West Seattle, Washington
27 Wednesday
10:26 PM: Just getting word of a deadly motorcycle crash that Seattle Police say has closed northbound 99/Viaduct. Via Twitter, SPD says the motorcyclist “went off the Viaduct and landed on Railroad Avenue.” A section of 1st Avenue South is also closed. Looks like this is by CenturyLink Field. The Traffic Collision Investigation Squad is arriving at the scene, which suggests this will be closed for some hours as they work to find out how it happened.
2:30 AM: WSDOT has sent an e-mail alert saying northbound 99 is now open again. No update from investigators yet, but one is likely in the hours ahead.
8:55 AM: Here’s the short update on SPD Blotter, saying the rider was ejected off his Triumph motorcycle after hitting the east guardrail, adding: “Speed may have been a factor in this collision.”
THURSDAY, 10:09 PM: The Medical Examiner identifies the rider as 30-year-old Nathaniel Hammer.
Thanks to Steve for the tip: When Caspar Babypants (himself a West Seattleite, as you probably know) performs live on KEXP radio tomorrow (Thursday) morning at 9 am, he’ll have special guests – Turtle Clan kindergarteners from Pathfinder K-8 in Pigeon Point will be singing with him sometime before 9:30 am (maybe as early as 8:45, we’re told). We haven’t found the whole story behind this yet, but we hear it has to do with a contest; Steve sends props to their teacher, Jennifer Niemann. KEXP is at 90.3 FM and live online at kexp.org.
We start tonight’s West Seattle Crime Watch with statistics you might have missed, since we compiled them during a discussion in the comment section of a story earlier this week. Every month, Seattle Police publish crime statistics, precinct by precinct, sector by sector, for the previous month; the August statistics are online now, and here’s what we found for the Southwest Precinct (West Seattle and South Park), compared to August of last year – robberies and burglaries sharply up, assaults and thefts down:
0 homicides, 0 rapes, SAME as August 2012
13 robberies, UP from 7 in August 2012
61 assaults, DOWN from 70 in August 2012
97 burglaries, UP from 65 in August 2012
124 larcenies (thefts), DOWN from 215 in August 2012
33 auto thefts, DOWN from 43 in August 2012
.
To compare the entire year-to-date 2013 with a year earlier will take a longer round of number-crunching, but we will do that for an upcoming WS Crime Watch. Now to the newest reader reports, starting with Robyn‘s burglary:
I always appreciate the alerts from neighbors about recent crime incidents in WS so I thought I should share our story so others can be in the know. Our home was burglarized yesterday afternoon (we’re on 38th between Raymond and Juneau). It happened between 1:30 pm and 3:15 pm when I ran out to do a few errands real quick (I was working from home). They came in/out through the front (we come and go through the back alley). We’re pretty sure I interrupted them when I got home as a few things were dropped on the way out, but they were mainly after small electronics (laptops, iPads, etc.) and jewelry. The only slight lead we have is some possible fingerprints on items they moved as well as a suspicious car in front of our house that morning. Our neighbor across the street said a strange blue SUV with a Baby on Board sticker was writing info down and looking up at our house yesterday morning when she was leaving to take her son to school. When she made eye contact they sped away. The police have all that info and more.
Ahead – another burglary, a burglary attempt, and a warning for dog owners (added 9:36 pm, yet another burglary report that just came in via the WSB Forum):
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The lively launch meeting of the West Seattle Transit Coalition was as much an attempt to map a route as anything else – almost one year after changes and cuts in Metro service pushed bus concerns further into the peninsula spotlight than ever before.
Many of the 30-plus people in attendance at High Point Center were neighborhood activists from around the peninsula (and from White Center/North Highline too).
Two elected officials, State Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon and City Councilmember Richard Conlin, also showed up – to listen, not to talk, though both did the latter briefly on request.
Metro/county reps were there listening as well, including Chris Arkills, the West Seattleite who is County Executive Dow Constantine‘s transportation adviser.
As organizers had hoped, the loudest voices were those of the West Seattleites who say this is the time for a peninsula-wide effort to advocate for our growing population’s transit needs. “We’re all underserved” was a declaration early on that resounded.
