West Seattle, Washington
01 Friday
This isn’t particularly controversial, but if you pay attention to public process, it’s notable: A City Council vote tomorrow is expected to pave the way for the end of a five-year process involving a West Seattle street vacation. That’s the term for a publicly owned right-of-way – whether developed as a street or not – being given up by the public entity that owns it. In this case, both the West Coast Self-Storage facility that opened more than a year ago on Harbor Avenue SW and nearby Nucor are getting something out of the transfer of three-fifths of an acre of land that technically have been undeveloped parts of 29th SW and SW City View. We wrote extensively about the plan back in 2017, when councilmembers approved it. The self-storage company offered a package of “public benefits” estimated to be worth more than $300,000 (originally detailed in 2017), including metal art panels like these two and various pedestrian/bike-trail improvements:
Last Tuesday, the council’s Transportation and Utilities Committee got a presentation how it had all turned out. You can see it about 30 minutes into the meeting recording:
(Added: The slide deck from that meeting is here.) The purpose of this final part of the process is to confirm that the beneficiary of the street vacation has completed their obligation, The committee members who were present signaled their approval with “yes” votes. Tomorrow, the full council has to take one last vote. After that, there’ll be one last step to finalizing the turnover – the property will officially be transferred to WC Self-Storage, which has already paid the city more than a million dollars for it. If you’re wondering about Nucor’s role in all this – it involves part of the railroad tracks.
With one week to go until the Fourth of July, in past years this is when fireworks sales started in White Center and the rest of unincorporated North Highline, just south of West Seattle. Not this year. The fireworks ban in unincorporated King County has taken effect. If you’re outside the city limits – as published previously on our partner site White Center Now, here’s how the complaint/enforcement process will work:
With this year being the first that fireworks aren’t permitted, King County is emphasizing community education about the new rules and is deferring issuing citations for a year. However, that doesn’t mean folks will be able to light fireworks without repercussion. As of June 14th, residents have been able to report violators to the King County Permitting Division:
-Online by visiting kingcounty.gov/reportfireworks (Users will have to sign up for our system)
-Phone: 206-848-0800
King County will issue a warning to violators and include them in our records. If the behavior continues, these violators will likely be the first to eventually receive citations. Local Services is finalizing the details of how violators will be cited beginning in 2023.
Fireworks of course have long since been banned from sale and use on both sides of North Highline, in Seattle and Burien
An accused rapist is in the King County Jail after being arrested in The Junction early Saturday. We first learned of the arrest from this SPD summary:
It has been reported that, every weekend for weeks, a suspect has been terrorizing patrons and employees of various Admiral/Alaska Junction establishments and venues. Officers have become familiar with the subject and staff have formed a loose community advising one another whenever the suspect or his vehicle come into the area. Generally, suspect takes off prior to police arrival. On 06-25-2022 at 0149 hours, officers received a similar call for service. Officers determined that the suspect had a rape warrant with a $1,000,000 bail, formulated a plan and took suspect into custody without incident.
We’ve learned that the suspect is 29-year-old Domanick A. Gaskin; we obtained the photo at right from the state Department of Corrections, which had it because he has served time in state prison. Most recently, that was for a South Seattle case in 2018 that made regional news – in a domestic-violence incident in which he was described as both suspect and victim. Court records show he pleaded guilty to reduced charges in 2020 and was given a three-year sentence with credit for time already served. He had two prior robbery convictions a decade ago, as well as a domestic-violence conviction in 2016. The new rape case against him was just filed Friday and it too involved domestic violence, according to the court documents, in an incident that happened in North Seattle earlier this month. Now that he’s in custody, we’re waiting to hear back from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office about what happens next, and will add anything more we find out.
Thanks for the tip! Two of the peninsula’s Seattle Public Library branches are closed for the rest of the day because of the hot weather: West Seattle (Admiral), which is not air-conditioned, and Southwest, which is partly without A/C. The SPL announcement notes, “Book returns remain open and holds will be extended.” Both are expected to reopen tomorrow, since the heat is supposed to subside by then, with Tuesday’s high expected to be around 70.
While the opportunities for babies/toddlers/preschoolers are all booked up, Neighborhood Naturopathic (5410 California SW; WSB sponsor) just sent word that they have some openings this afternoon to vaccinate 5- to 11-year-olds. If you are interested, call 206-486-8383 ASAP.
