Bicycle rider hurt in collision at 17th/Delridge

January 18, 2015 6:18 pm

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| Delridge | West Seattle news

In case you were wondering, as were a few people who have contacted us to ask about it: A bicycle/car collision at Delridge Way/17th SW this past hour sent the rider to the hospital. Her injuries were not major, so she was being transported by private ambulance. Police told us at the scene that they expected to clear the intersection before long.

VIDEO: Signs of hope for sea stars? West Seattle undersea sightings

January 18, 2015 3:04 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

On another mostly gray, rainy day, following a stormy night, here’s a view that’s bright in two ways: Colorful undersea creatures recorded by “Diver Laura” James in the area known as the “junkyard” – and as you’ll see if you watch it, she found some sea stars:

We saw numerous young sunflower stars in the shallows, far more than I was expecting. There was a healthy medium-sized one in the 40’ depth range as well, so this is a change for the positive. Sunflower stars have been all but extirpated at many of our regular dive sites. It is still winter underwater, so we will have to wait until fall to see the real impact (how many babies show up and how many survive) The majority of the sea stars that were lost in the wasting disease are the types that spawn in the spring to mid summer. The babies will then be in the larval stage and float around in the current before they land and start growing. Baby sunflower stars start with 5 arms and then start growing pairs of additional arms, which is why you see uneven arms in the videos. That isn’t because they’ve lost limbs, it means they are growing :)

Many of the stars in the video other than the young sunflower stars and the mottled stars (there were a few) were species that were not as impacted by the wasting disease, such as Leather stars, so it isn’t a surprise to find them there. We did not see any sand stars, pink spiny stars, pisaster (ochre stars) or morning sun stars, but I’m crossing my fingers come spring/summer.

West Seattle Sunday: Game day! Who’s open early, where to watch the game, what else is up

January 18, 2015 8:30 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(NOON NOTE: Just “unpinned” the all-night/all-morning storm coverage, which is now below this)

But the 12th Flag at Delridge/Andover waves on! pic.twitter.com/JZlyDgzNDt

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) January 18, 2015

In addition to our ongoing storm coverage, here’s what’s happening today – before, during, and after The Game:

HARRY’S CHICKEN JOINT OPENS EARLY: Get chicken for The Game at Harry’s Chicken Joint (WSB sponsor), open 9 am-11:30 am. By game time, Harry’s will be closed, with everyone either watching the game at home or at the Clink. (6032 California SW)

FARMERS’ MARKET OPENS EARLY: West Seattle Farmers’ Market management says many vendors will open early, 9:30 am. (44th/Alaska)

WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE STARTS EARLY: 10 am today, instead of the usual 11. And they’re planning on two fields, one for youth players. Walt Hundley Playfield. (34th/Myrtle)

(Added: On a table at HPIC during tailgate party)
TAILGATING AT HIGHLAND PARK IMPROVEMENT CLUB: Doors open at 11:30 am. HPIC says everyone’s welcome, all ages, and no matter who you’re rooting for. More info here. (12th/Holden)

WHERE ELSE TO WATCH THE GAME: In case you lost power and don’t get it back in time so are looking for somewhere to watch, other venues include what one reader once described as “just about anywhere with a TV” but in particular:

*Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 6451 California SW
*The Bridge, California/Graham
*The Westy, 7908 35th SW
*Beveridge Place Pub, 6413 California SW
*West Side Public House, California/Edmunds
*Angelina’s, 2311 California SW (all ages)
*Talarico’s Pizza, 4718 California SW (all ages)

Some of the above are via recommendations we requested on Twitter while writing this. Anywhere else to recommend? Please comment, or e-mail us, so we can add. Thanks!

NAVY AIRCRAFT TO BUZZ THE CLINK: Depending on the weather, pre-game flyovers are planned. We don’t know the route but if you see/hear them over West Seattle, now you know it’s game-related. *NOON NOTE: Just heard it over our HQ!*

Also on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for today:

GREYHOUND MEET-AND-GREET: 11 am-1 pm, come meet greyhounds at Mud Bay in The Admiral District. (2611 California SW)

KITTY HARBOR ADOPTION EVENT, DAY 2: Again today, noon-5 pm, Kitty Harbor reopens with more than 30 cats/kittens still in need of forever homes. (3422 Harbor SW)

AFTERNOON MUSIC: 1-3 pm, bluegrass and old-time music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), with Jamtime. (5612 California SW)

SOME EVENING OFFERINGS TOO … see the calendar!

