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Use the Fauntleroy ferry dock? Two alerts, from WSF and KCWTD
October 16, 2014 8:14 pm
|    Comments Off on Use the Fauntleroy ferry dock? Two alerts, from WSF and KCWTD
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

These two advisories are from different agencies but both are potentially of interest to Fauntleroy ferry-dock users.

POSSIBLE TEMPORARY SERVICE REDUCTION: From Washington State Ferries:

Starting Saturday, Oct. 18 through Tuesday, Oct. 21, customers travelling on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route are advised to prepare for longer than usual wait times due to a possible vessel downsizing and a two-boat schedule. The temporary downsizing and 2-boat schedule may be needed in order to maintain a full, system-wide sailing schedule while the Wenatchee is out of service for its annual mandatory U.S. Coast Guard safety inspection. Updates will occur as more information is known.

ONE-DAY REDUCTION IN BOOTH/LANE AVAILABILITY: This is from King County Wastewater Treatment, as its Barton Pump Station project continues north of the dock:

North ferry lane entrance and toll booth closed for electrical work
October 21, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

On Tuesday, October 21, a quiet generator will be brought on site to allow for Seattle City Light crews to perform electrical work at the Barton Pump Station. Work will begin around 7:00 a.m. and is expected to be complete by 3:30 p.m. During this time, the north ferry lane entrance and toll booth will be closed.

King County has been working closely with Washington State Ferries throughout the project to ensure minimal disruption to traffic along Fauntleroy Way SW and to keep ferry traffic moving.

While the north ferry lane is closed, commuters and neighbors can expect extra flaggers to assist pedestrian, bike, and vehicular traffic.

The upgraded pump station is expected to be in operation by year’s end, the county says, with restoration work, including Cove Park on the beach, planned early next year.

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Student athletes raising cancer awareness: Huling Bowl tomorrow night, volleyball match Monday
October 16, 2014 4:41 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Health | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Two upcoming sports events feature friendly faceoffs between our area’s two biggest public schools – both spotlighting the fight against cancer:

HULING BOWL, FRIDAY NIGHT: The Huling Bowl – trophy and all! – is the name of the annual football game between Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School, and you’re invited to this year’s edition at 7 pm tomorrow (Friday), Southwest Athletic Complex (2601 SW Thistle, across from the Sealth campus).

Sealth’s bulletin announces it as a “pink-out,” urging everyone to wear pink to show support for the fight against breast cancer. That will be especially meaningful for Sealth running back Daron Camacho, who e-mailed us overnight asking if we would let folks know that “I dedicate the game to my Godmom Margarita Vidrio, who is fighting breast cancer.” You’ll see Daron on the field wearing #11.

VOLLEYBALL, MONDAY NIGHT: Thanks to Jim Bowe for sharing the announcement:

On Monday, October 20th at 7 pm, West Seattle HS Volleyball hosts Chief Sealth in what is always a great Metro League volleyball match. The WSHS volleyball girls are making this night Cancer Awareness Night. Admission to the event is free. There will be opportunities for people to donate to cancer research if they choose to do so; however, attendance and awareness is really the goal.

The WSHS gym is on the southwest side of the school, right off the parking lot, at 3000 California SW.

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Seattle Symphony, here, free! Friday concert also features WS Community Orchestra
October 16, 2014 3:46 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

In case you missed the mention when the West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ new season started – tomorrow night at Chief Sealth International High School, some of their musicians will be featured in the first Seattle Symphony community performance this fall – free admission! Here’s the lineup and program for the 7 pm concert:

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Touring the Junction/Triangle ‘walkshed’: Proliferation of plans
October 16, 2014 12:51 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Development | Transportation | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Seattle Comprehensive Plan …

West Seattle Junction Hub Neighborhood Plan …

West Seattle Triangle Streetscape Concept Plan ..

Seattle Transit Master Plan …

Seattle Bicycle Master Plan …

Seattle Pedestrian Master Plan …

Seattle Right of Way Improvements Manual …

Seattle Pedestrian Retail Areas plan …

Fauntleroy Boulevard plan …

One thing was clear during last Saturday’s “walkshed” tour of the Junction/Triangle area, with Seattle Planning Commission reps listening to local community reps: There’s no shortage of plans and documents covering the area, but there’s a shortage of understanding in how they interact, interface, intersect, and what they mean.