If your family will have a kindergartener starting school this fall, this might be of interest, as announced by Holy Rosary Catholic School (WSB sponsor) in The Junction:
Holy Rosary School has a few rare Kindergarten openings for the 2022/23 school year. If you are interested in igniting your student’s spirit and mind, please contact admissions@holyrosaryws.org for a tour.
• Students engaged by enthusiastic teachers with hand-on curricula designed to spark creativity and encourage critical thinking.
• 8:30 am – 3:00 pm school day for K-8th grade
• Before & After School Care available
• STEM+ program
• 2 classes per grade
• Kindergarteners have 8th grade buddies
• MAPS testing – RIT scores are consistently higher than local & national averages for Catholic & non-Catholic schools
(WSB photo)
11:49 AM: Thanks for the tips. Seattle Police are investigating a robbery at the Westwood Village Chase Bank. Investigators were all inside the bank when we went over to try to find out more, so we weren’t able to talk with anyone, but it was dispatched about an hour ago as a “robbery at gunpoint,” involving two robbers; the gun was implied but not seen. No injuries reported. The bank is still closed while the investigation continues. We’re still listening to archived audio for description information.
12:07 PM: Officers told dispatch that the robbers were seen getting away in a silver sedan, likely a mid-2000s Mercedes “S or E class” linked to other robberies. They were described as 20ish Black men, one clothed partly in black and one clothed partly in orange; the car, with no rear plate, was last seen headed northbound on 29th SW from Barton.
3:02 PM: A bit more information from the preliminary police summary – “The (robbers) handed the bank employee a note that requested money and threatened to shoot up the bank if their demands weren’t met. The bank employee gave (them) cash, and (they) left the bank and entered a vehicle that was near Roxhill Park. … The suspects in this robbery are possibly the same suspects from a Robbery that occurred later at a Chase Bank in Des Moines.”
(WSB photo – seen in Gatewood)
Here’s what’s happening today, including ways to cool off:
SHOP! From Emerald Water Anglers (4502 SW Oregon, WSB sponsor), “Monday, June 27th, is National Women’s Fly Fishing Day! We are celebrating with 20% off all women’s apparel and equiptment. Come by and see us!” Open until 6 tonight.
WADE! As noted last night, two more local city-run wading pools open today, so EC Hughes (above) at 2805 SW Holden will be open noon-7 pm; same hours for South Park at 8319 8th Ave. S. And Lincoln Park at 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW is open noon-7 too.
SWIM! Colman Pool on the Lincoln Park shore is also open noon-7 pm.
PORT POLICE CHIEF CANDIDATES: 4:30 pm online, the two finalists for Port of Seattle police chief – Interim Chief Mike Villa and Seattle Police Capt. Eric Sano – will answer questions during a community forum. Info including the registration link is in our calendar listing.
ZEN SITTING/MEDITATION: Free weekly event at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm.
FREE-PLAY PINBALL: The Admiral Pub‘s 16 pinball machines are open for free play 7-10 pm Mondays. (2306 California SW)
TRIVIA X 3: Three scheduled options tonight for trivia players – 7 pm at Best of Hands (35th/Webster), 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Have something that should be listed on our calendar and in our daily previews? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The family of longtime West Seattle community advocate Dennis Ross has announced his death. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing:
Dennis Andrew Ross passed away on February 2, 2022 from congestive heart failure. Dennis was born on March 24, 1939. He was raised in Vinita Park, MO, a small village near the city line of St. Louis. He attended St. Rita’s grade school, Mercy High School and St. Louis University. He served in the US Marine Corps from 1963-1965. Dennis began his career at the Kroger Company, where he quickly established himself as a troubleshooting expert in transportation and logistics for the company. Kroger transferred him throughout the midwest including Peoria, IL, Pittsburgh, PA, Columbus, OH, Nashville, TN, and Cincinnati, OH.
After leaving Kroger with 20 years of service, he took similar positions in Phoenix and Los Angeles. He then lived in Durango, Colorado, where he pursued his love of the natural world. In the early 1990s he moved to Seattle, where he lived until his passing.
