West Seattle, Washington
02 Wednesday
(Seattle Chinese Garden photo by Amy Converse)
Spring arrived before dawn – so we’re marking the change of seasons with the plum blossoms at the Seattle Chinese Garden (open Saturdays 11:30 am-3:30 pm) on Puget Ridge. Stormy day in store – including a wind advisory that just took effect; here are the highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (and beyond):
LIVING WITH ANIMALS: 11 am-12:30 pm, you can talk with a wildlife expert about backyard wildlife and domestic animals – coyotes to chickens, and more – during a drop-in event at Neighborhood House‘s High Point Center. Details here.
TELEPHONE TOWN HALL: Local state legislators Sen. Sharon Nelson, Rep. Eileen Cody, and Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon are having their annual Town Hall meeting over the phone this time around. If your phone rings around 6 pm, it might be them – you’ll be prompted how to join. You can also call in if you don’t get a call – our calendar listing has the details.
DELRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL: 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meets, with an agenda including “visioning” for the north half of Delridge Way (the bridge to Orchard) and what you’d like to see it become.
BACKYARD COTTAGES/’STAY AT HOME’ STRATEGIES FOR SENIORS: West Seattle-headquartered NCompass Cottage Company (WSB sponsor) is presenting this workshop tonight – off-peninsula, but hot topics! – at the Phinney Neighborhood Center HQ (6532 Phinney Avenue N.), 7 pm. Details in our calendar listing.
34TH DISTRICT REPUBLICANS: Every so often when we’re mentioning the area’s largest political group, the 34th District Democrats, somebody asks, what about the 34th District Republicans? And we reply, if they let us know about their meetings, and/or put up online announcements as do the 34th DDs, we’d be happy to mention them too. Now they have! We received e-mail announcing the 34th District Republicans are meeting tonight and every third Wednesday, 7 pm, at Round Table Pizza in Burien (15730 1st Ave South). Tonight’s program includes a discussion of the Seattle petition drive for electing City Councilmembers by district.
SPRING EQUINOX SUNSET WATCH: If the weather isn’t too bad, 7:13-ish tonight is when Alice Enevoldsen will be at Solstice Park (upslope from the tennis courts at Fauntleroy Way/Lincoln Park Way) for her 16th quarterly Equinox/Solstice Sunset Watch. We’ll check in with her late in the day for the official word. Details are on her website.
‘NEXT FALL,’ WEEK TWO: ArtsWest‘s acclaimed drama starts its second week, 7:30 pm.
LIVE JAZZ: We were asked the other day on Twitter about live jazz in West Seattle. We do have some calendar listings for it – including this one from Duos Lounge in Luna Park, 7:30-9:30 pm tonight with Jazz Connection.
That’s just a bit of what’s going on today/tonight – full list here!
From Robin Lindsey at Seal Sitters:
We have a little seal pup who is on the move in West Seattle and hope that the community will be on the lookout for her. She is nicknamed Shamrock and first came ashore on St. Patrick’s Day at Jack Block Park. Monday she was in two locations and Tuesday was further around the peninsula at Emma Schmitz Viewpoint (see photo). Shamrock appeared thinner (Tuesday) and we encourage waterfront owners to please give our hotline a call @ 206-905-7325 (SEAL) if you have a pup on your beach. She may well end up at Lowman Beach or Lincoln Park over the next day or so. (More on Blubberblog.)
Meantime, “Rehab Ruby” is still enjoying the safe haven of Jack Block Park – a truly great story that shows how caring our West Seattle residents are. She seems to have found a new friend, so we are encouraged that she has learned to socialize and integrate with other seals. You can read about Ruby here.
Shamrock’s visit to Emma Schmitz Viewpoint is also featured on Beach Drive Blog.
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:43 AM: Spring has technically arrived, but it’s expected to make a stormy debut – the National Weather Service renewed its wind advisory overnight, 9 am-11 pm in our area, with gusts possibly up to 50 mph. SDOT is scheduled to start its work on Phase 2 of the Delridge repaving project today – we’ll check to see if the weather changes those plans, but for now, that means the work zone switches to Delridge between Thistle and Trenton, with the detour changing as announced last week – here’s the map:
Also a reminder for the weekend: Friday night through Monday morning, the I-5 Spokane St. Interchange Special Bridge Repair Project closes the ramps from the West Seattle Bridge to Beacon Hill and to northbound I-5 (plus a few others that don’t directly affect to/from-WS travel).
11:18 AM: If you’re driving/riding in the SODO area right now or any time soon, fire crews are dealing with a gas leak in the Occidental/Holgate vicinity (map).
