West Seattle, Washington
29 Saturday
Dozens of young local musicians are back from a big weekend. Ethan Thomas from West Seattle High School‘s music department reports on achievements by students from 3 local schools:
The West Seattle High School, Chief Sealth International High School, and Denny Middle School Jazz Ensembles traveled together over the weekend to the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho. The bands had an opportunity to perform and receive feedback from adjudicators, attend workshops and evening concerts by such internationally acclaimed musicians as Maceo Parker, Jeff Hamilton, Regina Carter, Take 6 and the Lionel Hampton Big Band. Three students from our group (Annabel Foucault from WSHS on bass, Cameron Nakatani from CSIHS and Ben Orlin from Denny IMS on trumpet) received honorable mention recognition for their performance. All three groups (WSHS under the direction of Ethan Thomas; CSIHS and Denny under the direction of Marcus Pimpleton) performed very well.
Congratulations to all!
(Map showing West Seattle camera locations, from SPD presentation slide deck)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
One month after Seattle Police-managed, Homeland Security-funded surveillance cameras were installed, unannounced, along Alki, SPD reps came to West Seattle to talk with beach residents about the system’s intent and extent.
The Alki Community Council board requested the briefing; for those arriving at Alki UCC Thursday night, a TV crew in the lobby was the first sign the board was taking up something of citywide interest. The briefing came one day after the City Council’s Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology Committee took a closer look at the program (WSB coverage here), offering citizens a chance to comment publicly for the first time since the cameras’ purpose was revealed in this January 29th WSB report.
You can listen to the entire meeting thanks to attendee Phil Mocek, who recorded and made the audio publicly available:
In addition to answering numerous questions, Det. Monty Moss, in charge of the program, suggested for the first time that there was at some point the intent to talk to the public first:
That came in response to an attendee’s mention of WSB being first to mention the Alki-and-beyond cameras – surprising even some City Council members (as Councilmember Nick Licata wrote here) – so, Det. Moss was asked, why weren’t public meetings planned before the installations?
(“Live” cam looking at the eastbound West Seattle Bridge; more cams here)
It’s breezy, but no longer expected to be extremely windy, so the weather advisory has been lifted. Also of note as Monday morning gets going, another reminder that the traffic changes on the “Timber Bridge” section of 99 south of the West Seattle Bridge are now in place. See the map here. That’s likely to have more of an effect during the pm commute, but we’ll see soon enough.
Photos by Nick Adams for WSB
That’s Alan Thorne, left, and Jonathan Evans, right, tightening their slackline in Lincoln Park today, photographed by WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams. Slacklining – explained here – is legal in Seattle public parks, reports Nick; slackliners say the best practice to protect the trees from harm is to only put lines around thick trunks and also by padding the trunk. These two set up a 250-foot line. Here’s Evans, who usually practices on a shorter line, 150 feet:
And Thorne:
The sport kicked up some controversy two years ago …
(Aerial view of the Timber Bridge work zone this weekend, by Long Bach Nguyen)
WSDOT has just announced that Highway 99 is fully open again, earlier than planned, after a weekend of work to get ready for the “Timber Bridge”/Spokane St. Overcrossing bridge work beginning tomorrow.
(Click image for larger view)
Remember this means a new configuration for 99 south of the West Seattle Bridge, as shown above – one lane southbound, two lanes northbound, as the old wood-supported bridge is demolished rebuilt in sections.
From Bradi Jones (pictured with Oscar himself), general manager at the fab Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), where the stars are shining tonight:
Happening now at the Feedback Lounge! Oscar is in the House! If you have your limo driver drop you off to enter through the “VIP entrance” (the back), Oscar will greet you with the red-carpet experience!! Front entrance, less paparazzi!!!
We gave the paparazzi some tips for the night, that the best photo ops were going to be coming from the back. So if you want to fly under the media radar, I’d have your driver drop you off at the front! Goooo Oscar!!!!!
Not too late to go – the opening monologue’s just under way as we write this. The Feedback’s at 6451 California SW in Morgan Junction.
2:55 PM: More wind is on the way – and this time there’s an official alert: The National Weather Service has announced a “wind advisory” for our area, from 11 pm tonight until noon tomorrow. Gusts could reach 50 mph after rising to 15 to 30 mph out of the southwest, according to NWS. See the full alert here. (Thanks to WSB commenter “Meteorologist Patrick” for the heads-up!)
5:24 PM: The advisory is now extended through 4 pm Monday. The revised advisory also says gusts could reach 55 mph.
