West Seattle, Washington
18 Monday
Watch out for more pedestrians than usual today, particularly the littlest ones – it’s International Walk to School Day! As reported here earlier this week, Schmitz Park Elementary has big plans, with special Walking School Buses. Anybody else? Let us know; photos welcome too – editor@westseattleblog.com!
Otherwise, we’re on traffic watch as usual:
(Live view from the west-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
If you’re driving or riding through South Delridge, the detour is NOT changing directions today after all – here’s that announcement from last night.
Congratulations to David Clarke and Jim Ryburn, announcing their wedding:
My partner and I were married on August 17th, 2013, on an absolutely perfect West Seattle evening! After almost twenty years together, we were thrilled to finally be able to make it official. I’m truly the luckiest guy in the world and I look forward to many more happy years of marriage to a wonderful man.
We were honored to have our ceremony officiated by one of our very dearest friends, Sharon Tucker, who flew all the way up from Dallas with her partner Tina to be with us. A big thanks to our good friend, MIcheline Sierer,who did a fantastic job reading the wedding poem adding just the perfect touch to the ceremony. We wanted to also give a special thanks to our friend Jeannie Warner for recording the ceremony so we could send it to Jim’s parents in Texas who could not make it up here for the wedding. Also, thanks to our friend Julie Hooker for doing a great job managing the music!
We’d like to also thank the creative and energetic folks at Prop Gallery – especially Andrew! – for helping us to create a beautiful setting on the rooftop deck of our condo building for the evening. In addition, the wonderful people at Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering did a fabulous job with the food and bartending, and Donna and her amazing staff at Stuffed Cakes here in West Seattle made the coolest wedding cake ever. Finally, thanks to all of our friends and family who celebrated with us and made this the most special evening ever!
Wedding to announce? Text/photo, editor@westseattleblog.com
So we’ve been talking for more than a week now about what to put in your “Go Bag,” to achieve a certain level of preparedness one day at a time … how about what NOT to put in your bag?
Thanks to Mat McBride for sharing the clip!
Meantime – today brought another “natural” reminder of the topic at hand. Lightning, thunder, downpour, yet again – no cataclysmic events that we know of in West Seattle, but imagine that kind of downpour lasting for hours and hours and hours, as happened recently in Colorado … it’s another scenario for which you need to be ready. Today is Day 8 of Go Bag-building in honor of Washington State Disaster Preparedness Month, and here’s the next item, thanks again to Cindi Barker of West Seattle Be Prepared:
This time we’re adding to your MacGyver equipment: basic tools, pliers, screwdrivers, hammer, gloves, disposable dust mask, camping or utility knife. Check around your garage for odd tools lying around; they are perfect for the kit. Also, around this time of year, some of the hardware stores have very nice basic tool kits that go on sale for the pre-Christmas sales season. Just don’t overdo it; you will need to lift this pack at the end.
Cindi also reminds us that a “Go Bag” isn’t a use-it-all-at-once-or-nothing item – once you have yours in place, you will know where to find one or two or three items you might need for specific situations like short-term power outages!
Catching up? Our previous PACK YOUR BAG! installments are archived here, newest to oldest.
6:41 PM: We’ve just arrived at the scene of another crash on SW Roxbury – this time just east of the Safeway entrance. Two vehicles has collided, and one has some smoke coming from its engine compartment – so Engines 11 and 37 are both here along with police. The response has SW Roxbury completely blocked, so if you’re heading this way, you can’t get west of 26th or east of the store, for now.
6:48 PM UPDATE: No indication of serious injuries. We’re told the smoke might have been from one vehicle’s battery – extremely acrid-smelling, we can attest.
7:28 PM UPDATE: Per the scanner, police are now reopening Roxbury.