West Seattle windstorm update: Power back on to all but a handful as of midafternoon

January 18, 2015 1:40 am

| 140 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(SCROLL DOWN FOR NEWEST INFO! And in case you need these, City Light outage hotline 206-684-3000 **** Click for mobile version of SCL outage map)

(Updated City Light map screengrab, as of 2:10 am)
1:40 AM: After midnight, the wind kicked up, as the National Weather Service had warned it was likely to do. There’s word of a tree down at a house in the 1300 block of Alki SW and possibly a slide too. (Added: Photo from Suzanne, showing one of the firefighters who were working on the downed trees in that area:)

And power’s starting to go out around the city – including the first West Seattle power outage report, in the Fauntleroy/Lincoln Park area. We’re watching the map. (added) Just got texts from Arbor Heights and north White Center about power woes there too. Let us know in comments or via text (206-293-6302) what’s up where you are.

1:45 AM: The southwest-end outages are now on the City Light map. We’ll add a screengrab – or, wait, maybe not yet; just got a text from Admiral.

1:56 AM: The Admiral outage is on the map as a small pocket, 9 customers; from Gatewood through Fauntleroy and into Arbor Heights/Arroyos, more than 4,700 customers (homes/businesses) are out.

2:07 AM: Map has now added a pocket of 100+ customers out in The Junction, and the Admiral pocket has grown to about that same number. We’ll change the screengrab. Note we have added the City Light outage hotline AND link to mobile version of the outage map, atop this story.

2:26 AM: The National Weather Service upgraded the alert to a “high wind warning” (see it here) as of about 20 minutes ago, in effect through 8 am. Our area’s holding at about 5,000 customers without power, just under half the SCL total. The “estimated time” for restoration is 8 am but keep in mind, that’s always just a guesstimate, could be earlier or later.

3:17 AM: SCL now blames a tree, somewhere, for the biggest West Seattle outage, the 4,700-customer outage in Morgan/Gatewood/Fauntleroy/Arbor Heights/beyond. The wind’s been much calmer the past hour or so, at least from our listening spot.

3:37 AM: About a quarter of those in the biggest outage zone apparently have their power back – the count has dropped from 4,700 to 3,600. By the way, no reports of any injuries so far into all this.

5:57 AM: Checking on SCL’s progress – the big West Seattle outage (now attributed to equipment failure) has halved again, now fewer than 2,000 (looks like the latest chunk of restored customers happened around 5 am). The Admiral and Junction pockets (~100 each, now blamed on trees) are still out. If you are out and don’t see your area included on the map, be sure to notify SCL at 206-684-3000 to make sure they know.

7:24 AM: Looks like no additional West Seattle restoration in the past hour and a half – still just over 2,000 customers out, and the estimate is now “pending.” Via Twitter, SCL says the main problem with which they’re dealing now, here and elsewhere in the city, is downed lines, including one near 44th/Roxbury.

8:32 AM: In terms of businesses affected, looking at the current outage map, it doesn’t look like many are still out BUT the Endolyne/Fauntleroy mini-business district appears to be in the outage zone. We are off to check and will add whatever we find. Meantime, Ocean View has lost power again, according to a text. And we’re sticking this story to the top of the site, but if you scroll BENEATH it, you’ll see our list of “what’s up today” including game-related changes and places to watch – or, click here.

8:37 AM: In all, 5,000 **more** homes/businesses just lost power, so we have 7,000 total in West Seattle. ***UPDATE*** Within minutes, that area (southeast West Seattle, White Center) got it back, though the SCL map doesn’t reflect yet.

