West Seattle, Washington
20 Wednesday
(SWSHS photo: Matt Schilling, son of Alki Homestead owner Dennis Schilling, finishing the sign)
Walking toward Alki Beach along 61st SW this afternoon, past the early-stage-renovation-under-way Alki Homestead/Fir Lodge, we noticed that sign, and maybe you did too. Clay Eals of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society shared the photo and this explanation/announcement:
Now that restoration work has begun on the city-landmark Fir Lodge/Alki Homestead, a procedure has been established for parking during construction work that will transpire over the next year or two.
The Southwest Seattle Historical Society holds an easement for use of the Homestead parking lot. Thus, visitors to the organization’s “Birthplace of Seattle” Log House Museum can park free in the Homestead lot during the museum’s open hours of noon to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Access is via the alley behind the Homestead lot.
Immediately upon parking in the lot during the open hours, a museum visitor must obtain a parking pass at the museum and return to his or her car and place the pass on the dashboard.
Staff and volunteers of the organization also can park in the Homestead lot during open hours and at other times by displaying a permanent parking pass.
The lot also is available to the general public seeking to park for non-museum purposes. Those seeking parking in the Alki area can park in the Homestead lot for a fee of $10/day.
The funds, which will go to Homestead owner Dennis Schilling, are collected in a locked honor box at the parking lot. Signs posted at the lot explain the procedure and fee.
Spaces will be designated for museum parking (and moved, as needed, to accommodate construction vehicles) so that no matter how many spaces are filled by those who pay for parking, there will be spaces available for museum parking during open hours.
The Homestead parking lot sits one-half block north of the museum. Access to the lot is via the alley behind 61st Avenue SW, between Alki Avenue SW and SW Stevens Street. (The alley entrance from Alki Avenue is between Starbucks and Top Pot Doughnuts.)
More Homestead restoration info, including the new parking policy, is on the SWSHS website.
1:32 PM: In case you’re not already at the beach but were wondering – no, the Seafair Pirates have *not* yet landed. Today’s schedule suggested we’ll see them around 2:15 pm; already a big crowd, and of course, the Pirates’ landlubbing getaway vessel vehicle, the Moby Duck, currently in use (top photo) as a photo-op backdrop.
More vendors than we recall seeing in previous years, plus live music, bouncy toys for kids (ticket purchase required), lots to see and do, both west and east of the Alki Bathhouse (at 60th/Alki – and we can attest to parking being maxed out for at least half a mile in all directions).
1:49 PM: We’re told the Pirates are about 10 minutes out; meantime at the stage, emcees are rounding up kids for a “pirate contest.” Next update, when they arrive.
Here they be! pic.twitter.com/u1USC5LMFa
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) June 27, 2015
2:05 PM: The Pirates landed about 10 minutes ago, if you’re keeping score. After multiple rounds of cannon fire, Global Diving and Salvage’s Prudhoe Bay brought them to the beach, and suddenly they were mobbed.
ADDED 3:46 PM: Adding a few more photos before we move on to other news, and then we’ll have a big treasure chest of pix in Report #2 later. Above and below, photos by Gary Jones, including the mayor giving the Pirates the key to the city (or did they seize it?):
Gary also noted a pirate-pet-quality bird in attendance:
More later!
(1st four photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
It’s opening day for the newest shop in The Junction, Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) at 4736 California SW. And proprietor Frank Gross tells us he’s “ecstatic.”
As first reported here in May, Thunder Road is making the move from a storefront about a mile north, where it was “busting at the seams” after two and a half successful years – the business started online in 2011. Biggest thing about the new shop is, in fact, its bigness – tripling the square footage, 2,500 feet now, up from 800 sf before. That means more instruments – about 200 on hand at any time – but also more services and partnerships. Another West Seattleite, Chad Beeler of The Bass Shop and Bass EFX, is now partnering with Thunder Road:
Also new: TRG will be offering lessons starting next month (there’s studio space in the back) – watch for more on that soon. In the meantime, even if you’re not a musician, it’s fun to browse the selection of fine vintage and used guitars – acoustic as well as electric – and other instruments and equipment, including amps.