As was sharply pointed out by some, including reps of the Transit Riders Union, advocacy efforts have not been in short supply – what has been missing, organizers contend, is a West Seattle-wide voice.
(There is no WS-wide general leadership group or individual, in part because the city handles West Seattle as two districts – Southwest and Delridge – so neighborhood-group reps meet in two groups, as two separate “district councils,” and also in part because the City Council is elected at large, not by districts.)
The WSTC meeting concluded with 11 people volunteering to serve on an interim board (listed at story’s end).
It began with slides prepared and presented by Joe Szilagyi from the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Neighborhood Council, where the coalition idea sprouted, as transit issues emerged early in the new council’s life as a top priority, given past cuts, potential future cuts, and Westwood Village swelling into a major transportation hub, particularly starting with the launch of RapidRide C Line in fall 2012. Download the PowerPoint here via the WSTC site, or see the slides below via Scribd:
West Seattle Transit Coalition launch meeting slides
Exactly three months until Christmas! No, we’re not trying to rush things, but the clock IS ticking on the West Seattle Lights/Helmstetler Family Christmas Spectacular contest announced a month ago – “Name That Snowman,” on behalf of the new emcee the synchronized-holiday-lights show will have this year, an 8-foot-tall talking, singing snowman. The contest details and rules are on the West Seattle Lights website; the winner gets to push the button and turn on the lights on opening night of this year’s show, 7 pm Saturday, November 30th (3908 SW Charlestown).
(WSB photo added: SFD Ladder 11 & Engine 11 outside Denny)
12:31 PM: A fire-alarm call at the Sealth/Denny campus is about an hour old, but several parents have e-mailed/texted us to say their kids at Denny reported to them there was some kind of actual fire. We’re checking on it but one crew member who passed by says the early dismissal ***appears to be proceeding as normal*** and there is NO external sign of anything wrong – we’re having trouble getting fire/school officials on the phone. (One person at the Denny office refused to comment.) More info as we get it.
12:44 PM: We have just spoken to firefighters at the school. They say someone started a fire in a bathroom trash can. No injuries or damage, but smoky.
12:54 PM: We also have heard back from SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore, who adds an extra detail: The fire alarm “failed to reset and continued to go back into alarm.” (That explains a detail we heard in texts from Denny and Sealth students, that it “just kept going off.”) Moore also confirms, no one hurt. SFD remains on scene, as we noted on our return trip (photo above, but note, hoses aren’t in use, another sign it was small).
2:20 PM: From Denny principal Jeff Clark via e-mail:
This afternoon at 11:30 we had a small fire in a garbage can in a 2nd floor bathroom. The resulting smoke caused the evacuation alarm to sound. As we were clearing the smoke, the evacuation alarm sounded several more times. Today is an early-release day for Seattle Public Schools — all students were released as planned at 12:10.
All students and staff are fine — there is no resulting damage to the building. Tomorrow will be a regular school day. All of our students did an outstanding job during our evacuation procedures.
A memorial service is planned this Saturday at Providence Mount St. Vincent for Hugh P. Wallace, whose family shares this remembrance:
Hugh Patrick Wallace passed away peacefully September 22, 2013, with his family by his side, at the age of 91.
He was born in Seattle January 29, 1922, to Michael Wallace and Bridget Curran. Hugh married the love of his life, Betty June Thorburn, January 30, 1943, and shortly thereafter joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in the 4th Division, where he fought in the Central and South Pacific and survived the Battle of Iwo Jima.
After serving his country, Hugh returned to Seattle, where he remained active with the American Legion and served as a Commander of American Legion Post 160 and VFW Post 2713. He worked in construction as a heavy-equipment operator until his retirement.
(Steller’s Jay, photographed by John Kieltyka)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FREE CHINESE CONVERSATION/CULTURE CLASS: The new series of “Chinese Corner” classes starts at 4 pm today at the Seattle Chinese Garden on the campus of South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor). Pre-register ASAP – just go here. More info in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW, north side of campus)
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ ‘GROWTH BOUNDARIES’ MEETING: Eight days after proposed boundary/school-program changes (and more) were unveiled by Seattle Public Schools, you can hear about them firsthand – and offer your comments – at a district meeting tonight, 6:30 pm, West Seattle High School Commons (3000 California SW).
