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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates; weekend preview
September 5, 2014 6:30 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates; weekend preview
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! Quiet on the roads so far, and the weather is clear, headed for the 80s. We’ve been covering an early-morning police investigation in South Delridge but it is not affecting traffic.

WEEKEND TRAFFIC ALERTS: See them (and more) in the SDOT Construction Lookahead – most notable is that southbound I-5 will be closed 11:30 pm tonight to 6:30 am Saturday under the downtown Convention Center for fire-system testing.

TRANSPORTATION NEWS: SDOT’s new boss made his first official West Seattle appearance this week; here’s the story we published late last night.

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Update: 2 people hurt in South Delridge shooting outside 7-11
September 5, 2014 4:38 am
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news

(Photo added: South Delridge 7-11, at which police say this started)
4:38 AM: Police and fire have responded to the 9000 block of 20th SW for an assault-with-weapons call with two victims. Per emergency radio, both are in their 20s and both have gunshot wounds – one to the leg, one with a “grazing wound” behind her knees. The gunfire is believed to have come from someone in a car. More to come.

4:50 AM: According to radio communications, the person shot in the leg is a 29-year-old man who will be transported by SFD medic unit; the person with a grazing wound to her legs is an 18-year-old woman who’ll go to the hospital via private ambulance. The latest description of the vehicle is “gold,” with the shots believed to have been fired by a “white male,” with “three black males” also in the car.

Our crew at the scene is seeing one person being treated at the Montridge Arms Apartments (photo added above); police also are at the nearby 7-11.

4:55 AM: New possible description of the vehicle: Gray Taurus; police are still sorting it out.

5:01 AM: From our crew at the scene: Police say this might have started as a person-to-person theft at the 7-11, between the victims and the people in the car. The victims made it across the street to the apartment building under their own power. This is not affecting traffic on Delridge Way.

5:14 AM: More from what police said at the scene: They’re not certain whether the “grazing” injury suffered by the female victim were from bullets or “shrapnel.” Again, neither victim has a life-threatening injury. No one in custody so far. People in the area say they thought they heard five shots. Police are still talking to witnesses to sort things out, including the vehicle/suspect descriptions.

6:14 AM UPDATE: Police have just published a summary on SPD Blotter; they now confirm the man was shot, the woman hurt by “shrapnel.” The item at issue in the “theft” they told us about is now reported to have been a cell phone. The conflicting vehicle descriptions also are mentioned – either gold Buick or gray Taurus.

9 AM NOTE: We went by in the 7 am hour and noted that Robbery Unit detectives had joined other officers on scene, still behind the yellow tape.

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Seattle’s transportation system is ‘fragile,’ new SDOT director acknowledges in first West Seattle appearance
September 4, 2014 10:23 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   Southwest District Council | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“We’re back to it now,” as Southwest District Council co-chair Sharonn Meeks said, launching the SWDC’s first meeting since July. The marquee guest for last night’s meeting: New SDOT director Scott Kubly, about 15 minutes late because he “had a problem with the reliability of the transportation system.”

He noted he’s lived in Seattle all of six weeks, “so I’m very very new to the city” and “learning a lot about it … One of the things that has been really apparent from my first moment on the ground … is that we have a pretty fragile transportation system.” As an example, he mentioned recent incidents, including, locally, the Highway 99 offramp fuel spill. Regarding West Seattle, “there’s very very few ways to get over here,” he observed, “a really challenging geography to work with,” while also acknowledging “it doesn’t take a rocket scientist” (to figure that out).

“I’m sure you guys are going to hit me with a lot of hard questions,” he concluded his introduction, adding, “We all need streets to work for everyone.” First question was from Chas Redmond – who brought a handout to accompany his.

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Local author Molly Ringle next up at ‘Words, Writers, West Seattle’
September 4, 2014 8:48 pm
|    Comments Off on Local author Molly Ringle next up at ‘Words, Writers, West Seattle’
 |   West Seattle books | West Seattle news

Tomorrow night is the next edition of “Words, Writers & West Seattle,” 5-7 p.m. Friday (September 5th) at Barnes & Noble Westwood Village, sponsored by the Southwest Seattle
Historical Society. Featured author this time is Molly Ringle, whose work includes the young-adult fantasy novel “Persephone’s Orchard.”

The event is free; 10 percent of any purchase you make during it will benefit SWSHS. More info is on the official flyer.