The tour itself was linked to the Planning Commission’s ongoing work on the city Comprehensive Plan update, dubbed Seattle 2035. The next big milestone for that is the environmental-impact statement, expected to be out early next year. And this is no bureaucratic bit of wonkiness to ignore: As was pointed out at the start of Saturday’s event, this type of discussion preceded the 1990s-generated plan for “urban villages” including The Junction/Triangle – much of which is only now coming to pass, as was underscored by the current, future, and recent development sites passed (and often discussed) along the way.

But the topic wasn’t just the dense heart of the Junction/Triangle, but also its single-family zones – like a stretch of 40th south of Edmunds and the major project sites bordering it on the north.

For backstory on the tour, see our coverage of last month’s Junction Neighborhood Organization meeting (which included a slide deck setting the stage). To see what happened during the tour – read on:

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Reader report: Safety alert, if you walk your dog in Schmitz Park
October 16, 2014 11:11 am
|      36 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

Out of the WSB inbox, from Beth:

I was just in Schmitz Park talking to the park warden and he asked if we could get some info up on the blog. People had a campout under the bridge (last night) and left all their supplies/ garbage strewn about. They had a large amount of chicken wings and he is working on getting it all picked up but wants people who bring their dogs in to be aware that there may be chicken parts he can’t reach around the bridge/going down the ravine; they can cause a choking hazard/ digestion problems for the dogs.

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See it first, in West Seattle! ‘Interstellar’ to premiere at The Admiral
October 16, 2014 10:30 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Admiral Theater | West Seattle news

That’s the final trailer for “Interstellar” – which you’ll be able to see at West Seattle’s historic Admiral Theater before it hits the megaplexes. The Admiral’s announcement explains why (and when):

How exciting is this? Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures announced that the highly anticipated “INTERSTELLAR” from Christopher Nolan will be released in 70mm IMAX® film, 70mm film and 35mm film formats on Wednesday, November 5th, two days ahead of its nationwide release. Because the Admiral Theater is one of only a few theaters screening in 35 mm, we have been selected to premiere this highly anticipated holiday movie.

“In the past, we have always had to wait in line for a film to run its course in major chains before coming to us,” says Dinah Brein, Admiral Manager. “More and more, new films aren’t even being made in 35mm, so this is a huge treat for us, sort of an early ‘Thanksgiving blessing’.”

The Admiral will have a special sneak-peek showing of the movie, Tuesday, November 4th at 8:00 PM and then will show the movie multiple times beginning on Wednesday, November 5th. Ticket prices will be set at $10.25 for adults and $8.50 for seniors (65 and over) and children under 11. All screenings before 5:00 pm will be matinee priced at $8.50. Senior Tuesday discount does not apply and special tickets (Groupon, Living Social and Deal Flicks) will not be accepted for the run of the film.

“INTERSTELLAR” was shot using a combination of 35mm anamorphic film and 65mm IMAX film to maximize the crispness and clarity of the image and give the audience a truly cinematic and immersive experience. These advance engagements highlight those theaters presenting “INTERSTELLAR” in its native formats.

“INTERSTELLAR” stars Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Bill Irwin, Ellen Burstyn, John Lithgow, and Michael Caine. With our time on Earth coming to an end, a team of explorers undertakes the most important mission in human history; travelling beyond this galaxy to discover whether mankind has a future among the stars. Directed by Christopher Nolan, written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan, and produced by Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Lynda Obst.

P.S. because you’re probably wondering: No new official news on The Admiral’s future.

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West Seattle Thursday: Early Halloween event for teens; Genesee-Schmitz NC; Alki CC; quake drill; more
October 16, 2014 9:42 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Thursday: Early Halloween event for teens; Genesee-Schmitz NC; Alki CC; quake drill; more
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(WSB photo: One of the many barges that come and go off West Seattle’s northeastern shore)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

EARTHQUAKE DRILL THIS MORNING: Want to practice what you know about what to do in an earthquake? 10:16 am today is the Great Washington Shakeout. For local-specific information – particularly, the location of your nearest Emergency Communication Hub – browse West Seattle Be Prepared.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 11 am at Southwest Branch Library. (35th/Henderson)

TEEN HALLOWED HUNT AND COSTUME CONTEST: 6:30 pm at Alki Community Center, it’s this year’s first spotlighted Halloween event – just for teens. Details in our calendar listing. (5817 SW Stevens)