Thunder Road has new hours as it launches the new storefront – there today 10-6, which is the Tuesday-Saturday schedule; on Sundays, when you might want to stop in as a side trip while at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market in the next block to the north, they’re open 11 am-4 pm. And you can’t miss the sign:
(Thanks to Michael for this photo!)
Besides visiting in person, check in online – on the Web. TRG is also fun to follow on Instagram, for the regular “Today’s Catch” feature.
(Cabbage butterfly, photographed by Danny McMillin, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
First full weekend of summer begins – highlighted today by the Seafair Pirates – and hot weather – keep cool, stay hydrated, and have fun!
TAI CHI ON THE BEACH: 9 am free class, all levels welcome, including beginners – details in our calendar listing.
SEAFAIR PIRATES LANDING: All-day festival on Alki Beach near the Bathhouse, 10 am-6 pm, but event management tells us the Seafair Pirates themselves will land on West Seattle’s shore later than usual, around 2:15 pm. First band at 11 am – see the schedule here; activities also include bouncy toys for kids, vendors, more. (60th/Alki)
NO POLE VAULTING, THOUGH: Here’s why you WON’T see the longrunning semi-companion event at Alki today.
THUNDER ROAD GUITARS OPENS ITS NEW JUNCTION LOCATION: Less than two months after announcing its move to a new Junction location, it’s opening day for Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) – you can come see for yourself 10 am-6 pm. (4736 California SW)
BENEFIT CAR WASH: The West Seattle High School volleyball team is washing cars by donation today, 10 am-3 pm – details in our calendar listing – at Les Schwab. (Alaska/Fauntleroy)
WADING POOL SEASON STARTS: 11 am-8 pm, first day for the Lincoln Park wading pool, first one to open in West Seattle; it’ll be open those same hours every day (unless temps are below 70 degrees) for the rest of the summer. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
OTHER PLACES TO GET INTO THE WATER, OUTDOORS: 11 am-8 pm, Highland Park Spraypark is open (1100 SW Cloverdale); noon-7 pm, Colman Pool is open for swim sessions on the shore at Lincoln Park.
FIELD DAY: 11 am today through 11 am Sunday, amateur-radio operators are set up on the south side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, and you’re invited to visit, watch, and learn, as previewed here. (6000 16th SW)
KIDS’ STORY TIME AT CHACO CANYON: Author Alexis St. John will read to kids 11:30 am-noon at Chaco Canyon Organic Café. Free! (38th/Alaska)
CATS AWAITING FOREVER HOMES: Weekend adoption event at Kitty Harbor, noon-5 pm. (3422 Harbor SW)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Noon-4 pm, regular hours at the home of West Seattle’s history – side trip while you’re at Alki for the Pirates, perhaps? (61st/Stevens)
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Another Alki side trip – 1 pm-4 pm, join U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers at the historic lighthouse on Alki Point. Free! (3201 Alki SW)
MODE MUSIC STUDIOS SUMMER-CAMP RECITAL: 5-7 pm at The Skylark, you’ll hear musicians from Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) next door – free all-ages show! (3803 Delridge Way SW)
NIGHTLIFE LISTINGS … see them on the calendar page.
Two updates tonight on the future of the Port of Seattle’s Terminal 5 in northeastern West Seattle:
(December 2014 photo by Long Bach Nguyen)
GETTING RID OF THE CRANES: After the port closed the terminal, separate from interim leasing including the Foss/Shell use, it announced plans to sell the six cranes on the site, saying they had been appraised as worth $3.75 million. Ten months later, no buyer(s) have surfaced, so the port wants to pay someone an estimated $4.6 million to take away the six T-5 cranes and one at Terminal 46 on the downtown waterfront. From a briefing paper accompanying last Tuesday’s Port Commission meeting agenda:
Cranes No. 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, and 68 are located at Terminal 5. They were purchased from PACECO Corporation and are classified as post-panamax cranes having a gauge of 100 feet and a lifting capacity of 50 long tons. Crane 54 is located on Terminal 46 and is an IHI crane classified as a panamax having a capacity of 40 long tons and a gauge of 50 feet.