Front and center in that photo is Dave Nichols, a West Seattleite who has just been honored with The President’s Volunteer Service Award. He was photographed with colleagues from ShelterBox USA – the work for which he was honored. ShelterBox is an international disaster-relief organization that helps in the aftermath of disasters both natural and human-caused, delivering green boxes with “emergency tented shelter and other lifesaving supplies,” as the organization describes it. Dave works to raise awareness and money, which helped ShelterBox assist people caught up in more than 30 disasters in 23 countries last year alone – “providing families with disaster-relief tents, cook stoves, water purification units, blankets, mosquito nets, children’s packs, and other essential equipment.” P.S. You can assist ShelterBox’s mission through online donations at shelterboxusa.org.
Might get windy tomorrow – the National Weather Service has a wind advisory in effect for our area from 9 am to 11 pm, with wind out of the southwest that might gust to 45 miles per hour. Rainy too, tapering off in the afternoon, when thunderstorms are possible. If that’s not wild enough – check out the outlook for Thursday, the forecast says rain and snow showers are possible – with a snow level around 500 feet, the elevation of Seattle’s highest hills (including the Myrtle Reservoir area).
Story and photo by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Sustainable West Seattle is taking a new approach to its monthly member meetings by focusing on a particular theme each quarter. Last night kicked off this quarter’s “gardening with nature” theme with a focus on soils.
Due to our region’s glaciated geological history, our soils can be challenging to work in, and often take time, energy and amendments to create an environment where plants can thrive. Stu Hennessey (right) demonstrated the work that has been done at the Community Orchard of West Seattle – site of part of the meeting – to improve the soil, taking it from a compacted lawn to a healthy, nutrient-rich soil supporting edible plants and fruit trees. Much of the resulting produce will be shared with the Delridge Grocery, announced last night as one of three SWS Green Grant Recipients (we reported on the grant recipients here, before last night’s meeting was over).
The healthy soil was created using a method called “layering” which is also known as “lasagna gardening.”
Following up on last week’s much-discussed preview of Bada Bistro, the new identity for the 61st/Alki SW corner restaurant that previously was Beachside Café and before that, Alki Bakery: Co-owner Sharon Bang confirms they will open tomorrow night, which was the target date when we last heard from her. She wants potential patrons to know that it’s a “locally owned and operated beachside restaurant on Alki Beach. We are dedicated to providing excellent food and beverages, and highest-quality service to our guests. Everything from our kitchen is scratch-made, as well as many of our bar items including bitters, spirit infusions, and our signature syrups. We offer many gluten-free options on our menu.” The menu is now online, including prices. They’re planning to start with dinner this week, add Happy Hour next week, then lunch and brunch when they’re ready; the hours for opening week are on their website at badabistro.com.
(Photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
HAPPENING NOW: Thanks to those who texted/e-mailed about a big police response in Highland Park a short time ago. Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Pierre Davis tells us that officers were after somebody who bolted into an apartment complex near 16th and Holden after reportedly stealing somebody’s cell phone. Not an armed holdup, but “a crime of opportunity,” he explains.
SEPARATE CASE – RECOGNIZE THESE SUSPECTS? SPD has just gone public with video from another case:
Per SPD Blotter, this video shows two suspects from an armed street robbery in The Junction on February 2nd. It doesn’t show the actual holdup but does show suspects on a store surveillance camera afterward. Can you help detectives identify them? Call the SPD Robbery Unit at 206-684-5535.
In less than two weeks, it’ll be quite a spectacle along West Seattle (and other) shores, so you might as well get ready now. The ship above, the Jumbo Fairpartner, set sail hours ago from Osaka, Japan, carrying “Bertha,” the Highway 99 tunnel-boring machine. WSDOT says it’ll arrive around April 1st – no foolin’! The machine is in 41 pieces as it begins its 5,000-mile journey across the Pacific, bound for Terminal 46 on the downtown waterfront, where it will be unloaded and reassembled before it starts heading north from the launch pit just south of where what’s left of the Alaskan Way Viaduct ends. WSDOT is already tweeting about the trip at @BerthaDigsSR99.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: On Sunday night 3/24, it was announced this appearance will be on Tuesday 3/26 instead)
(National Grocers Association photo from last month’s competition)
Just in from Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) – Andrew Borracchini, the Admiral store staffer who is the national champion “Best Bagger,” will show his skills on “The Late Show with David Letterman” next Monday (March 25). It airs on Channel 7 in our area, just after 11:30 pm. Andrew won the title during the National Grocers Association’s convention in Las Vegas last month, the second year in a row he has gone to the competition as our state’s “Best Bagger,” the first time he’s won the national title.