Your chance to get an early membership in Delridge’s future co-op grocery store is less than a month away. The Delridge Produce Cooperative has announced Saturday, March 23rd, as the date for its first membership-drive event (11 am-1 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center). And tomorrow (Monday, February 25) is the date for DPC’s next planning meeting (6:30 pm at Delridge Library, across from the grocery store’s expected home in the future DESC Delridge Supportive Housing complex). Even if you haven’t been previously involved, you are welcome, and DPC says it’s looking for two “specific (types of) volunteers”:
We would love to find someone with the time and inclination to manage our social media outreach (i.e. Facebook). We also need some occasional tax advice. If you are able to volunteer for either of these roles (or any other area), please e-mail us!
The group’s reachable at delridgeproducecoop@gmail.com.
(Seal Sitters photo by Robin Lindsey)
You’ve probably seen the familiar yellow tape and traffic cones on the shore, marking the perimeter around a resting seal or sea lion, with at least As Seal Sitters‘ Robin Lindsey mentioned at The Whale Trail‘s orca (and more) talk this past Thursday, the next volunteer-training session is scheduled for March 9th, and you are invited to RSVP ASAP if you are interested. One particular point of interest from Robin:
Unlike most marine mammal stranding networks, Seal Sitters encourages children to participate. It is very empowering for a child to learn about our fragile ecosystem and be able to do something to protect seals and other marine mammals.
The e-mail link for RSVPs is in this announcement on the Seal Sitters’ site, which also includes location/time details.
Seattle Public Schools‘ current five-year strategic plan “Excellence for All” expires this year, and the district is working on a new one. An online survey that’s part of the process is ending in a few days, and the district is asking feedback from everyone – “families, students, staff, and members of the community” included, according to a reminder recently sent. It’s a quick survey, the district promises, and it starts here. Find more background – and links to take the survey in more languages – here. This Wednesday (February 27th) is the deadline.
(Great blue heron at Lowman Beach, by Flickr member “old desolate,” shared via WSB Flickr group)
Possibilities for your Sunday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
99 CLOSURE REMINDER: As crews prepare for tomorrow’s start of the “Timber Bridge” rebuilding project on Highway 99 south of the West Seattle Bridge, southbound 99 is closed from the Battery Street Tunnel to South Nevada Street, while northbound is closed only from S. Nevada to the WS Bridge (the eastbound bridge exit to northbound 99 remains open).
YES, THAT’S A CRUISE SHIP: As we write, the German cruise ship Amadea is in Elliott Bay, bound for Pier 66 downtown. Cruise ships don’t usually visit this early – but this one isn’t on the Alaska run that brings ships here throughout the summer; it’s on a worldwide cruise.
RELAY FOR LIFE-WEST SEATTLE KICKOFF: The cancer-fighting overnight event is four months away, but registration, planning, and organizing are under way, and today’s the gala kickoff for Relay of Life-West Seattle. Visit the Menashe Gym at Seattle Lutheran High School (41st/Genesee) 11 am-3 pm today to join in; details here.
SOUP-MAKING AT WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Chaco Canyon Café is scheduled to be at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market today, 11 am-1 pm (the full market runs 10 am-2 pm), to demonstrate soup-making with winter squash. 44th and Alaska.
CAMPAIGN COFFEE: City Councilmember Tim Burgess brings his mayoral campaign to Cupcake Royale (California/Alaska) 1-2 pm for a coffee event to talk with voters.
COOKING CLUB’S ‘SOUP OFF’: The West Seattle Cooking Club‘s “Soup Off” starts at 3:30 pm at Big Al Brewing – details (and map) here.
OSCAR PARTY AT THE FEEDBACK: Drink specials and “razzle dazzle” promised at the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) Oscar party: “The media snarkiness over clothing begins at 4 PM with the actual awards ceremony starting at 5 PM.” 6451 California SW.
OSCAR PARTY AT OUTWEST: 4 pm, California/Brandon, per the bar’s event calendar.
OSCAR PARTY ON VASHON: When we put out an open call for Oscar parties, we also heard from Eileen Wolcott, a third-generation West Seattleite and owner of the Vashon Theatre. A short ferry ride away, her theater has a big bash too, starting at 4 pm – “… the best Oscar event ever! Hop on the 3:40 boat to Vashon and watch the Oscars on the big screen, limo rides, catered dinner, costume contests, and live entertainment replace the commercial breaks. … It is our 10-year anniversary as owners, and we are donating all the prizes!” Find more details on the theater’s website.
