West Seattle, Washington
06 Thursday
From five 17-year-olds to one 62-year-old, 864 people received degrees or certificates in today’s South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) graduation ceremony. SSCC’s communications director Kevin Maloney says Benaroya Hall downtown was packed for the big event this afternoon, and shared the photo. Their commencement speaker was Geo Quibuyen from the hip-hop group the Blue Scholars, the Town Hall Seattle artist-in-residence for the past three months. Congratulations, graduates!
P.S. Coverage coming up later from tonight’s two high-school graduations.
Just in from SDOT:
Next week, a Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) paving crew will be working on California Avenue SW between SW Myrtle Street and SW Frontenac Street. On Tuesday and Wednesday, June 18 – 19, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., the crew will grind down and then repave the street surface. There will be no parking in the work zone. Sidewalks and crosswalks will remain open. During the work, the roadway will be reduced to two lanes and bicyclists will merge with vehicle traffic. Motorists should expect delays moving through the area.
2:10 PM: If you click the “play” button above, it’ll take you to the live feed from City Hall, where the City Council’s Housing, Human Services, Health, and Culture Committee is starting its meeting, with the agenda including an item on the “Nickelsville” site. More to come.
2:18 PM: Public comment is beginning. Those who speak can address anything coming up on the agenda. The first two speakers voiced support for SHARE, the organization that runs shelters around the city. The third, Trace De Garmo, is speaking specifically to Nickelsville: “If you want to speed up our move now, please temporarily provide us with water and electricity hookups.” He says they want two religiously controlled sites, for up to two years, to house up to 200 people. The committee’s chair, Councilmember Nick Licata, is questioning him to verify that Nickelsville has not yet found such sites. The next person says Nickelsville found out about the 7 councilmembers’ “close it by September 1st” letter when media crews started showing up later Monday. She is reading its official response letter – see it here, or here:
The next person says shutting Nickelsville down “would be doing a great disservice” to the city as well as to the encampment itself; followed by another person who says “Nickelsville is badly needed” because of the shelter shortage, and mentions Nickelsville’s vision of being an “eco-village.” Dorli Rainey, speaking next, tells the council, “What you are doing is splitting families.” The next speaker says he is ashamed of having to turn people away from shelters.
A representative of the Low-Income Housing Institute next tells the council they are considering making land available for an encampment. She is followed by a woman who says she supports homeless people but has seen problems with SHARE and has tried to talk with the city – which contracts with SHARE – about it, but contends no one will do anything about it.
2:47 PM: Another commenter points out the police presence at City Hall and is contentiously accusing the council of being unfair to the homeless people who have spoken. Minutes later, public comment ends, and the chambers are all but clearing, though Licata reminds everyone that the Nickelsville-related item is coming up third on the agenda.
3:04 PM: The committee is now discussing the Nickelsville-related item – which isn’t up for a vote, but more a decision on which way they want to proceed. Outside City Hall, the pro-encampment protest has begun; Emily Heffter from The Seattle Times (WSB partner) tweeted this photo showing demonstrators on the steps.
Back inside, Licata is saying that the Monday letter from seven of his Council colleagues did not seem to him to be “anti-encampment.” One of the signers, Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, is agreeing. She says she believes Nickelsville residents “have created community.” She wonders if the proposal to expand possible encampment sites could also include property owned by nonprofits. The philosophical conversation continues.
3:21 PM: Licata says he wants to talk now about specifics about “what we’ll be facing in the next couple months” – specifically, the mayor’s response that if the council wants the camp cleared by September 1st, he will follow their directive to evict anyone who’s left then. And he envisions that not everyone will have left, “so we’re going to be faced with not a good photo op.”
3:44 PM: They’re still trying to shape what the rules would be. Licata notes that Nickelsville has 125 people now. Should legislation, they’re discussing, put a limit on the number of sites? Councilmember Bruce Harrell says, what about people who choose to live in tents? Licata assistant Lisa Herbold says it’s not like they have an option to go into long-term housing, because it has waiting lists: “The function of a tent city is not an alternative to long-term housing, it’s someplace you go while you wait for long-term housing.”