P.S. Your next chance to find out about volunteering with SWSHS is coming up on Saturday at SWSHS’s Log House Museum, 61st/Stevens. Says SWSHS executive director Clay Eals, “Attendees will learn about how to turn desires and skills into meaningful tasks that will help preserve and promote the heritage of West Seattle and the greater Duwamish peninsula.” He’ll be leading a local-history primer, too.

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West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival 2014 set! Want to host an activity? Or volunteer?
September 4, 2014 4:46 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival 2014 set! Want to host an activity? Or volunteer?
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, 2012 Harvest Festival)
Shopping, trick-or-treating, more shopping, costume parade, more shopping, kids’ activities … plan to be in The Junction on Sunday, October 26th, for the third annual Harvest Festival, officially announced today by the West Seattle Junction Association. Created in 2012, this event moved the Sunday Farmers’ Market out into the street, folded in the annual business-district trick-or-treating, and added a costume parade as well as games and other activities for kids, and it’s been a fun-filled four hours each time, rain or shine. The hours again this year:

*Festival runs 10 am-2 pm
*Costume parade at 11:30 am
*Trick-or-treating at noon

If your business, group, or organization would like to offer a Harvest Activity as part of the festival, find the application here. If you can volunteer at the festival, please e-mail Junction Association director Susan Melrose at susan@wsjunction.org

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2 West Seattle signs of Seahawks spirit: The 12th Flag – and, 12th Taxi?
September 4, 2014 4:25 pm
|    Comments Off on 2 West Seattle signs of Seahawks spirit: The 12th Flag – and, 12th Taxi?
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Two West Seattle scenes, with game time a little over an hour away:

THE 12TH FLAG, FLYING: Yes, the 1,500-square-foot, Tacoma-made “12” flag went up at Delridge/Andover a few hours ago, as planned (here’s the backstory), with spectators, in the sunshine:

12TH FANS SAIL AWAY: A smaller flag is flying from the West Seattle Water Taxi, which tends to be a hot ticket for big games. We spotted it pulling away from Seacrest about an hour ago with 12s out on deck in the sunshine:

Go, Hawks!

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And the winning Water Taxi names are …
September 4, 2014 1:47 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

(Rendering of new vessels – reflecting size/shape/configuration, not final color/paint/trim)
Instead of the Spirit of Kingston, when the new West Seattle Water Taxi arrives next year, you’ll be riding the Doc Maynard. Just announced by King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, who chairs the county Ferry District Board:

After this summer’s public process, the King County Ferry District’s new boats have been named. Doc Maynard will serve the West Seattle run, and Sally Fox will bring riders from Vashon Island to Downtown Seattle.

“I want to thank everyone who got involved whether it was nominating names or voting for their favorites. The names reflect our community’s awesome history,” said Ferry District Chair Joe McDermott.

Doc Maynard was a Seattle pioneer and doctor.

(Added: Public-domain image of Doc Maynard, via Wikimedia)
As one of the primary founders of Seattle, Maynard’s friendship with Chief Sealth inspired him to propose the name of the city be named after his Duwamish friend.

Sally Fox fought tirelessly as a passionate advocate for passenger-only ferry service to Vashon. She organized the community and fought at the forefront of the movement to protect and expand this valuable service. Fox passed away in 2007 from esophageal cancer, but her spirit lives on through the results of her activism.

While Cobain Watertrain was a popular vote for the West Seattle run, it was determined there was too much licensing risk involved.

Mostly funded by federal grants, the new boats will start operating in 2015.

We’re asking about the actual numbers and will add whatever we find out.

P.S. Here’s Doc Maynard’s biography, via HistoryLink.org.

ADDED 3:51 PM: Thanks to Councilmember McDermott’s office for the top three voting results for each vessel – first, West Seattle, then, Vashon:

Cobain Watertrain-32.75%
Doc Maynard- 22.75%
Princess Angeline- 18.74%

Sally Fox- 38.46%
Betty MacDonald – 29.29%
Lisabeula- 21.52%

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West Seattle back-to-school: Learn how city libraries can help!
September 4, 2014 1:21 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

The Seattle Public Library offers a lot of help and resources that students and their families might not be fully aware of – so three area branches have special events coming up to fix that! From Nathalie at SPL:

The West Seattle branch libraries will be hosting “School Your Parents” nights, where families can learn about library resources that help children succeed in school. This includes in-person and online homework help, an introduction to our online research resources and a meet and greet with their neighborhood library staff. Children and teens who attend will receive refreshments and prizes. The event is free and everyone is welcome. Events will be held at the following locations:

High Point Branch
September 9th 4-6 pm
3411 SW Raymond St.
206-684-7454

South Park Branch
September 9th 5:30-7 pm
8604 Eighth Ave. S.
206-615-1688

Delridge Branch
September 15th 5:30-7 pm
5423 Delridge Way SW
206-733-9125

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West Seattle Thursday: 12th Flag; Hotwire turns 12; Carmilia’s reopens; Design Review for clinic project…
September 4, 2014 10:53 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

The biggest event on any calendar for miles around is tonight’s Seahawks game. And we have one big event for local fans, as well as other highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

(Thanks to Sha’ari for the photo of the Metropolitan Market [WSB sponsor] booth at “12th Flag” celebration!)
THE 12TH FLAG: Party starts at 11 am outside West Seattle Corporate Center, and then the huge “12th Flag” – 1,500 square feet – goes up at 12:30 pm. Newest details are in this preview. (Delridge/Andover)

HOTWIRE’S 12TH ANNIVERSARY: Happy 12th anniversary to WSB’s inaugural sponsor, Hotwire Online Coffeehouse in The Junction! They’re offering a special drink for the occasion – mixing in 12th Man excitement – $1.20 for a 12-ounce white chocolate, blueberry, and mint mocha. (4410 California SW)

CARMILIA’S REOPENS: After a two-week closure for “freshening,” Carmilia’s in The Junction (which celebrates its 12th anniversary later this year!) reopens at 5 pm tonight. Proprietor Linda Sabee shared this photo of the new seating area in her shop:

She says Carmilia’s will be open until 9 tonight, 11-8 tomorrow, then resuming regular hours starting Saturday, with fall clothes and new brands in the store as well as the “freshened-up” decor. (4528 California SW)

DESIGN REVIEW FOR CLINIC PROJECT: 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle, the Southwest Design Review Board takes a second “early design guidance” look at the eye clinic proposed for 7520 35th SW. The “packet” is linked in our most recent development roundup. (Oregon/California)

‘COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE – ABRIDGED’: Come cheer youth performers/producers (and donate to a local nonprofit they’re raising money for), 7:30 pm in the Seattle Lutheran High School gym, first of three performances, details in our calendar listing. (41st/Genesee)

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4 reader reports: Stolen motorcycle; found bicycles; car prowl
September 4, 2014 10:06 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Four reader reports to share – we’re not calling them all Crime Watch because the bicycles might not be stolen, but often when found in circumstances like these, they are. First, have you seen Nyle‘s stolen motorcycle?

My motorcycle was stolen out of apartment parking garage on upper Avalon Way between midnight and 8am on 9/3/14. 1999 Red Honda CBR 600 F4. Plate #690065. Police called and report filed. Keep your eyes open!

FOUND BICYCLE #1: Christine and Jeff both sent photos and word of this bicycle that’s been up against a signpost in Morgan Junction for a few days:

Christine described it as “a pink and purple Magna Misty bike with a few iridescent streamers on the handlebars.”

FOUND BICYCLE #2: Dana found this one, described as a purple girl’s Specialized Hotrock:

We’ve advised the bicycles’ finders to report them to police, but do comment if you know whose they are.

CAR PROWL: From Sarah:

My car was broken into again some time between 11:30 pm 9/2 and when I went out again this afternoon 12:30 pm 9/3. Police report has been filed, but I want to warn neighbors. My car was locked up tight abd all doors were unlocked, including the hatch, which requires a key, so I think they may have one of the Subaru dummy keys. It was an older Subaru Legacy Wagon (1992) and the only thing I noticed missing besides the cell phone charger was some loose change. This happened on the 7700 block of 31st Ave SW.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates/reminders, from back-to-school to back-to-football
September 4, 2014 6:39 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Today is the first real full-strength morning of back-to-school week, since some schools that started back yesterday had special schedules. (If you missed our list of West Seattle school-zone and start-time changes, see them in our Wednesday coverage.) You can give today the added label of “back-to-football,” with the Seahawks’ first game of the year tonight at CenturyLink Field, and earlier events expected to complicate traffic in the south end of downtown starting hours earlier, with “Gameday Village” in Pioneer Square and a free pregame concert in the stadium (gates opening at 2:30 pm) – this SDOT alert explains how the day is set to unfold, including transit reroutes (no West Seattle routes involved at this point). Kickoff is just after 5:30, which means even if you’re just leaving early to watch it at home or your favorite bar, pm-commute traffic will start early today.