Port staff advertised the cranes in trade journals, contacted used equipment dealers, and reached out to other ports, but received limited interest and no offers. Unfortunately, there are a number of used cranes similar to the PACECOs on the market with very few buyers. There is no market for the IHI crane and it has been inactive since 2008. The result is the Port will have to issue a major public-works contract to have the cranes removed from the terminals.
And that has to be done fast, the port says, because some demolition work is planned at T-5 “in early 2016.” Port spokesperson Peter McGraw tells WSB a final decision is expected at the July 14th commission meeting; this week, along with this briefing, he says commissioners ratified a cost increase in a separate contract to remove three cranes at Terminal 18, which will now cost $1.8 million.
COMMENT TIME FOR MODERNIZATION PLAN: Another public-comment period is now open for the modernization work itself, according to this notice published in the city’s most-recent Land Use Information Bulletin, which summarizes the project as:
Shoreline Substantial Development Application to allow improvements to existing container cargo facility (Terminal 5). Project includes removal and replacement of portions of pier structure, including crane rails, decking and piling, dredging of approximately 29,800 cu. yds. of sediment, and under pier shoreline stabilization. Project also includes installation of an electrical substation and utility upgrades.
You can use this form to send a comment to the city Department of Planning and Development; the deadline is July 24th. You can find what’s been filed with the city by going here and putting 3019071 in the “project number” search box on the left side.
6:39 PM: As the temperature headed up into the upper 80s today … the Lincoln Park wading pool remained empty. But today is the last day you’ll find it that way – tomorrow is opening day! It’s in the upper north-central park and scheduled to be open 11 am-8 pm daily starting Saturday, unless the weather’s below 70 degrees. Also from the citywide wading-pool/spraypark schedule, the Delridge wading pool (Delridge/Genesee) is the next to open (Monday, 4-day-a-week schedule); Wednesday is the first day for E.C. Hughes (2805 SW Holden) and Hiawatha (Walnut/Lander). Of course, you can already take the kids to Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) every day, 11 am-8 pm – it’s been open for five weeks!
9:42 PM: National Weather Service says today’s high was 89, not a record, but:
However, it is noteworthy to mention that today was the 9th of 80+ degrees this month in Seattle. That is good for 2nd place on the list of occurrences of 80+ degrees in June. It’s all but a foregone conclusion that we will see day 10 tomorrow which would tie the all-time record of 80+ degree days in June. On Sunday, we’re likely to reach new territory with day 11…something that has never happened in 70 years of records at Sea-Tac airport.
From the agenda for next Monday’s City Council meeting, that’s a revised summary of what the proposed $930 million Move Seattle transportation levy would go toward – mostly in generalities, though the Fauntleroy Boulevard project is mentioned by name. The full council votes Monday on whether to send it to the November ballot, after its committee approval this week (including rejection of a suggestion to mix up the funding – which will remain 100 percent property tax). Meantime, the West Seattle Transportation Coalition is wondering what YOU think of the levy, and launched a two-question survey today to find out. Go here to take it.
Thanks to Dave Brewer for the photo – the lights have arrived at the 47th/Admiral/Waite project; in the update we published on Monday, SDOT had said they were expecting delivery by the end of the week. Don’t expect to see them in operation immediately, though – testing/configuration is expected to take a while.
Two days ago, we reported on a petition drive in which community advocates in two areas of urban unincorporated King County, including North Highline (White Center and vicinity), asked for an emergency ban on fireworks. County leaders said they don’t have the authority to do anything immediate, but the state does; we finally got a chance today to inquire with the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Deputy Fire Marshal Lysandra Davis replied, saying that only the governor has that authority, but that calling for one isn’t warranted right now. Here’s the entire reply:
Our office has received numerous inquiries on this matter, and we value and appreciate each and every one.
