West Seattle, Washington

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Spotlight Stories

West Seattle Wednesday: Parks superintendent @ Alki CC; Healthy Families Celebration in High Point; kayaking; meditation; more…
August 19, 2015 9:09 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Bushtit, photographed by Danny McMillin and shared via the WSB Flickr group)

Lots on the calendar for today/tonight, and what follows is only part of it!

GET INSPIRED: Noon-1:15 pm drop-in brown-bag-lunch meetup at Office Junction (WSB sponsor) for entrepreneurs, non-traditional workers, anybody interested in networking and getting inspired. RSVP if you can. (6030 California SW)

HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN FARM STAND: 4-7 pm, fresh produce sold right next to this urban mini-farm – more info in our calendar listing. (32nd SW & Juneau)

RESTAURANT REOPENS: Harry’s Chicken Joint is scheduled to reopen today after 2 1/2 weeks of remodeling. (6032 California SW)

HEALTHY FAMILIES CELEBRATION: 5:30-8 pm at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center, open to all, with dozens of health-service providers on hand as well as free food and free school supplies, plus games and field-day activities for kids. Details in our calendar listing. (6400 Sylvan Way)

KAYAK AND LEARN, ON THE DUWAMISH RIVER: This week’s community kayak tour focuses on Native American history, with Ken Workman of the Duwamish Tribe. 6 pm – departure location TBA when you RSVP; details in our calendar listing.

FREE COMMUNITY MEDITATION: 6 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – details in our calendar listing. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

FRISBEE PICKUP GAME: WSUFF’s Wednesday night pickup games are now at 6 pm at Walt Hundley Playfield in High Point. (34th SW & Myrtle)

PARKS SUPERINTENDENT AT ALKI COMMUNITY CENTER: The “listening tour” continues for new Seattle Parks Superintendent Jesús Aguirre, with a stop tonight at Alki Community Center, 6:30 pm. (5817 SW Stevens)

34TH DISTRICT REPUBLICANS: The group now meets in West Seattle, and its monthly meeting is at 7 tonight at American Legion Post 160 in The Triangle. (3618 SW Alaska)

OPEN MICROPHONE: 7:30 pm signup for spots onstage starting at 8:30 pm at The Skylark in North Delridge. Free, 21+, recordings available for purchase. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday notes; weekend closure previews
August 19, 2015 7:04 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:04 AM: Good morning! Nothing reported currently on routes in or from West Seattle and vicinity.

REMINDER – 2 WEEKEND CLOSURES: Highway 99 closes both ways from the Battery Street Tunnel north to Valley St. in lower Queen Anne next weekend, Friday night (August 21) to early Monday (August 24) – details and maps here. … On Sunday morning, Alki/Harbor Avenues will close for the Alki Beach 5K (9 am start, but parking restrictions start earlier that morning).

7:46 AM: If you’re headed toward Beacon Hill, note that SDOT is tracking a crash at Spokane/Columbian. No SFD callout so far, so apparently no injuries.

9:13 AM: “Late” commuters beware. Stalled vehicle on Northbound 99 just north of the stadiums – thanks to the texter (206-293-6302 any time!) who just reported it (saying it has “cones around it”) and the commenter – it has just now been mentioned on the scanner, too.

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UPDATE: Police investigating shooting in North Delridge after robbery in Admiral; 1 person shot
August 18, 2015 10:53 pm
|      68 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news

(UPDATED WEDNESDAY MORNING with new information from police)

FIRST REPORT, 10:53 PM TUESDAY: An “assault with weapons” response is on the way to 25th/Findlay – and we’re hearing from several people who say they heard multiple gunshots. Per scanner, a male victim has a gunshot wound in his upper leg. Police say they’re finding shell casings. More to come.

11:09 PM: We’ve just arrived at Delridge and Findlay – while most of the SFD response has been dismissed, a private ambulance is here. We hope to find out more from police about scanner traffic suggesting this might be related to a robbery at Hamilton Viewpoint Park in Admiral.

11:28 PM: Police are still trying to sort out what exactly happened and why it all wound up here after starting at the park in Admiral. No one is in custody so far. The victim’s been taken to the hospital and his injuries are not life-threatening. The car he was in is here at Delridge/Findlay and police are talking to possible witnesses.

11:52 PM: As pointed out in comments, there are shell casings on 25th near Puget.

Police are here too and crime tape is up (so if you’re out driving or riding at this hour, 25th is blocked).