9:17 AM: Now out and about. Went to Fauntleroy/Endolyne first, spotted City Light crews:

Here's @seacitylight in Fauntleroy pic.twitter.com/LGg72u4iCI

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) January 18, 2015

Power in that area JUST came back on but Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor) tells us they won’t be ready for customers until about 11. Next door, The Original Bakery is closed because of the outage – they can’t simply reopen now because as the sign says, they lost their early-morning baking time:

9:49 AM: Spotted City Light at the Junction outage scene too, on SW Oregon:

this @seacitylight truck is in the Junction outage pocket pic.twitter.com/xCJWuLyBwS

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) January 18, 2015

According to commenters, both the Junction and Admiral outage pockets (less than 200 customers each) were caused by trees taking out wires/lines in alleys. (Added below: Photo from Gina, showing the Admiral scene. Thanks also to Sarah for sending one.)

10:42 AM: The entire southwest area is now back on, according to the map, texters, and commenters. Now it’s down to the 300 or so residences in the Junction and Admiral pockets, neither of which appears to be affecting businesses.

12:04 PM: Game time, and the number of West Seattle customers still out after 11+ hours is down to 114, per City Light.

3:36 PM: Just a handful still out, per SCL. The weather is continuing to calm, according to the forecast, but there was a bit of thunder about half an hour ago. (No, it was NOT from the stadium, but might as well have been, given what was happening in the game right about then!)

Memorial planned Tuesday for Edward Gottbehuet, 1922-2015

January 18, 2015 1:35 am

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| Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

A memorial service is planned Tuesday for Edward D. Gottbehuet. Here’s the remembrance that’s being shared with the community:

Edward Donald “Ed Huet” Gottbehuet, 92, of West Seattle, died Saturday, January 10, 2015.

He was born July 1, 1922 in Seattle, the son of the late Donald and Marie (Neupauer) Gottbehuet. He dated and eventually married Josephine Christ. As a child, he lived in Detroit, Michigan, until his parents moved to Seattle (Beacon Hill). Edward graduated from Franklin High School in 1940 and then spent 40 years in the United States Navy. He also worked for Alaska Packers, was a golf caddy at Jefferson Golf Course, and retired as a postal worker at age 65. Edward also sold real estate up until age 89.

He is survived and loved by his wife, son Mark, and daughter Jody. Edward believed in the Lord and could always say “God Bless” to everyone. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, January 20, 2015, at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, 1245 10th Avenue E., on Seattle’s Capitol Hill, followed by a graveside service with military honors at Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park, Seattle.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

VIDEO: See what ‘Treehouse Masters’ did in West Seattle

January 17, 2015 10:34 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle video

Back in September, we mentioned – thanks to tips – that the TV show “Treehouse Masters” was filming an episode at a home on Beach Drive. The episode debuted this week (as a new round of tips informed us) and we just found it on YouTube, where it was posted today – so if you want to see how it turned out, watch above!

P.S. If you just want to cut to a tour of the finished treehouse itself, that’s in this “Behind the Build” clip on the Animal Planet website.

Clearing the waters in Longfellow Creek: Construction soon for two projects to reduce combined-sewer overflows

January 17, 2015 8:50 pm

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| Delridge | Environment | West Seattle news

Two projects to reduce combined-sewer overflows into Longfellow Creek are about to get under way, and the city plans two meetings near the project sites, two weeks from today, to let neighbors know what to expect when construction begins, and to answer questions. These are both projects to improve existing facilities, rather than build brand-new ones; for the one known simply as CSO 2, the meeting will be 10:30 am-noon January 31st at the southeast corner of Delridge/Orchard, and for CSO 3, it’s 1-2:30 pm January 31st on the west side of the Barton Place/Henderson intersection. You can read more about both projects on this city webpage (which includes links to technical and environmental documents, if you’re looking for the fine print).

West Seattle Weather Watch: Wind advisory, tonight into tomorrow

January 17, 2015 4:16 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Right now, it’s drippy and foggy – but wind is scheduled to sweep in late tonight. The National Weather Service has a wind advisory taking effect for our area 10 pm tonight until noon Sunday (yes, right before game time) – see the advisory here. The NWS expects winds 25-35 mph out of the south/southwest, with gusts up to 50 mph. Charge everything!