4:04 PM: The document accompanying this agenda, by the way, is here. Option 2, the committee agrees, possibly leaving Nickelsville at the current site, “is off the table.”
The “snack shack” used by West Seattle Baseball at Riverview Playfield has been broken into, reports parent volunteer Michelle, who sent the photo. She says someone broke in Monday night, “damaging the building and making a huge mess” along with making off with some money. “We are so bummed someone would do this. … Fortunately it’s the end of the season, and not more was taken.” It’s not the first time the “shack” has been targeted, though; Michelle says volunteers have spent time painting over graffiti vandalism.
The crane is going up at 3922 SW Alaska, almost a year since we uncovered the new name and plan for “The Hole,” which stalled in fall 2008 under previous ownership, followed by a court fight and a foreclosure auction. Though the new owners of what’s now called Spruce have been mum on the project – except for what was said/shown at the Design Commission meeting we covered in December – construction equipment showed up five weeks ago and, as noted here, work resumed. Wondering what it’ll look like? Here’s one of the images shown at the aforementioned December meeting:
If you’re just tuning in, Spruce will include apartments and an L.A. Fitness health club.
(Mayor McGinn at Diva Espresso on Tuesday; photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Though you haven’t heard much about it lately, there’s still a chance West Seattle will get light rail, some years down the line.
Mayor Mike McGinn came to West Seattle on Tuesday afternoon to get that message out, and we took the opportunity to ask him about other issues related to West Seattle’s transportation challenges.
It was his third visit to West Seattle in a week, and tonight will be his fourth visit in eight days, as the 34th District Democrats decide who to endorse for this year’s election races, including the one in which he’s vying for re-election against eight opponents. His series of visits began June 4th with the Madison Middle School briefing on dental care for students citywide and continued Sunday as he breakfasted at Chelan Café with five community activists.
That brings us to Tuesday afternoon.
The mayor and two staff members – SDOT transit expert Michael James and communicator Aaron Pickus – came to Diva Espresso in The Triangle to offer a West Seattle-specific briefing on the state of light-rail planning, though the conversation turned to other things.
He said that after talking to West Seattleites – including the group with whom he had breakfast on Sunday – he realized people here might not be aware that light rail is at least a bit beyond pipe-dream status.
We recorded the entire briefing/discussion on video – keep in mind it was at a busy coffee shop, so you’ll hear the espresso machinery in the background now and then:
If you don’t have time to listen, the key points are ahead:
Just out of the WSB inbox, from West Seattle Food Bank volunteer Eve:
The West Seattle Food Bank distributes books of all kinds to their clients. Children’s picture books and toddler board books are especially needed right now. If you have books in good condition, please consider donating them to the Food Bank. You can drop them off Monday through Friday 9 am to 3 pm, or Wednesday until 7pm (Monday and Wednesday are the best drop-off times) The Food Bank is on the corner of 35th Avenue SW and SW Morgan St. (enter through the garage on Morgan). Cookbooks and adult fiction and non-fiction are also welcomed. YOUR DONATIONS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
(Western Tiger Swallowtail butterfly on red valerian, by Danny McMillin, from the WSB Flickr group)
It’s graduation day for more than 1,000 high-school and college students in West Seattle! Three ceremonies are part of our highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
First, the graduations:
SSCC GRADUATION: 2:30 pm, more than 800 students receive diplomas and certificates during the South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) commencement ceremony at Benaroya Hall downtown. (200 University St.)
WSHS GRADUATION: The West Seattle High School Class of 2013 graduates at 5 pm, Southwest Athletic Complex. Reminder that concessions (including flower and candy leis) are on sale as a Music Department fundraiser. (2801 SW Thistle)
SEALTH GRADUATION: The Chief Sealth International High School Class of 2013 graduates at 7:30 pm, Southwest Athletic Complex. (2801 SW Thistle)
Now, the rest of the highlights for today/tonight:
COUNCIL COMMITTEE TALKS ‘NICKELSVILLE’: Though what transpired on Monday (WSB coverage here) might seem to render this all a moot point, the City Council Housing, Human Services, Health, and Culture Committee is scheduled to discuss the “Nickelsville” situation at 2 pm today, Council Chambers at City Hall downtown. (4th/Cherry)
‘NICKELSVILLE’ PROTEST: Meantime, outside City Hall, encampment supporters promise a “die-in” protest starting at 2:30 pm.
SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS: West Seattle Girls Softball has playoffs tonight at Lincoln Park at 5:30 pm.
BIKE MASTER PLAN MEETING: The city’s next Open House on the draft revised Bicycle Master Plan is intended for the south areas of the city, including West Seattle. (Here’s a map showing what it envisions for this part of the city.) It’s at the Columbia Branch Library, 6 pm, presentation at 6:30 pm. (4721 Rainier Ave. S.)
JOURNALISM AND DATA: Special event at the West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 5:30 pm, explained on the Seattle Public Library calendar. (2306 42nd SW)
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS’ ENDORSEMENT MEETING: Mingling at 6:30 pm, speeches and votes start at 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy. See the detailed agenda here. (9131 California SW)
Seal Sitters‘ Robin Lindsey shares that photo as an example of a pup still displaying “lanugo,” a long, wavy coat that is a sign of premature birth since it’s usually shed in the womb. She’s asking you to be particularly watchful around West Seattle’s shorelines, not just because pupping season has started in this area, but because a motherless newborn might turn up and need help:
Sadly, we responded to an adult female seal (Monday) that died shortly afterward. The WDFW necropsy (Tuesday) revealed that she had given birth probably two days ago. This means it is possible that there is a newborn pup in West Seattle or one of the neighboring communities. A newborn harbor seal pup can live about a week and a half without nutrition from the mother. If the pup indeed survived, he would be extremely weak and vulnerable – most especially to off-leash dogs.
We are asking everyone to please be on the alert for this pup – or any pups on shore. And, of course, to stay away, keep dogs leashed and call our hotline @ 206-905-7325 (SEAL).
Additionally, we heard rumors of a “mom and pup” resting on the rocks off of Lincoln Park the other day. No one called our hotline, but we are told that many people were taking photos. If anyone has photos of the pair, please email us in hopes that we can determine if truly it was a mom and newborn pup and possibly identify the adult female.
Thanks so much. This is truly where the community makes a huge difference!
There’s more info on the Seal Sitters’ Blubberblog.
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Today’s commute is under way with nothing unusual in the routes around/through our area. Updates to come if/when that changes.
If your community group or nonprofit would like some space during our area’s biggest festival of the year – Teri Ensley of Furry Faces Foundation has an invitation for you:
Furry Faces Foundation is pleased to be partnering with the West Seattle Junction Association in offering the FREE Community Tent at West Seattle Summer Fest – July 12, 13, and 14. The purpose of this area in the festival is to allow our small neighborhood non-profits and community groups easy access to the event and their community – free of charge! Did we mention free of charge?
Furry Faces Foundation is selecting the non-profits and community groups who strive to benefit our community and fit the spirit of our West Seattle neighborhoods.
Here are the Community Tent details:
11:13 PM UPDATE: The woman reported missing earlier has been found at a hospital, her family confirms – though they’re still trying to find out how she got there – and the search has ended.
EARLIER:
Read More
“I MADE IT,” proclaimed the art atop the cap of one grad-to-be tonight as The Hall at Fauntleroy hosted the Middle College High School-High Point Center Class of 2013’s graduation tonight.
21 students comprise this year’s graduating class – here they are, making their entrance:
This is the first class to graduate since the southern branch of Middle College High School moved into its new High Point quarters, chosen after it lost its longtime home at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) this time last year. As recently announced on the MCHS-HPC website, the school has extended its High Point lease for another year.
This was the first of our area’s three Seattle Public Schools graduations in two nights; tomorrow night, Southwest Athletic Complex in Westwood will be the site of the graduations for both West Seattle High School (5 pm) and Chief Sealth International High School (7:30 pm). Our area’s lone private high school, Seattle Lutheran, gave its 33-member Class of 2013 their sendoff last Friday (WSB coverage here).
