West Seattle, Washington

19 Friday

55℉

month : 06/2015 320 results

TOMORROW MORNING: Alki Beach cleanup with Seal Sitters
June 12, 2015 8:18 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | How to help | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Thanks to Lamont Granquist for that photo from earlier this week – yes, taken from a distance, while a Seal Sitters Marine Stranding Network volunteer guarded the pup near Alki Point Lighthouse. We saved it so we could publish it with this reminder of tomorrow morning’s beach cleanup on Alki – meet Seal Sitters at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki) at 9 am; the cleanup continues until 11:30, but whatever time you can give to it will be appreciated. The cleanup is in honor of Sandy the seal pup who died in 2012 after getting tangled in marine debris, and the Arroyos gray whale whose 2010 necropsy revealed a belly full of trash. Whatever you clean from the beach tomorrow (or any other day) will be that much less pollution in our waters – if it’s left on the beach, it’ll get into Puget Sound eventually.

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West Seattle wins KEXP Hood-To-Hood Challenge, 2nd year in a row
June 12, 2015 6:37 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

If you liked the May 29th KEXP Hood-To-Hood victory party in West Seattle … or if you missed it and want another chance … good news: WS just “won” the challenge again. As mentioned in our daily preview, this was the designated day for donations, with neighborhoods “competing,” and when it all ended at 6 pm, West Seattle was about a thousand dollars ahead of Capitol Hill and vicinity, so we get the party next year too. It’ll be a while before the date and other details are set, but stay tuned.

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PM TRAFFIC ALERTS: Crash on westbound high bridge; protesters west of low bridge; SFD response
June 12, 2015 4:06 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

4:06 PM: Thought this one would be clear by peak pm commute, but it isn’t yet, so: A crash is blocking the right lane of the westbound bridge, Spokane Street Viaduct section, right by the 1st Avenue South ramps and Harbor Island exit. Scanner-monitored discussion seems to indicate tow availability is an issue. So if you are heading this way sometime soon, southbound 99 might be a better bet than anything to the east of it.

4:51 PM UPDATE: The traffic camera has been turned, so we can’t see the original scene, but checking other cameras, the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct seems to be moving OK. However, we’ve just heard police dispatched to the Marginal/Chelan/Delridge/etc. intersection for this afternoon’s anti-Shell protest. Can’t tell from the SDOT cameras what’s happening there (except that police are just arriving, and then going out of frame); we’re on the way to check it out.

5 PM: Also happening now: A mid-level SFD response on Bradford west of Avalon. They’re handling a deck fire.

5:25 PM: The fire response is way uphill from Avalon toward the Bradford dead-end, not affecting traffic. We also have just passed the five-ways intersection; police and a few demonstrators, one with a megaphone, are visible, and westbound traffic on West Marginal is backed up to a block south of the bridges.

5:35 PM: Passing back westbound 10 minutes later – the demonstrators aren’t there any more; a group of bicycle officers are under the flyover a short way north off the spur of West Marginal.

5:42 PM: TW pointed out in comments that RapidRide C Line is running slow; Metro has just texted to blame “traffic.” No further elaboration.

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SDOT confirms West Seattle’s next school-zone speed camera will be on Delridge by the Boren Building
June 12, 2015 2:32 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Safety | West Seattle news

SDOT‘s been saying for months that it was about to announce its next round of school-zone speed cameras, and every time we’ve checked with them, they’ve said the most likely contender in West Seattle would be Delridge Way, by the Boren Building (home to STEM and interim home, for one more year, to Arbor Heights Elementary). Now it’s official. Just in from SDOT:

To reduce speeding and improve safety for school children, contractors working for the City of Seattle will begin installing speed enforcement cameras for six schools starting Monday, June 15.

[The only West Seattle location is]:

* Delridge Way SW for K-5 STEM at Boren

Once functional the cameras will take photos of vehicles that exceed the school zone speed limit of 20 m.p.h., and drivers will receive citations in the mail. The school zone speed limit is in effect for approximately one hour in the morning as students arrive at school and one hour in the afternoon when students are dismissed. Flashing beacons have been installed to emphasize the times when the school zone speed limit is in effect.