BENEFIT CLOTHING SWAP: This is also the big night for the women’s-clothing swap to benefit moms-of-babies support organization Early Days, 5:30-7:30 pm at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW – details in our earlier preview.
(First two photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
Inside the tiled turret on the Roxhill Castle play structure, that’s a view that soon only children will see. We got a peek when we dropped by the soon-to-open renovated playground on Saturday to see how “artist in residence” Mike Henderson and volunteers are doing:
There’s still work to be done, and more help would be welcome. The playground’s not ready to open yet, but that’s not because of the turret project – remember, there’s a skatespot going in next door, too:
(Aerial photo by Long Bach Nguyen)
From the air, you can see the scope of the project. Here’s the skatespot view from ground level:
(This photo and those below are by Nick Adams for WSB)
WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams photographed it during a visit to the site earlier this week. But the skatespot is a separate project, out of the playground volunteers’ control. So they’re working on the mosaic, which includes the face of a dragon …
… and the grace of an astronaut:
The tile work is proceeding under a tarp:
Mike told us they’re not ready to grout yet and would still appreciate help – e-mail him at centerforawesome@gmail.com to coordinate when and how you can assist. These are the finishing touches on the project, most of which went up thanks to days of volunteer work back in November, with the replacement “castle” accompanied by new features awaiting the go-ahead for playtime:
That surveillance camera image, says Pete, shows a thief rolling his package away – after an earlier image showed her heading toward his house with nothing in the stroller/cart. He says the theft happened Friday of last week: “I reported it to the police but I was seeing other people in the Highland Park area also reporting missing packages. … I live in the area of 14th and Thistle … be on the lookout for people using this tactic.”
From Admiral, Brian reports his vehicle was broken into – in the underground garage of his building in the 2600 block of 42nd SW:
Sometime during the night of 2/20 or early morning of 2/21 my Suburban was burgled while parked in the underground parking garage. They smashed two windows and stole several thousand dollars of professional video and audio equipment. The officer who took my report said there had been several other parking garage incidents in the WS area, going along with the general rise in crime in our neighborhood.
Be careful … parking in a “secure” garage isn’t a guarantee of safety!
And a reminder: Your next chance to learn more about crime prevention/crimefighting is this Tuesday night when the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meets at 6:30, Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster) – mail theft and mail fraud are the focus. All welcome, even if you’re not part of a Block Watch (yet).
The Schmitz Park Elementary gym hosted a tournament all day – but its standard equipment, the hoops and climbing wall, went unused: This was the first-ever West Seattle Chess Tournament, as announced here a month ago. All day long during the five-round tournament with students from around the city – not just SP – young players faced off (our photos were taken just before a round), then waited for their next opponents to be posted, while the room was set up again:
Parents took photos and judges kept watch.
As the day progressed, trophies awaited:
The tournament was presented by the educational Chess Mates Foundation, led by chess champion/International Master Georgi Orlov, whose organization is working on something that has people excited for next year, when for the first time, the Washington State Elementary Chess Championships will be held in Seattle in 2014 (a website is in the works here). That event’s project manager Ryan Schmierer talked with us on the sidelines of today’s event and told us it hasn’t been held in Seattle before because of venue size challenges – but it’s set now for the relatively new Seattle cruise terminal at Magnolia’s Smith Cove.
March 8-9 will launch spring/summer sale season in West Seattle – we’ve already published one reason why, and here’s the other! From West Side Presbyterian Church:
Come to West Side Presbyterian March 8th from 9 am to 5 pm and Saturday March 9th from 9 am to 2 pm. Over 200 families contribute to this famous sale! Quality clothing, housewares, furniture, jewelry; real and costume, books, and more! Free coffee available all day and baked goods for sale. All proceeds from this sale benefit youth-outreach programs at West Side Presbyterian Church. 3601 California Ave SW, 206-935-4477
Two side notes:
1. WSB-sponsored West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day is May 11th – we’ll start talking here (and on the WSCGSD Facebook page) about signups in just a few weeks.