GENESEE-SCHMITZ NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 7 pm tonight, it’s a general meeting for GSNC at West Side Presbyterian Church, with topics including the P-Patch and City Fruit, as detailed in our calendar listing. (3601 California SW)

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm tonight, the ACC board meets (members welcome) at Alki UCC – not in the parlor as usual (another event is happening there tonight), but on the third floor. Announced topics include “discussion of landslide and transit issues and plans for the November annual meeting.” (6112 SW Hinds)

UNPLUGGED! 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), it’s the Seattle Classic Guitar Society‘s monthly open-microphone event for musicians and singers. (5612 California SW)

HYMN SING: You’re invited to add your voice at tonight’s 7 pm hymn sing hosted by West Seattle Christian Church. (4400 42nd SW)

MORE ON THE CALENDAR! Nightlife as usual, but also events throughout the day – you can easily browse beyond, too. Just start here.

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Utility-work alert: Pipe project ahead on 26th SW in North Delridge, including request for neighbors
October 16, 2014 9:09 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Viaduct vote | West Seattle news

That map shows the location of a pipe project just announced by Seattle Public Utilities for a block and a half of the 26th SW greenway in North Delridge. It will affect people who drive, bike, and walk in that area, but it also comes with a request for those who live there: Don’t use outdoor water while the work is under way (indoor water, no problem, since it drains to a different part of the system). Here’s the full advisory, which neighbors should be getting if they haven’t received it already:

SPU says the work should start within the next two weeks.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Updates for Thursday
October 16, 2014 6:51 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Updates for Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
No traffic trouble in, or outbound from, West Seattle so far. Today’s notes:

VIADUCT/99 CLOSURES THIS WEEKEND: Between the West Seattle Bridge and Battery Street Tunnel, Highway 99 will be closed 6 am-6 pm Saturday and Sunday for its semiannual inspection. But it’ll be closed all weekend, late Friday night until early Monday morning, from the BST to Valley Street. The multipart closure is explained here.

BRIDGE STOP FOR BICYCLE RIDERS: West Seattle Cyclery is under the West Seattle Bridge again this morning until 9 am “with hot coffee, drinks, and snacks. We will also have service equipment to help with any minor repairs.”

7:25 AM: Per SDOT tweet (remember, they have a separate account for bridge updates now), the low bridge is closed to traffic right now. (The camera that’s been showing it lately is offline, so it’s not in our highlight boxes above.)

7:38 AM: Open again. All’s still relatively quiet out there otherwise. By the way, last night’s Morgan Community Association meeting included an update on the overflow-tank project at Lowman Beach that’s been generating extra double-dump-truck trips lately – the dig is halfway down and is still on track for completion in early November.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Gunfire suspect out of jail; tonight’s helicopter
October 15, 2014 11:59 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Helicopter | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes:

GUNFIRE SUSPECT OUT OF JAIL: 30-year-old Daren Atwood, charged with a firearms offense after last Thursday’s gunfire incident near Fairmount Ravine, is out of jail after one day. We reported Tuesday night that he had been charged and booked; this afternoon, he appeared in Seattle Municipal Court. According to the online docket, the city asked for $50,000 bail; a judge let him out on personal recognizance. His next court appearance is set for November 13th.

ABOUT THE HELICOPTER: Just before 9 pm, a relatively brief burst of helicopter activity brought some questions from north and northeast West Seattle. Via Twitter, the Guardian One crew confirmed it was them, helping Seattle Police with “a disturbance call.” No further details, so if we find out anything in the morning, we’ll add it here.

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Morgan Community Association: Digging; rezoning; park expanding…
October 15, 2014 9:07 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Tonight’s fall-quarter meeting of the Morgan Community Association drew more than 20 people to the basement meeting area at The Kenney (WSB sponsor) and covered a wide range of topics, as usual:

MURRAY CSO PROJECT UPDATE: Excavation is going “fast and furious,” said Hannah from King County Wastewater Treatment, as the space for the million-gallon combined-sewer-overflow-storage tank is dug across from Lowman Beach Park. It’s about halfway to its expected depth – 30 of 60 feet – she said. It’s still likely to be completed by early November, which means up to eight truckloads per hour, plus the added Saturday work that started just last weekend.