Because Washington is a Home Rule State, legislative authority to limit or prohibit the sale, purchase, possession, and/or use of consumer fireworks is only granted to city, municipal, and county governments. However, any ordinance adopted by a county or city has an effective date no sooner than one year after its adoption, per RCW 70.77.250 (4). Because State Fireworks Law does not provide the SFMO or any other local jurisdiction/agency the authority to temporarily ban
fireworks, even on an emergency basis, it is unlawful to do so.The only person with the authority to issue a temporary ban on fireworks sales/usage is Governor Jay Inslee. This would be done through a State of Emergency Proclamation which normally prohibits activities that the Governor reasonably believes should be prohibited to help preserve and maintain life, health, property or public peace. In the past, when emergency proclamations have been issued during heavy wildland fires (usually occurring mid-July to August), fireworks usage and sales were already prohibited by State Fireworks Law.
The current burn ban that is in effect only applies to state forests, state parks and forestlands under Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fire protection, including Department of Fish and Wildlife lands; it does not include cities, municipalities and/or counties. This ban prohibits outdoor burning and fireworks and incendiary devices (which are never legal on DNR-protected forestlands).
While these drought conditions we are facing may be unprecedented, there is not a current statewide fire emergency that would warrant the Governor to declare a State ban on fireworks.
What I can assure you of is that the State Fire Marshal’s Office is committed to promoting fire safety and injury prevention year round with our Celebrate Safely and Legally campaign — emphasizing “personal responsibility,” especially during these extremely dry weather conditions.
Fireworks are illegal in Seattle, but will be on sale, legally, in unincorporated King County starting this Sunday, where the law allows their use 9 am-midnight on July 4th.
New local crime-trend info today from the latest semi-weekly SeaStat briefing at HQ – all in this slide deck just published via the SPD website. SeaStat does not spotlight all precincts at every briefing, but this time our area was featured on three slides:
MAJOR CRIME CATEGORIES: First slide from the Southwest Precinct (West Seattle and South Park) showed the year-to-date changes in all major-crime categories. (The screengrab is too small/blurry to read in our format, so we’re summarizing, but again, you can see it firsthand here.) First, the increases:
*Aggravated assault, non-domestic-violence: Up 21 percent, 51 incidents YTD compared to 42 a year earlier
*Burglary, non-residential: Up 15 percent, 70 incidents YTD compared to 61 a year earlier
*Robbery: Up 12 percent, 64 incidents YTD compared to 57 a year earlier
*Motor-vehicle theft: Up 7 percent, 245 incidents YTD compared to 230 a year earlier
*Residential burglary: Up 5 percent, 228 incidents YTD compared to 217 a year earlier
*Car prowls: Up 4 percent, 438 incidents YTD compared to 420 a year earlier
*Larceny/theft: Up 4 percent, 479 incidents YTD compared to 459 a year earlier
One other category with an increase is homicide – 1 this year, 0 last year. (This year’s case was in South Park; West Seattle’s last homicide was in December 2013.)
Next, the decreases:
*Aggravated assault, domestic violence: Down 34 percent, 33 incidents YTD, 50 a year earlier
*Rape: Down 13 percent, 7 incidents YTD, 8 a year earlier
POSSIBLE HIGHLAND PARK BURGLARY PATTERN: This also was featured in the SeaStat deck – 8 break-ins between mid-May and mid-June:
You can take a closer look at those incidents via the SPD Police Report map – use the controls at left to choose the same time period, starting May 19th, and to select only burglaries; then click on any location to get the vicinity and date/time, plus report narrative if available.
NORTH ADMIRAL CAR PROWLS, PRE-ARREST: This slide illustrated a point police often make – repeat offenders are often responsible for a sizable number of incidents. This series preceded the June 12th arrest covered here and here – the case of the construction workers who tackled a juvenile car-prowl suspect (with one getting bitten for his trouble):
Since the suspect is a juvenile, information on his current status is not easy to come by, but we’re doing our best to find out.