Hours before taking the field tonight – a lineup of Seattle Mariners took the stage at West Seattle Elementary School this afternoon. it was one of five DREAM Team assemblies around the region, held simultaneously on the Mariners’ 16th annual Education Day. Here’s what DREAM stands for:
It was not just a DREAM for kids to meet pro baseball players, who moved into the audience to sit with them while watching a reel of recent highlights …
… but it also was a dream for some of the grownups on hand, like Ms. Raymond, who’s a major Mariners fan:
The lineup announced for WSE just before the event included announcer Aaron Goldsmith, players Jason Bay, Jeremy Bonderman, Nick Franklin, Joe Saunders, Kelly Shoppach, and coach Robby Thompson.
Four West Seattle development notes tonight:
4730 CALIFORNIA: Thanks to Heidi for the tip that a fence was up and the awning was coming down at the site of 4730 California, the 88-apartment project formerly known as 4724 California, aka “the former Petco site.” We’d noticed the re-branding recently when sponsor logos (including ours) went up on the West Seattle Summer Fest website. This project’s website’s not up yet – you can find a mention here – and we’re working to get more information about the demolition schedule.
CHARLESTOWN CAFE SITE FOLLOWUP: Since we first reported one week ago on a development proposal for the former Charlestown Café site, we’ve finally heard back from a rep for the prospective developer, Intracorp. Right now, the rep tells us, the proposal for six 5-unit townhouse buildings is in spec mode – the site has not been purchased and no official application to the city has been made. Intracorp is focused right now, we’re told, on getting its biggest West Seattle proposal, 3210 California SW, through Design Review; its second round of Early Design Guidance is scheduled for 6:30 pm June 27th on the second floor of the Senior Center of West Seattle at California/Oregon.
SPEAKING OF DESIGN REVIEW: Before that meeting, two projects are on the Southwest Design Review Board agenda for this Thursday night (June 13th), and the “packets” are available online for both. The 6:30 pm meeting is for 4435 35th SW, the re-activated proposal for the site that currently includes a vacant lot and the building that’s home to The Bridge (which, as reported here last month, is already preparing its new home at the former Chuck and Sally’s Tavern site in Morgan Junction). The project has changed since its first Design Review meeting in 2009, so it’s going back through Early Design Guidance. The current version proposes a six-story building with 170 apartments and 187 parking spaces; see the “packet” here. The 8 pm meeting is the second “recommendations” session – in other words, possibly the final meeting – for 3829 California SW, 29 apartments with 30 parking spaces; see its “packet” here. Both meetings are open to the public and will be held on the second floor of the Senior Center of West Seattle at California/Oregon.
ROWHOUSES IN FAIRMOUNT SPRINGS: The newly popular form of townhouses known as “rowhouses” are popping up in neighborhoods all over. One of the newest applications proposes a 5-unit rowhouse building, with attached garages, for 5457 Fauntleroy Way SW in Fairmount Springs, on the site of a 103-year-old home sold in April.
(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand – top photo substituted for earlier phone photo)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 3:02 PM: We’re still trying to sort out exactly what’s happening with a big police response in the 32nd/106th area of Arbor Heights. Radio communications indicate it’s a search for a burglary suspect. More as we get it.
3:26 PM UPDATE: The original scene is now clear – but we’re checking out another address where a suspect may have been spotted, in the 32nd/105th area.
3:37 PM UPDATE: … and we’ve found the police all back at the original house, where the suspect might be hiding. So this remains an active investigation, but focused at the moment on one particular location.
4:03 PM UPDATE: Police are focused on the back yard of a house at 32nd and 106th; they have a K-9 team, too.
4:19 PM UPDATE: Co-publisher Patrick Sand has spoken at the scene with SW Precinct Lt. Ron Smith (photo above, in blue). He says this was called in as “suspicious circumstances” – a man was spotted riding a bicycle, towing another bicycle, in possession of two backpacks. More tactical police reinforcements have arrived. Lt. Smith also confirmed they believe the suspect is 32-year-old Alan Polevia (we had heard the name on the scanner but wanted to confirm before publishing) – target of a search in Shorewood earlier this year, and prior to that, known for escaping from custody at Harborview while in handcuffs.
