West Seattle, Washington

15 Wednesday

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month : 04/2016 306 results

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Spring-break Monday
April 11, 2016 6:21 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

6:21 AM: Good morning! One incident of note so far this morning that was clearing when we were at the scene just before the top of the hour, covered separately here, a crash on southbound California just south of Admiral.

Otherwise: It’s spring-break week for Seattle Public Schools (and Vashon too), so traffic should be lighter. More notes as the week begins:

OVERNIGHT SB HIGHWAY 99 CLOSURE NORTH OF DOWNTOWN: This week, for each of four nights starting tonight, 10 pm-5 am, the closure will be southbound, between Valley and Thomas Streets.

WHAT’S UP WITH THE TUNNEL PROJECT/VIADUCT-CLOSURE PLAN? Hear for yourself during this morning’s 9:30 am City Council briefing.

MARINERS’ GAME TONIGHT: SODO evening alert – M’s vs. Rangers, 7:10 pm at The Safe.

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UPDATE: SUV-semitruck crash in Admiral District
April 11, 2016 6:02 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Helicopter | West Seattle news

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6:02 AM: Thanks for the tips about a helicopter over The Admiral District about half an hour ago. It was *not* a police search, but just a media helicopter checking out a traffic situation. We’ve talked to officers at the scene of a crash that happened just before 5 am on southbound California just south of Admiral and is now being cleared – an SUV crashed into the back of a semitruck. Police say one person was taken to the hospital but their injuries were not life-threatening.

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6:37 AM: Photo substituted for our original cameraphone photo above, and second one added above this line as semi was towed.

12:10 PM: The truck driver’s wife messaged us to say that while her husband, who was in the trailer when the SUV hit it, wasn’t hurt, police told them the driver fled and the injured person was one of multiple passengers. We’ll try to find out from police if the driver was ever found.

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City Council vote Monday for Parks Board appointees with West Seattle ties
April 10, 2016 7:48 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

The City Council is scheduled to vote tomorrow afternoon on two new members of the city Board of Park Commissioners, both with West Seattle ties, both introduced during the committee meeting we were at last Thursday because of the tree-cutting discussion. First on the agenda will be Evan Hundley (WSB photo at right). Hundley is head of school at Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor), just east of Arbor Heights. And he is the son of Walt Hundley, the namesake of High Point’s sprawling playfields and former Seattle Parks Superintendent and city budget director, as well as civil-rights advocacy. Evan Hundley told councilmembers on Thursday that he has been following parks issues since junior high. City Council president Bruce Harrell recalled Hundley’s father as “a phenomenal leader … and now (this appointment) is a chance to revisit his legacy.” Hundley has led Explorer West since 2007, continuing an education career that goes back more than 20 years.

Also scheduled for a City Council appointment vote tomorrow is Kelly McCaffrey, a West Seattle resident. She told councilmembers at Thursday’s committee meeting that she feels a lot of pride in Seattle parks and visits them often with her children and her dogs. She currently serves on the city’s Water Systems Advisory Committee and previously was on the Park District Oversight Committee.

Assuming their appointments are approved tomorrow, they will join the 9-member Parks Board – a voluntary advisory board that considers issues and policies and makes recommendations to city leaders – starting with its meeting next Thursday; see the agenda here.

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NEXT WEEKEND: Peony & Bamboo Festival @ Seattle Chinese Garden
April 10, 2016 4:18 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Puget Ridge | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

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(Photo courtesy Seattle Chinese Garden)

Looking ahead to next weekend – you might want to set some time aside to visit the Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge, as the 4th annual Peony and Bamboo Festival will be happening both days, 10 am-4 pm Saturday and Sunday (April 16th and 17th):

This family-friendly event, celebrating two of China’s horticultural treasures, kicks off with a rousing lion dance at 11 am on Saturday. A festival centerpiece is the tree-peony display garden with more than 400 plants of two dozen varieties from Luoyang, China’s peony capital for more than 1,500 years.

Festival activities include talks and demonstrations on plant care, plant sales including unusual varieties of bamboo from specialty growers in Washington and Oregon, cultural entertainment and Chinese artist painting demonstrations, and sale of art and craft items. Plus, Chinese food booths will offer a variety of dishes and snacks. Visit the SCG website Tuesday for the schedule of activities.

Suggested adult donation is $5.

Co-sponsoring next weekend’s festival are the American Peony Art and Culture Association and American Bamboo Society Northwest Chapter. To reach the Chinese Garden, take the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) north entrance at 6000 16th SW.