12:46 AM: We went by Hamilton Viewpoint Park – no police cruisers with lights on, but there appeared to be an officer with a flashlight; gates were closed and not close enough for us to reach safely, so we’ll have to verify in the morning what if anything was found there, as well as whatever other details police have determined.

SIDE NOTE: While there have been other incidents involving gunfire, this is the first time someone has been shot in West Seattle since this incident near 35th and Morgan more than four months ago. One person was “grazed” in the June road-rage incident that started under the bridge.

ADDED 10:52 AM WEDNESDAY: A few additional details are in what police just posted to SPD Blotter, including the victim’s age and confirmation that shots were fired at Hamilton Viewpoint as well as in North Delridge:

Police are investigating a robbery with shots fired that took place at Hamilton Viewpoint Park in West Seattle last night.

Two men arrived at the park at 10:45 PM to meet with some friends. One of the victims got out of his car and was immediately confronted by a suspect armed with a handgun. The suspect demanded the victim’s backpack and he complied. But when the suspect demanded the victim’s belt, the victim refused. As he started walking back to his car to leave the suspect fired several shots in his direction.

The suspect then ran to a silver or bronze BMW, that was being driven by another male, and drove off southbound from the park. The victims took off after the suspect vehicle and followed them until the 5000 block of 25 Avenue SW where the suspects fired more shots at the victims’ vehicle.

One of the victims, a 19-year-old man, was struck in the leg by a bullet. Medics responded to the scene and he was transported to Harborview Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

(WSB photo of police examining ‘the victim vehicle’)
The victim vehicle also sustained damage from multiple bullets.

Officers flooded the area but were unable to locate the suspect vehicle.

The Robbery Unit responded and processed the scene for evidence. Detectives are still working to gather more details about the suspects—the victim described them only as a Samoan male and a white or Hispanic male both in their early 20s. Police are also investigating the nature of the meeting between the suspects and victim.

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THURSDAY: Ayron Jones and The Way @ Summer Concerts at Hiawatha
August 18, 2015 9:28 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

That’s a taste of the blues/rock of Ayron Jones and The Way, playing West Seattle this Thursday night at the Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented Summer Concerts @ Hiawatha. You’re invited to bring a blanket, chair, family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, picnic dinner, any or all of the above, and come enjoy great music for free, starting at 6:30 pm on Hiawatha Community Center‘s east lawn (along Walnut south of Lander). Meantime, if you’re not already a fan of this band, read more about them and their music here.

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West Seattle development: Westwood apartments; Alki projects; 36th SW microhousing update
August 18, 2015 6:54 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

Four projects in this roundup of West Seattle development notes:

WESTWOOD APARTMENTS: A preliminary “site plan” has just been filed for a proposed 32-apartment, no-offstreet-parking building on a vacant triangle of land at 2221 SW Barton Place, southeast of Westwood Village. Notes in the city’s online files say the project would require Design Review.

ALKI TEARDOWNS: Three century-old beach bungalows have just been demolished on a site long planned for redevelopment in the 3000 block of 63rd SW in Alki, just across the south-side alley from the commercial building that is home to Cassis (WSB sponsor), Cactus, and Alki Urban Market.

An earlier proposal for the site passed Administrative Design Review more than six years ago. Six townhouses and one single-family house are to be built.

1307 HARBOR PROJECT FILES APPLICATION: This is the site that includes the former Alki Tavern, now closed for almost 2 1/2 years. The mixed-use proposal went through the first stage of Design Review in spring 2014; though no date is set, its next Design Review is getting closer, as city files show the developers have applied for their master-use permit. The project is now described as including 15 residential units, fewer than the original proposal.

4122 36TH SW MICROHOUSING FOLLOWUP: When we first reported last month on this proposal to replace a triplex with a microhousing building, the proposal didn’t specify a number of units. Now it does – approximately 24.