Yesterday, SDOT said it would reverse the current South Delridge repaving-project detour. Now – that plan is on hold, so the detour remains the same TFN:
The plan to reverse the Delridge Paving Project phase five detour is delayed. The Seattle Department of Transportation is working with the contractor to ensure safe implementation of the change. Until further notice, Delridge Way SW southbound traffic between SW Henderson to SW Roxbury streets will continue to be detoured at SW Henderson Street. Northbound traffic will continue to be maintained.
We apologize for any inconvenience this alteration in plans causes! Safety is SDOT’s primary goal and the reason behind the detour reversal delay. More information will be released as it is confirmed.
Police are not commenting, so we don’t know if these are related, but there have been at least two high-profile arrests in West Seattle this afternoon, and we’ve received lots of messages about them, so here’s what little we know: Above is a photo we took about an hour and a half ago at 24th and Barton, where we had gone after a tip that Seattle Police SWAT officers had been trying to get somebody to come out – we’ve blurred the suspect’s face because we have no idea if he is charged with a crime. Police on the scene would confirm only that it was related to a warrant, and that’s all the information we’ve been able to get so far.
Earlier on Alki:
That’s one of several photos tweeted to us with reports of SWAT officers arresting or detaining someone in the 2700 block of Alki SW. Tipster Scott says an officer at the scene told him it was a “drug bust”; we haven’t been able to get any comment from police at all, but will keep trying to follow up.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: Police tell us the man arrested at Pegasus was one of two brothers arrested yesterday, “part of an on-going investigation that began back in March.” We’re told the other one was arrested in Magnolia, so we still don’t know if the Westwood arrest had anything to do with the same case.
1:16 PM: Starting with a note from Jennifer in the 5 am hour, we’ve received several tips and questions about that beached boat at Alki (near 57th SW), and finally have some information to share. Here’s what Joelle Hammerstad at Seattle Parks found out for us: “Apparently, the owner was coming around the point, got into some mechanical trouble, and came ashore right there. There has been an insurance adjuster out looking at it. They are waiting for high tide to get it out of there.” (High tide hits about 11 feet at 7:16 tonight and 9:08 tomorrow morning.)
8:38 PM: Still there at sunset:
Thanks to Guy Olson for the photo!
(Photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
If you don’t recognize at least two of the people in our photo – you probably aren’t involved with a local neighborhood council or project (yet!). Just as this morning’s storm hit its peak, we were visiting the city’s Neighborhood Service Center at Southwest Teen Life Center (2801 SW Thistle) after getting word that a new Neighborhood District Coordinator had joined the South Region team. That’s her at right – Jenny Frankl, with, from left, Yun Pitre and Ed Pottharst. Their work for the city’s Department of Neighborhoods involves serving as liaisons between community groups/members and city government, and a LOT more – explained here. You might know Jenny already from the long list of Department of Neighborhoods programs on which she’s worked since 2008.
Chilly storm moves through, a little ice from the sky … In the holiday mood yet? Highland Park Improvement Club hopes so – Christie Sjostrom is organizing this year’s Holiday Bazaar for Saturday, November 9th, 10 am-3 pm, and looking for vendors, $20/table, $15 for HPIC members, handmade arts/crafts only (no commercial items) – e-mail her ASAP to snag your spot, csjostrom@hotmail.com.
(Photo added: M/V Kaleetan off Alki with storm advancing from the north, around 10:15 am)
10:59 AM: Lightning, thunder, downpour, then hail – all in the past 15 minutes or so! How is it where you are?
11:19 AM UPDATE: We stand corrected – technically not hail. Some kind of ice pellet, sleet, frozen rain, etc. See/hear for yourself in our Instagram clip from inside the car. (If you can’t see it above, go here.) The National Weather Service’s “short-term forecast” alert said this would last until about 11:15 am, and since the rain has eased up a lot, they seem to be right!