The camera installation work will occur from June through August. Seattle Police will issue warnings for 30 days beginning September 9 and will start issuing citations on October 9.

See the full announcement, including the other five new camera sites around the city, by going here. West Seattle already has three school-zone speed cameras: Fauntleroy Way by Gatewood Elementary, and two on SW Roxbury, by Roxhill Elementary and Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Have you seen this stolen red pickup?
June 12, 2015 2:23 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Gatewood | West Seattle news

From Johnny and Kalynn on SW Austin in Gatewood:

We woke up this morning and our truck had been stolen. It’s a Red 1994 Ford F150 XLT. The license place is C89822C. Only the back license plate is on. The front has no plate. If anyone has seen it, we would really like to get it back.

If you see it – as SPD advises, call 911.

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West Seattle scene: Bald eagle, ready for its closeup
June 12, 2015 1:15 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

More news in the works, but first – a photo break! Bald eagles are increasingly common sights along West Seattle’s waterfront – but have you ever seen one this up-close-and-personal? Lynn Hall shares the view from Anchor (Luna) Park on Duwamish Head. It’s been almost eight years since bald eagles came off the Endangered Species List, but as this page explains, they are still protected.

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West Seattle restaurants: Zatz A Better Bagel closing
June 12, 2015 11:09 am
|      102 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

ORIGINAL REPORT, FRIDAY MORNING: Thanks to everyone who called and messaged this morning with word that Zatz A Better Bagel in The Admiral District has announced it’s closing its doors after Sunday. We went to the shop to confirm this, and also have spoken with its proprietor. Zatz has been listed for sale for a while, but no buyer has come forward, owner Don Nolan told WSB by phone. He says they’re closing because the business has been “in Chapter 11.” He’s owned the shop for 9 years, and it had been open for a decade before he took it over. Zatz’s closure will leave four restaurant/bar spaces shuttered within one Admiral block, following the Benbow (ex-Heartland Café) in March, The Cask last fall, and Royal India Grill in May 2014.

ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: We went by late this afternoon in hopes of catching the final bagel buyers, but by 4 pm (an hour earlier than posted), Zatz was already closed, empty racks visible through the window. Here’s the sign on the door:

We heard from several readers who said Saturday was busy too; Christine sent us a note Saturday morning pointing out the crowd and saying that, as a regular, she was shocked to hear about the imminent closure: “We’re here this morning having our last Scrambagel and thanking the great staff for all the years of wonderful memories and.delicious bagels!”

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West Seattle Friday: End-of-school-year celebrations; Sip & Paint; barge concert; more…
June 12, 2015 10:53 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Bushtit fledgling, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Big fun on the way this afternoon and evening – here are a few highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: Some independent/parochial schools are already out for the year; today is the last day – with early dismissal – for several more, including Tilden School (WSB sponsor), Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Holy Rosary. (Anyone else?) Seattle Public Schools‘ last day of classes isn’t until next Tuesday.

‘OUT OF SCHOOL BASH’: 4-7 pm at High Point Community Center, a celebration of the fact school’s ALMOST out, with free hot dogs and hamburgers, plus games, bouncy toys, and entertainment, all kids welcome. (6920 34th SW)

CARNIVAL: You’re also invited to Mount View Elementary School in White Center for a carnival and benefit 4-6 pm today, raising money for its PTA and also for its sister school in Honduras. Facepainting, bouncy houses, raffle prizes, games, more. (10811 12th SW)

‘PARTY PROTEST ON THE SOUND’: In case you missed our early-morning roundup of updates related to Shell at Terminal 5, another Friday night concert has been announced for the protest barge off Don Armeni Boat Ramp, titled “#BringTheBoom: Party Protest on the Sound,” 4-9 pm. Here’s the tentative lineup as tweeted by sponsor Hollow Earth Radio. (1220 Harbor SW)

SIP & PAINT: 6-9 pm benefit tonight at Senior Center of West Seattle – enjoy wine while painting, and take home your creation, as explained here. (Oregon/California)

RYEGRASS AT KENYON HALL: 7:30 pm, this longtime bluegrass band performs at Kenyon Hall to start your weekend off right – details in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)

WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON? See for yourself – for today/tonight, this weekend, and beyond – on our calendar.