VIDEO: Alki rally, march urges freedom for Lolita, last surviving captive Puget Sound killer whale

January 17, 2015 3:19 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people | Wildlife

(WSB photos/video by Patrick Sand)
A gathering this afternoon around West Seattle’s replica of a powerful symbol of human freedom was organized in hopes of winning freedom for a fellow mammal held captive thousands of miles away:

Taken from her family and her Puget Sound home more than 40 years ago, the orca known as Lolita (originally Tokitae), a member of L-Pod, has spent all that time in a tank at the Miami Seaquarium. Of the dozens of killer whales captured all those years ago, she is the last survivor. This afternoon’s Alki gathering was in support of a larger rally in Miami, stepping up the pressure for Lolita to be “retired” and returned home.

From Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza, advocates, many with signs, headed on a one-mile march along the beach – here’s our video:

We estimated at least 150 supporters here; MiamiHerald.com estimates a thousand participants at today’s rally there. They heard from Howard Garrett of the Whidbey Island-based Orca Network, describing the plan already proposed for reintroducing Lolita to the wild via a sea pen in the San Juans. It’s not new, but there is a potential milestone driving the new attention – a federal ruling expected this month on whether Lolita will be officially included in the listing of endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. That would not guarantee freedom for her, but could at least step up the pressure. According to the Miami Herald, the Seaquarium says flatly she’s not for sale and shouldn’t be freed. Meantime, back at Alki, Lolita’s supporters came from all age groups:

Advocates said that other support rallies were planned in San Diego, Los Angeles, Colorado Springs, Germany, and the UK.

Seahawks’ big game tomorrow: What’s special in West Seattle

January 17, 2015 12:06 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

24 hours until The Big Game – Seahawks hosting Green Bay for the NFC Championship, last stop before a Super Bowl return. Some notes about tomorrow (please let us know if you have something to add!):

HARRY’S CHICKEN JOINT OPENS EARLY: Get chicken for The Game at Harry’s Chicken Joint (WSB sponsor), open 9 am-11:30 am and taking advance orders now. By game time, Harry’s will be closed with everyone either watching the game at home or at the Clink. (6032 California SW)

FARMERS’ MARKET OPENS EARLY: West Seattle Farmers’ Market management says, “To help you cheer on the Seahawks, most vendors at both West Seattle and Capitol Hill Broadway will be selling 30 minutes prior to opening so you can shop before the game.” That’s 9:30 am, here. (44th/Alaska)

WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE STARTS EARLY: 10 am tomorrow, instead of the usual 11. And they’re planning on two fields, one for youth players. Walt Hundley Playfield. (34th/Myrtle)

TAILGATING AT HIGHLAND PARK IMPROVEMENT CLUB: Doors open at 11:30 am. HPIC says everyone’s welcome, no matter who you’re rooting for. More info here. (12th/Holden)

NAVY AIRCRAFT BUZZING THE CLINK: Weather permitting, flyovers are planned just before noon gametime, per this KING 5 report. Not sure if they’ll be passing over West Seattle before and/or after, but this is a heads-up just in case.

FAN MANIA: Via Instagram:

A photo posted by shermanscorner (@shermanscorner) on Jan 17, 2015 at 9:43am PST

Who and/or what is blue-and-green where YOU are? Photos welcome!

West Seattle Crime Watch: Holdup in Morgan Junction, followed by search in Gatewood

January 17, 2015 9:33 am

| 49 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

(Texted photo, during police search in Gatewood)
Thanks to everyone who asked about a police search in Gatewood about an hour ago. It broke up just as we arrived, but we have finally found a sergeant to ask, and we’ve learned it was related to a robbery first mentioned by a commenter. Still many details missing, but here’s what we know:

*A man was held up at gunpoint early this morning in the West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) parking lot at California/Fauntleroy. (The commenter who mentioned it says the victim described the robbers as “teenagers.”)

*Officers searching for the robbers had reason to believe they might be in the Gatewood area, several blocks southeast of the store, so that’s why they had “containment” set up in the 8 am hour – west of 35th, along streets including Webster, Ida, and Othello. We’re told some “evidence” was found.