CRIME-PREVENTION ADVICE: Also today – helpful information from SW/South Precincts Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon – the topics are window safety and graffiti vandalism:
Just in from Seattle Parks (we’ve truncated the location list to show West Seattle fields only – see the full list here):
Seattle Parks and Recreation will turn on field lighting on ballfields throughout the city on the evenings of Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, to protect the surfaces. The ballfield lights will be turned on at 8:45 p.m. and will be turned off at either 10 p.m. or 11 p.m., depending on the field.
The lights will be turned on to discourage the use of fireworks. Fireworks are illegal in the city of Seattle and will destroy the artificial turf on the fields or surrounding facilities. The approximate replacement cost for the synthetic surface based on per average full-size field (110,000 square feet) is $1.2 million. All the fields have been renovated in the past several years and benefit field users including players of soccer, football, baseball, Ultimate Frisbee and lacrosse.
The fields will be monitored by security from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Lights at the following fields will be turned off at 11 p.m.:
· Delridge Playfield, 4458 Delridge Way SW
· Hiawatha Playfield, 2700 California Ave. SW
· Walt Hundley Playfield, 6920 34th Avenue SW
One day ahead of their official landing (WSB preview here with Saturday’s updated event schedule), some Seafair Pirates were spotted doing a little advance work on Alki Beach this morning – thanks to Don Brubeck for capturing the photo while riding by at 7:40 am. But before we get to tomorrow and the landing – here are highlights for the rest of today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FREE SOUP-AND-SANDWICH LUNCH: Monthly event at Seaview United Methodist Church, 11:30 am-1:30 pm, all welcome. (4620 SW Graham)
GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: With the 4th of July approaching, the local blood bank needs donations more than ever, and the Bloodmobile‘s visit to Admiral Safeway 1-7 pm today (closed for a break 3-4 pm) is a chance to help without leaving the peninsula. (2622 California SW)
WEST SIDE MUSIC ACADEMY SUMMER CAMP RECITAL: 5-7 pm, free and all ages; come hear young musicians from the West Side Music Academy (WSB sponsor) summer camp at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
WINE BY THE GLASS AT BIN 41: The Junction wine shop Bin 41 is officially launching “by the glass” wine service with a 5-8 pm kickoff fundraiser tonight, benefiting Forgotten Dogs Rescue, not only to support its rescue work but also in honor of a senior rescue dog that Bin 41’s proprietors recently cared for until a serious illness cut her life short. Tonight through Sunday, Bin 41 will donate $2 from every 5-ounce glass pour and 10 percent from retail bottle purchases. They also note that the shop is now separated into “by the glass” and “retail” areas; the former, which is for 21+ customers only, is the one closest to the sidewalk, while the all-ages entry is further down the hall. (4707 California SW)
RAINBOW BINGO: Doors open at 6 at the Senior Center of West Seattle. Tonight’s theme, “Viva Las Vegas” – details in our calendar listing – check ASAP to see if reservations are still available! (Oregon/California)
CYGNE AT C & P: 7-9 pm, live music with Cygne at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – cygnemusic.com for more info. (5612 California SW)
MOVIES IN THE PARK: West Seattle Church of the Nazarene‘s outdoor movies start tonight with “Big Hero 6” at dusk (9 pm-ish). More info in our listing. “The park” is just south of the church. (42nd/Juneau)
MORE, AS USUAL … on the calendar.
(Photo by Don Brubeck – flags flying @ City Hall for Pride Month)
8:53 AM: The biggest news in the nation this morning is the U.S. Supreme Court‘s ruling for marriage equality, on which President Obama commented this past hour, congratulating those who had worked for decades, and hailing it as a moment in which “justice arrive(d) like a thunderbolt.” It also arrived not only at the start of Seattle’s Pride weekend but also two and a half years after the start of legal same-sex marriage in our state – remember that December 2012 night downtown (WSB coverage here) in which West Seattleites were in the spotlight, both the first couple to get a license – Pete-e Petersen and Jane Abbott Lighty – and the WS-residing elected official, County Executive Dow Constantine, who signed it. This morning, Constantine recalled that moment in his official statement on the Supreme Court ruling:
“One of my proudest moments was issuing the first marriage license to a same-sex couple in Washington state.