2. When time comes for your own garage/yard sale – here’s how to share the news via WSB.
The Atomic Boys namesakes themselves, Max and Quinn, had stepped out just before we stopped by, but we did get their atomic parents Parris and Kent Sadow to pose in honor of their Admiral District shop’s fifth anniversary. You are welcome to stop by the retro toys, novelty, candy, etc. shop till about 6 today (4311 SW Admiral Way) and enjoy a five-cent retro soda in honor of the occasion. We asked what’s new – always a challenging question if your shop deals in what’s old as well as new – and did learn they are now official Kit-Cat Clock dealers:
No small feat, we’re told. The distinctive moving-eyes-and-tail clocks are celebrating their 80th anniversary, Kent pointed out. While 5 years is a fraction of that, we can attest to the fact it’s a big deal for a small business (having marked our own 5th two months ago), so congratulations, Atomic Boys!
(City of Seattle photo)
Another chance to dig in and help out next Saturday (and in this case, beyond)! South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) is right next to the West Duwamish Greenbelt, the largest remaining contiguous forest in our city, and some of its students are hoping to round up some help as they join the ongoing work to help it recover:
Join the South Seattle Community College Ecological Restoration Class, along with our sponsoring partners, the Nature Consortium and Green Seattle Partnership, as we turn a section of the forest from a long- neglected and wounded place to a once again vital forest habitat, protecting the bank from erosion, building habitat for wildlife and reinvigorating and extending the life of our neighborhood backyard forest.
Volunteering can be very rewarding! This work will be!
3 CHANCES TO PARTICIPATE Sat, March 2nd, Thurs. Mar. 7th & Sat. Mar. 9th 10 am-2 pm
Meet at 10:00 a.m. at 14th & Holly (Holly is two blocks south of campus). Wear warm clothes (layers allow for fluctuations), long- sleeves and good sturdy boots (Wellingtons okay). You will get dirty! And so will your clothes and your shoes and your nose; that’s all just a part of the fun. Tools, work gloves, snacks and coffee will be provided.
Please bring a bottle of water, preferably reusable. Litter in the forest is comprised of pine needles and other natural debris!
3 Chances to Serve/Work/Volunteer/Give Back Any way you want to think about it, get outside and be a part of nature as you contribute to making it a better place for all.
Contact Daniel at dmcollins1962@gmail.com to RSVP or just show up at 10!
(Not the cleanup site, but not far! Beauty shot from Michael of the Beach Creeps)
Even before the crowds of spring and summer arrive, Alki Beach and points south need a helping hand or two, or ten, or a hundred. A group of bicycling friends is hoping you’ll lend yours for their planned cleanup one week from today – or at least donate trash bags and gloves:
The Alki Beach Creeps Bicycle Club is planning on doing a beach cleanup, March 2nd at noon.
We are going to start at Constellation Park and pick up as much of the trash as we can that afternoon. There is a HUGE mass of styrofoam and plastic on that side of the beach, along with a lot of random trash. We feel that it’s important to give back to our community and will do our best with our limited resources to do our part.
We have 15 members or so but anyone is free to attend. Trash bags, gloves, and beer (to keep us motivated) will gladly be accepted. Thank you very much and we look forward to your help keeping Alki looking creepy!
For questions about donations, please feel free to E-Mail: Michael D. Adams (Director of Marketing) at brothamichael@mac.com
Sincerely,
Guy Olson/Willis Mathiasen
Co-Presidents
Alki Beach Creeps Bicycle Club
Yes, we’re sure they know the rules; the beer’s no doubt for afterward. Anyway, now that spring cleanup season is here, let us know about yours – editor@westseattleblog.com – we already have a few more announcements in queue.
Meet the 7 Pirate Pandas – from left, Max, Ethan, Jonathan, Marcel, Lucas, Max. They are the winning Global Reading Challenge team from Arbor Heights Elementary after competition on Friday afternoon. Ten teams of 4th and 5th graders started the afternoon, answered questions about the 10 books that had to be read by this year’s competitors — and the Pirate Pandas, all 4th graders in Ms. Boitano’s class (per a parent volunteer who shared info and the photo), emerged victorious. The GRC is a Seattle Public Library-led program, and seven West Seattle elementaries are among the contenders again this year. The semi-finals are at the downtown library the week of March 11th, and then the finalists face off there on March 26th.
(Northern Flicker photographed in Lincoln Park earlier this month by Mark Wangerin)
Happy weekend! Just some of what’s on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for today/tonight:
ATOMIC BOYS’ 5TH ANNIVERSARY: The retro toy/candy/more shop in The Admiral District is celebrating its 5th anniversary 10 am-6 pm today with specials including five-cent retro soda. 4311 SW Admiral Way; more here.