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CONGRATULATIONS! ‘Diver Laura’ joins Women Divers Hall of Fame
April 10, 2016 2:02 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

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Congratulations to “Diver Laura” James (top right in the photo above) for her recent induction into the Women Divers Hall of Fame. She explains, “WDHOF honors the contributions of women in diving, but more importantly, gives back through its burgeoning scholarship and mentorship programs. If you know of a student who needs some support, have them check out these ocean programs at wdhof.org Congrats to my Sea Sisters Chantelle Taylor-Newman, Dawn Kernagis, Patti Kirk Gross, Cody Unser, and Ruth Petzold.” While we’ve been reporting on her projects for the past few years, Laura’s undersea achievements go back much further – more than 20 years! We asked her for some highlights, and she mentioned “helping organize the first non-commercial, non-military team to visit 3 of our local deep shipwrecks in the early ’90s: the Al-Ind-Eska Sea, the Bunker Hill, and the AJ Fuller – yes, making me the first woman on them – and owning/operating the first extended range diving shop north of California.” What’s she working on next? Narrated live undersea streaming!

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HAPPENING NOW: Free West Seattle Water Taxi rides all day
April 10, 2016 11:28 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

11:28 AM: The sun is starting to win its fight with the clouds and that means it’s an even-better day for a free ride on the West Seattle Water Taxi – if you’ve never been on it before, you might at least want to take a trial run in case you need it during the upcoming 2-week Alaskan Way Viaduct closure. The county has declared this “Customer Appreciation Day” with all trips free to the end of today’s schedule – 8 pm is the last run from Seacrest (1660 Harbor SW). If you get here before noon, free refreshments are happening under the blue tent by the gangway, but otherwise, it’s a low-key celebration. Lots of room on the M/V Doc Maynard, which is double the capacity of its predecessor – it has room for 270+ passengers.

12:26 PM: Adding more photos. Thanks to Alex Erzen for this photo taken during his ride:

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Two photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand:

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You can get to and from Seacrest via the free Water Taxi shuttle – today’s schedules are here (Route 773 to and from The Junction) and here (Route 775 to and from Admiral and Alki). Parking can be a challenge; for the Viaduct closure expected later this spring, there will be added parking and shuttles, as detailed in the presentation that the City Council will see tomorrow.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Beware of grocery-store thieves
April 10, 2016 10:13 am
|      48 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Don’t even think about leaving your purse/wallet or another personal item in your cart while you grocery-shop, warns a reader who just sent this report: They made a brief visit to Trader Joe’s on Saturday when “a woman … started engaging with me to distract me. In minutes my wallet which is essentially my purse was gone. In about 10 minutes this group of people were making purchases at the Target in Westwood Village for hundreds and hundreds of dollars on all 4 of my cards. There was definitely a group of people involved in this scam. The cops were called to Trader Joe’s and immediately called a squad to Westwood Village. They were able to identify two suspects based on the time stamp of the transactions. We never caught this person but this person has all my information from where I live to the business I own. I wanted to let you know so people can become aware since these people have a plan, and (I) don’t want it to happen to anyone else.”

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West Seattle Sunday: Water Taxi celebration; concerts; meditation; more…
April 10, 2016 6:30 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday: Water Taxi celebration; concerts; meditation; more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

20160409 090453 King County Water Taxi - 1024x730
(Saturday photo by David Hutchinson: Water Taxi passengers getting ready to sail onto fog-topped Elliott Bay)

The West Seattle Water Taxi is celebrating its spring/summer schedule, and that kicks off our Sunday list of what’s up:

WATER TAXI CELEBRATION: 8:30 am-8 pm, free rides on the West Seattle Water Taxi all day, with refreshments at Seacrest Pier 10:30 am-noon, which is also when you’ll find King County Council chair Joe McDermott and KCDOT Marine Division head Paul Brodeur to greet passengers and talk about the service. (1660 Harbor SW)

FIRST WEEKEND FOR BRUNCH AT MIOPOSTO: Day 2 of the first weekend of brunch at Mioposto (WSB sponsor) in Admiral. (2139 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm in The Junction, including the annual return of Langley Fine Gardens from Vashon, with plants! Also, look for the TAF Academy Speech Team with special performances. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

MEDITATION AND PRAYERS FOR WORLD PEACE: 11:30 am at Sound Yoga (WSB sponsor), all welcome: “Western Buddhist Monk Gen Kelsang Khedrub will come to West Seattle to give a teaching on Buddhist meditation and lead prayers dedicated to world peace.” All welcome; $10 suggested donation. (5639 California SW)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM CLOSED TODAY … for a volunteer-appreciation celebration. Next week it’s back to the regular Thursdays-Sundays, noon-4 pm, schedule.