They’re still investigating actively, and that’s why details are few. By the way, if you happened to see the big police response in the Home Depot parking lot around 9 pm, just next to the precinct, that was not related – they were taking a domestic-violence suspect into custody – that just happened to be where we found a sergeant to ask about the Morgan/Gatewood case.

P.S. This is the third day in a row that someone’s been robbed, armed or strongarm, in West Seattle (our Thursday and Friday stories are linked on the Crime Watch page). So we’ll say this again: The West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meets Tuesday (January 20th), 7 pm at the precinct (Delridge/Webster), and precinct leadership is always there for a briefing on trends as well as attendee Q/A.

ADDED 10:35 AM SUNDAY: Thanks to MK, wife of the man who was held up, we have details of what happened. From her comment below:

Steve had parked his car on 42nd by the McDonald’s and was walking to work. He was approached by Robber #1 and asked the time. Steve looked at his cell phone and it was 7:13 am. Robber #1 pulled out a gun and pointed it in Steve’s face and demanded his car keys, at the same time 4 males surrounded him. One of them searched his pockets, stealing his wallet and cell phone. Robber #2 & #3 took his keys and got into his car but couldn’t figure out how to start it – the car has keyless ignition. Steve was calm and told Robber #1 how to start it and Robber #1 gave the gun to Robber #4 who then had the gun on Steve’s back. Robber #1 went to the car and was able to start it, they all jumped in the car but they didn’t release the parking brake and maybe got 3 feet before all 5 jumped out of the car and ran off. Steve got into the car and drove to work where he called the police. Police responded immediately – they did a search of the area and also dusted our car for fingerprints and were able to pull some good prints.

Hopefully they will be caught- he thought recognized a couple of these punks (shoplifters) and spent the morning searching his shoplifting records and sure enough he found 3 of their photos which he called police and provided a cd of their photos.

Here are the descriptions (all teens/young adults):
Robber #1 short black male
Robber #2 tall skinny black male (previous shoplifter)
Robber #3 average height samoan male (previous shoplifter)
Robber #4 brother of number #3 (previous shoplifter)
Robber #5 tall black male

There was no activity on either our credit cards or his cell before they were closed so we think they were just after the car.

So please note the holdup did not happen IN the store parking lot, as early information had indicated – police responded there because the victim drove there after the robbers fled.

West Seattle Saturday: March for Lolita the orca; clean up the beach; tour a school; see metal music meet bellydancing; more

January 17, 2015 7:47 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Saturday: March for Lolita the orca; clean up the beach; tour a school; see metal music meet bellydancing; more

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Anna’s Hummingbird at Jack Block Park, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Happy Saturday! Calendar highlights, right after an advisory:

MURRAY CSO PROJECT WORK TODAY: We start with an FYI from King County – crews will be working at the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project across from Lowman Beach today, starting at 9 am: “A small crew will be inside the excavation pit to maintain the secant piles. Nearly all work will be completed with hand tools.”

PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSES: Two this morning, 9:30 am at The Cove School and 10 am at Cometa Playschool. Follow either of those links for info via our calendar listings.

INTERIM FIRE STATION 29 MEETING: 9 am at Fire Station 29, city reps will meet with neighbors who have been voicing safety concerns since last-minute notification that the station’s interim site will be on a relatively small triangle of city land across from Admiral Congregational Church. (2139 Ferry SW)

STUDENT CLEANUP AT LINCOLN PARK: As previewed here earlier this week, a group of Chief Sealth International High School students plans a beach cleanup this afternoon, noon-4 pm, and would welcome community help. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

KITTY HARBOR SPECIAL ADOPTION EVENT: Noon-5 pm, Kitty Harbor reopens with 60 cats/kittens who need forever homes. (3422 Harbor SW)

MARCH AND PADDLE FOR LOLITA’S FREEDOM: From coast to coast, rallies are planned today in support of freedom for the last surviving orca captured from Puget Sound decades ago, who lives in an amusement-park tank in Florida. 1 pm one-mile march leaves from Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki), with a group of paddlers following along, heading out from Don Armeni Boat Ramp at noon. Details in our preview.