HIGHLAND PARK ACTION COMMITTEE: Busy agenda, as outlined on HPAC’s website – from a new proposal for raingardens to lessen the load on sewer/drainage systems in Highland Park, to an update on Westcrest Park development, to the fate of the two Seattle City Light surplus sites in Highland Park, and more. 7 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club. (12th/Holden)
PURSE POKER: As previewed in our coverage of last week’s comedy showcase at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), it’s launching Purse Poker on Wednesday nights, 7 pm. No money – just bring a purse full of items to bet, explained on the FL home page. (6451 California SW)
‘URBAN BESTIARY’ BOOK LAUNCH: West Seattle author Lyanda Lynn Haupt‘s official launch event for “The Urban Bestiary” is tonight, 7 pm, Elliott Bay Books on Capitol Hill. (1521 10th Ave.)
CAGE THE ELEPHANT: Live, free in-store at Easy Street Records, in advance of their new album (out in less than 2 weeks). 7 pm. (California/Alaska)
TALARICO’S TRIVIA: Every Wednesday night for *years,* it’s Trivia Night at Talarico’s Pizzeria in The Junction, 8:30 pm – more in our calendar listing.
More nightlife, and daytime activities, on our calendar!
The former residences on the site of the future underground sewer-overflow-storage tank across from Lowman Beach Park have all now been demolished. Our photo is from last weekend, looking south into the site from the corner of Lincoln Park Way and Beach Drive (map). Today, King County Wastewater Treatment Division has sent an update, saying this phase of the work will wrap up this week:
King County’s contractor has cleared the structures from the Murray CSO Control Facility project site. Crews are now backfilling the foundations with soil and installing plastic along the site’s eastern slope to maintain the site’s stability. The site will then be seeded with grass to reduce runoff and dust prior to the start of facility construction later this year. The contractor expects to complete the major remaining work by Friday.
Parking on the east side of Beach Drive Southwest is expected to be restored for the weekend. Project fencing will be returned to the edge of the site, reopening the sidewalk on the east side of the roadway to pedestrians and bicyclists. Street and sidewalk cleaning activities could create temporary access issues to these areas, and could extend into early next week.
Next Steps:
First coyote report in a few weeks, shared this morning by Diane:
Around 10:45 pm last night I was heading up my street (Garlough Ave SW) and saw two of them, heading south, about mid block, between Stevens and Hanford street (map). They then headed west into a neighbor’s yard, most likely one that has access to the back alley. We live close to a trail into Schmitz Park and I wasn’t surprised to see them. My neighbor has seen them in the back yard sometimes. The back yard is on the park boundary, near the trail leading into it.
Reminders are always good for those with pets – keep them inside at night!
Even if you’re not near a park or greenbelt, they might be in your area – browse the WSB archive of coyote reports (some with photos) to see. For expert advice on how to encourage them to keep their distance – most notably, scaring them away if you see one – go here and follow the “solutions to problems” link.
(Live view from the west-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Nothing unusual in this vicinity so far today – but the roads are wet and overall, that means slower going. Meantime, two repaving projects are scheduled to continue: 6000 block of Beach Drive, one lane alternating directions with a flagger, and Delridge repaving between Henderson and Roxbury. (Added – as noted in comments – work is not complete on Orchard west of Delridge, as an offshoot of the paving project – it’s scheduled to continue through the week, with the westbound side listed as the current focus zone.)
WEST SEATTLE TRANSIT COALITION: Our report on its launch will be up later today. If you’re on the bus and ready to read about it now, the first round of notes from its organizers are here, and our video of the meeting (better suited for listening than watching due to camera challenges) is here.
NOTE FOR TOMORROW: Thanks to Tracy for the heads-up that the annual Microsoft meeting is tomorrow (Thursday, September 26) – at KeyArena this time, but events there can cause domino-effect congestion down the line, so consider yourself forewarned.