BRIDGE TWEETS: SDOT reminds us that it’s launched a new Twitter account for bridge-open/close tweets around the city – follow it here.

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Back-to-school 2014: Chief Sealth freshmen launch with Link Crew
September 4, 2014 6:21 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

For a few often-rowdy hours on the first morning of the new school year Wednesday, Chief Sealth International High School‘s Class of 2018 had the school to themselves.

Well – except for the upperclassmen volunteers and staffers leading them through those hours via the nationally renowned transition/mentoring program Link Crew.

This is Sealth’s third year with the mentoring program (we reported on student leaders’ preparation the first year, in 2012) meant to get freshmen off to a successful start. It mixes inspiration with goofy icebreakers – like this relay involving hugs and balloons:

On the inspirational side, Luke Azinger told the new arrivals that there are three types of people – those who make things happen, those who watch things happen (both of whom, he stressed, were important in their own ways) and – those who wonder, “What happened?”

In this case, what happened is … they all woke up one day and found themselves in high school. (It was a later wakeup, with Sealth’s bell time later this year, 8:40 am.) But this is one way to start off in a team mode, instead of wandering the halls feeling alone.

Link Crew goes beyond the first-day activities; on Friday, for example, freshmen and their mentors have a barbecue planned and then the first football game of the year (across the street at Southwest Athletic Complex).

P.S. Thanks to student leader Lincoln Vuong for inviting us to visit! He’s pictured below with a faculty Link Crew leader, Kim Dinh:

Lincoln was so organized, he first messaged us two months ago! Other program leaders include assistant principal Andra Maughan as well as Sarah Martin and Carrie Syvertsen, plus Azinger, who emceed the warmup activities happening while we were there at the start of the day. After that, the freshmen were to break up into crews of a dozen or so, with two student leaders for each, finishing the morning with a school tour and wrapup assembly before classes started for the entire school in the afternoon.

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Update: 2 ‘ assault with weapons’ calls – man shot on 24th, 3 arrested after stabbing at Cottage Grove Commons
September 3, 2014 11:56 pm
|      35 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

FIRST REPORT, 11:56 PM: Two calls initially dispatched as “assault with weapons” – we’re en route to both.

12:08 AM UPDATE, 7500 BLOCK 24TH: This is barely a block from the precinct, where, police tell us, they heard a shot and headed this way to investigate. Someone shot himself in the foot and is described by police as “not cooperative.”

We’re off to Cottage Grove Commons next.

12:37 AM UPDATE, 5444 DELRIDGE WAY SW: Police are inside the building investigating; all we have right now is word that someone was stabbed, and at least one person is in custody. We might not be able to find out more until later this morning.

10:40 AM UPDATE: We have just obtained the police report for the Cottage Grove Commons incident, as noted in comments, and will add a summary here shortly. The 24th SW shooting is one of two incidents (the other wasn’t in West Seattle) in this SPD Blotter post just published. It doesn’t mention what we were told at the scene – that it was believed to be self-inflicted – but does say the victim is 37 and that the injury was actually to the ankle.

11:24 AM UPDATE: Adding the summary of the aforementioned police report on the 5444 Delridge Way stabbing – click ahead if you’re reading from the main page:
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You can help! West Seattle Food Bank needs more books
September 3, 2014 9:14 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Got books you don’t need any more? The West Seattle Food Bank is looking for three specific types right now. From Judi at WSFB, who also shared the photo:

The West Seattle Food Book clients love our Bookcase Program so much that we’re running out of books. We are in need of children’s picture and board books, and cookbooks. Our donation hours are Monday – Friday 9 am – 3 pm and Wednesday until 7 pm. For more information on our Bookcase Program, go to westseattlefoodbank.org. Thank you so much.

The food bank is at 35th/Morgan (map).

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Overdue, court-ordered rent payments for West Seattle Club lead to hearing as part of owner’s Chapter 11 case
September 3, 2014 7:04 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Two months after the owner of the West Seattle (Athletic) Club fitness center filed for personal bankruptcy, he and his landlord were in court today because an order to pay part of the club rent hadn’t been complied with.

As the club is a major West Seattle business with thousands of customers, community interest in its status remains high, so we’ve been following the bankruptcy-court-case filings – almost 100 of them – since Sam Adams and wife Erika Adams filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in late June (reported here on June 30th).