“This landmark decision makes our Pride celebrations a little more joyous. I’m looking forward to joining with the LGBT community and allies to celebrate at the Pride Parade this weekend.”
He will raise the Pride flag downtown at the County Administration Building Plaza at 11:45 am. Also reacting this morning, West Seattle-residing City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who, as his statement describes him, is the “first and only openly gay man to serve on the Seattle City Council”:
“Today the Supreme Court ruling means that our Constitution stands for equal rights for all. This achievement is the result of decades of persistent, tenacious and courageous work by people throughout the country. Through steadfast advocacy to not accept anything less than full equality, this ruling moves LGBTQ rights forward.
“While we succeeded on this issue, the fight for LGBTQ rights and equality continues. It is incumbent upon all of us to elect leaders who will protect and defend the rights that have been won and who will continue the effort to ensure full and fair treatment for all.
“The quote, ‘The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice’ rings true today, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.”
Mayor Ed Murray, a former West Seattleite and longtime marriage-equality advocate, is speaking with the media in a few minutes (live on Seattle Channel at 9 am), and his office says he will lead a rally at the federal courthouse downtown later today – details to come.
9:17 AM: Joining the mayor at his news conference, Councilmember Rasmussen, who said this day seems “like a dream,” and spoke of younger days in which he was worried that his sexual orientation would keep him from getting a job, and could barely imagine having the right someday to marry:
That’s a screengrab from the ongoing Seattle Channel live feed. We’ll add the video once it’s archived on the SC website. (added 2:02 pm – here it is:)
Meantime, the aforementioned rally has been announced for 7th/Stewart downtown at 5 pm.
12:02 PM: Statement just in from another West Seattle-residing elected official, County Councilmember Joe McDermott:
I’m thrilled to join the jubilation across our country for today’s decision. From today forward, couples across the nation will be able to marry legally and be recognized as a family in the eyes of the law, just like Washington families, including myself and my husband Michael. Today, there is more love in the world, and that is a good thing!
(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:39 AM: Good morning! Nothing big so far this morning but if you use 1st Avenue South, SDOT is reporting this:
Collision in the median on 1st Ave S at S Spokane St – no lanes blocked, but causing distraction/slowdowns pic.twitter.com/55WrIR9HVc
— seattledot (@seattledot) June 26, 2015
7:46 AM: Looking ahead to the weekend, here’s the citywide list of big events, including the Seafair Pirates Landing on Alki on Saturday (10 am-6 pm with the Pirates expected ashore around 2:15). Also, it’s the third weekend of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market in its new home on California SW between Alaska and Oregon, which is off-limits to vehicles 7 am-4 pm Sunday as a result (market hours are 10 am-2 pm).
That photo shared by the Admiral Theater might not be oozing Hollywood glamour … but it’s the next big step toward the historic moviehouse’s bright-as-the-stars future. The Admiral’s two new laser digital projectors are here, and manager Dinah Brein says that the first audiences to see them “commented on how amazing the high definition, crystal clear, and bright screen resolution enhanced their viewing experience. No more platters, no more bad film prints, no more stoppage in the middle of the movie.” That’s because, Brein adds, “these two new projectors (with two more to come by the end of the year) utilize all new laser technology replacing the standard projector light bulbs used in most theaters. Now, with *all* the light energy coming from lasers … the on-screen image is bigger, brighter and better.” And it means the film days are almost over:
It’s been four months since The Admiral announced it had the green light to proceed with renovations that will turn it into a modernized four-plex; that in turn came a few months after it started showing first-run movies.
(WSDOT photo from early June, installing new part for the tunnel machine’s cutterhead)
When will the Highway 99 tunneling machine be ready to resume digging?