LINCOLN PARK AT DARK WITH STEWART: 6:30 pm, naturalist Stewart Wechsler takes you looking for owls and others in Lincoln Park – details including suggested donation and RSVP info are in the listing on his website. (Fauntleroy/Rose)

PREGAME BONFIRE RALLY: 7-11 pm, Alki neighbors/Seahawks fans plan a beach-bonfire rally on NFC Championship Game Eve. Details in our calendar listing.

‘IRON VALKYRIES: A METAL BELLY DANCING SHOW’: What happens when metal meets bellydancing? 9 pm at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), you’ll find out, courtesy of the Rebel Belly Dancing Troupe. (6451 California SW)

THAT’S NOT ALL … our calendar always has more.

Friday night basketball: West Seattle HS girls vs. Bainbridge

January 17, 2015 6:57 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(Photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
Second home win in three nights for the West Seattle High School girls-varsity team last night, more than tripling what visiting Bainbridge could manage, 76-25. Four Wildcats scored in double digits, led by #4, Lydia Giomi, with 20; 17 points were from #32, Emily Fiso:

#3, Izzy Turk, was third with 14 points (including four 3-pointers), followed by #30, Lexi Ioane (below, behind head varsity coach Sonya Elliott):

The Wildcats continue to lead their division.

(WSHS #21, Gabby Sarver)
Next week, they play Wednesday and Friday games again, but this time it starts on the road, Wednesday at Rainier Beach, and they’re back home at 6:30 pm Friday (January 23rd) against Ballard.

Friday night basketball: West Seattle HS boys host Bainbridge

January 17, 2015 1:42 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Close one Friday night for head coach Keffrey Fazio‘s West Seattle High School boys-varsity team, losing at home to Bainbridge by just three points, 50-47. Top scorer for the Wildcats: #23, Andre Moore, with 12 points:

Next with 10 points, #1, Nate Pryor:

#2, Melvin Arrington, followed with 8:

At the very end of the third quarter, West Seattle lost the lead via a buzzer-beater by Bainbridge senior Blake Swanson (#4, with Wildcats #3 Tyler Lenzie below).

From there, the Spartans held the lead throughout the 4th quarter, ahead by as much as five points, finally winning by three. The Wildcats are now 7-6 overall and are on the road until Friday (January 23rd), when they’ll face Ballard at home.

Update: Admiral Way reopens after crash cleared

January 16, 2015 10:52 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

10:52 PM: A crash at Admiral Way/51st SW is blocking the westbound (downhill) lanes right now. One person is reported hurt, but injuries are not believed to be major.

11:27 PM UPDATE: Won’t be blocked much longer. Car’s already on a tow truck and scene will be clearing.

No port-truck backups today. So what happens now?

January 16, 2015 9:29 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

That more-routine lineup of trucks around 8:30 this morning, near the entrance to T-18, was the last one we saw today, after the city and port announced and took steps to head off any threat of a third day of backups onto the West Seattle Bridge and surface streets. By afternoon, when we checked again pre-commute, even that terminal-entrance lane was empty. So what now? No official updates from SDOT or the Port, but Councilmember Tom Rasmussen told WSB tonight, “SDOT has advised me that the Port and City will continue the work and changes that were implemented today through Thursday. Of course, I want to know the plans for after next Thursday.”

Earlier in the day, ILWU Local 19 sent a news release (read it here) saying it had an even simpler suggestion: “The terminal operators, including Stevedoring Services of America at T18, need to immediately address the daytime traffic problems in Seattle by shifting operations to service trucks at night as well as days. It really is that simple,” according to Local 19 vice president Jason Gross. The schedule changes were mentioned in this ILWU news release we linked in our Thursday coverage; the terminal operators announced the nighttime cuts in this January 2nd news release. And while their contract negotiations continue, both sides got a letter today from more than 170 business organizations, reports CNBC, urging them to reach an agreement. The letter – which you can see here – says in part:

… Sales of American exports remain clouded in uncertainty across Asia and our overseas competitors eagerly highlight the problems at West Coast ports as a reason not to purchase American made or grown products. …

Please consider allaying the growing concerns of the many thousands of businesses and millions of jobs which rely on West Coast ports for orderly and timely supply chain operations by working together to conclude the ongoing contract negotiations so we can then address the congestion issues at key West Coast ports. …

At least nine Washington state organizations are among the signers.