P.S. Two weeks after the West Seattle party thrown by KEXP for our neighborhood “winning” the Hood-To-Hood pledge drive last year, today is THIS YEAR’S chance to donate and potentially bring it back next year.

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In case you wondered too: Pierce County ferry off West Seattle
June 12, 2015 10:22 am
|    Comments Off on In case you wondered too: Pierce County ferry off West Seattle
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

FRIDAY MORNING: Thanks to Janna for the photo and news of the sighting – what she described as the “little ferry” seen off West Seattle this morning is the Pierce County ferry Steilacoom II. Looks like it’s headed to Vigor for maintenance in drydock.

ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: We happened to catch this photo while visiting Jack Block Park; adding it for posterity:

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UPDATE: Car-prowl suspect chase precedes assault call in North Admiral, 1 man hurt
June 12, 2015 9:03 am
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

9:03 AM: Police and fire are responding to an address in the 1900 block of 48th SW. The early report indicates someone might have a stab wound. More info to come.

9:06 AM: We’re headed that way, but in the meantime, information via scanner says this might not be a stab wound, but rather some other type of assault. They’re canceling most of the units.

9:23 AM: Our crew talked with a neighbor who says this started with someone suspected of prowling cars near 48th/Hill; construction workers in the area tried to stop that person. (update) Someone was injured in the course of this, and has been taken to the hospital – we’re hearing conflicting unofficial reports at the scene, trying to sort it out.

11:26 AM: Seattle Fire spokesperson Kyle Moore tells us a 57-year-old man was treated for a “minor bite wound” at the scene but declined transport to the hospital. We’re following up with SPD and will add whatever we find out from them about the hopefully-sorted-out-by-now circumstances.

12:35 PM: The full report isn’t in the system yet and what is in the system doesn’t clarify exactly what role in all this was played by the bite victim, according to Det. Patrick Michaud in SPD media relations. But he was able to tell us that the car-prowl suspect – who at one point was reportedly being held down by two people – was arrested. Another incident in the system indicates that, whether they’re all the work of the same person(s) or not, there were multiple car prowls reported/noticed this morning in that area of North Admiral.

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Congratulations! Madison students honored @ districtwide Science & Engineering Fair
June 12, 2015 9:00 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to Madison Middle School science teacher Fred Jenner for sharing word of students’ success at the districtwide Science & Engineering Fair – and congratulations to the winners!

Madison students received many awards at the 17th Annual Science & Engineering Fair! There were more than 200 projects displayed from around the district. We are proud to say that we had students from every grade level win awards. Here they are:

Engineering Category (This was the first year that engineering projects were officially part of the fair):

From the 6th Grade:

Best Data Analysis: Will Cell (Project Title: All The Eggs, Less The Mess):

Best Young Inventor: Natalie Hinkey (Project Title: Water Monitor Alarm):

Most Likely To Be Patented: Livia Woelfle (Project Title: The Convertible High Heel Shoe)

From the 7th Grade:

Best Aeronautics Project: Svetoslav Nikolov (Project Title: Which Airplane Wing is the Most Useful and Aerodynamic?)

From the 8th Grade:

Most Original: Alina Guyon (Project Title: Homes For All)

Inquiry Category – From the 8th Grade:

Most Original: Angelique Brock & Madeline Rainwater (Project Title: Fear Factor)

Congratulations to all!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday watch & weekend reminders
June 12, 2015 7:42 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday watch & weekend reminders
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Happy Friday! It’s been quiet outbound, so far. Looking ahead:

THIS AFTERNOON/EVENING: As mentioned here, “Shell No” protesters say they will be back at Chelan/Marginal/etc. 4-6 pm.

SATURDAY: 5 am-3:30 pm, northbound Highway 99 will be closed from south of West Seattle to north of the Battery Street Tunnel for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon/Half-Marathon, along with other closures.

SUNDAY: The West Seattle Farmers’ Market moves into its new home, California SW between Alaska and Oregon (see the vendor map here). Hours remain the same, 10 am-2 pm; no parking/vehicles on that block 7 am-4 pm. The 44th/Alaska lot, previously home to the market, will be open for parking. … Also on Sunday, Washington State Ferries‘ summer schedule takes effect.