7:45 AM UPDATE: Crash at 35th/Fauntleroy – thanks to Jana and Kristen for the tips via Twitter. Here’s a view on the live camera:
Does not appear to be a major-injury situation, judging by the 911 dispatch.
8:06 AM UPDATE: Camera view shows the crash scene has cleared.
8:15 AM NOTE: As mentioned here last night, this is an “early dismissal” day for Seattle Public Schools, so you will see school buses out and about two hours earlier than usual.
1:13 PM NOTE: More on the Microsoft meeting tomorrow – the city has issued this alert:
Tomorrow, September 26, Microsoft will hold its Annual Company Meeting at the Key Arena from 10 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m. Some 15,000 attendees, traveling via 200 buses and 4,000 private vehicles, are expected to begin arriving at 8:30 a.m. and start leaving at roughly 4 p.m. The Seattle Department of Transportation advises motorists driving in the area surrounding the Seattle Center to anticipate heavy congestion in the morning and afternoon and allow for extra travel time.
(WSB photo, added Wednesday morning)
The DESC homeless-housing building at 5444 Delridge Way is three-fourths complete, DESC executive director Bill Hobson told its Advisory Committee tonight when they met at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Hobson says it’s expected to be complete in November, with residents starting to move in near year’s end, two and a half years after the $14 million plan was first disclosed to neighborhood advocates.
Asked by committee member Dorsol Plants how the residents will be chosen, Hobson said they will use DESC’s standard procedure (described in part in the project FAQ). He also announced that they’ve hired a building manager from within DESC, Levi Dineson. He and his to-be-hired staff will handle the process of choosing residents, who will be moved in groups of 15 to 20 until the 66-studio-apartment building is full. Hobson said the manager’s job also will include neighborhood outreach and participation in the North Delridge Neighborhood Council. One decision yet to be made – a permanent name for the building, currently dubbed Delridge Supportive Housing. The committee discussed the possibility of using a relevant local geographic term as part of the name – such as Longfellow, Findlay (the nearest east-west street), or Cottage Grove. The name will be chosen at the next DESC Board of Directors’ meeting.
They’re starting rehearsals a little later in the fall than usual, but the West Seattle Community Orchestras are excited as ever to welcome new and returning musicians when everything gets going two weeks from today – here’s the announcement:
The West Seattle Community Orchestras, WSCO, will be opening the fall rehearsal season on Tuesday, October 8th (delayed 2 weeks from earlier plans), with Orchestras at 3 levels, Beginning Classes for Adults in strings, winds and percussion, and Small Ensembles for upper-level musicians.
Community members young and old are invited to participate; students always participate without charge. Orchestra levels range from those just beginning, with one year or more of experience, to accomplished musicians. Each group participates in at least one performance per season.
Rehearsals will begin at Chief Sealth International High School on Tuesday, October 8th. For more information: WSCOrchestras.org
The school is at 2600 SW Thistle.
Score’s in from this afternoon’s big girls-soccer crosstown-rivalry match at Southwest Athletic Complex – West Seattle High School 1, Chief Sealth International High School 0.
WSHS’s powerhouse twins had a big role in the win. Katie DuLong scored the goal with an assist from Annie Murphy; Sarah DuLong shut down the Seahawks as the Wildcats’ goalie. Next up, according to the Metro League calendar, WSHS is on the road against Franklin, 3:30 pm Thursday at Genesee Park/Playfield; one day later, on Friday, same time, same place, same team for Sealth.
#1 – EARLY DISMISSAL DAY: Tomorrow (Wednesday, September 25) is the first Seattle Public Schools district-wide early-dismissal day of the year – two hours early.
#2 – ONLY WEST SEATTLE MEETING ON ‘GROWTH BOUNDARIES’ PROPOSALS: One week ago, we covered the district’s release of proposals for boundary changes, program locations, and in some cases certain school buildings’ futures. Here’s our comprehensive report on all that. Your one chance for in-person feedback in West Seattle is TOMORROW night, 6:30 pm, West Seattle High School Commons (3000 California SW).
