistle. Scanner traffic continues to indicate that SCL and SDOT are maxed out right now so please do report but know you might not get a response soon. DON’T GO ANYWHERE NEAR DOWNED WIRES, PLEASE.
3:16 PM: From comments – Southwest Pool is now closed for the day because there’s no power. More trees down – Mariko sent this from 37th SW, near Willow:
And at Fauntleroy/Wildwood, south of the ferry dock – thanks to Jim:
3:38 PM: Thanks for the texts – a tree is down across part of the onramp to the eastbound bridge from Avalon/Admiral/etc.
The high-wind warning remains in effect until 11 pm – read it here.
4:05 PM: Thanks to Jay for the ferry/waves photo from Beach Drive/Alki Point area.
As mentioned earlier, businesses are affected in more than a few spots – Susan mentions in comments that the Morgan Junction outage includes West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor). We’ll be going out shortly for a look at some of the major areas. And we can’t say it enough – be careful and don’t go out if you don’t have to. Here’s a streetlight pole leaning at 16th/Trenton in Highland Park:
Thanks again to everyone sending photos.
4:42 PM: We have reports from Highland Park and High Point that some of the power is back on. We’re out now looking around and just happened to be at 16th and Holden when we saw that – the 16th lights ARE working. Meantime, at Delridge/Orchard, the signal is flashing red. Just texted from resident near SW Precinct that their power’s back too. We’ll update our outage-map screengrab shortly. … wait, maybe not; it appears to not be working at this moment.
4:51 PM: Just checked out the bridge-ramp-blocking tree firsthand:
Crew on scene of tree blocking EB bridge ramp from Avalon etc pic.twitter.com/qbTbyINjVV
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) March 13, 2016
Please let us know if you discover it open and we haven’t reported it yet – hard to tell how long it will take to clear. Meantime, get on the eastbound bridge from Fauntleroy or from Delridge.
As we continue our rounds – looks like California Lane’s blocking tree is cleared, as traffic is coming down the hill to Harbor Avenue. And the City Light map is back up. We’re traveling along Alki, which did NOT lose power this afternoon, and all the restaurants appear to be up and running.
5:02 PM: We’re along Beach Drive now – part of the central stretch is part of the remaining major outage zone in West Seattle, which also goes east to Morgan Junction, 1,600+ homes/businesses. Surf’s not too high along Beach Drive because the tide is relatively low right now.
5:13 PM: Just arrived in Morgan Junction and tweeted this pic:
Morgan Jct still out. But look – it's a @SEACityLight truck on Fauntleroy at California! pic.twitter.com/00GTkgDaGx
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) March 14, 2016
Our photographed just went into Thriftway – it IS open, no hot food in the deli, no frozen food sales, and some of their perishables are out of the cases for now. They’re also limiting cash back right now but otherwise they are running with generator power. Meantime, we’ve updated the SCL outage-map framegrab atop this story with the 5 pm view – reflecting the eastern West Seattle outages that are now over.
5:27 PM: Besides the trees being cleared from roads, tree services will be busy for days if not weeks with trees that have come down onto homes. Two are down on this house on SW Tillicum in Fauntleroy (thanks for texting the photo):
5:41 PM: Just got a text that 42nd/Graham has power restored, shortly after a text that it is back on in the 6300 block of Beach Drive. The SCL map shows only scattered small outages remaining in West Seattle, though across the service area, more than 41,000 customers are still without electricity.
5:56 PM: We just checked the bridge ramp again. Big progress for the crew but the ramp’s still closed. Also closed, SW Southern on the west side of California, because of a tree blocking the route down the hillside to neighborhoods east of Lincoln Park.
6:05 PM: Margie lost this 40+-year-old tree at her house near 39th/Andover:
We just checked back in The Junction, and the tree that fell in front of 4730 California hasn’t been cleaned up yet, but traffic’s going by both ways.
6:18 PM: Robert in Seola sent this photo, saying a family made a narrow escape:
He says they had just gotten out of the car when a tree fell on it, near where another tree had fallen across the road.