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VIDEO: Congratulations, Seattle Lutheran High School Class of 2015!
June 12, 2015 3:06 am
|    Comments Off on VIDEO: Congratulations, Seattle Lutheran High School Class of 2015!
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Congratulations to the Seattle Lutheran High School Class of 2015, shown in our video as they walked up to the entrance of the Menashe Family Gym on campus for their commencement ceremony on Thursday night.

Inside the gym, they became the 35th class to graduate from SLHS. The program listed 28 graduating seniors, including class president Maddy Winter, who gave the welcome and invocation.

Later in the program, the grads were to hear from valedictorian Jeffrey Baxter and salutatorian Alexandria Naftchi. Proud families, friends, and faculty filled the gym to cheer them on:

The class scripture exhorted them to “… Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

One local graduation remains … Chief Sealth International High School, 2 pm Saturday at Southwest Athletic Complex.

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Shell at T-5: Updates including protest & concert today/tonight
June 12, 2015 1:47 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

We’re now in what had been reported as Shell’s window for heading north to drill offshore in the Arctic; as of this writing, the Polar Pioneer is still at Terminal 5, and the drillship Noble Discoverer is still in Everett, but one support vessel is reported to be on its way to Alaska. That’s the first of several related developments, including events in West Seattle today/tonight:

ARCTIC CHALLENGER HEADS NORTH: This barge, intended to help in case of a spill, had been in Bellingham but is now on the way to Dutch Harbor, AK, reports Alaska’s KTUU, quoting a Shell spokesperson.

SPILL-RESPONSE PLANS UPHELD: As reported Thursday by SeattlePI.com, three federal judges upheld an approval of Shell’s spill-response plans.

SIX LABOR GROUPS SIGN ‘SHELL NO’ LETTER: This announcement lists OPEIU 8, SEIU 6, UAW Local 4121, UFCW 21, UFW, and Pride at Work/King County Chapter as signatories to a new letter opposing Shell‘s presence at Terminal 5, although, as a preface acknowledges, “We recognize that other labor unions have a position of support for this Oil Rig here.” The preface continues, “We respect their decision, but we feel compelled to speak today given the stakes of climate change and the immediate and long term effects that this has on all people in the US and around the world.”

NEXT WEST SEATTLE PROTEST: According to this frequently updated webpage, picketing is planned at/near the five-ways intersection west of the low bridge this afternoon (Friday, June 12th), 4-6 pm.

FLOTILLA HQ AT DON ARMENI: Organizers are continuing to plan for a “rapid-response” kayak-flotilla protest once they get word the Polar Pioneer is readying to leave. They’re using Don Armeni Boat Ramp as home base and have also set up text messaging to alert potential participants when it’s time.

FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT ON THE BARGE: A lineup of DJs and musicians are being promoted on social media as #BringTheBoom – Party Protest on the Sound tonight on the barge off Don Armeni, 4-9 pm.

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West Seattle development: 31 apartments on the South Delridge drawing board; other project notes from around the peninsula
June 11, 2015 9:31 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Notes from the city Department of Planning and Development files, including two new early-stage projects we’vd, updates on ongoing projects, and proposals linked in today’s Land Use Information Bulletin:

31 APARTMENTS AT 9021 17TH SW: A 10,000-square-foot lot in South Delridge that changed hands last month is proposed for a 31-unit, 31-parking-space apartment building. AKA Investors LLC bought the Lowrise 3-zoned site in May for $475,000. Notations on the early-stage city project page for the apartment building suggest it will go through Design Review. This is in the pre-application stage so you’re not likely to see a formal notice any time soon. Before last month’s sale, this site previously had a pending proposal for two houses and two townhouses.

4 TOWNHOUSES ON PIGEON POINT: 3856 21st SW is now proposed for four townhouses; previously, a six-unit rowhouse building was planned. This too is in the pre-application stage.

Also on Pigeon Point:

LAND USE APPROVALS FOR 3816 & 3806 22ND SW: Near from the aforementioned townhouse plan, these approval notices – here and here – were published today for two single-family houses and a two-unit townhouse (3816) and four single-family houses (3806). Publication of the notices opens a two-week period for appeals, a process explained here.