(Added Monday – slide deck from stakeholders’ meeting)
WSDOT told its longrunning Highway 99/Viaduct stakeholders group today that it really has no idea – its contractor Seattle Tunnel Partners still hasn’t provided a new schedule for when it thinks the machine will be fixed and ready to go. So technically, they still only have a schedule that says it was expected to get going around August 1st, said Brian Nielsen, the new deputy program administrator (replacing Matt Preedy, who left for a job at Sound Transit). “Clearly they’re a couple months behind” where they would have had to have been to make that timeline, he said, but they haven’t heard from STP and will let the public know when they do. Once they start up, Nielsen said, they consider the session “a test section” with “essentially a new machine” for the first 500 feet or so, until they get to “Safe Haven 3,” where they’d have to stop down before going under the Viaduct.
We were the only news organization at the stakeholders’ meeting, held in a meeting room at Safeco Field, so we took notes on a few other items of general interest – they’re ahead:
Thanks to the person who just texted with word that a crash is blocking the north end of Delridge, right by the ramp to the eastbound West Seattle Bridge. Everyone headed that way is being diverted onto the bridge, according to our tipster. So if you’re trying to get to West Marginal or the low bridge – try another route for a while.
It’s hot already – 86 degrees at the top of the hour, according to the closest official National Weather Service gauge at Boeing Field, and this isn’t even typically the hottest time of day. But the NWS now verifies it’s going to get hotter, and has issued an Excessive Heat Watch alert for Friday/Saturday – see it here. By Saturday afternoon, it could be into the mid-90s, says the NWS. The mayor’s office, meantime, has published a list of “cooling centers,” including, in West Seattle, the Delridge (5423 Delridge Way SW) and High Point (35th/Raymond) branches of the Seattle Public Library, and the Senior Center of WS (Oregon/California). We’ll be compiling a list of other air-conditioned locations – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
We’ve been talking about the new pedestrian-safety beacons at local crosswalks – recently installed at California/Dakota, in the process of installation at 11th/Holden, and in the works for the 5900 block of Delridge Way by the front entrance to the Boren Building, home to K-5 STEM and interim home to Arbor Heights Elementary. This afternoon, SDOT announced the timeline for installation of the latter, along with the promised crosswalk and curb ramps, and curb bulbs: “Crews plan to begin work on Monday, July 6, with construction expected to last approximately two weeks. Crews will work weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. During this time, pedestrians will follow signed detours next to the school or into a temporary walkway using the parking lane.” The improvements, which the school community and other safety advocates have long sought, are funded by the Neighborhood Park and Street Fund and SDOT’s Safe Routes to School program. (The same area is also getting a speed-enforcement camera system, as reported here two weeks ago.)
A Celebration of Life is planned this Saturday for Diann Marie Sales, who died on June 9th at age 46. Here’s the remembrance her family is sharing:
Diann Marie Sales was born to Daniel C. Higgins and Florence Marie Higgins, on March 11, 1969, in Seattle, Washington. She went to Auburn Senior High School and later earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. Diann met Ryan Jay Sales in 1994, and married him in Seattle in 2004. Diann worked as a visual artist and art framer at Northwest Art and Frame in West Seattle. Throughout her life she worked in mixed media, including photography, painting, and handcrafts. Diann’s dream of becoming a mother was realized when she and Ryan adopted Elliot, born in 2011, and Frances, born in 2013. Their adoption was finalized hours before she passed away after a courageous, nine-month battle with uterine cancer.
Diann was loved by all, from the children she cared for as a nanny, to regular customers in the West Seattle community, to co-workers, to longtime friends, to a large extended family, to her sister and brother-in-law, her beautiful niece and nephew, and especially her husband and two extraordinary children. She was a much-loved, unique, creative, and singular woman who will be deeply missed.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in honor of her exemplary life may be directed to Amara Parenting and Adoption Services, the organization who facilitated the adoption of her two children.