1:25 PM UPDATE: And the wild weather is back – after a sunbreak, the rain resumed, then a few minutes ago, thunder and now it looks like that icy rain/sleet/etc. again …
(Saturday photo by Trileigh Tucker)
In the Tuesday list of highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, tonight’s your big chance to get involved (or get MORE involved) with your community:
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: Rehearsals tonight at Chief Sealth International High School kick off the new season of the WS Community Orchestras. Here’s their recent announcement – all musicians welcome to join, including youth! 5:30 pm. (2600 SW Thistle)
HIGH POINT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 6 pm at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center – all welcome. Here’s the agenda. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
WORKING TO END HUMAN TRAFFICKING: That’s the topic to be tackled tonight at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Parish Life Center. Brian Callanan, who is moderating, tells WSB: “We’re showing a video from the Journey to Freedom Foundation as well as hosting four expert panelists on the topic: Robert Beiser from Seattle Against Slavery, Peter Qualliotine from Organization of Prostitution Survivors, Hao Nguyen from API Chaya, and Anna Clarke of the Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center. We’ll open it up to public questions at the end.” 6:30 pm. (35th/Myrtle)
WEST SEATTLE TRANSIT COALITION: 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center, the interim board has its first meeting, everybody welcome. See the agenda on the WSTC website. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
RAISE PUPPIES, HELP PEOPLE: West Seattle See Dogs would love to have more prospective puppy-raisers come find out how to get involved – and tonight’s the perfect chance, with their regular meeting at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), 6:30 pm. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)
BALLOT MEASURES @ ANA: Three major ballot measures from next month’s election are on the agenda at tonight’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting – Charter Amendment 19, which would change the way Seattle City Council members are elected (7 district, 2 at-large); Seattle Proposition 1, for public financing of campaigns, to be discussed by 34th District Democrats chair Marcee Stone-Vekich; Statewide Initiative 522 (GMO labeling), to be discussed by State Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon. See the full agenda here. 7 pm, Admiral Congregational Church. (California/Hill)
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: The FCA‘s monthly board meeting is at 7 pm at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse. All welcome to see what’s happening in Fauntleroy’s busiest season, with the October 20th festival and more coming up. (9131 California SW)
Looking for live music and other nightlife? See our calendar!
West Seattle High School‘s sophomore class just announced a fundraiser and asked us to share the news – a Parents’ Night Out event one week from Friday. From Gabby Carufel:
Parents’ Night Out – Child Sitting
WSHS ASB will watch and have fun with the kids so the parents can go out and have fun too!
Friday, October 18th, from 5:30-10 pm
This event is for kids ages 3 (potty trained)-11. Cost is $25 per child or $20 with 2 or more cans of food that will be donated to the West Seattle Food Bank. This includes pizza, snacks, Halloween-themed crafts, games, and movie! Many of the sitters are CPR-trained.
Reserve your spot today! Call Gabby at 206-935-6517 or e-mail wshspno@hotmail.com
This event is hosted by the WSHS Sophomore class ASB and we can’t wait to have fun with your kids! Thank you for supporting West Seattle High School.
(Live view from the west-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
6:07 AM: Off and running for Tuesday – with a note for Wednesday, if you didn’t catch it here last night: The South Delridge repaving detour will change directions tomorrow, with southbound open instead of northbound, which wasn’t working too well – here are details, with a map.
7:01 PM: SDOT has canceled that plan – here’s the announcement – so the detour will continue on the southbound side, while the northbound side will continue to have an open lane, TFN.
7:03 PM: A two-vehicle crash is blocking Roxbury both ways by Safeway right now; police have called for tow assistance, so it might not last much longer.
We start this West Seattle Crime Watch roundup with a tale of two cars … both stolen, both found.
One tale had a happy ending: Josh‘s 1997 Accord, stolen from Westwood two weeks ago, turned up by Roosevelt Reservoir “with only a few minor scratches” over the weekend.
The other did not. It was the Escalade that Heather reported on Sunday as stolen from The Junction. She sent a followup saying it turned up in South Park Monday:
It was missing its engine, much of its interior, and its doors.
Many cars are found in decent shape because they were just used to get from Point A to Point B – but then, there are cases like this.