In Morgan Junction:

NEXT STEP IN REZONE FOR TOWNHOUSES ON CHURCH LAND: The LUIB includes this DPD decision that no significant environmental effects are expected from a list of proposed amendments to the city Comprehensive Plan. The list includes the amendment that would set the stage for a rezone of the parcel on which the West Seattle Church of the Nazarene in Morgan Junction wants to partner with a local builder to build six townhouses that it would sell to raise money to renovate its 42nd/Juneau building (the prospective building site is immediately to the south). We’ve been covering the process since the proposal first turned up almost two years ago. A comment/appeal period is now open; this page explains that process.

Reminders:

DESIGN REVIEW NOTICES IN TODAY’S LAND USE INFORMATION BULLETIN: We’ve published word of these reviews already, but the formal notices finally arrived in today’s city-circulated LUIB:

–4700 Admiral Way SW, 6:30 pm July 2nd – as reported here most recently last week, this is for the 3-story, 80-unit Aegis Living memory-care/assisted-living project.

–4532 42nd SW, 8 pm July 2nd – as reported here last week, this is the new 6-story, 89-apartment proposal for the site behind the Capco/Altamira/QFC building.

Both of those Design Review Board meetings will be at the Senior Center of West Seattle. And an update:

FORMER CAFE SITE: Thanks to Bryce for this photo of the former Charlestown Café site, fully cleared, one week after the two-day demolition was completed:

27 live-work units and townhouses will be built here by Intracorp, which is also building the block-long Admiral East Apartments project a few blocks north on California SW.

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West Seattle Art Walk scene: Julee Nicklaus at VAIN
June 11, 2015 8:25 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Art Walk scene: Julee Nicklaus at VAIN
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

Haven’t been out to the monthly West Seattle Art Walk yet tonight? You have until 9 pm – find the map/venue list in our daily preview, pick a spot, and go! Maybe VAIN (4513 California SW; WSB sponsor) in The Junction, where you’ll find Julee Nicklaus, whose show “Expressive Espresso” features work painted in coffee! Remember that most shows debuting on Art Walk night (like this one) are up at the host businesses/venues for the rest of the month, so if you just couldn’t get out tonight … stop by another time soon.

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Advance helicopter alert! Air/sea drill next Tuesday
June 11, 2015 5:40 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Helicopter | West Seattle news

Most of this will be happening south of us, but this alert just sent out by the King County Sheriff’s Office mentions that helicopter activity might be visible, so take note (and we’ll remind you again Tuesday):

On Tuesday June 16th, the King County Sheriff’s Office TAC 30 team (our department’s tactical unit) will be hosting a multi-agency maritime operations exercise in the area of the Des Moines waterfront. Citizens may see our helicopter flying from the Alki Point area south to Dumas Bay. Hours of the exercise will be from approximately 8am until 5pm.

The main landing zone for the helicopter will be the Des Moines Marina. Agencies participating in the exercise include the Seattle Police, Bainbridge Island Police, the U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, and King County Medic One.

There will be numerous law enforcement boats involved in the exercise, along with one boat from the King County Water Taxi. During the exercise there will be no public access to the pier.

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West Seattle Vision: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor
June 11, 2015 4:14 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Health | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

From the doctors and staff at West Seattle Vision, a new WSB sponsor:

(From left: Chelsie, Steve, Lynna, Julia Tran, O.D.)

It’s hard to believe that we have been in West Seattle for two years now. When we set up in Morgan Junction, we knew that it was a quaint yet vibrant community, but to our amazement and blessing, we have been astonished at how we have been accepted and welcomed to the West Seattle family. Our expectations on every front have been eclipsed by the people and their “family first” attitude. We love everything about West Seattle and look forward to more “family” time with everyone here!! Thank you to everyone who has been part of West Seattle Vision.

To celebrate West Seattle Vision‘s two years, we are having a 20/20 Anniversary Sale from now until the end of June. Our patients will receive $20 off on an annual supply of contact lenses and 20% off on the first complete pair of eyewear. (This promotion does not apply toward the purchase of Maui Jim and Zeal sunwear and the use of Vision Service Plan [VSP] benefits.) We are open Tuesday through Saturday for you to come in and seek out that new look for the year! For every face, there is a frame! Come check us out at 6505 California SW (206-829-9688) and say hello!