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Election 2015: It’s officially Lisa Herbold vs. Shannon Braddock in November, as final primary vote totals are certified
August 18, 2015 4:54 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

The last ballots have been counted, and, as of this afternoon, the August primary-election results are official. In the new Seattle City Council District 1, West Seattle and South Park, about 18,000 ballots were tallied, out of more than 60,000 sent, for a 30 percent voter turnout (see all the King County stats here). Here are the final totals for the nine candidates who were on the primary ballot in District 1:

Lisa Herbold – 30.15% – 5234 votes
Shannon Braddock – 27.78% – 4824 votes
Phillip Tavel – 18.18% – 3156 votes
Brianna Thomas – 10.17% – 1765 votes
Chas Redmond – 7.30% – 1268 votes
Jody Rushmer – 2.12% – 368 votes
Karl Wirsing – 1.41% – 245 votes
Arturo Robles – 1.38% – 240 votes
Pavel Goberman – 1.17% – 204 votes

So the general election contest is between Herbold (above left), a 48-year-old Highland Park resident who is longtime legislative assistant to retiring City Councilmember Nick Licata, and Braddock (above right), a 45-year-old Admiral resident who is chief of staff to County Councilmember Joe McDermott. Several forums are in the works in the district before the November 3rd election, so watch for details on those.

P.S. You’ll also be voting on the two at-large City Council seats – Position 8 will be Tim Burgess vs. Jon Grant (primary results here); Position 9 will be Lorena González vs. Bill Bradburd (primary results here). All election results from around King County can be seen here.

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Meeples Games: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor
August 18, 2015 3:24 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Today we’re welcoming Meeples Games as a new WSB sponsor! Here’s what Meeples‘ proprietors would like you to know about their business:

At Meeples Games, our goal is to bring people together through tabletop gaming by providing an amazing space; outstanding customer service; delicious local foods, coffee, and brews; and a massive selection of games to play and to buy.

Owners Laura Schneider and Brian Taylor opened Meeples in May 2014 on the second floor of Charlestown Center (California & Charlestown). We’re proud to have been chosen West Seattle’s Westside Emerging Business of the Year 2015. We and many of our co-workers live in West Seattle, and we are an integrated part of the community. We have been embraced by our amazing neighborhood and are thrilled to bring our passion for tabletop gaming to everyone. In this digital era it is important to us to bring people together via face-to-face gaming and at Meeples Games, it’s “all analog, all the time!”

We offer tabletop games for all ages, including board games, card games, role-playing games, miniatures, puzzles, Magic: the Gathering, Pokemon, classic games, and accessories. We have a large library of games to play and a comfortable play space. Our café features locally sourced sandwiches, salads, pastries, plates-to-share, snacks, espresso, nitro cold brew, and local beers and cider on tap. We strive to bring good, simple food to gamers in a fun and family-friendly environment. Daily gaming events are listed in-store and on our website – www.meeplesgames.com – and include Magic: the Gathering tournaments, Pokemon League, Netrunner League, Star Wars X-Wing, D&D, learn-to-play sessions, and much, much more. We even reserve tables and host birthday parties and other events! Here’s how to reach Meeples Games, online and by phone.

We thank Meeples Games for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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SATURDAY: West Seattle Bee Garden hosts first-ever Puget Sound Beekeepers Association Kids’ Day
August 18, 2015 2:32 pm
|    Comments Off on SATURDAY: West Seattle Bee Garden hosts first-ever Puget Sound Beekeepers Association Kids’ Day
 |   Fun stuff to do | Gardening | High Point | West Seattle news

(Photo by Ann Anderson)

Where would we be without bees? Your favorite kid(s) can learn more about them at the West Seattle Bee Garden on Saturday, during the first-ever Kids Day presented by the Puget Sound Beekeepers Association! WSBG founder Lauren Englund shares the news:

Beekeepers from the Puget Sound Beekeepers Association are gearing up for the first PSBA Kids’ Day!

The day will begin with a story time hosted by the Seattle Public Library, followed by a variety of science activities. Kids will join a group and rotate through a live hive demonstration, scavenger hunt, and activity booths.

Booth themes will include Waggle Dance, Pollination Simulation, Bee and Flower Facts, Honey Tasting, Meet the Beekeepers, and Crafts.

Participation is free – we hope everyone can come join the fun! We recommend arriving a few minutes early to get assigned to your group before the Story Time begins. Registration/Sign-in will begin at 9:30 am. Parents/Chaperones, please plan to enjoy the event along with your attendees

Know if you can make it? Great! Please register here. Not sure? That’s ok. Walk-ins will be welcome too!

Registration helps them figure out how many kids to plan for, but again, it’s not mandatory. You can find out more about Kids’ Day on the WS Bee Garden’s website; if you’ve never been there before, here’s how/where to find it.