Other Crime Watch reports to share, starting with Jack, hoping to get his stolen bicycle back:
Sometime between Thursday, October 3 at 5:00 pm and Saturday, October 5 at 5:00 pm my bicycle was stolen from my garage. I live at California and Genesee, and the bicycle is a green 2010 Novara Randonee. Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of the bike, but it had a black back rack and purple handlebar tape.
James says his neighborhood near Lincoln Park is experiencing a “straight-up epidemic” of car prowls:
Thursday, our car was broken into at around 3:30 AM. Our alarm went off, but we didn’t hear it. Neighbors who did said they didn’t see anyone at the scene.
(Sat PM/Sun AM), 4 cars were entered. One neighbor has two work trucks that were entered. For me, the same car that was entered on Thursday was re-entered. The sad end of the story was our neighbor who lost his wallet with some cash and all his debit/credit cards.
Another car break-in, reported by Jeff:
My 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan was broken into at about 3:30 PM (Sunday) at the 2600 Block of SW Trenton St during my son’s baseball practice at the SWAC. Car was parked on the north side of the street across from the entrance to Westwood Village and below the softball field. Passenger rear window was broken out and all my drum hardware bag containing drum & cymbal stands and other miscellaneous items, along with two Yamaha 12″ floor monitors and my son’s diabetes supplies were stolen. Most valuable items are two small Chauvet LED mini light bars and a Shure SM57 mic and Sennheiser e606 bass drum mic. Drum hardware is really only useful if you’re a drummer so has almost zero street value. Monitors list for about $500 but these are about 7 years old so have maybe $100 value at most.
Here’s the official Seattle Police advice on car-prowl prevention.
Sorry to be late with publishing today’s addition to the “go bag” we’re building together, one day/item at a time, here during Washington State Disaster Preparedness Month. Part of the reason we’re late is coverage of one of the smaller “disasters” that might wreak a little havoc in your life – or a lot: This afternoon/evening’s West Seattle power outage.
Usually, if an outage strikes, it’s a few hours at most. Then, there’s a situation like the windstorm power outages of December 2006, when some in West Seattle lost their power for more than a week (left). And if a major catastrophe like a big quake hit – it might take a lot longer to get it back, and, unlike those post-storm days, there might NOT be anywhere nearby where the power stayed on.
So, here we are on Day 6 of bag-building. (Remember, you can catch up at any time – any way that works for you – the goal here is just to get SOME preparedness into your life/home.) From Cindi Barker of West Seattle Be Prepared:
Today you should put “comfort” items in your bag. Toys for children, a deck of cards, a book, the things that can keep you busy should you have to evacuate to a shelter.
Bonus preparedness info: Cindi says the Seattle Times (WSB partner) earthquake story linked here the other day had a companion “pullout page” in the Sunday print edition – and now that guide can be seen online.
Catching up? Our previous PACK YOUR BAG! installments are archived here, newest to oldest.
Wednesday is National Walk to School Day. Anything special at your school? First one we’ve heard from is Schmitz Park Elementary, one of West Seattle’s most populous grade schools. Dave Allen shares this announcement:
Lace up those shoes and be part of National Walk to School Day this Wed., Oct. 9.
Parents will lead six different “walking school buses” this year. Join the walking school bus near you or simply walk on your own. Parents can drop off their kids with the walking school bus, or join in.
It’s easy, fun, and a great way to start your kid’s day with exercise and a “high five” for the environment. Walkers never get stuck in the morning school traffic, so walking is more reliable than driving – and often quicker.
Live too far to walk? No problem – just park several blocks away and walk from there. You’ll still get exercise and avoid the traffic jam.
The walking school buses will converge on the school in a formidable show of feet, then all walkers will meet at the flagpole at 8:25 am for a group pic.
Questions?
Dave Allen
SchmitzParkPTA@gmail.comP.S. Other schools have walking school buses which are regularly scheduled throughout the year – saving parents a ton of time. Hmm. That’s something to talk about…
The “walking school bus” routes for Schmitz Park on Wednesday can be seen here.