Westwood transit hub: Lighting, sidewalk improvements promised by Metro, says WWRHAH

January 16, 2015 8:14 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Westwood

(WSB file photo: Roxhill Park-side ‘wall of buses’)
The Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Neighborhood Council has been working for more than a year to push Metro and the city for safety improvements in the area of the Westwood “transit hub.” One year ago, WWRHAH led a walking tour with Metro, county, and city reps. Progress on some of the issues was reported four months later; other changes have included SPD bicycle patrols. Today, WWRHAH co-chair Amanda Kay Helmick sent an update on more of what they’ve been working to get:

We are pleased to announce that Metro Transit will be upgrading the sidewalks along the bus stop from the Rapid Ride stop to 29th Ave SW this year. In addition to new ADA-compliant sidewalks, Metro will also be adding lighting in the same area.

Metro asked King County for additional funds for capital improvements to the Rapid Ride, and that includes $170,000 for sidewalks and lighting for the bus stop along Roxhill Park.

Design work has started, with implementation this year. No firm date has been given as of yet. We have asked Metro to come to our March 3rd WWRHAH meeting for further updates in regards to the Transit Hub. We will also be asking SDOT to be there as well to discuss Barton Street concrete panels that are sinking, and crosswalk improvements to critical intersections.

WWRHAH meets first Tuesdays (next one, February 3rd), 6:15 pm at Southwest Library.

Celebration of Life tomorrow for Joe Fine, 1938-2015

January 16, 2015 6:03 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Those who knew and loved Joe Fine are invited to his Celebration of Life tomorrow, 11 am-3 pm, at Duke’s on Alki. Here’s the remembrance that his family is sharing:

Joe Fine, 76, of West Seattle, passed away on Monday, January 5, 2015 from pancreatic cancer.

Joe was a legend to all that had the honor of knowing him. Born December 17, 1938 in Valentine, Nebraska to Mary Lamoureaux, he would spend his earliest years in Valentine at the family ranch just over the border in South Dakota. After WWII, he was adopted by William Fine, and the family settled in Billings, Montana, where Joe would graduate from high school. He attended and graduated from The University of Montana in Missoula. While there he was an active member of the Phi Delt house, where he was known as “Shakey.”

After graduating, he married Sharon Sayre and together they had two sons: William Glen and Gregory Joseph. He was a successful sales rep for Standard Oil and then Carpenter Paper before settling in Kalispell, Montana, where he owned a number of businesses including Joe’s Varsity, The Jean Factory, and Clothes Gallery. Whether he was creating award-winning promotions like Levi Clause and the Jean Advisor, or later selling diamonds in retail, doing remodel construction, or the nearly ten years he spent at Home Depot in the Garden Department, Joe is remembered for his entrepreneurial spirit and almost magical salesmanship.

All along the way, Joe collected a diverse group of friends that remained close throughout his life:

January 16, 2015 5:24 pm

| 20 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Last year, the city’s draft proposal for Pedestrian Zones was circulated to neighborhood and district councils around West Seattle and the rest of the city via a series of briefings, several of which were covered here, starting with one almost a full year ago in Morgan Junction.

It’s meant to tweak zoning in some business districts to ensure that future development is more pedestrian-friendly. And tonight, the mayor’s office has announced the final proposal is ready for review. The announcement came via a news release you can read here, and a sheaf of documents linked here. Maps show the 11 sections of West Seattle where changes are proposed; you can see the maps here. There are five maps – scroll through the first 25 until you get to:

*Exhibit Z, showing a stretch of Delridge Way from north of Juneau to just north of Brandon
*Exhibit AA, showing stretches of 35th SW in Morgan, Gatewood, Westwood
*Exhibit BB, showing a section of South Delridge
*Exhibit FF, showing a section of Admiral
*Exhibit GG, showing part of The Junction

(Specific information about each area proposed for tweaks can be found in this report.) None of the proposed rezoning shown would change maximum allowable height for development in the affected areas. This all goes now to the City Council, which will set dates for hearings and votes.