Wherever Dennis lived, he contributed to his community, volunteering and leading efforts to better those places and people he befriended, however he could best serve. He was unassuming, totally reliable, hard-working, and as clever as they come in the pursuit of what improved the world around him. West Seattle, where he lived, benefitted for many years from his dedication to improving that unique part of Seattle which he loved. HIs persistence and commitment to his community was most remarkable.
Dennis loved to travel, both throughout the United States as well as abroad. Even in his later years, with modest means, he figured out how to scratch that itch, be it train rides across Canada, bus trips to visit all the major-league parks in the midwest, even China to see the Great Wall and the terracotta soldiers.
He loved his Washington Huskies, attending all manner and number of sporting events, especially the Lady Husky basketball team. His capacity to understand systems, and how to improve them, never left him. He dispassionately surveyed the fate of the Seattle Mariners every Spring and accurately predicted their performance, which unfortunately has been far more dismal than successful. But he still went to Spring Training every chance he got.
His great passion was to walk the streets and parks of Seattle and central Puget Sound. He walked as much and as often as he could until he could walk no more. He was a proud and appreciated member of several organized walking clubs in Seattle. He rode the bus tirelessly throughout the region and railed about how he could fix its problems if only given a chance! And he was spot on … as always.
Dennis received great care from the VA hospital, which extended the quality of his life. His cardiac Nurse Practitioner, Sandy Cruz, looked out for him and was on his team all the way to the end. His final care at the LakeView Adult Family home was compassionate and competent. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents William A. Ross and Blanche Mowry Ross and his wife, Toni Ross. He is survived by his brothers Tom and Bill and his sister Sally. He was loved by many cousins and friends.
If people are moved to remember Dennis, donations to the Sierra Club or the American Diabetes Association would be appreciated. A celebration of Dennis’s life will occur later this summer.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
6:01 AM: Good morning; welcome to Monday, June 27th.
WEATHER
The heat advisory continues until 11 tonight, and today’s forecast suggests we’ll be in the 90s again (90 was Sunday’s official high).
ROAD WORK
*Pavement work – building concrete road panels – continues at California/Myrtle, with traffic alternating through one lane at times.
*Puget Sound Energy maintenance is scheduled on SW Roxbury between 14th and 15th today, Tuesday, and Thursday. The alert says this is how you might be affected: “Westbound travel on SW Roxbury St: The right lane and sidewalk will be closed from 7 AM to 2 PM. Additionally, the bus stop will be temporarily relocated 250 feet to the east. Eastbound travel on SW Roxbury St: The right lane will be closed from 9 AM to 3 PM. The sidewalk will be open.”
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedule; watch @kcmetroalerts for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.
The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.
Ferries: WSF continues on the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth – and WSF says that probably won’t change for many months. Check here for alerts/updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
827th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.
Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)
1st Avenue South Bridge:
South Park Bridge:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way (one of four recently installed cameras!):
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are tweeted by @wsdot_traffic.
All city traffic cams can be seen here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
From the Public Health – Seattle/King County dashboard, here’s our weekly look at countywide and West Seattle-specific COVID numbers:
*Zero percent change in cases countywide between the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 1,001 new daily cases countywide (up from 995 when we checked a week ago)
*22 percent fewer hospitalizations countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 14 new hospitalizations daily (down from 18 a week ago)
*22 percent fewer deaths in the past two weeks than the two previous weeks (the dashboard doesn’t offer a one-week increment)
*Currently averaging 2 deaths daily (same two-week average as last week)
For West Seattle, we have two-week comparisons (these are the combined totals from two “health reporting areas,” labeled West Seattle and Delridge):
*799 cases between 6/6 and 6/20, down from 886 between 5/22 and 6/5
*9 hospitalizations between 6/6 and 6/20, up from 7 between 5/22 and 6/5
*No deaths between 6/6 and 6/20, down from 3 between 5/22 and 6/5
VACCINATION: As reported last week, the Western States review workgroup has affirmed that the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are safe and effective for children 6 months to 4 years old. Also, boosters are recommended for everyone 5 and up. Checking vaccination rates:
*81.5 percent of all King County residents have completed the initial series (up .1% from a week ago)
*86.2 percent of all King County residents ages 5 and up have completed the initial series (unchanged from a week ago)
*50.8 percent of all King County residents have had the initial series plus a booster (up .2% from a week ago)
*In West Seattle, here are the zip-code vaccination rates for ages 5 and up (reminder, 98106 and 98146 are not entirely within WS):
98106 – 88.6% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 55.0% have had a booster (up .5%)
98116 – 93.4% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 67.1% have had a booster (up .7%)
98126 – 84.1% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 57.0% have had a booster (up .5%)
98136 – 94.1% completed initial series (same as a week earlier), 70.1% have had a booster (up .6%)
98146 – 83.5% completed initial series (up .1% from a week earlier), 49.4% have had a booster (up .3%)
TESTING: If you want to get tested and don’t have a kit at home, public testing sites include the city-supported site at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle, 9 am-5:30 pm Mondays-Saturdays except some holidays) and the Curative kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1220 Harbor SW, 9 am-3 pm Monday-Friday except holidays). … If you need to report self-test results, that’s explained on this page.