Today’s hearing was not the first held for various motions since then, but it’s the first one we have attended. Sam Adams and John Pietromonaco, owner of the club’s North Delridge site and building, were both in the downtown federal courtroom as their lawyers argued a key point relating to the three-week-old order for rent to be paid.

First, a bit of background:

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West Seattle back-to-school: Highland Park Elementary barbecue
September 3, 2014 3:36 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle back-to-school: Highland Park Elementary barbecue
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Another special back-to-school event to announce! From the Highland Park Elementary PTA, via Holly:

HPE will be hosting its annual back to school BBQ on Friday, September 5th. The BBQ is scheduled from 5:30 – 7:00 on the school grounds.

This is an annual tradition at HPE, and provides the students and their families an opportunity to gather as a community, share their visions for the school year, and celebrate the beginning of another school year. Hot dogs and refreshments will be provided. The PTA will be on hand, as well as teachers and administrators.

Special event, accomplishment, request, etc. from/at YOUR school? Let us know!

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West Seattle back-to-school scene: Schmitz Park flag ceremony
September 3, 2014 2:15 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

If the district’s timetable for the new school at Genesee Hill holds, this morning was the second-to-last first-day-of-school flag ceremony at Schmitz Park Elementary.

The program now housed at SPES is scheduled to move into the new GH school in 2016; the district’s most-recent announced plan for the current SPES building is to use it as an early-learning center. Thanks to Sean O’Connor for these photos from this morning! (Watch for a few other “first day of school” stories here, later today and tonight.)

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Got gas (service)? Puget Sound Energy’s sending smell-mail
September 3, 2014 1:28 pm
|    Comments Off on Got gas (service)? Puget Sound Energy’s sending smell-mail
 |   Safety | Utilities | West Seattle news

That quick video clip’s all about something Puget Sound Energy is sending out to more than a million customers via postal mail (in this case, e-mail just wouldn’t work), as explained in this announcement:

Billing statements from Puget Sound Energy arriving in mailboxes over the coming weeks might smell a little rotten.

A newly designed natural gas safety brochure is being sent out to more than 1.1 million PSE customers throughout September. In addition to lots of important information about what to do if there’s a suspected gas leak, there’s a scratch-and-sniff section that’s a reminder of the rotten egg odor associated with natural gas.

To help detect gas leaks more easily, PSE and other natural gas utilities add an odorant called mercaptan to the natural gas, which is naturally odorless and colorless. Everyone in a family needs to recognize the stench, and know what to do if they smell it:

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’12th Flag’-raising rally in West Seattle tomorrow: New info
September 3, 2014 12:59 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Tomorrow’s the big flagraising rally for Seahawks fans outside West Seattle Corporate Center (aka the building with the big flag, Delridge/Andover). We had first word of the rally last weekend, and now we have more info. The 1,500-square-foot “world’s largest 12th Man Flag” goes up at 12:30 pm Thursday, per the update from Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) and Bartell Drugs, both of which are headquartered at WSCC. If you can get there earlier, the rally starts at 11 am, with a photo booth, games and contests with prizes, “surprise guests,” food samples from MM, and more. The flag will be raised by former Seahawk Joe Tafoya and WSU Cougars legend/former NFL quarterback Jack Thompson. Yes, it’s the same mega-flag (made by Tacoma’s Flags A’Flying) raised there just before the Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory last winter, and when it goes up tomorrow, it’ll be just hours until game time for the Hawks’ season opener. (January 2014 photo by Christopher Boffoli)

P.S. If you use social media, the hashtag will be #The12thFlag.

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West Seattle Wednesday: Back-to-school, and what else is up!
September 3, 2014 11:22 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Belted kingfisher, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BACK-TO-SCHOOL NOTES: We took roll-call on the major changes in this morning’s Traffic Watch roundup – from start-time changes to school-zone changes. Good luck to all as the new year begins – scholars, staffers, families!

CHAIR MASSAGE TO BENEFIT ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION: Maybe that first day of school, however it relates to you, will leave you in need of a bit of pampering tonight. As part of fundraising this month for the Arthritis Foundation, Massage Envy West Seattle (WSB sponsor) is offering $1-minute chair massages 5-7 pm (and two more dates ahead) – details in our calendar listing. (2513 SW Trenton, north side of Westwood Village)

SDOT DIRECTOR IN WEST SEATTLE: Questions for new SDOT director Scott Kubly? As announced last week, he’s the spotlight guest at tonight’s Southwest District Council meeting, 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle. (Oregon/California)

COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: Jim Page and Grant Dermody live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm. (5612 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE SOUL: Rippin Chicken at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm – get your groove on! (6451 California SW)

OPEN MICROPHONE … tonight and every Wednesday night at Skylark, 8:30 pm (signups at 7:30 pm) – details here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

LOTS MORE … on the calendar!