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Protected zone for orcas? Find out about it at The Whale Trail’s upcoming Orca Talk
October 15, 2014 6:04 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Here’s word of the first presentation in a new series of Orca Talks presented by West Seattle-headquartered The Whale Trail: You’ll hear about the proposal for “A Protected Zone for Puget Sound Orcas,” 7 pm Thursday, October 30th at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). From TWT executive director Donna Sandstrom:

The Southern Resident Killer Whales are endangered and seriously declining; their 2014 population of 79 is the lowest since 1985. To aid their recovery, Orca Relief is urging NOAA Fisheries to conduct a public process that will result in a Whale Protection Zone for the SRKWs.

A well designed and enforced WPZ would provide the Southern Resident Orca a safe-haven in the very core of their critical habitat, and a relief from vessel impacts including noise, disturbance and air pollution. Bruce Stedman, Executive Director of Orca Relief, will describe the key aspects of how a protected area for the Orca should be developed and how it could help the SRKWs begin to recover.

Join us to hear the latest about the orcas, and updates from Robin Lindsay (Seal Sitters), and “Diver Laura” James (tox-ick.org).

These talks are usually sellouts – get your ticket(s) ASAP online, $5 suggested donation, kids free. C & P is at 5612 California SW.

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West Seattle coyotes: Who’s seeing them and where
October 15, 2014 4:28 pm
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Added Thursday afternoon: Coyote seen by Rebecca on SW Barton)
Maybe it’s the change of seasons. The pace of coyote-sighting reports has picked up recently. We report them for awareness and education, not hysteria – here are the most-recent reports:

TWO HIGHLAND PARK SIGHTINGS: Moments ago, someone texted about a coyote spotted today at 18th and Cloverdale. That’s the second recent report we’ve had from Highland Park; Nicole reported one seen near 14th and Trenton “with a cat carcass.”

GATEWOOD SIGHTING #1: Janet says one “walked right by me as I was doing yard work” around 4:45 pm Tuesday near California/Webster. “Did not seem afraid of me. Appeared straggly and hungry.” It was headed east and she thinks it might have come up the stairs at 44th/Webster (not far from Solstice Park).

GATEWOOD SIGHTING #2: A few hours before that, to the northeast, Elizabeth encountered one while working, similar description: “I am a FedEx driver and just followed one down the street near 38th Ave SW & Myrtle. It was extremely mangy looking and emaciated, which could be of concern. Still a rather large one though. I saw it run up a tree filled driveway toward a house (in the 4100 block of) SW Orchard. Just a heads-up!”

NEAR CAMP LONG: TH spotted a coyote around 8 pm Sunday, about to cross 36th SW at Brandon: “Probably heading towards Camp Long. He looked healthy and while he was cautious he didn’t appear afraid. I figure he was 2′ at the shoulder.”

ARBOR HEIGHTS: Wendy reported her mother-in-law spotting two coyotes hanging out at a vacant lot near 39th/105th.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SEE ONE? Our recent texter in HP said she had called Fish and Wildlife, which advised they don’t routinely respond to sightings. That’s true and has long been so. They do have an excellent guide about coexisting with coyotes, with advice such as how to scare them away if you see them, so that they will be encouraged to keep their distance, for our sake and theirs. We link it from every coyote report we publish – so here it is again.

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West Seattle Crime Watch followup: Fauntleroy search, explained
October 15, 2014 2:31 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

From the “sometimes followups take a few days” file:

(WSB photo from last Saturday)
Back on Saturday, police had a visible presence near the Fauntleroy ferry dock and Lincoln Park for a few hours. All they would say at the time was that they were “looking for a felony warrant suspect.” Finally we have tracked down the case number and report with details: A fare-enforcement officer at a bus stop by the ferry dock called police around 4 pm Saturday to say he had someone who he thought had a warrant out for his arrest (didn’t say why the enforcer thought that) but couldn’t hold the suspect.

Police arrived and found the man did indeed have a warrant out for a drug charge. They arrested him and handcuffed him; he had an empty syringe in his possession and told them he had used heroin that day. As they were putting him in a patrol car, he asked them to adjust his handcuffs, which were somewhat obstructed, the report says, by rubber bracelets and a watch. While officers were using a handcuff key to adjust the cuffs, the suspect bolted with such force “he broke the handcuff key in half.” They ran after him into the neighborhoods to the east, but lost him as he ran through yards. Containment was set up – the cars you might have seen blocking streets – and a K-9 officer was called; the dog sniffed the backpack left behind at the bus stop and followed a trail into Lincoln Park, but the suspect wasn’t found. Whenever he is found, along with the drug warrant, he is now wanted for escape.