We thank the doctors and staff of West Seattle Vision for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Police search in Arbor Heights
June 11, 2015 2:35 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

2:35 PM: If you’ve been wondering about the police search in Arbor Heights, around the 9800 block of 33rd SW – police have been looking for a man whom we heard described at one point as carrying a pillowcase. We’re still seeking official comment from police but one neighbor tells us this started with a call about a potential burglary. More info as we get it.

2:42 PM: From the scanner, the suspect is described as a white man in his 30s, slender, dark hoodie, tan shirt beneath it, jeans. And we just talked with Det. Drew Fowler from SPD media relations, who says it actually started as a report about a person behaving suspiciously – walking inbetween homes, not known to neighbors, and then when police showed up, he started to run. However, according to Det. Fowler, they can’t call him a burglary suspect until they have confirmed a burglary somewhere. He’s not in custody yet.

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UPDATE: ‘Swimmer in distress’ rescued off Jack Block Park
June 11, 2015 2:17 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(First 2 WSB photos by Christopher Boffoli)
FIRST REPORT, 2:17 PM: Seattle Fire is on the way to a water-rescue call in the 1900 block of Harbor Avenue SW. We’ll be updating as we find out more.

2:23 PM: SFD tweets that the call went out as “swimmer in distress.” The person they’re trying to help is now reported to be near a barge off Jack Block Park. Via scanner: They are talking with him and he told them he would like some help.

2:26 PM: The swimmer is reported to be backpaddling toward the shore from about 100 yards out. U.S. Coast Guard has also been summoned to help.

2:28 PM: The swimmer, a man believed to be in his mid-20s, is now reported to be out of the water. A Coast Guard boat will be taking him to meet up with a medic unit at a nearby dock.

2:44 PM: Our crew says the swimmer is alert and conscious and now in a medic unit. SFD medics are now checking him out for possible early stages of hypothermia.

(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
POSTSCRIPT: WSB’s Christopher Boffoli reports authorities believe the man jumped into the water in the Salty’s (WSB sponsor) area – with his shoes on – and started swimming east, for reasons unknown.

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West Seattle Transportation Coalition says ‘Move Seattle’ levy needs to ‘move West Seattle first’
June 11, 2015 1:40 pm
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

As the City Council gets deeper into shaping the “Move Seattle” transportation levy proposed for the November ballot, the West Seattle Transportation Coalition has just announced its official statement on what it wants to see in the levy:

West Seattle has been working to resolve its transportation challenges for 125 years. We initiated Puget Sound’s first ferry service in 1888 and we built America’s first municipally funded commuter rail system in 1906. Today, that extensive rail line is gone, replaced by inadequate bus service and single lane choke points that hamper the mobility of our 100,000 citizens.

Seattle has not supported or expanded our historically great transportation ideas. Thanks to the lags and half measures the city has offered over the years, there’s widespread perception here that West Seattle and its transportation issues are not, and never have been priorities for the City of Seattle.

It took the City five years to re-build the South Park Bridge after significant lobbying efforts of citizens, six years to rebuild Seattle’s Spokane St. bridge after a freighter rammed the old one in 1978, and decades to re-start the seasonal cross bay West Seattle Water Taxi to downtown. After significant citizens efforts and pressure, the City is finally addressing safety and speeding issues on SW Roxbury Street and 35th Ave SW.

As our Peninsula population increases, traffic increases and further chokes ingress-egress. Our two bridges are gridlocked for hours every day now — with 93,000 vehicles crossing West Seattle’s high bridge, and 13,000 crossing the low bridge. Together, these bridges are Seattle’s busiest, non-freeway traffic corridor, carrying more human and freight volume than any other city bridge. By the time Move Seattle expires, West Seattle’s population in our Alaska Junction and Triangle areas alone will grow to equal or surpass that of Ballard.

Move Seattle fails to address West Seattle’s key issue — getting into and out of the peninsula, safely and efficiently. While the WSTC appreciates and supports the proposals West Seattle pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure improvements, we ask the Mayor and City Council to support and clearly define Council Member Tom Rasmussen’s amendment to Move Seattle. We would like the levy to:

Provide a fully funded, integrated, West Seattle Peninsula ingress-egress plan with a scope of work, timeline, and funding source. Its structure should be fully compatible with conversion to a future Sound Transit dedicated right-of-way, Light Rail or Bus Rapid Transit system.