**SERIES LOCATION/TITLE HAVE CHANGED – SEE UPDATED STORY**
We’ve mentioned this in side notes in book-related stories in recent days, but finally have a chance now to share the full announcement! The Southwest Seattle Historical Society, South Seattle Community College‘s Northwest Wine Academy, and Barnes & Noble/Westwood Village are co-sponsoring a series of events with local authors and award-winning wines. For those who like to plan ahead, the entire 9-month schedule is out. The series, “Words, Wine, and West Seattle,” is planned for the first Friday of each of the next nine months, October 4th through June 6th, 4-6 pm at the NWA on the north side of the SSCC campus, admission free (donations accepted for SWSHS and/or NWA).
Above, from left, are the first three West Seattle authors you’ll see in the series:
*Stephanie Guerra, Friday, October 4th
*Peter Stekel, Friday, November 1st
*Nicole Hardy, Friday, December 6th
See the full lineup on the SWSHS website – or in the scrollable flyer below:
Words, Wine, and West Seattle: The lineup
NWA is on the north side of the SSCC campus, 6000 16th SW.
(WSB photo from 2012 Beat the Burn)
Just got a reminder on behalf of Port of Seattle Firefighters, who are presenting the Beat the Burn benefit 5K run/walk (and kids’ dash) in West Seattle again this year – coming up this Sunday, 9 am, this time with the start/finish line at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza:
The 5K is open to all runners, walkers, firefighters and family members of all ages. Well-behaved leashed best friends welcome too. This year 5K runners will run with firefighters. The event features a kids’ area, beer garden, and healthy snacks compliments of Whole Foods Market and Talking Rain. Participants take home a commemorative sports bag and an opportunity to win $4,200 in prizes (gift cards, theatre tickets, harbor cruise and more).
Beat the Burn and the perennial “Boot Drive” support Camp Eyabsut, which provides a unique camp experience for burn survivors ages 7-17. Special thanks to the Port of Seattle Fire Department /Local 1257 and Washington State Council of Fire Fighters Burn Foundation for their leadership.
Sign up online by Friday night at 11:59 pm – note that the kids’ dash is free!
Before we get to six reader reports received this morning/last night: Checking the SPD crime map, we noticed a Monday morning armed street robbery we hadn’t heard about previously, so we sought details from SPD media relations. From the brief report they sent in reply:
A woman reported a man approached her around 6:25 am Monday at a bus stop at 46th SW and Admiral Way, showed a handgun, and demanded her purse. He ran away southbound on 46th with the victim’s purse and laptop. The report describes him as white or Hispanic, late 20s/early 30s, under 6 feet tall, medium build, dark clothing, gray baseball cap, mask or bandana over his face. Police searched but could not find him.
Now, the six reader reports, all property crimes – read on for details of what’s been reported and where:
You’ve probably heard that Mayor McGinn went public on Monday with his city-budget proposal for next year. Now, it’s in the hands of the City Council for reviews, tweaks, additions, subtractions, etc. Not everything in it that would affect West Seattle specifically MENTIONS West Seattle – but we’re going through it right now and looking for specifics, and will publish “budget bits” notes here and there as we find them. For starters, from the proposed transportation budget:
In 2015, SDOT will use $1,450,000 of REET II funds to build sidewalks at the following locations:
• 35th Avenue Southwest between Southwest 104th Street and Southwest 106th Street to complete the sidewalk network on 35th between Southwest Roxbury Street and Southwest 106th Street;
• 21st Avenue Southwest between Southwest Dawson Street and 22nd Avenue Southwest to provide a connection between two non-arterial segments of the proposed 21st Avenue Southwest neighborhood greenway; and,
• Southwest Barton Street/Place and 24th Avenue Southwest to improve access to a transit center and shopping at Westwood Village.
The funding source, REET, stands for real-estate excise tax. More budget bits as we find them! And if you’d like to say something about this or anything else in the budget – or that you think SHOULD BE in the budget – two public hearings are coming up October 3rd and 24th; details on the council’s budget-process home page. They’re also taking e-mail feedback at council@seattle.gov.