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West Seattle Halloween 2014: Trick-or-treat dates set
October 15, 2014 12:30 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle news

This year’s edition of the WSB Halloween (and related) event page is in the works, with numerous events/activities already in our calendar (sent your announcement yet? Hurry! editor@westseattleblog.com). In the short run, three business-district trick-or-treat events are set in West Seattle, so here’s one handy list:

THE JUNCTION: During the Harvest Festival on October 26th – business trick-or-treating starts at noon, following the 11:30 am costume parade.

THE ADMIRAL DISTRICT: 3-6 pm on Halloween (Friday, October 31st).

WESTWOOD VILLAGE: 5-7 pm on Halloween.

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West Seattle development updates: Demolition at 4101 SW Oregon & Fauntleroy/Alaska corner; plus, High Point ‘cover-up’
October 15, 2014 11:47 am
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Three development-related updates:

4101 SW OREGON DEMOLITION: WSB’s Christopher Boffoli caught demolition starting this morning at this 87-year-old house making way for a 4-unit rowhouse. This project has been in the works for almost a year.

FAUNTLEROY/ALASKA CORNER DEMOLITION: Crews are continuing to bring down the buildings at the future site of The Whittaker, ~400 apartments, ~600 offstreet parking spaces, street-level retail including Whole Foods. Today, they’re working at the Fauntleroy/Alaska corner, demolishing the old Shell station and the former Howden-Kennedy (they moved) building.

The former auto-dealership buildings are expected to be torn down next week. A project spokesperson tells us the plan is still on to digitally re-create the mural that’s on the east side of one of those buildings; the image will be taken from a Southwest Seattle Historical Society photo that is clearer than the faded mural, which couldn’t be moved because it’s on cement block.

HIGH POINT ‘COVER-UP’: In our late September update on 35th/Graham, the photo showed a big sign for Polygon, saying NEW HOMES COMING 2015. Then, a commenter pointed out, the sign was suddenly covered over in green canvas/tarp/plastic, both sides (and we discovered the same thing on a sign a bit to the east).

Why the “cover-up”? We checked with the Seattle Housing Authority, which owns the site, and deputy executive director Anne Fiske Zuniga explained, “The Polygon signs went up prematurely and were covered up because the information was not accurate.” She added,
“Polygon and SHA are in conversation regarding the development of the site at 35th & Graham, the site is not under contract. Polygon is in the preliminary planning stages, so nothing is definite at this time.”

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West Seattle Wednesday: Morgan, Delridge meetings; school open houses; Memory Café; WordsWest, edition 2; and more…
October 15, 2014 10:21 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Don Brubeck)
Murky morning – but looks to be lightening up a bit now. (Did you see last night’s rainbow/clouds?) Looking ahead to the rest of your West Seattle Wednesday, here’s just some of what’s on the calendar:

DONATED YET? Now that we’ve arrived at mid-month, we wanted to mention the local physical-therapy clinics’ West Seattle Food Bank donation competition again. Two more weeks to help your favorite clinic “win” (and any donation is a “winner” for WSFB and its clients) – details in our calendar listing.

MEMORY CAFE: The monthly event for people living with dementia/Alzheimer’s is today, 3-4:30 pm, at Angelina’s – details in our calendar listing. (2311 California SW)

TRANSITION HEALTH FAIR: 6:30-8:30 pm tonight at Chief Sealth International High School, it’s “a Transition Health Fair for students and families interested in meeting professionals in the Transition Services, College and Career planning, and Health Services. Our goal is to make the move from high school to career and college a smooth one. There will be more than 30 community partners and several pull out sessions for students with special needs.” In the Galleria. (2600 SW Thistle)

OPEN HOUSE #1: At Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor), 6:30-8 pm, come “try out” EWMS during “an interactive school tour including art and drama demonstrations.” (10015 28th SW)

OPEN HOUSE #2, WITH RSVP REQUESTED: 7 pm at Harbor School (WSB sponsor), West Seattle families are especially welcome to visit the school serving grades 4-8, for its open house on Vashon Island. Campus tours will be offered, with an “overview of the curriculum as well as highlights on the school’s Travel Study, Service Learning and Arts Integrated programs.” West Seattleites ferrying over from Fauntleroy can arrange for a shuttle ride if you RSVP ASAP – our calendar listing explains how. (15920 Vashon Highway SW)