In Sound Transit polling, more than 94% of West Seattle residents supported a dedicated solution for the people living in District 1. Currently, all of West Seattle’s transportation hopes and dreams seem to be bolted to the forthcoming Sound Transit 3 (ST3) proposal. Meaning, West Seattle’s transportation fate is now in the hands of Olympia legislators, the Sound Transit Tri-County Board, and competition from regional and local interests who also need ST3 resources.

Meanwhile, the clock is ticking down for West Seattle as our population and development density increase, and the Port gears up with planned expansions on Terminal 5, where freight and industrial growth will further choke traffic flows to SR 99, I-5, I-90, Marginal and Alaskan Ways. It’s a perfect storm of adverse effects on our situation.

West Seattle and South Park need a solution today. We cannot wait for some future, theoretical ST3 or ST4 package. We expect our leaders and elected officials to do whatever it takes to move the people of District 1 now.

We wrote about Councilmember Rasmussen’s proposed amendment, mentioned above, back on Monday.

P.S. Haven’t shared your comments on the levy yet? This page on the city website explains how.

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West Seattle Thursday: Art Walk; SLHS graduation; cruise reception; more…
June 11, 2015 12:30 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Thursday: Art Walk; SLHS graduation; cruise reception; more…
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

It’s West Seattle Art Walk night! That tops our quick look at what’s ahead for the rest of your Thursday. The Art Walk runs 6-9 pm – here’s the list/map of where you’re invited to come see art, and, at many stops, to meet the artists:


Make your plan by browsing the artist/venue previews on the official WS Art Walk website.

Also happening later today/tonight:

STORMWATER POLLUTION SOLUTIONS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD: Come to a community-planning workshop for pollution reduction in the Longfellow Creek Watershed, at the bioswale in the Denny International Middle School parking lot this afternoon! 3:30-5 pm. RSVP if you can to peterdonaldson50@gmail.com, or just show up! (2601 SW Kenyon)

POP-UP JEWELRY SHOW AT THE LONGHOUSE: 5:30-8:30 pm, stop by the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse for a pop-up jewelry show by Heidi Leonard. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

TOTEM CRUISE INFO/RECEPTION: All are welcome at the Log House Museum 6-8 pm tonight, not only to find out about the upcoming Totem Pole Cruise, but also to enjoy chowder and treats and hear about local history, as previewed here. (61st/Stevens)

CONGRATS, SLHS CLASS OF 2015! Seattle Lutheran High School‘s Class of 2015 graduates tonight at 7:30 pm in the Menashe Family Gym on campus. (4100 SW Genesee)

WINE CLUB AT C & P: 7 pm, wine, music, and art at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – more in our calendar listing. (5612 California SW)

MORE FOR TODAY/TONIGHT/TOMORROW/BEYOND … there for the browsing, when you visit our calendar.

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VIDEO: See inside the Alki Homestead as restoration continues
June 11, 2015 10:57 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Alki Homestead | West Seattle news

Thanks to Clay Eals, executive director of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, for sharing the video and the following report as the first round of restoration work continues at the city-landmark Alki Homestead/Fir Lodge:

Alki Homestead owner Dennis Schilling and his crew, including his son, Matt, worked on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, to haul out no longer functioning kitchen equipment and other detritus and to build and test an outdoor wooden shelf or sling to hold new logs in position when rotted logs (with blue tape) on the southeast corner are replaced. (The kitchen is not part of the city-landmarked features of the building, and replacement of the southeast-corner logs was given administrative approval by city landmarks staff in January.) Restoration work on the 1904 city landmark began this spring and will continue steadily through the summer and beyond. The Southwest Seattle Historical Society will provide periodic video updates such as this one.

Schilling, who previously gained West Seattle fame for restoring the once-marked-for-teardown Shoremont Apartments on Alki three years ago, bought the Homestead in March, as first reported here. You can check out the SWSHS’s ongoing reports on this page of the organization’s website; WSB coverage of the Homestead, going back even before the 2009 fire, is archived here, newest-to-oldest.

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