(WSB photo of bee-loved blooms at Emma Schmitz Overlook, photographed last Saturday)
What’s up? Some of the answers for today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
STORY TIMES: 10:30 am Toddler Story Time at West Seattle Branch Library (2306 42nd SW); 11:30 am Baby Story Time at Southwest Branch Library (35th/Henderson).
FOR THE LOVE OF CHEESE: 11 am-2 pm, go see the cheesemaking team at Metropolitan Market-Admiral (WSB sponsor) make mozzarella, as part of the ongoing For the Love of Cheese celebration. (41st/42nd/Admiral)
CROSSTOWN-RIVALRY SOCCER: West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School‘s girls-varsity soccer teams face off at 4 pm today, Southwest Athletic Complex. (2801 SW Thistle)
‘SCHOOL YOUR PARENTS’ AT THE LIBRARY: 5:30 pm, families are welcome to come find out how much Delridge Branch Library can help with homework, studying, researching, more, at the “School Your Parents” event, explained in our calendar listing. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE TRANSIT COALITION: Fight for the right to get where you’re going via bus. Grass-roots coalition launch meeting 6:30 pm, Neighborhood House’s High Point Center – agenda preview in our story from Monday. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
DESC PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE: As the new 66-unit “supportive housing” complex gets close to completion on Delridge Way, the advisory committee meets again, with updates on the project (noted in our preview), 6:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
BLOCK WATCH CAPTAINS NETWORK: Learn about “Smart 911” at this month’s meeting – you don’t have to be a Block Watch captain (or even member) to attend; details on the WSBWCN website. Southwest Precinct meeting room, 6:30 pm. (Delridge/Webster)
CANCER-FIGHTING FUNDRAISER: Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor) hosts a Tuesday Tune-Up event to benefit the Brosio-Hamasaki-Stein Guild – explained in our calendar listing. (1936 Harbor SW)
Lots MORE nightlife on our calendar!
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Traffic watch begins for Tuesday, and we have two road-work projects to mention:
6000 BLOCK OF BEACH DRIVE: Now that the slope repair is done, the long-rutted road is being ground down and repaved as promised. The city now says the work is expected to run 7 am-7 pm today and tomorrow. One lane will be kept open for traffic, alternating directions with the help of a flagger.
SOUTH DELRIDGE REPAVING: The final stage of this year-long project is now under way, restricting traffic from Henderson to Roxbury. (Follow that link to see the detour map.)
WEST SEATTLE TRANSIT COALITION TONIGHT: 6:30 pm, the launch meeting of a peninsula-wide advocacy group – location and agenda info here.
(If you can’t see the embedded photos, click here to see them on Instagram’s site)
Note the red Hiawatha Volleyball shirts worn by the second group of girls in this two-part photo posted on Instagram by the UW Volleyball program last Friday night – thanks to Bri’Anna for sending us the link, and reporting:
Coach Al invited his 10-11 Hiawatha Community Center volleyball team (and their families) out to watch the UW Volleyball team play Cal State Northridge (Friday) night. It has been an exciting evening! He is an awesome coach and SPS bus driver. He’s been coaching for over 10 years and it shows. The entire first game was used to explain hits, scoring, positioning, and more! These girls are lucky to have him!
Want to cheer them on? We asked about upcoming games, and Coach Al himself sent this list:
9/24 5:30 @ Rainier CC
10/3 5:30 @ Jefferson Gym
10/10 5:30 Queen Anne Gym
10/14 5:30 Hiawatha
10/21 5:30 Hiawatha
Whether you want to cheer or know someone who wants to play, keep an eye on local city-run community centers’ seasonal brochures – here’s the one for fall – for info on both leagues and drop-in programs, in a variety of sports.
After eleven months of construction, the DESC building at 5444 Delridge Way SW, intended to house more than 60 people who otherwise would be homeless, is a few months from completion. If you are interested in an update and/or have questions about what’s happening as it gets closer to opening, the project’s Advisory Committee is meeting tomorrow night – 6:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – and the agenda is on the project website.
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