FOUR GUESTS FOR DNDC: Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Wilske is on the agenda for the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting, 7 pm Wednesday at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. He’s one of four guests; also scheduled are guests talking about the city budget, Neighborhood Matching Fund, and the SDOT Freight Master Plan. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: The quarterly MoCA meeting is 7 pm tonight at The Kenney (WSB sponsor); big list of topics – see it on our calendar listing. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

WORDSWEST, EVENT #2: The new West Seattle literary series features “politics and poetics” tonight with Rick Barot and Lena Khalaf Tuffaha, plus a “favorite poem” by Northwest Art and Frame, 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – details in our calendar listing. (5612 California SW)

NIGHTLIFE: Comedy, trivia, karaoke, open microphone … see the listings/venues on our calendar!

SKIES OVER WEST SEATTLE: Last-quarter moon is here, if the clouds clear a spot forus to see it. Another reason to take another look at our monthly “what’s up there?” report from Alice Enevoldsen: Only eight days to the solar eclipse! Read all about it in SOWS, here.

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Memorial tomorrow for Bennett McKnight, aka Lucky Freeman
October 15, 2014 10:03 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

A memorial is planned tomorrow for Bennett McKnight, also known as Lucky Freeman:

Our brother is gone.

His kindness and generous spirit will continue on with those who love him.

Bennett was a local artist, well known and beloved to many in West Seattle. He enjoyed frequenting many of the local businesses and always was enthusiastic about supporting the local community.

Memorial Thursday, October 16th
5:00 pm-midnight
West Seattle Veterans Center
3618 SW Alaska

(Photo courtesy Matt Sellars)

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Fairmount Park Elementary alum? You’re invited to Fall Falcon Fest
October 15, 2014 8:59 am
|    Comments Off on Fairmount Park Elementary alum? You’re invited to Fall Falcon Fest
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The first festival at reopened Fairmount Park Elementary isn’t just a celebration for students, staff, and families – organizers are reaching out with a special invitation for alums and others who were part of the school in its past life. In case you haven’t already seen it on the WSB calendar, with the event just a week and a half away, here are the details:

The Fairmount Park Elementary PTA (FPEPTA) invites alumni/alumnae of the newly expanded and reopened school to join us for our first festival, the Fall Falcon Fest on October 24th from 5-8 pm at the school.

Events for the evening include:

· Alumni tour (please email spirit@fpepta.org to register)
· Student craft booths
· Art stations – decorate a pumpkin, create a falcon-themed barrette or pin, make a lantern, and more!
· Add your own falcon to our “flock of falcons” art installation
· Join the cake walk
· Take your photo at the fall falcon photo booth
· Enjoy food trucks – no need to cut the evening short, stay for dinner! (Wicked Pies, Fusion on the Run, and The Cookie Cutter)

The event is free, although a suggested donation of $1 per person is welcome and donations to FPEPTA’s Annual Giving Campaign will be accepted.

Visit the FPEPTA website to find out more about the fabulous things happening at the school. We are off to a great start and look forward to engaging with neighbors in the years to come.

All former Fairmount Park Falcons are strongly encouraged to join in the fun! If you have not yet shared your experiences with us at the FPEPTA website, please do so! We are treasuring the fabulous stories shared thus far.

For more information contact Shanti Breznau and Parie Hines: spirit@fpepta.org

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday updates; NB 99 crash south of WS Bridge; 35th SW paving
October 15, 2014 7:05 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:05 AM: Good morning! Highway 99 is the trouble spot in our area right now, just north of the 1st Avenue S. Bridge, if you come in from south of the West Seattle Bridge. Lanes are blocked in both directions.

Today’s notes:

35TH SW PAVING: The city is scheduled to continue the work on 35th SW between Morgan and Juneau that started Tuesday, almost a week ahead of what was previously announced.

HIGHWAY 99 CLOSURE THIS WEEKEND 6 am-6 pm inspection closures for the Alaskan Way Viaduct and 99 north of the West Seattle Bridge both days this weekend, plus stretches to the north of that, in phases.

7:20 AM: The problem north of the 1st Avenue S. Bridge continues blocking most lanes (which is also backing up Highway 509), and if you’re contemplating East Marginal Way S., a crash is reported at 4th.

7:38 AM: From SDOT, an illustration of how this is affecting traffic south of downtown:

And it’s raining.