CLASSICAL STRING QUARTET: 3 pm, live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), celebrating 20 years of playing together. (5612 California SW)

LADIES MUSICAL CLUB: 3 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, it’s a program of music by Seattle-area composers – details in our listing. (2306 42nd SW)

MUSIC NORTHWEST PRESENTS PIANO BRILLIANCE: 3 pm at Olympic Recital Hall at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), “piano music of the 21st century by African, American, and Russian composers—a one-of-a-kind concert, heard nowhere else on the planet.” More info in our listing. (6000 16th SW)

LOOK INTO THE FUTURE … by browsing our calendar for the days/weeks/months ahead!

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DUWAMISH ALIVE! How to be part of it next Saturday
April 9, 2016 11:21 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from Duwamish Alive! in 2014)

Discussion of recent news stories has included a lot of concern for our area’s greenspaces. If you share that concern, here’s a simple way to take action: Be part of Duwamish Alive! next Saturday (April 16th). Choose one of the sites on this list – in and near West Seattle – and sign up. One special focus here is along Longfellow Creek – more details in the announcement you can read in full after the jump:
Read More

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COUNTDOWN: 5 weeks to West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day; registration continues
April 9, 2016 9:02 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

Five weeks from today – on Saturday, May 14th – sellers and shoppers will have wrapped up the 12th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day. We’re in the first week of registration (which we usually keep open for about three weeks so people have plenty of time to hear about it and think about it), with 70 sales all over the peninsula signed up already. If this is all new to you – WSB coordinates and presents WSCGSD, one day with many sales of all sizes, including, again this year, multiseller sites at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse and C & P Coffee Company (both WSB sponsors; contact them directly to get on their lists for spaces). We make the maps – clickable online version and printable/downloadable PDF version – including each sellers’ listing (up to 20 words this year) of sale highlights, and they’re available a week before sale day so you can make your plan. If you’re planning to sell, sign up as soon as you’re ready by using this form!

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Wondering what to do if you see a whale?
April 9, 2016 4:28 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

The photo and info are from Robin Lindsey of Seal Sitters – who deal with more than seals:

With the recent media buzz about the gray whale who wandered into the Ballard Locks, Seal Sitters thought it was a good opportunity to discuss the timely manner in which all whale (and other cetacean) sightings should be reported to the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

Unless a whale is deemed in danger (such as entangled or stranded), all reports including species and as precise a location as possible, should be emailed promptly to Orca Network – info@orcanetwork.org.

For whales that are indeed in trouble – or in an area where we would prefer they not be, such as in the Duwamish River or Ballard Locks, please immediately contact the NOAA West Coast MMSN hotline at 866-767-6114 with as precise a location as possible.

Seal Sitters requests that if a whale is sighted along the shoreline of West Seattle, please contact the Seal Sitters Hotline at 206-905-7325 (SEAL) and then email Orca Network. This will potentially enable our first responders to obtain an identification photograph of the whale. Databases are kept by researchers of all whales and identification helps monitor the health of the species.

I have provided a photograph to help for identification purposes showing the distinct profile of a surfacing gray whale, with its trademark mottled gray skin and “knuckles” along the ridge of the lower back. Humpbacks and other whales have a dorsal fin.

Read more on the Seal Sitters’ Blubberblog website.

P.S. And after making the official reports mentioned above, please consider letting us know, too, as whale sightings are news! 206-293-6302 text or voice, 24/7.

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Remembering Dr. Catherine Ann Orsi, 1958-2016
April 9, 2016 1:21 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

A memorial service is planned April 30th for Dr. Catherine Ann Orsi, whose many achievements included serving West Seattle as a naturopathic doctor. Here’s the remembrance family and friends are sharing:

Catherine Ann Orsi passed away peacefully with family by her side on March 14, 2016, after fighting a brave five-year battle with brain cancer.

Conceived in her father’s native homeland of Italy, but born in Corvallis, Oregon on March 9, 1958, she was the first child of Vincenzo and Margaret (Atwood) Orsi. She is survived by her mother, Margaret, her siblings; Lewis, (Kathy), Barbara, and Stephen, her nephew, Nick, her niece, Kate, and her ex-husband, Chelo Winfred Schal. Her beloved father, Vincenzo, preceded her in death in 1972, and her American grandparents Hulda and Harlow Atwood, and her Italian grandparents Luigi and Olimpia Orsi.

Catherine grew up in Albany and Corvallis, Oregon. While attending Oregon State University, she pursued her late father’s profession, and in 1983 received a degree in civil engineering. After graduation she married fellow engineer Phillip Wurst, but were divorced after a few years. Her engineering career started with the U.S. Forest Service in Ashland, Oregon. Later she accepted an engineering position for City Light, in Seattle, working on landfill-closure projects. She was one of the few women in that field at the time.

Through mutual friends, Catherine met and married Chelo Winfred Schal in 1995. They made several trips to Europe visiting his family in Germany, her family in Italy, and explored her maternal roots in Finland. Catherine and Chelo divorced in 2005, but remained lasting friends.