Celebrating the Life of Diann Marie Sales: Saturday, June 27th, 2015, 6:30 pm, Arbor Heights Community Church, 4113 SW 102nd St; Facebook link here. For anyone interested in attending, please contact Ryan J. Sales by 6 pm Friday: 206-225-9586.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports:
(City-provided photo of one of the stolen fish)
FAUNTLEROY CREEK OVERLOOK ART THEFT: Fauntleroy Creek steward Judy Pickens tells WSB that someone has stolen part of the art installation at the fish-ladder overlook across from the ferry dock:
I’m sorry to report that someone cut through the base of both the bronze coho
salmon and cutthroat trout that have been part of “Stream Echo” since its installation at the fish-ladder viewpoint in 1998. … The city’s Office of Cultural Affairs has contacted artist Tom Jay to request replacements. Because Tom is very involved with art installation at Cove Park, we have no idea when he can recast the fish.If the thief still has the fish, we would welcome them back, no questions asked, on our front porch – 4539 SW Director Place.
Judy’s husband Phil Sweetland discovered the theft yesterday, but she says it could have happened any time in the past several days. Though this is on a smaller scale physically, we still couldn’t help but be reminded of the as-yet-unsolved Walking on Logs sculpture theft, which happened almost exactly a year ago.
MOONDROP COFFEE & TEA BREAK-IN: Proprietor David Livingood from the little coffee shop across from Seacrest sent word this morning that someone broke into their shop late last night. They’re still trying to assess what was stolen but wanted to get the word out. (We were headed that way this morning when diverted by the crane fire and are still planning to go over and find out more – we’ll update when there’s more information.)
(Mount Rainier @ 5:40 am today, by Rolly Francisco)
Busy news day already, but we want to remind you about four important events tonight before we move along to more news:
WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK/HELPLINE OPEN HOUSE: Everyone’s invited:
Please join the Board of Directors of both the West Seattle Food Bank and the West Seattle Helpline for our Open House, tonight, June 25th from 5 – 7:30 pm in conjunction with the West Seattle Chamber After Hours. Both the Food Bank and Helpline will have board members, staff and volunteers on hand to answer questions, give you a behind-the-scenes look at how both of our programs and collaboration help those in our West Seattle community that are in need of our help. Appetizers will be served and provided by Pecado Bueno in the Junction and Seattle & Oregon Wine Awards. West Seattle’s own 11 Olives will be doing a tasting of their Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar. Everyone is welcome including the kids. We have limited parking in our garage but there is plenty of street parking. We hope to meet you all tonight.
This is happening in the building where WSFB and WSH both have HQs, at the southeast corner of 35th and Morgan.
DESIGN REVIEW DOUBLEHEADER: Two projects are on the Southwest Design Review Board agenda tonight at the Senior Center of West Seattle. 6:30 pm, it’s the second Early Design Guidance review of the proposed CVS drugstore at 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW (previewed here; design packet also viewable here), and then at 8 pm, it’s the first Early Design Guidance review of the latest proposal for developing High Point’s last big stretch of vacant land at 35th/Graham, described on DPD’s website as “a 4-story structure containing 89 residential units, 8,500 sq. ft. of office space and 1,500 sq. ft. of retail space located at ground level. surface parking for 98 vehicles to be provided” (design packet here). All welcome – both meetings will include opportunities for public comment. (Upstairs meeting room at SC-WS, Oregon/California)
WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION: 6:30 pm monthly meeting at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. The agenda, sent this morning by the WSTC, focuses on outlining the group’s legislative priorities. All welcome. (6400 Sylvan Way)
PARKS BOARD PUBLIC HEARING ON ‘GUIDELINES’: Earlier this week, we reported on Seattle Parks‘ proposed “guidelines” for Natural Areas and Greenbelts, which have sparked concern among those who fear that’ll open those areas to commercial/disruptive uses. Tonight at 6:30 pm at Parks HQ downtown, it’s the Board of Park Commissioners‘ official public hearing on the plan for anyone with something to say, pro/con/otherwise. (100 Dexter Ave. N.)
THOSE ARE JUST FOUR OF TODAY’S CALENDAR LISTINGS … please go here for the full slate.
(WSB photo)
10:11 AM: Two cars have collided and are blocking all but one lane – the outside southbound lane – at 35th and Cambridge. A private ambulance has arrived for one person who medics have been checking out; two tow trucks are arriving, too, so it should clear before long.
10:25 AM: Police report that all lanes are open again.
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