Just in from SDOT: As of Wednesday, they’re reversing the detour direction for the final phase of Delridge Way repaving – southbound traffic will keep flowing, northbound traffic will be detoured, instead of the other way, which is how it’s set up now. The city says this is necessary in order to:
· Simplify traffic control measures for ease of understanding for the traveling public
· Eliminate the buildup of excessive traffic at the intersection of Southwest Roxbury Street and 16th Avenue Southwest due to the detour
· Allow for a more natural traffic flow – southbound on Delridge Way in the original right lane
· Reduce the possibility of someone driving in the wrong direction.
The new detour will direct northbound Delridge Way Southwest traffic at Southwest Roxbury Street onto northbound 16th Avenue Southwest and then onto westbound Southwest Henderson Street to return to Delridge Way. This detour will remain in place until the project is complete at the end of the year.
To ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians and to allow enough space for the crews to conduct this work, curb-side parking on Delridge Way will be inaccessible between Southwest Henderson and Southwest Roxbury streets until project completion.
If you’re interested in hearing more about this from SDOT, a rep will speak at the White Center Chamber of Commerce‘s monthly evening mixer tomorrow (Tuesday) at 6 pm at Bahn 88, 9418 Delridge Way SW.
Quick note so you can prepare: PCC Natural Markets-West Seattle (WSB sponsor) has a free recycling event Saturday (October 12th), 9 am-4 pm, with SBK/Green Century Recycling. The company’s home page has a list of what they take. Set a Facebook reminder here.
(SCROLL DOWN for updates)
2:12 PM: Don’t know how extensive it is because it’s not yet on the Seattle City Light outage map, but we’ve received multiple reports of a power outage affecting West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) and vicinity. Checking it out; more to come.
2:16 PM UPDATE: Our crew at the scene says lines are down by the Seattle City Light facility at 42nd and Morgan (photos added); traffic is being rerouted at 41st/Morgan. Still trying to determine the extent of the outage – let us know if you are without power. Thriftway is still open, with generator power.
2:24 PM UPDATE: Still no official word on this from SCL but it’s stretching into part of Gatewood (including the Caffe Ladro block) as well as across Fauntleroy to other businesses, according to commenters. Our crew did see SCL crews at their facility northeast of Thriftway.
2:35 PM UPDATE: Reached an SCL spokesperson – while their system shows dozens of calls about this, it’s not showing an official tally of who’s out, yet, so that’s why this is still not on their online map. They’re checking to find out why.
2:41 PM UPDATE: Here’s the scoop from SCL’s Peter Clarke: The outage in this area doesn’t show because it’s something of a “black hole,” an old part of the system (scheduled to replaced soon!). If you are out, CALL THEM because otherwise they don’t know! Another crew has to be sent out to replace the line that came down (we’re adding a photo shortly), and so they are estimating power might not be back until about 5:30 pm.
3:40 PM UPDATE: No new info – if you’re caught in the outage, please let us know when your power comes back, since there won’t be any other obvious signs, without the status map being involved. In a bit of irony, checking City Light’s website, we did find it’s the first day of Public Power Week.
5:16 PM UPDATE: As some have commented and City Light has just verified, some of the power is back on.
(WSB photo: Crews working at about 5 pm)
SCL estimates 6:30 pm before everyone is connected again.
5:23 PM UPDATE: One WSB’er told us she had heard a rumor that a balloon was somehow involved – and, unprompted, SCL spokesperson Scott Thomsen has just told us this: “We received reports that mylar balloons could have been the initiating cause of the outage. When mylar balloons get tangled in power lines, they can cause a short, which would open the breakers on the line. When the breakers open, it does shake the equipment and a wire can come loose from a connector. The safety note here is to keep mylar balloons attached to weights that keep them from flying off so they don’t get stuck in the wires.”