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Another stolen car to watch for
September 3, 2014 9:13 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Another stolen car to watch for: Chuck says his car, a teal ’94 Honda Civic two-door, California plate 3GAE402, was stolen over the weekend near 18th SW/Barton (one of several recent auto thefts in the area, he says). It’s been reported to police – who tweeted it via @getyourcarback. Call 911 with any info.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Back-to-school Wednesday; here’s what’s new in school zones this year
September 3, 2014 6:33 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Thousands of West Seattle families are returning to (or starting) the school-year routine this morning. Even if you don’t have a student (or school staffer!) in the household, the start of the school year means changes on the road, not just the presence of school buses (which, by the way, were apparently the reason for some helicopter activity between Highland Park/South Park earlier). First, the basics:

BACK TO SCHOOL: First day of classes for Seattle Public Schools and Highline Public Schools (immediately south of the city limits), and also for independent schools that didn’t start up on Tuesday – including Explorer West Middle School, Tilden School, and Westside School (all WSB sponsors), Shorewood Christian, and others.

SCHOOL-RELATED CHANGES OF NOTE:
*Roxbury SW has two speed-camera zones, near Roxhill Elementary (30th/Roxbury) and Holy Family (20th/Roxbury) – tickets will be warnings for the first month, says the city, and then triple-digit fines
*Since Fairmount Park Elementary is reopening after seven years, that means a school zone on Fauntleroy Way, between Morgan Junction and The Triangle (map)
*The Boren Building in the 5900 block of Delridge Way is now home to TWO schools – K-5 STEM and, for the next two years, Arbor Heights Elementary (whose rebuild has begun), which means twice the dropoffs, buses, etc.
*Some bell times have changed – notably, Chief Sealth IHS in Westwood is starting later (8:40 am) and West Seattle HS in Admiral is starting earlier (7:50 am). Full list of SPS start times is here.

Anything we’re missing? editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

P.S. In addition to the two Roxbury speed cameras, in case you’re new in town, there is a pre-existing camera zone on Fauntleroy Way in the Gatewood Elementary vicinity, and the city has a “speed van” that MIGHT be in West Seattle at any time – it’s often on 35th SW near Our Lady of Guadalupe.

OTHER TRANSPORTATION NOTES: Published here overnight – Metro’s new West Seattle cut/change proposals. Also – SDOT’s new director Scott Kubly visits West Seattle for tonight’s Southwest District Council meeting.

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1 West Seattle ‘deletion’ in newest Metro bus-cut plan – with a caveat
September 2, 2014 11:46 pm
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Metro‘s next round of proposed cuts went public this evening, a list of proposals to kick in next February. But they come with a big caveat – if Seattle voters pass the mayor’s transit-funding proposal in November, the February cuts would be postponed until June, and might not happen at all.

First: Here’s the official announcement, with this list-at-a-glance:

As you can see, a few West Seattle cuts are on the list: Route 22, already a shadow of its former self (it once went all the way downtown and is now just a circulator), would be deleted. Part of its service area would keep transit via a change in Route 125, whose proposed revised map looks like this:

Cuts/changes would be also be in store for Route 21, which would be reduced from 15-minute intervals on weekday middays and Saturdays to 30-minute intervals, and for Route 116X, which serves West Seattle on its way to/from the Vashon ferry, cutting three trips a day.

Metro/county reps who talked with WSB via phone conference tonight, after the release of this plan, say the full list of cuts proposed for February equals roughly half what was originally set to be cut through September of next year. And they point out that the West Seattle proposals reflect changes made after public comment on earlier proposals – for example, Route 50 is being left alone.

But passage of the transit money measure in November wouldn’t guarantee cancellation of these cuts – the city and county could work out a different set of buybacks, for example, maybe even involving changes to be made this month (not involving West Seattle routes). And they don’t know what would be needed in terms of belt-tightening after February cuts – that would be worked out in the county’s September 2015 budgeting.

For now, these proposals are expected to go to the County Council within the next two weeks, so that action would be finalized before the council’s focus turns to the budgeting process. Something to say about this new plan? West Seattle’s County Councilmember is Joe McDermott, whose contact info is here; he’s also the council’s current budget chair.

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