(Jacques Nawar with business partner Mike Look)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Jacques Nawar wants you to know that Pizzeria Credo, likely open by month’s end, is “not just another pizza place.”
He noted the “another pizza place?” concern was raised by a commenter after our first report last November about his new Junction restaurant – which you’ll find in the long-shuttered ex-Garlic Jim’s spot at 4520 California SW.
Not only will the pizza be out-of-the-ordinary, Nawar promises, so will the rest of the menu.
(Lincoln Park beach; photo from last Sunday, by Nick Adams for WSB)
Busy day/night! Classes, meetings, performances, and more are listed in full on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, but we’re highlighting five events for tonight:
FAUNTLEROY FOOD FEST AND MEMBERSHIP MEETING: It’s the annual membership meeting for the Fauntleroy Community Association – become a member or renew your annual membership, while enjoying samples from local food-and-beverage establishments (including WSB sponsors Bird on a Wire and Endolyne Joe’s – full list on the FCA website), 6 pm.
Also tonight:
WORLD WATER WEEK RESOURCE FAIR PLUS ‘MR. TOILET’: The highlight of World Water Week at Chief Sealth International High School is something you are invited to be part of – a resource fair to learn about water issues (with participants including “Diver Laura” James on behalf of the runoff-fighting tox-ick.org campaign) at 6 pm, then at 7 pm, the keynote speech by Jack Sim, founder of the World Toilet Organization, who’s come thousands of miles to help you understand what’s at stake and how to help.
GEORGIE BRIGHT KUNKEL @ SOUTHWEST LIBRARY: The local activist, writer, and nonogenarian will be at Southwest Library at 6:30 tonight for a presentation about her brother, 1930s track star Norman Bright, featured in the book “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand, for which Georgie was interviewed. More details in our calendar listing.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT GRAFFITI VANDALISM? That’s what the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council is scheduled to talk and learn about tonight, with the help of the Seattle Police graffiti detective. 7 pm at the Southwest Precinct meeting room (Delridge/Webster), as previewed here. Crime trends will be discussed too, and you’ll have a chance to bring up neighborhood concerns; all welcome.
SEATTLE POLICE SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS MEETING: Last week, Alki; tonight, Belltown is the site of an SPD meeting to answer questions about the surveillance-camera system that started going up unannounced in January (here’s our ongoing coverage archive, newest-to-oldest, since then). All welcome – 7 pm at Belltown Community Center; there’s a map and more preview info in this story we published earlier today.
While the Seattle Police surveillance cameras first noticed by WSB readers two months ago are often referred to as the “Alki cameras” – the system includes other neighborhoods north from here, as far north as Ballard. And that’s why tonight, SPD’s second questions/answers meeting – following up the one we covered last Tuesday on Alki – is scheduled for the Belltown Community Center (415 Bell Street; map), 7 pm.
SPD reiterated last week that there would be others, but none have been announced yet. So thus far the public discussion, which started three weeks after media coverage, has consisted of:
*Public Safety, Civil Rights, Technology Committee briefing February 20th (WSB coverage here)
*Alki Community Council briefing February 21st (WSB coverage here)
*Alki Bathhouse meeting March 12th (WSB coverage here)
The system is the result of a Homeland Security grant sought by the city and originally approved by the Public Safety Committee last year (as reported here January 31st) – described at the time only as a “port security” system, without any mention of cameras in residential/recreational areas such as Alki.
Yesterday, the full City Council approved a new set of city rules that among other things, they say, will prevent that from happening in the future – as co-sponsor Councilmember Nick Licata put it, the controversial camera-equipped “drones” were also part of a grant that the council apparently approved two years before they suddenly turned up.
Co-sponsor Councilmember Bruce Harrell, who chairs the Public Safety Committee, gave the topline description: “The legislation basically requires all city departments to obtain City Council approval prior to acquiring surveillance equipment” as well as Council approval for how the equipment, and the data it gathers, will be managed. It has been said that this will cover the Alki-to-Ballard cameras, even though most of them have been installed, with the “protocols” to be proposed for that system and any other surveillance equipment in place “no later than 30 days after this takes effect.”
The bill also requires “public outreach conducted in each community” where surveillance equipment would be installed.
Harrell also noted that the bill had been changed between committee discussion and vote two weeks ago and yesterday’s full Council vote.