Update: Two juvenile victims in two pedestrian/car collisions, Delridge/Orchard and 15th/Roxbury

January 16, 2015 3:45 pm

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| Delridge | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

3:45 PM: An incident reported to involve a pedestrian has a police/fire callout at Delridge/Orchard, and we’re told northbound lanes are blocked, with traffic backing up. More to come.

3:58 PM: Our crew at the scene reports the road is now fully open and police are clearing out. A private ambulance was leaving. That suggests the victim’s injuries were not major. We’re trying to find out more.

4:03 PM: Police tell us at the scene that the victim was a juvenile who suffered a broken leg. And they confirmed an earlier incident we had been checking on – 15th and Roxbury, less than an hour ago, in which a juvenile pedestrian also suffered a broken leg. Both scenes are now clear.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Another student robbed while walking to school

January 16, 2015 2:04 pm

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| Crime | West Seattle news

2:04 PM: For the second day in a row, a local student has been robbed while walking to school. Thursday, it happened in Gatewood; today, in Westwood. The victim’s mom contacted us in hopes someone might see this, tossed aside somewhere:

She told us her daughter’s phone “was nabbed right out of her jacket pocket as she walked from Westwood Village to Sealth High School on 25th ave. SW. We filed a police report but she’d really like the bottom half of her Beemo phone case back. It might have been discarded somewhere along 25th Avenue SW.”

We have requested but not yet received the police report in this case – if and when we do, we’ll add whatever else it includes, including descriptions, if any. Meantime, we asked the mom if her daughter’s OK. “She’s understandably shaken but physically OK. She’s just real sad about losing the phone case.” If you see it, contact police; the case number is 15-017129.

4:10 PM: We’ve obtained the report from SPD but it includes very little additional information. This was reported around 8:30 this morning; police were called once the victim arrived at CSIHS, so there’s no exact address of where she was when it happened. The robber is described only as black, male, maybe 15-17 years old, wearing black. The victim said he came up to her, said “Give me your phone”; she didn’t respond. He then reached into the front pocket of her sweatshirt, grabbed her phone, and ran southbound, toward Westwood Village.

Your first all-in-one-place look at West Seattle’s would-be District 1 City Councilmembers: 20 days away

January 16, 2015 1:34 pm

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| Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Sounds like a long time, but it’s not: We are now less than 3 weeks away from your first side-by-side look at the four (so far) people who want to be the first-ever Seattle District 1 City Councilmember, representing West Seattle and South Park. WSB is presenting the first announced candidates’ forum in this race:

Thursday, February 5, at Highland Park Improvement Club (1116 SW Holden)
Doors open 6:30 pm
Forum 7-8:30 pm

The candidates are (in first-name alphabetical order this time):

*Amanda Kay Helmick
*Chas Redmond
*George Capestany
*Tom Rasmussen

If you need to bookmark a reminder, here’s the official listing on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (Facebook event page coming up soon too). HPIC has lots of room, and we’ll have refreshments, so have dinner and then come see and hear (and bring a question for!) the contenders for this area’s new seat on the City Council, which starting this year will be made up of seven people elected by district, two at large.

Followup: SPU night work extended at Fauntleroy ferry dock

January 16, 2015 12:03 pm

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| Utilities | West Seattle news

Two weeks after a Seattle Public Utilities contractor started night work cleaning sewer/storm lines at the Fauntleroy ferry dock, SPU has announced an extension: “The concrete slurry found in the pipes is a higher strength than we had expected. Therefore, the contractor will discontinue with the jet and hydro cleaning efforts and move to a milling process to grind the slurry from the pipes. The equipment and noise levels will remain the same as before.” Part of the north ferry-loading lane will continue being coned off while this work is done. It’s now expected to continue 9 pm-5 am through January 30th.