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West Seattle scene: Residents at The Kenney walk to help neighbors
August 18, 2015 2:03 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   The Kenney | West Seattle news

Great morning for a walk (-a-thon)! In this morning’s West Seattle Tuesday preview, we mentioned the first-ever Walk-A-Thon at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), raising money for its Resident Care Fund, which helps ensure that people living there don’t have to move if their lives outlast their assets. We stopped by around midway through, and were told about 50 residents and staffers already had joined in the walk around the west lawn of The Kenney’s landmark Seaview Building.

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West Seattle whale watching: Orcas reported to be heading this way
August 18, 2015 12:07 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

ORIGINAL REPORT, 12:07 PM: Just texted by Jeff Hogan of Killer Whale Tales: Orcas reported to be in Elliott Bay, headed toward Alki. On our way to look; please let us know if you see them!

1:26 PM UPDATE: We looked from Constellation Park, around Duwamish Head and beyond, no sightings, and we’ve heard nothing further; checked the Orca Network as well, and assuming this is the group of “transient” killer whales their readers spotted, they have no further sightings either, with speculation the whales might have gone into Kitsap waters. Could turn up later!

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Does West Seattle need a ‘Village’? If you think so – here’s how to help plan it!
August 18, 2015 11:43 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Depending on where you are in life, you might imagine the future as exciting, or worrisome, or a combination of both. If you tend toward the latter, you might take some reassurance in learning that plans are in the works for a “Village” in West Seattle. Even better, it’s so early in the planning stage that you can jump in and help make it something that you’ll look forward to being part of when the time comes. From the group working on it so far:

What is a Village?

A village is not a place – it is a plan for aging successfully in your own home. It is a membership-based organization with paid staff who act as a personal, central resource to coordinate access to services for you. These services can help you stay in your home as you age and could be provided by trained neighborhood volunteers, or you might be referred to a screened vendor/service provider for more complex needs and services. It could also include social and activity groups.

Services might include yard work, rides to the doctor or a friend’s house, housecleaning, companionship, pet care, painters, plumbers, grocery shopping, and educational and social events at nearby locations.

Read More

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5 years in the making, Metro’s battery-powered-bus test gets up to speed
August 18, 2015 11:14 am
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Your chance to commute via a battery-powered bus like that one is getting closer. At a media event today that otherwise was about its new electric trolley buses, Metro also had an update on the battery-powered-bus test that’s been on the way since a federal $4.7 million grant was announced five years ago:

… Over the next four to six months, Metro will take delivery of three 40-foot prototype heavy-duty battery-electric buses with fast-charging batteries, manufactured with a composite body by Proterra, Inc.

The new 38-seat buses can travel up to 23 miles between charges, and remain on the road up to 24 hours a day. Batteries take 10 minutes or less to charge. The prototype bus is expected to get 15 miles more from an equivalent unit of energy than a diesel-hybrid coach. A battery-charging station has already been set up at the Eastgate Park-and-Ride lot.

Metro will test the performance and efficiency of the new technology for up to a year on local streets and roads, to determine whether battery electric buses can be a future replacement option for Metro. The three prototypes will likely be tested on short routes serving the Eastside and downtown Seattle.

You can read today’s full announcement and see videos on this county webpage. The Proterra website says Metro is one of 10 agencies in 9 states that is, or will be, using its buses.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Parks superintendent back in WS; bees; paddling; Kenney Walk-A-Thon; more…
August 18, 2015 10:21 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Tuesday: Parks superintendent back in WS; bees; paddling; Kenney Walk-A-Thon; more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Today’s sunrise from Seacrest, by Julia Phipps)

Happy Tuesday! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

KENNEY WALK-A-THON: Underway now, and continuing until 1 pm. Visit The Kenney (WSB sponsor) to support the first-ever walk-a-thon on its Seaview Lawn – northwest side of the campus – supporting its Resident Care Fund. Bid on silent-auction items, too! (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

OPEN-HIVE DEMONSTRATION: 11 am, be at the West Seattle Bee Garden to see what happens in the hive! (31st SW & Graham)

IS THIS ON YOUR SUMMER BUCKET LIST? Second-to-last Tuesday night this summer for Alki Kayak Tours & Mountain to Sound Outfitters‘ weekly paddle races/demos, 6-8 pm. (1660 Harbor SW)

MEET THE CITY’S NEW PARKS SUPERINTENDENT: Second West Seattle stop on Jesús Aguirre‘s “listening tour” is Neighborhood House‘s High Point Center, 6:30 pm tonight. (6400 Sylvan Way)