7:51 AM: The Traffic Collision Investigation Squad will be investigating this, per radio communications. They expect that to take a few hours.

7:59 AM: In West Seattle, a three-car collision – no one hurt – is reported at Delridge/Genesee, blocking the bus lane. And right after we added this – police have spotted a 3-car crash at 40th/Morgan.

8:34 AM: According to SPD, the problem north of the 1st Avenue S. Bridge originated as a car/motorcycle crash. Its surface location is East Marginal/Fidalgo, and again, investigators will be at work there for hours, so if you are heading in from the south, find an alternate route.

8:46 AM: Jennifer Knutson shares a photo from 8th/Roxbury, where traffic is backed up because of the northbound 99 crash/investigation we’ve been tracking – this is a look at eastbound Roxbury:

Again, the 99 (East Marginal/Fidalgo) situation will be a problem for at least a few hours. We’ll update here whenever it reopens; even after we move on to other news atop the main WSB page, you can find the daily traffic watch linked atop the “BIG STORIES” list on the right sidebar, every weekday.

10:40 AM: East Marginal, aka surface 99, is now clear at the crash scene, all lanes open again.

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School open-house season: Explorer West, Harbor School, Westside this week
October 15, 2014 2:05 am
|    Comments Off on School open-house season: Explorer West, Harbor School, Westside this week
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Our calendar includes open houses for three area independent schools (all WSB sponsors) in the next four days:

TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY) – EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL: 6:30-8 pm, come “try out” EWMS during an “an interactive school tour including art and drama demonstrations.” (If you can’t make it to this one, open houses for prospective students/families also are planned at 10 am November 15th and 6:30 pm December 9th.) EWMS is at 10015 28th SW.

TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY – HARBOR SCHOOL: West Seattle families are invited to visit Harbor School, which serves grades 4-8, for its open house on Vashon Island, 7 pm. Campus tours will be offered, with an “overview of the curriculum as well as highlights on the school’s Travel Study, Service Learning and Arts Integrated programs.” West Seattleites ferrying over from Fauntleroy can arrange for a shuttle ride if you RSVP ASAP – our calendar listing explains how. Harbor School is at 15920 Vashon Highway SW.

SATURDAY MORNING – WESTSIDE SCHOOL: 10 am-noon, Westside – which moves to its new campus next year – has an open house for prospective families interested in all grades, pre-K through 8th. Its current campus is at 7740 34th SW.

P.S. Looking ahead to month’s end, we’re again co-sponsoring a School Information Fair for pre-K through middle schools, to be held in the Seattle Lutheran High School gym (41st/Genesee), 6:30-8:30 pm Tuesday, October 28th.

P.P.S. Open house coming up? Please send the info for our calendar! editor@westseattleblog.com

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Gunfire suspect now in jail and other investigation updates at tonight’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting
October 14, 2014 9:08 pm
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 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

(October 9 photo by Christopher Boffoli; suspect Daren Atwood at center, khaki pants)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The man arrested after last Thursday’s gunfire incident near Fairmount Ravine was booked into jail this evening and is charged with a misdemeanor.

That case topped crime updates from Southwest Precinct Community Police Team Officer Jon Flores during tonight’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, held at Hiawatha Community Center (a last-minute move because of a conflict at regular venue The Sanctuary at Admiral).

We had been checking on the suspect’s status; as reported during our coverage on Thursday, he was initially taken to Harborview for a 72-hour mental evaluation. That has since ended and as of this evening, King County Jail records confirm that the suspect, 30-year-old Admiral resident Daren Atwood, is there, charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, a gross misdemeanor. No bail amount is listed on the jail register so far, but Atwood is due in the city’s Mental Health Court tomorrow, according to online records.

Ahead: Other crime incidents/issues discussed at the meeting, plus two other major topics, including presentations on both preschool-related measures you’ll see on the November 4th ballot:

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Update: West Seattle Transportation Coalition votes to endorse transit-funding measure, but no position on monorail
October 14, 2014 9:06 pm
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 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Two toplines so far from tonight’s West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting: WSTC voted to endorse the bus-funding measure on the November 4 ballot, officially Transportation Benefit District Proposition No. 1. And it voted NOT to endorse the monorail measure on the ballot, officially Seattle Citizen Petition No. 1. More to come.

ADDED WEDNESDAY MORNING: More toplines from the WSTC meeting:

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