VACCINE CLINICS: No new pop-ups to report; the one we mentioned earlier this week, for newly eligible children, filled up fast. Look for opportunities here.
What could be the next West Seattle Junction redevelopment project to start construction needs one more level of approval from the Southwest Design Review Board, and a date is now set for their next look at it. The proposal would replace a small commercial building at 4448 California SW [map] with a seven-story mixed-use building, including almost 100 apartments as well as ground-floor commercial space, with no offstreet parking required or planned. The project cleared the first phase of Design Review last year (here’s our coverage from November), and is penciled in to return to the board at 5 pm Thursday, August 4th, online. Here’s the draft design packet with details on the plan. The August review will include a public-comment period, but if you have something to say, you can also email the project’s assigned city planner, at david.sachs@seattle.gov.
Just in time for what’s expected to be the finale of this mini-heat wave, two more local wading pools open tomorrow: EC Hughes (above) at 2805 SW Holden will be open noon-7 pm Mondays, Tuesdays, and Sundays through August 21st, and South Park at 8319 8th Ave. S. will be open noon-7 pm Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, Lincoln Park at 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW is already open daily (except for cool weather) noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day, and Delridge at 4501 Delridge Way SW will be the last to open, noon-5:30 pm Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays starting this week. One more option for little ones to stay cool: Highland Park Spraypark at 1100 SW Cloverdale, open daily through Labor Day, 11 am-8 pm. See the citywide schedule here.
7:07 PM: Thanks for the tip! 55th SW is blocked at Andover right now because of a small smoldering fire atop a utility pole. SFD is there, waiting for City Light.
8:24 PM: SFD has closed the call.
10:42 PM: Commenter Jenny says there’s now a power outage in the area; the SCL map shows 86 homes out as of less than half an hour ago.
(WSB photos)
More than 100 people, from kids to seniors, took a spirited walk along California Avenue SW this afternoon during the third annual West Seattle Pride March. Its founders, married couple Monica Colgan and Autumn Lovewell, led the way after a short, emotional speech to the crowd:
Lovewell told the crowd, “We do this for our youth, first and foremost – they need our support, especially with what’s going on in our country” – a renewed attack on LGBTQIA+ rights. So the show of support matters more than ever.
Along the march route, from Morgan Junction Park north to California/Findlay, there were shows of allyship – from people standing along the sidewalk, to drivers honking their horns and cheering as they passed. One local church expressed its support by joining in the march.
A little whimsy along the way, too:
All this unfolded even as the city’s Pride Parade rolled through downtown, and amid the year’s hottest temperatures so far:
At the end of the route – the march segued into a celebration inside the air-conditioned event space that Lovwell and Colgan operate next to their businesses Youngstown Coffee Company and HeartBeet Organic Superfood Café:
The music supported the day’s theme – songs like Madonna‘s “Respect Yourself.” Lovewell and Colgan founded the local Pride March shortly after taking over Youngstown in June 2020, reminding everyone then, as they did again this year, that “the first Pride was a protest, not a parade.”
(WSB photo – Saturday beachgoers on Alki)
4:28 PM: The National Weather Service‘s afternoon forecast update is in, and it’s still projecting a high in the 90s on Monday, with the heat advisory continuing in effect until late Monday night. Tuesday might not even get out of the 60s. So what about the Fourth of July weekend? The NWS says it’s still too soon to predict with confidence, but they’re tentatively forecasting clouds for at least part of the weekend.