Phil Mocek, a local activist who has been closely covering the surveillance-camera situation and related issues, points out on his website that major changes were reviewed at yesterday morning’s Council briefing meeting, hours before the afternoon vote. As he writes, and as can be seen in Seattle Channel video of the briefing meeting, Harrell mentioned SPD leadership sending the council a letter last Friday expressing a concern about “somehow … inhibiting Seattle Police ability to use surveillance equipment in certain criminal investigations on a temporary basis.” Harrell said a paragraph regarding that exemption was “already in the bill” but that they added further language SPD wanted. Licata expressed concern “about how large a loophole it was”; Harrell at that point noted more changes were made at the Seattle Police Department’s request. Licata said his concern was the definition of “criminal investigation” and whether a broad definition would open everyone to surveillance. Harrell said he didn’t think there was “ambiguity” in the definition. There was talk of maybe holding the bill – but in the end, they didn’t.
The version now online includes this paragraph:
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Chapter, City departments may acquire or use surveillance equipment that is used on a temporary basis for the purpose of a criminal investigation supported by reasonable suspicion, or pursuant to a lawfully issued search warrant, or under exigent circumstances as defined in case law. This exemption from the provisions of this ordinance does not apply to surveillance cameras mounted on drones or other unmanned aircraft.
Back to the cameras installed along West Seattle’s shores – including Harbor and Alki Avenues, Beach Drive, and Fauntleroy Way near the ferry dock, with one planned for Admiral (map) – the next steps to activation remain unclear; Mayor McGinn first told WSB on February 11th: “The system will not be operated until a thorough public vetting of the system has been completed and the public has provided input.” That “vetting” continues with the Belltown meeting tonight.
With the Alki Elementary School centennial celebration a little more than one week away, Southwest Seattle Historical Society executive director Clay Eals shares this reminder about something you don’t want to leave till the last minute:
Did you ever attend or teach at Alki Elementary School? Are you coming to the school’s 100th birthday on Thursday evening, March 28? Make sure to dig up photos of yourself and your school for sharing at the event!
The Alki PTA and the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, co-sponsors of the celebration, are planning a variety of activities to engage students and community members of all ages. One is a sharing area, where people can share stories from their time at Alki with others. We’ll also have a video booth so we can capture memories on video.
“This will be a fun way to tell the stories and preserve the rich history of our school,” says Amy Bannister, who chairs the event for Alki PTA.”
The event will start with a group shot outside the school at 5 pm. You can stay connected with other event updates through this Facebook event page.
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:59 AM: Spring arrives early tomorrow. Today’s major traffic alert so far: Drainage work is planned on the high bridge 9 am-3 pm, today and tomorrow.
6 PM UPDATE: It’s raining, and it’s a problematic evening commute – Nicole sent these alerts:
UPS truck vs. car at Fauntleroy and Edmunds. Fauntleroy backing up heading toward bridge. Not quite enough room to go around.
Two cars (that I could see) eastbound on bridge right around 4th Ave exit. Two fire trucks had left lane closed down.
(added – thanks to BB for the photo of the UPS truck crash – no serious injuries reported:)
But – thanks to the tip in comments – there’s one bright spot; the Phase 1 zone of the Delridge repaving project is now open again, Trenton to Henderson, both ways – we took this photo near Henderson a short time ago:
Thistle-to-Trenton Phase 2 work is scheduled to start tomorrow – providing the weather doesn’t get too bad.
The sky cleared enough for Comet PanSTARRS viewing again tonight – and we have photos to share in case you missed it. Above, from Trileigh Tucker – click the image for a larger view. The remaining images are from WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams:
To help answer the question of “where to look?” check out his wide view:
That’s Blake Island, with the comet off in the center right – click that image for a larger view. And to get a step-by-step tutorial on where to look for it any time the sky clears in the nights ahead, here’s what local astro-expert Alice Enevoldsen has written about that – she was out with comet-watchers on the south shore of Lincoln Park, and they also viewed Jupiter – Nick sent in this photo as a result:
P.S. Along with comet-viewing any upcoming night it’s clear enough, you’ll find Alice at Solstice Park this coming Wednesday night for her traditional equinox/solstice sunset viewing – 7:13 pm, full details here.
P.P.S. From the archives in case you missed their original appearances – nice comet photos from Saturday night; also, the Northern Lights, seen from Alki!