EVENING BOOK GROUP: High Point Library‘s monthly group gathers tonight, open to all, 6:30 pm, reading “Year of Wonders” by Geraldine Brooks. (35th SW & Raymond)

LIVE MUSIC: Tonight’s options on the calendar include the Tuesday Tuneup benefit at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), 6:30 pm, and Shadowland‘s Starlight singer/songwriter showcase, 9 pm.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Seen TW’s stolen black Accord?
August 18, 2015 9:13 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Out of the WSB inbox this morning, from TW:

I discovered my car stolen from my apartment’s off-street parking last night near Westcrest Park. It’s a black 1996 Honda Accord, license plate ALM 8630, with some distinctive damage on the right rear end (corner dented above the tail light). Please let me know if you see it around anywhere; the last time a car got stolen, a WSB tipster led the police to it. Would be great if you guys could do the same again!

If you do see this or any other stolen vehicle, please call 911 first, and then an FYI here would indeed be great.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: What’s up for Tuesday, plus previews
August 18, 2015 6:16 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning!

ROAD WORK ALERT FOR TODAY: The Seattle Public Utilities project near Westwood is scheduled to continue today, to “pave 22nd Avenue SW between SW Barton Place and SW Barton Street from 7:30 am until as late as 6 pm. This work will require intermittent lane restrictions on SW Barton Place where it intersects 22nd Avenue SW [map], and on SW Barton Street between 21st Avenue SW and 23rd Avenue SW.”

REMINDER – WEEKEND CLOSURES: First, you might see northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct backups while Highway 99 closes both ways from the Battery Street Tunnel north to Valley St. in lower Queen Anne next weekend, Friday night (August 21) to early Monday (August 24) – details and maps here. Here in West Seattle, Alki/Harbor Avenues will be closed next Sunday morning (August 23) for the Alki Beach 5K (9 am start, but the closure will kick in sooner, and watch for the no-parking signs, too).

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West Seattle wading pools: Season over for 3, after this week
August 18, 2015 2:36 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle wading pools: Season over for 3, after this week
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

It’s been a hot summer in Seattle, and the city-run wading pools have helped countless kids cool off. But their season is short, so we’re reminding you that three of West Seattle’s four wading pools will be closed after this week: The E.C. Hughes wading pool’s finale is Friday (August 21st); for Hiawatha, it’s Saturday (August 22nd); and for Delridge, it’s Sunday (August 23rd). Our area’s only seven-days-a-week wading pool, at Lincoln Park, is open daily until September 7th, which is also the last day of the year for Highland Park Spraypark and for outdoor Colman Pool. (See hours and addresses for all of the above by going here.)

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West Seattle scene: Another sunset sky full of beauty
August 17, 2015 9:27 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle scene: Another sunset sky full of beauty
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Thanks to James Bratsanos for sharing tonight’s sunset view … still a month-plus of summer nights left, even as the sun makes its exit a little earlier each evening, already almost an hour earlier (8:18 pm tonight) than the latest summer sunset (9:11 pm on July 1st).

P.S. Check the sunset/sunrise and moonset/moonrise times on the WSB West Seattle Weather page, any time.

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Highway 99 tunnel machine: WSDOT’s contractor starts ‘reconnecting’ its biggest pieces
August 17, 2015 8:13 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news

(Late-afternoon screengrab from WSDOT webcam)

Five months after parts of the Highway 99 tunnel machine were lifted out of its “access pit” along the Alaskan Way Viaduct, the state says its contractor reports they’re getting close to putting the repaired parts back in. From WSDOT’s update today:

Seattle Tunnel Partners has begun reconnecting the two largest pieces of the SR 99 tunneling machine’s front end. On Saturday, Aug. 15, crane crews from Mammoet lifted the machine’s bearing block into place atop the cutterhead and drive unit. The newly reconnected front end of the machine will remain at the surface while Hitachi Zosen installs its motors. When installation of the motors is complete, Mammoet will lower the 2,000-ton piece back into the pit. … STP’s most recent schedule indicated the lowering of pieces would begin in early August, but some parts had to be remanufactured due to tight tolerances – measured in millimeters – that need to be met as the machine is reassembled. Those new parts have since arrived and been successfully installed. … Once the machine is in the pit, crews will begin the lengthy task of reconnecting wires, hoses and other parts to the portion of the machine that remains in the ground. A series of tests will follow to ensure the machine is ready to resume mining.