5:26 PM: Today’s high so far at Sea-Tac is 90 degrees – but that’s cool compared to last year, when the June 26th high was 102.
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
HIT-RUN: Aaron reports that vehicle was left behind after an early-morning hit-and-run in Sunrise Heights: “We heard a neighbor’s vehicle get hit at 3:14 this morning. The car involved was abandoned on the sidewalk at the corner of 31st and Myrtle, and the 3 occupants fled north on foot through Walt Huntley Playfield.” It’s since been towed. If you have any info, the SPD incident # is 22-163181.
PACKAGE DELIVERED, THEN TAKEN: From Jessica and AJ:
I’d just like to spread the word for the neighborhood of 27th and Thistle to keep an eye out for a package thief. They hit us immediately after the package was dropped off at 12:20 pm today.
The summer’s a great time to get in the water – as long as you can do it safely! Swim lessons tend to fill up fast around here but the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) tells us they’ve added some. The announcement says, “At the Y, we are committed to water safety and ensuring that every youth in the West Seattle community has the opportunity to learn to swim. We have added some additional Swim Lesson options during the day for the remainder of the summer season!” To find open sessions, scroll down this page until you get past the ones that are marked “full.” You can also visit the front desk at the Y in The Triangle, 3622 SW Snoqualmie.
(Friday night photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here’s what’s ahead for your sizzling Sunday:
ROAD-WORK REMINDERS: SDOT expects to finish building curb ramps at Dumar/Orchard: “This work will include pouring concrete and paving the road in front of the curb ramp. We expect to begin as early as 8 AM and conclude by 5 PM. We do not anticipate any major traffic impacts.” Also today, “we’re pouring concrete for the lane divider on SW Spokane St in the vicinity of 11th Ave SW near Harbor Island. This is phase two of three phases to repair the damaged lane divider. We anticipate this work to begin as early as 8 AM and conclude by 4 PM. Traffic impacts include closure of the East Marginal Way S and the lower SW Spokane St ramps. There will be a detour in place for those traveling in the area.” Plus WSDOT continues its “Revive I-5” SB lane closures for expansion-joint work.
PINEAPPLE FIESTA RUN: First time at Lincoln Park, this 5K/10K benefiting educational programs gets going at 8 am.
FIELD DAY: Continuing until 11 am, local ham-radio operators welcome you to their 24-hour “open house” in the north lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) – see our report from last night for more info; this link has the schedule,
CHURCHES WITH ONLINE SERVICES: We’re continuing to list these – see today’s list here.
WEST SEATTLE GARDEN TOUR: 9 am-5 pm, but if you haven’t already bought a ticket, sorry, it’s sold out!
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, find fresh food – produce, meat, fish, cheese, beverages, baked goods, and prepared food – and plants at the weekly WSFM. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
DEMONSTRATION FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS: Abortion-rights supporters are planning to march at California/Alaska 10 am-11:30 am. Organizers explain here, “We are just two pissed=off moms that want to bring this community together to mourn, find solace, organize and protest the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade. This is a peaceful gathering (be respectful of the local businesses and market) wear green, bring signs, your voice, and water.”
LITTLE LEAGUE ALL-STARS TOURNAMENT: West Seattle Little League‘s baseball and softball all-stars have started competition with the 12s baseball tournament WSLL is hosting at Bar-S (64th and Admiral), Today’s first game is at 10 am, public welcome – see the bracket here.
POP-UP MARKET: 11 am-4 pm at Future Primitive Brewing (9832 14th SW in White Center), the monthly market includes local growers and makers – among them, West Seattle’s Cascadia Wicks candlemaker, who’s donating 10 percent of today’s sales to the Northwest Abortion Access Fund.
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Only city-park wading pool open today in West Seattle is in central upper Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day (weather permitting).
COLMAN POOL: The outdoor pool on the Lincoln Park shore (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open noon-7 pm.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The Southwest Seattle Historical Society museum< is open on Alki, and you can visit noon-4 pm, (61st/Stevens)
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE: Weekly tours are back, as reported here. First tour at 1 pm, last at 3:45; here’s how it works.