4:33 PM UPDATE: Suspect is out and in handcuffs.
5:24 PM UPDATE: We’re adding photos. Identity confirmed; police are checking on warrants. King County Jail records show Polevia spent three days in jail when finally arrested in late March, three weeks after the Shorewood search. On March 28th, he was charged with burglary and theft in connection with an incident that was reported here, involving a scooter taken in the 5000 block of 37th SW, and a search that eventually ended at 36th and Morgan. He didn’t appear for arraignment, so a warrant was issued for his arrest in April, according to court records.
8:57 PM UPDATE: Polevia is on the King County Jail Register as of about an hour ago, held on the aforementioned warrant and two others, as well as for investigation of unlawful firearm possession related to today’s events. This likely means he’ll have a bail hearing tomorrow; we’ll check with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in the morning. We have added one more photo, above, from this afternoon’s arrest.
If you drive the road above – the westernmost stretch of Avalon Way, between Fauntleroy and 35th – you might have noticed pavement markings indicating some reconfiguration ahead. WSB Forum members have been discussing it, too. We asked SDOT, and spokesperson Marybeth Turner has just provided an extended explanation:
This bicycle and pedestrian improvement is on Avalon starting approximately 100′ east of 35th Ave SW and extending to Fauntleroy.
There are no bike facilities in this area currently. We are installing bike lanes on both sides of Avalon. The north side/uphill side of Avalon will now have a continuous bike lane from Spokane St to Fauntleroy. The south side of Avalon will have a small stretch of bike lane starting at 36th Ave then changing to a shared lane as you pass by 35th Ave SW.
The lane widths and configuration will be: one 6-foot bicycle lane on each side of Avalon, one 12-foot eastbound lane narrowing to 10 feet, one 10-foot two-way turn lane, and two 10 foot westbound lanes.
We are also remarking the crosswalks at the intersection of Fauntleroy/36th/Avalon and also at Avalon and 35th. There will be large crosswalk warning signs at the side of the street for drivers approaching Avalon from Fauntleroy.
As they do now, drivers coming and going from off-street parking areas will need to watch for pedestrians and bicyclists.
This does not affect parking, since there’s no on-street parking in that area now. But the area unquestionably is getting busier, with one development finally completed (The Residences at 3295), one about halfway done (3261 Avalon), another one likely to start later this year (4435 35th SW), and a microhousing project next to the 7-11, not to mention three other projects further east/northeast on Avalon.
West Seattle’s first school-zone speeding-ticket camera, on Fauntleroy Way near Gatewood Elementary, will likely be joined by two others. In the final week of the school year, Mayor McGinn has just announced five more proposed camera locations around the city, “based on an analysis of documented speeding problems that showed these schools would receive the greatest speed reduction and safety benefit from automated speed enforcement” per the official announcement. Two would be on SW Roxbury: Roxhill Elementary and Holy Family School. (They’re shown in red on our Google Map above, while Gatewood is shown in blue.) If the City Council approves funding, these and three other cameras would likely be installed early next year, according to the news release from the mayor’s office, which also says that the “four existing school zone camera locations have seen an average reduction of 16 percent in citations for speeding, from the week of December 10 to the week of April 22. … 96 percent of those who received a citation and paid it did not get another citation.” Seattle Police activated the Gatewood camera last November.
(Photo courtesy Charlie G)
FIRST REPORT, 10:48 AM: Beach Drive SW is closed in the 5400 block right now while Seattle Fire crews stand by until Puget Sound Energy arrives to take care of a natural-gas leak. Radio communications describe it as “small.” No injuries reported. (P.S. Thanks to the readers who texted photos and info – 206-293-6302 any time!)
11:51 AM: Thanks to Davis for texting an update – the road has reopened.