So far, WSDOT says, its contractor still “has a plan in place to resume tunneling in late November as scheduled,” but it notes that it “cannot verify the contractor’s schedule.”

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BIZNOTE: Chipotle sets West Seattle Junction opening date
August 17, 2015 4:25 pm
|      41 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

When last we checked with Chipotle to see if its West Seattle Junction opening date was set yet, the company was aiming for late August. After three people sent notes today asking for an update, we first checked the 4730 California SW storefront – it looks nearly done; the menu’s even up. So we contacted the Chipotle media team, who say it’s opening September 10th. Hours: 11 am to 10 pm daily.

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FOLLOWUP: Duane Atwood pleads guilty, sentenced in indecent-exposure case
August 17, 2015 3:26 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

One year after 38-year-old Admiral resident Duane Atwood‘s arrest, he has pleaded guilty and been sentenced in one of the two cases against him – indecent exposure and failure to register as a sex offender. Making a periodic check of the files, we discovered Atwood was sentenced last Friday. He pleaded guilty in connection with an incident in July of last year on Beach Drive near Cormorant Cove Park, in which he called out a question to a woman who was walking by his vehicle, then exposed himself when she approached to reply. The victim got his license-plate number, which eventually led investigators to Atwood. They subsequently discovered he had moved back to the area four years earlier without re-registering as a sex offender as he was required to do because of a 2000 conviction in another West Seattle case, an arson/burglary incident found to have been committed with sexual motivation.

Last Friday, Superior Court Judge Judith Ramseyer sentenced Atwood to one year for the indecent exposure/failure-to-register case, as recommended by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Though he has already been in jail longer than that, he remains there because of an unrelated charge filed five months after his indecent-exposure arrest. We reported on that case last December, when he was charged with felony harassment, accused of repeatedly calling an acquaintance in the middle of the night in 2012 and 2013, progressing from sexual innuendo to threats of rape and murder. The online court docket says he was scheduled for trial in that case later this month, but the date’s been postponed to October.

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West Seattle scene: Downed tree at Lincoln Park, post-storm
August 17, 2015 1:12 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle scene: Downed tree at Lincoln Park, post-storm
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks to Barbara for the photo from the north-side beach at Lincoln Park – part of a big tree, apparently downed during last Friday’s storm.

She observes, “Must have been a mighty roar going down.” The final official rainfall total for Friday afternoon, by the way, was 1.2 inches.

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West Seattle schools: Why students are at many elementaries today
August 17, 2015 12:01 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle schools: Why students are at many elementaries today
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The first day of classes for Seattle Public Schools is still weeks away, but hundreds of students are on site this week at many schools in West Seattle, for Kindergarten Jump Start. It’s a voluntary “weeklong experience for new kindergarteners and their families to learn about their new school.” Most participating schools will have half-day sessions all week, 9 am-noon. According to the district flyer, schools participating in our area are Alki, Arbor Heights (at Boren), Concord, Fairmount Park, Gatewood, Highland Park, Lafayette, Pathfinder, Roxhill, and Sanislo.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Another stolen van; more stolen patio furniture; stolen boat
August 17, 2015 11:18 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports this morning:

ANOTHER STOLEN VAN: Both vans stolen last week and reported here were spotted and returned to their owners; maybe you’ll be the one to find the van taken from Staci‘s home:

Our gray 2004 Toyota Sienna was stolen last night from the street in front of our house, 21st & Roxbury, between the hours of 12:00 am – 8:00 am. License plate 660 XPY.

If you see it, call 911.

MORE STOLEN PATIO FURNITURE: From a Highland Park resident:

My Pier 1 Bird cage hanging chair with a beautiful flower woven into the back was stolen with the turquoise cushion attached last night around midnight. My dogs barked and they chased something that I thought was a raccoon. It must have been the people stealing the chair. It was out of view and I didn’t check around because I thought they were chasing an animal and called them back in. My house is on the 9000 block of 13th Ave SW.

That’s the second stolen-patio-furniture report we’ve published in recent days. Meantime, as we finished this, we just got word of this theft:

STOLEN BOAT: From Marlo:

*Stolen boat out of Jack Block Park.*

We last used it three weeks ago. It’s a 22-foot Four Winds. We were headed out today to volunteer our boat for a family camp in Olympia to give tubbing rides to the kids when my husband noticed it was not there.

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