THE BRIDGE’S 2ND ANNIVERSARY: Specials and raffles as the drinks-and-food-and-fun place on 35th SW just south of SW Avalon Way turns two. Raffling starts at 8; details here.
BARLEYWINE BACCHANAL: Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) launches its 11th annual celebration, with today’s focus on Washington beverages, as listed here. Starts at noon.
DADDY-DAUGHTER DANCE: 4-6 pm at the West Seattle Christian Church Activity Center on 42nd between Genesee and Oregon. Free admission, but registration appreciated.
RAT CITY ROLLERGIRLS IN WHITE CENTER! Four teams from RCRG will bout at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), doors open 5:30 pm, skating at 6 pm. Details in our calendar listing.
PURIM CELEBRATIONS: Two local celebrations of the Jewish holiday – 5:30 pm at Kol Haneshamah (62nd and Hinds), details here … 7:30 pm with the West Seattle Torah Learning Center; RSVP requested by e-mail or phone, contact info’s in the calendar listing.
OWL PROWL AT CAMP LONG: Check fast to see if there’s still room! Here’s how. 5:30 pm, 5200 35th SW.
TALK MONEY AND POLITICS: The social-justice committee of WSUU invites you to join the discussion – detailed here – 6 pm at the church, 7141 California SW.
FAUNTLEROY FUNDRAISER: Roo and The Few with Delia Finney, performing a benefit at the Fauntleroy Church Fellowship Hall (9140 California SW), 7 pm.
HA-HA’S FOR TA-TA’S: Help breast-cancer-fighting Team Tracy raise money, while laughing it up with local comedy at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), 8 pm. Ticket info’s on the Facebook event page.
MORE NIGHTLIFE: Live music in more than a few places – see the calendar.
NOT IN WEST SEATTLE, BUT … #1: The Northwest Flower and Garden Show continues today and tomorrow at the Convention Center downtown, and is sponsoring WSB to make sure you get the word about the big show.
NOT IN WEST SEATTLE, BUT … #2: The Seattle Home Show continues today too, with exhibitors including WSB sponsor Potter Construction.
(99 at S. Atlantic. You should see NB traffic on the right through the weekend, but no SB traffic on the left)
WSDOT is scheduled to be closing Highway 99 right now for a weekend of preparations preceding a year-plus of work to rebuild the so-called “Timber Bridge” section south of the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s what’s closed:
NORTHBOUND 99
*Only closed from S. Nevada to the WS Bridge – the exit from the eastbound WS Bridge WILL stay open and you CAN go NB on 99 from here
SOUTHBOUND 99
*Closed from the Battery Street Tunnel to S. Nevada, so this weekend you CAN’T get to the West Seattle Bridge from SB 99
DETOUR MAP
*See it here
TRAFFIC PATTERN WHEN THE CLOSURES END MONDAY MORNING
*The “Timber Bridge” will run two northbound and one southbound lane throughout construction. Here’s a look at how that’s supposed to work.
(First two photos by WSB’s Katie Meyer)
1:04 AM: Most of the units are being canceled, but if you’re west of The Junction in the 48th/Hudson area, the initial response was for a “heavy rescue” call related to a crashed truck. First crews on the scene say the person in the truck got out OK, so there’s no need for “heavy rescue,” which usually means someone has to be cut out of wreckage.
1:30 AM: WSB’s Katie Meyer reports from the scene that the driver is indeed OK; the truck is on its side against a hedge. This is an intersection with a traffic circle, since 48th SW otherwise is a long straightaway – through residential neighborhoods – from Seaview to Genesee (and this intersection also is where you can head west toward Jacobsen for access to Beach Drive). We’re adding a photo from neighbor David atop the story for starters. Katie, meantime, says that the intersection is not blocked, so late-night drivers can still get to/through that area.
2:07 AM: Added Katie’s photos; neighbor David sent new ones as the wreckage was handled by a tow crew, so that’s what you see over this paragraph. Katie was told at the scene that it did not appear to be a high-speed crash – maybe 30 to 40 mph, though that’s fast enough at an intersection with a traffic circle.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON P.S. This has been classified as a DUI investigation.
Two local businesspeople e-mailed to share photos of this afternoon’s rainbow – seemingly at the end of the road(s), east of West Seattle. Above, Jon Daniels of Seattle Fish Company caught the view looking down SW Genesee; below, Anne Higuera of Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) stopped to rainbow-watch along SW Findlay:
Though it’s been a wind-whipped afternoon, the forecast suggests it’ll calm down in the hours ahead – breezy, chilly, maybe showery.
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