(Belted kingfisher, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Your options for tonight range from storytelling to music to neighborhood involvement, and beyond! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
TRAFFIC, WATER TAXI REMINDERS FOR TONIGHT: Mentioned in the daily transit/traffic roundup BUT if you missed it there – two stadium events tonight, the World Cup qualifying match and the Mariners’ game, and that means an estimated 60,000 people in the stadium zone. If you decide to avoid the roads by taking the West Seattle Water Taxi, the county announced last week that it WILL run an “extended schedule” tonight.
STORYTELLING: Monthly event at Chaco Canyon Café with workshop and open mike, 6 pm, details in the calendar listing. (3770 SW Alaska)
FEET FIRST FUNDRAISER: Tuesday Tune-Up raising money and awareness for Feet First, 6:30-9 pm tonight at Salty’s on Alki. (1936 Harbor SW)
MIDDLE COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION: West Seattle’s graduation week (full schedule here) continues tonight at 7 at The Hall at Fauntleroy, with the ceremony for Middle College High School‘s High Point branch. (9131 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE SYMPHONY: Season-finale concert of the West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ WS Symphony tonight at 7 pm, Chief Sealth International High School; details in the calendar listing. (2600 SW Thistle)
FROM ST. PETERSBURG TO WEST SEATTLE: The St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble from Russia performs tonight at Peace Lutheran Church, 7 pm, details in our calendar listing. (39th/Thistle)
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm tonight, it’s the monthly meeting, with summertime event updates on the agenda. Public welcome, as always; lower-level meeting room on the south side of Admiral Congregational Church. (California/Hill)
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm tonight, all are welcome at the regular board meeting, Fauntleroy Schoolhouse. (9131 California SW)
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
It’s not in view on that bridge camera, but the day starts with trouble on the westbound bridge, a semitruck fire. (Added postcommute: Photo from Cheri:)
(back to original story) It’s near the Harbor Island exit, according to one reader report, and affecting westbound Route 21 buses, according to a Metro alert.
6:12 AM UPDATE: The truck IS visible right now on the bridge camera that points westbound, at the exit in the foreground:
6:22 AM UPDATE: Westbound traffic is getting by, and if you look closely, you can see a tow truck has arrived. No lingering eastbound effects.
7:24 AM UPDATE: As noted in comments, and as you can see in the camera view above, the truck has been towed. Metro has sent an update that Route 21 westbound is back to its regular route.
7:39 AM NOTE: Almost forgot till a question came in via Facebook – the county announced last week that the West Seattle Water Taxi IS running an “extended schedule” tonight to handle the soccer and M’s games. And note that travel through SODO this evening will be affected by the two stadium events.
Out of the WSB inbox tonight, looking ahead to West Seattle High School‘s graduation ceremony Wednesday:
For WSHS Graduates and families: The WSHS music department will be offering concessions before and during the graduation ceremony on Wednesday June 12th. We will have hot dogs, chips, snacks and beverages. We also have a limited number of flower and candy leis to purchase for the graduates. Flower leis are $25 and candy leis are $10. All proceeds will go directly to the WSHS music program.
The WSHS ceremony is at 5 pm Wednesday (June 12th), Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle). Our full list of local graduation ceremony dates/times/places is here.
Note the promise on the poster for June 22nd’s Morgan Junction Community Festival:
If you went last year, you’ll remember why: That brought the first rainout in its history. Some of the activities happened despite the showers that were eventually followed by a long-running downpour (and then, too late to save the day, some sun):
That was the rain-dampened Bark of Morgan last year. For this year’s “rain or shine!” festival, the Morgan Community Association‘s bringing it back, hoping it’ll be in bright sunshine (as the festival has been OTHER years). There’ll be a pooch parade at 2 pm, followed at 2:15 by competitions for Cutest Puppy, Best Trick, Best Owner/Dog Lookalikes. Here’s the schedule (PDF).
Local eateries will participate again in the Bite of Morgan during the festival, and organizers have several food trucks lined up too. We’re still awaiting final word on that lineup and on the music schedule, but wanted to remind you for starters to save the date – Saturday, June 22, 10:30 am-7 pm in and around Morgan Junction Park (on the west side of California, half a block north of Fauntleroy). WSB is a festival sponsor again this year and we’ll be reporting “live,” so we look forward to seeing you there.
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