New date on the Southwest Design Review Board‘s schedule: Two projects, both along California SW south of Admiral, are now planned for reviews on April 11th. First up, at 6:30 that night, it’s the second meeting for 3829 California SW, a three-story, 29-apartment building that had its first review back in June of last year (here is the city’s official report). Second (starting around 8 pm), it’s the rescheduled meeting for 3210 California SW, the 166-apartment project proposed for part of the upzoned block between Hinds and Hanford; as reported here last week, this Early Design Guidance session was originally set for last Thursday, but neighbors discovered an error in the city notification, and it was postponed at the last minute. Formal word of these two meetings is likely to go out with Thursday’s Land Use Information Bulletin, but here’s where you can see them now. The two-project meeting will be at what’s become the SWDRB’s usual location, Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon).
From WSB contributing reporter Keri DeTore at tonight’s Sustainable West Seattle community forum: SWS has just announced not just one winner from its new grant program, but three. Keri says the newly renamed Delridge Grocery group received $1,000 – you can congratulate them at their membership “launch/lunch” event next Saturday – and another $1,000 was split by the Time Bank of West Seattle and DIY Bikes applicants, after SWS announced it had extra money to give. The three were among six applicants for the new program; in addition to making their pitches to the group, they also were rated in an online survey open to community participation. Main topic of tonight’s event is “gardening with nature”; we’ll have Keri’s report on that later – the forum continues at the SSCC Horticulture Center and Community Orchard of West Seattle until 9.
Last year, West Seattle High School’s baseball team went to state – this year, they’re off to a good start, reports Greg Slader, sharing the photo and this report (thanks!):
West Seattle wins over Lakeside 3-1. Sam Hellinger (top photo) pitched a complete game, giving up only one run on three hits and no walks. Solid defense and timely hits helped West Seattle to a 3-0 lead as they cruised to their first win. The Wildcats are 1-1 on the season and 1-0 in league play.
(Spencer Elder makes the play)
Next game is Thursday against Lakeside, before they head to Safeco Field this Saturday @ 4 pm.
ADDED 10:17 PM: Slider reports in comments that WSHS softball beat Lakeside today too, 9-1.
(Photo courtesy King County Ferry Board chair Joe McDermott’s office)
One week ago, we reported on the King County Ferry Board’s Executive Committee agreeing to accept the Spirit of Kingston and the recommendation that it take over the West Seattle Water Taxi run once it arrives. This afternoon, the county announced the Ferry Board has finalized the deal, and the move should happen when 7-day-a-week service resumes in a few weeks:
The Spirit of Kingston, the 65-foot catamaran that once ferried passengers between Kingston and Seattle, is about to become part of the King County Ferry District’s fleet of water taxis. The District unanimously voted today to acquire the eight year-old vessel at no purchase cost through an agreement with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) – the agency that originally provided grant funding to the Port of Kingston to purchase the vessel.
Meander’s Kitchen in White Center says it is canceling the plan to host a show by singer Michelle Shocked next month, because of Shocked’s reported homophobic remarks in San Francisco last night. Via Facebook, Meander’s proprietor Miranda Krone made the announcement about an hour ago. The concert had been set for April 26th. The online reports about Shocked’s show at a San Francisco club include this one reporting that she used a phrase best known as the slogan of an anti-gay fundamentalist church, “God hates f-gs” and that she said same-sex marriage puts the world at risk of Biblical-scale destruction. This report says venues elsewhere in the country have canceled her shows as a result. We have not, however, seen any day-after quotes from Shocked herself, so far.
TUESDAY NIGHT NOTE: Update from Miranda – she says Meander’s will host a cabaret benefit for queer youth that night, instead.
For the third year, it’s World Water Week at Chief Sealth International High School – and the students/staff are hoping to shake us out of taking clean water/sanitation for granted. So many in the U.S. have it; so many in the rest of the world don’t. It’s a life-and-death topic, and yet it can be discussed with humor and inspiration – which is what you’ll hear from the man who’s traveled from the other side of the world to give the keynote speech tomorrow night, Jack Sim, founder of the World Toilet Organization.
(From left, Sealth students Natalia, Riley, Syd, Tasha, with, center, teacher Noah Zeichner and Jack Sim)
He’s at the school today, and speaks at 7 pm Tuesday in the Sealth auditorium, right after a 6 pm resource fair at the school, and you’re welcome to attend the event for free. (Donations are welcome – here! – to support the ongoing WWW-related awareness-raising work, though.)
(Click image for larger view – photo by David Schneider)
More sightings this morning of the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) on the move off West Seattle shores. It was out of view by the time we got down to the water but we’ve since received this photo from David Schneider, who wondered about the cars on deck. West Seattle ship-watchers noticed the same thing when the carrier arrived in early 2012 for work in Bremerton – see the photos and comments here. With the work done, the carrier is moving its homeport to San Diego and that means “everything must go.”
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