WEST SEATTLE PRIDE MARCH: West Seattle’s own Pride March, 2 pm to 4 pm, sponsored by Youngstown Coffee and HeartBeet Organic Superfood Café. The four-block march will end at those businesses, after starting at 2 at Morgan Junction Park (6413 California SW). Organizers note, “The short march is great for families and pets too! Walk, skate, bike, dance, or stroll the route with your friends and family. Celebrate our LGBTQ community here in West Seattle!” They also add here, “Pride was and still is a protest! Feel free to bring your signs and frustrations with you.”
WEST SEATTLE CLASSIC NOVELS (AND MOVIES) BOOK CLUB: Monthly meeting at 3 pm at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) – our calendar listing has details on this month’s meeting.
MIKU, AND THE GODS. At 3 pm, it’s a matinee performance of this world-premiere play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), tickets available here. (Read our story about playwright Julia Izumi here.)
(ADDED) GUN-SAFETY BENEFIT: At Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW): “Show up for gun safety! This Sunday from 4-7 pm join your neighbors at Highland Park Corner Store for a benefit for Everytown for Gun Safety. Enjoy live music from Echo Ravine (featuring West Seattle residents and former members of Band of Horses) and smash burgers from Farmboy. All proceeds from Future Primitive’s Nazi Punks F* Off draft will go to Everytown – and reps from Everytown and Moms Demand Action will be there in case you want to get more involved.”
NEED FOOD? White Center Community Dinner Church serves a free meal (take-away available) at 5 pm Sundays at the Salvation Army Center in South Delridge (9050 16th SW).
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
SUNDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: 9 pm to 1:30 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
Have an event to list on our calendar? We update it daily – email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
2:15 AM: Another Seattle Fire “full response” has just been dispatched, this time to the 7500 block of Fauntleroy Way SW [vicinity map]. Updates to come.
2:18 AM: This one is described as a deck fire. Everyone is reported to be safely out.
2:24 AM: The fire is reported to have spread to the house. Fauntleroy is blocked both ways in the area.
2:28 AM: The fire is reported to be under control.
4:21 AM: SFD has now closed this call too.
1:57 AM: Seattle Fire has a “full response” headed to a possible house fire in the 2500 block of SW Portland Court [vicinity map]. Updates to come.
2 AM: One of the first units on scene reports light smoke.
2:04 AM: They’ve assessed it as a “small wall fire.” All five people who were home are reported to be out safely. … The response is being downsized.
3:02 AM: This call is now closed, meaning all SFD units have left the scene.
(WSB photos)
With a field full of antennas and a parking lot full of trailers and tents, three local ham-radio groups are teaming up for this year’s Field Day, which continues into the night and until late tomorrow morning on the north side of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor). It’s a chance to educate the public and also part of a nationwide contest.
As Greg (W7GFW) was doing while we were there this evening, the radio operators are logging as many contacts as they can make. Different atmospheric conditions and different radio bands make for varied chances to reach others far and near. There are two main ways to make contacts, we’re told – either “search and pounce,” seeing which frequencies have activity and jumping in, or “run a frequency” – choose where you’re going to hang out and wait for others to come find you.
Ham radio continues to grow in popularity, we learned from Eric Linxweiler, who showed us around and explained much of what was going on. All ages, too – he works with Scouts and says his troop has several newly licensed hams. Another aspect of Field Day is testing out your setup and equipment, with an eye toward being able to operate off the grid in case of catastrophe:
Hams have long been working on disaster response – Cindi Barker explained one program they’re working on at Field Day, involving volunteers relaying messages from region to region, email sent over radio waves, to help reconnect people if disaster breaks regular communication methods:
You’re welcome to stop by tomorrow morning before Field Day ends around 11 am – they even have a tent where visitors can “get on the air” and see what it’s like. But if you can’t get out there this weekend, reach out any time to the West Seattle Amateur Radio Club (one of the three Field Day participating groups, along with the Puget Sound Repeater Group and Seattle Auxiliary Communications Service).
Thanks to Kathy Rawle for sending the photo and note about yet another of the two-dozen-plus events that were on our Saturday list:
(Photo by Jonathan Rawle)
At C&P Coffee today. More than a dozen action groups, and lots of people and energy.
The participating groups are on the flyer shown in our calendar listing.
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