Also in southwest West Seattle, Gary sent this photo of a tree down at 35th and 111th – taking down a power line:
Later tonight, we will have a separate report on the aftermath of the storm, including any roads that remain closed … we appreciate updates, and thank EVERYONE again for all the information and photos throughout the afternoon – 206-293-6302, editor@westseattleblog.com
(WSB photo from 2015 Food Fest)
If you live, work, and/or play in Fauntleroy, its community council invites you to the annual Food Fest membership celebration on Tuesday (March 15th). As is usual every March, that was the hot topic at the monthly Fauntleroy Community Association board meeting this past week – though not the only topic.
The event on Tuesday is FCA’s annual membership event, with local food-and-drink establishments participating in order to celebrate community as well as entice attendance. It’s at The Hall at Fauntleroy, starting at 6 pm, and will include officer elections (in a festive atmosphere). Come renew or start your FCA membership, while enjoying free samples from more than half a dozen local food/drink establishments, and learning about community businesses/organizations. Bring a food-bank donation too!
ALSO AT FCA – NEXT STEPS FOR EX-SUBSTATION: When the City Council gave City Light the OK to dispose of its surplus ex-substations, the FCA was given a year to come up with a plan to purchase it; if that doesn’t happen, the city will sell it on the open market, as it’s doing with the former Andover substation on Pigeon Point and the former White Center substation in Highland Park. FCA informally met with some neighbors recently and reported that most would like to see it become a greenspace, but some would be OK with housing. FCA is currently trying to rustle up funding for a landscape consultant to evaluate the site.
ENDOLYNE TRIANGLE: Following up on last month’s discussion of plans to calm traffic around the “triangle” in the Fauntleroy/Endolyne business district, FCA’s Marty Westerman says SDOT’s Jim Curtin told him the work is just awaiting two consecutive warm, dry days. As for the planters that are also in the works for the triangle, a neighborhood discussion will determine their configuration and maintenance plans.
FAUNTLEROY SCHOOLHOUSE: Vicki Schmitz-Block reported on a recent daylong retreat that included not only the board but also building representatives, working on a new long-term business plan for the historic schoolhouse. One of its major tenants, the Fauntleroy Children’s Center, has a fundraising auction coming up March 19th.
The Fauntleroy Community Association usually meets second Tuesdays in the schoolhouse conference room – but don’t miss the March 15th Food Fest mentioned above!
The National Weather Service‘s “high wind warning” for our area has been revised because “the storm is moving faster and winds are expected to begin rising sooner than previously expected.” The NWS expects the “strongest winds” in this area to be “during the early to mid-afternoon.” Current forecast is for south to southeast wind 25 mph to 40 mph, gusting up to 60 mph. We’ll be monitoring the situation throughout the day; if your neighborhood is hit with wind effects such as a power outage, downed tree or wires, etc., once you’ve reported to authorities, please let us know – text or call 206-293-6302. Here are some of the numbers you might need:
REPORTING A POWER OUTAGE: 206-684-3000
REPORTING A ROAD/SIDEWALK HAZARD: SDOT’s 24-hour dispatch is 206-386-1218; if you can’t reach them and it’s a truly urgent hazard, call 911.
Good morning – welcome to Daylight Saving Time! 2 am instantly became 3 am overnight, so you might have some clock-resetting to do today, for anything that didn’t automatically make the jump. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service’s “high wind warning” for our area is still up, with the wind expected this afternoon/evening, and most of what’s on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar happens earlier:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: As spring approaches, more of our region’s fresh-grown, fresh-made bounty appears. 10 am-2 pm in the street, in The Junction. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
ASK YOUR QUESTION: As previewed here last night, it’s “Question Week,” and you are invited to stop by Red Cup Espresso in The Junction 10 am-2 pm to contribute your Big Question. (4451 California SW)
OPEN HOUSE: 11 am-1 pm at Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School, which serves preschool through 8th grade. (20th SW/SW Roxbury)
BENEFIT CLASSES: Innate Vitality in Fauntleroy is raising money today for Mila, a 6-year-old girl fighting cancer, and her family. Classes this afternoon (at 12, 1, 2 pm) are on a “pay what you can” donation basis. Sign up in advance. (4507 Wildwood Place)
WEST SEATTLE SEED LIBRARY: Grand opening 2-4 pm today! More in our original preview. It’s at The Healing Tree. (3225 California SW)
CONNECT WITH YOUR COMMUNITY: Ever considered volunteering with the Southwest Seattle Historical Society? Or maybe becoming a member? Or just finding out more about the place where you live? This afternoon’s “fun-filled, informational” event is for you, 3:30-4:30 pm at the Log House Museum – info here. Raffle! (61st SW/SW Stevens)
CHRISTINE PARKER: Singer-songwriter performs live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)
BLUEGRASS JAM: Open jam starts around 7 pm at Poggie Tavern in The Junction. (4717 California SW)
THERE’S MORE … on our complete calendar.
Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight:
MAIL THEFT: Surveillance video caught someone stealing mail on Beach Drive near Lowman Beach around noon Friday:
The victim is offering a thousand-dollar reward if a tip leads to identification. You can refer to police incident #16000087115.
HIT-RUN: Emily reports her vehicle was hit “on Fauntleroy coming off the ferry (Friday). If you see a maroon Mercedes SUV missing its front emblem, with license plate AYJ4***, please call 911 and report to SPD, attn: Officer Johns!”
STOLEN-BIKE UPDATE: We reported Friday on Kim‘s stolen bike. Now, an update: “The boneheads couldn’t ride it and crashed. Found by neighbors where it was ditched. Back home in locked space.”
P.S. Reminder that the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meets Tuesday (March 15th), 7 pm at Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster) – bring your crime/safety concerns directly to local police, as part of the meeting.
It’s been said that it’s far more important to have the right questions, than to have the right answers.
Tomorrow, you have a chance to do something unique with your question(s):
In honor of Albert Einstein‘s upcoming birthday, this will be Question Week, and local organizers have announced:
To launch Question Week locally, Red Cup Espresso, 4451 California Ave SW, is allowing use of their deck on Sunday, March 13th from 10 AM – 2 PM, where everyone can come to have their photos professionally taken by West Seattle’s own Filmateria when they share their questions. We will have some starter exercises to align with the Sunday West Seattle Farmers Market, and there will be the option to participate via social media.
For more about Question Week, read on:
3:51 PM: The weather alert for tomorrow has been upgraded this afternoon to a “High Wind Warning,” and the National Weather Service‘s forecast discussion describes it as a “classic Puget Sound windstorm scenario,” with sustained wind from the south/southeast/southwest potentially 35-45 mph and gusts as high as 70 mph. This is all supposed to happen Sunday afternoon/evening, so you have time to charge everything, get flashlights handy, and other precautions for possible outages.
9:44 PM: As noted in comments, there’s now more of a possibility this might be a little weaker than the afternoon projection – you can read the NWS’s newest “forecast discussion” by going here. As of right now, they’re keeping the warnings up, since the possibility of winds strong enough to bring down trees and cause outages remains. We’ll see what the morning forecast updates (there’s usually another by 4 am, for night owls/earlybirds) bring.
1:35 PM: The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is just wrapping up downtown – and the three local school bands that marched in it turned out to be the only school bands in the parade. First, Chief Sealth International High School:
(Added: Video)
Then Denny International Middle School:
(Added: Video)
(Added: Video)
One more West Seattle sight – the Seattle Police Mounted Patrol, which is based next to Westcrest Park in Highland Park:
From Highland Park, the @SeattlePD Mounted Patrol pic.twitter.com/Ab49Wy20rz
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) March 12, 2016
The parade began with sights and sounds best known for summertime parades, the SPD Motorcycle Drill Team …
… and the Seafair Pirates, whose first two cannon blasts are on our short Twitter video:
And two cannon blasts from the @SeafairPirates !! pic.twitter.com/MfFgDRR4YW
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) March 12, 2016
This year’s Grand Marshal was SPD Chief Kathleen O’Toole.
(Added above: Photo with, from left, Chief O’Toole, husband Dan, local journalist Casey McNerthney, and retiring Congressmember Jim McDermott.)
5:35 PM: Updated with video of all three marching bands. Yet to come: Photos to replace the early ones we added from our as-it-happened tweeting.
9:22 PM: Photos added, as well as substituted for the bands’ Twitter images that we had originally included.
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