6:34 PM UPDATE: The 42nd/Morgan spot where the wires had come down is reopened, our crew says after driving by a few minutes ago. But commenters are reporting some areas still without power. If that doesn’t change soon, we would suggest calling City Light to make sure they know you’re still out, since as discussed earlier this is an area where they couldn’t tell the extent of the outage without hearing from customers.
8:07 PM UPDATE: Comments and e-mails suggest everyone – or almost everyone – has the power back now. Let us know if you’re still out!
Couldn’t be at the lively launch meeting of the West Seattle Transit Coalition two weeks ago (WSB coverage here)? Two chances to check out WSTC this week:
*Tomorrow night at 6:30 pm (Tuesday, October 8th) at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center, the interim board has its first meeting, open to the public, agenda on the WSTC website.
*7 pm Wednesday night (October 9th), at the Hall at Fauntleroy, WSTC reps will speak to the monthly meeting of the 34th District Democrats (agenda here).
The backhoes that arrived last week at the Equity Residential development site in The Junction – 42nd/Alaska/California – started work today, tearing down the eastern building on the site, across 42nd from Jefferson Square. Short Instagram video clip (click here if you don’t see it below):
Once the 91-year-old eastern building is down, as reported here last week, teardown work will move to the 88-year-old western building at California/Alaska (which once housed a hospital, and had an upper story). The project is planned for two 7-story buildings with 200 apartments, ground-floor retail, and a shared underground parking garage. The businesses that used to be in the buildings were ordered out more than 14 months ago, since the owners originally had said construction would start in 2012; several closed (including Rocksport, Rubato Records, and the city’s Neighborhood Service Center) while the rest moved to new locations around West Seattle.
SIDE NOTE: This is now the fifth major development under construction in and around The Junction, after The Blake at 5020 California SW, Spruce (former “Hole”) at 3922 SW Alaska, 4730 California, and Oregon 42 (42nd/Oregon). (Scroll through the WSB development-coverage archive to see what else is on the way.)
4:16 PM UPDATE: Went back at mid-afternoon to see how far the crews had gotten:
The project itself is expected to be under construction for about a year and a half. According to related documents we found online, one crane – arriving in about 3 months – will be used for both buildings.
(Photos added 11:56 am)
10:05 AM: This is expected to be opening day for Quadrato, the sandwich/pizza/salad shop in The Junction that we first told you about in May. Proprietor Cary Kemp, who also owns Pizzeria 22 in the Admiral District, says that assuming the final health inspection goes as expected this morning, Quadrato (4302 SW Oregon) is expected to open for lunch around 11:30 am; regular hours starting tomorrow would be 11 am-8 pm daily; see its menu here. We’ll be checking in later this morning and will update.
11:20 AM: Just stopped by – it’s open! (Shown in the photo above this paragraph – part of the seating counter, the lighting, and the window facing SW Oregon. There are tables on the sidewalk, too.)
8:19 AM: In case you’ve seen/heard the big fire response in the 8400 block of 16th SW – first crews on scene say it’s a dryer fire and “has not extended,” meaning it hasn’t spread further, so they’re canceling some of the units.
8:24 AM: What units remain on the call are still affecting traffic on 16th – which is busier than usual because of the repaving work on nearby Delridge – so avoid the area for a while.
9:55 AM: SFD has published an update on the fire, including identifying the location as an assisted-living facility whose residents were evacuated as a precaution:
The first 911 call came into firefighter/dispatchers at the Fire Alarm Center at 8:08 a.m. reporting smoke coming from the back of the one-story complex located in the 8400 block of 16th Avenue SW. Engine Company 11 arrived to find the staff had already evacuated the residents from the facility.
Firefighters were able to contain the fire to a dryer in the basement of the building. The fire was tapped within 4 minutes of firefighter arriving on scene. The damage was limited to the basement area.
The building had several fire protection systems in place including a sprinkler system and a fire alarm system which sounded allowing for the safe evacuation of the facility. There were no injuries.
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