With a lifelong interest in scuba diving, Catherine was a volunteer diver at the Seattle Aquarium for over 18 years. Her other aquatic pursuits included sailing, kayaking, and swimming. She dreamed of becoming a mermaid.

During a period of illness, she became disenfranchised with Western Medicine and sought help through naturopathy. This journey led to her midlife career change. She enrolled at Bastyr University, where she received her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree in 2003. She opened her own practice in her beloved West Seattle, serving many local clients. Catherine maintained her medical practice until being stricken with cancer in the spring of 2011. Many of her clients, business associates, and friends in West Seattle remember her passionate and thorough attention to detail in her practice through her participation in a local chapter of BNI (Business Network International).

Proud of her Italian-American heritage, she obtained dual citizenship, volunteering for many years with the Festa Italiana celebration. She remained active in the Italian-American Association, and was a devoted member of her church, Plymouth United Church of Christ Congregational in Seattle.

After developing cancer and despite significant obstacles, Catherine filled her intervening years with love, many joyful activities, and personal connections with family, friends, clients, including many here in West Seattle. Although she was unable to continue her Naturopathy practice, she forged on with her connection to, and advocacy for a life of healing through support groups, online communities, and friends until her death.

One of her favorite activities was dancing in her many colorful outfits. It was while walking to a dance class on December 22, 2015, when she fell from brain cancer. It is her joyful and passionate pursuit in the beauty of colorful dance, and aquatic life that is how we will remember her. Dancing and grooving at the least provocation.

Her memorial service is planned at 1 pm Saturday, April 30th, at Plymouth United Church of Christ, and is open to the public. In lieu of flowers, her family requests offerings be directed to her remembrance project. People can donate on PayPal using catherineremembranceproject@gmail.com, or mail checks to “Catherine Remembrance Project” care of Lew Orsi, 10617 NE 30th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98686

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@wsb.blackfin.biz)

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UPDATE: Toddler rescued from High Point Pond
April 9, 2016 12:06 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news

12:06 PM: Thanks for the tips about a police/fire response in High Point, in the 3000 block of SW Juneau. According to scanner traffic, a 2-year-old girl who was missing for a few minutes was found underwater in nearby High Point Pond; she is reported to have been revived via CPR. SFD medics are taking her to Harborview Medical Center.

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12:52 PM: By the time we got to the scene, responders had cleared out to rush the toddler to the hospital, so there was no one for us to follow up with but we did just talk with police by phone – they confirm she lives nearby and her family had just reported her missing; right after she was found in the pond, an officer arrived and started CPR immediately, and she started breathing again.

1:29 PM: The incident is now on SPD Blotter and says Officer Tyler Keating is who revived the little girl.

MONDAY UPDATE: Harborview tells us the child was in very critical condition on arrival at their facility and was transferred to Seattle Children’s Hospital.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Car break-in; wheels stolen; more
April 9, 2016 11:46 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes:

CAR BREAK-IN: The victim of a car prowl in the Admiral Safeway lot around 4 pm yesterday called from her home phone to report this – she couldn’t e-mail because she would usually do that on her phone, and it was among the items stolen, along with a burgundy-colored Coach purse, “the large satchel type,” with a large gold emblem. It was “partly covered” on the passenger seat, and the thief broke out the passenger-side window to get it.

WHEELS/TIRES TAKEN: Tahira says her sister was visiting overnight Thursday/Friday when they woke up to find her car on blocks, wheels and tires taken:

It happened in Gatewood, next to Trinity Church at 35th/Austin.

BURGLARY FOLLOWUP: If you didn’t see this in comments yesterday – the surveillance image of the burglar who broke into Meeples Games (WSB sponsor) early Thursday has led to an ID, according to Laura Schneider from Meeples. No word of an arrest or stolen-property recovery yet, but knowing who it is was the first step, and she thanks everyone for both tips and for the expression of support.

P.S. Next crime-prevention-focused community meeting is the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council on April 19th, 7 pm, at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster).

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What’s up for your spring-break West Seattle Saturday
April 9, 2016 8:05 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

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(Seacrest photo shared by alextutu1821 in the WSB Flickr group)

Good morning! Since it’s the start of spring break for Seattle Public Schools, with many families out of town, the calendar for this weekend is a little quieter than usual. Still some fun things to check out:

FIRST WEEKEND DAY FOR THE WATER TAXI: The West Seattle Water Taxi now runs Saturdays and Sundays too. See the schedule here and remember, free rides all day tomorrow. (1660 Harbor SW)

STREET SCRAMBLE: “Urban adventure,” with registration starting at 8:30 am in the Alki Bathhouse vicinity if you’re not already signed up. Details here. (60th SW/SW Alki)

MIOPOSTO LAUNCHES BRUNCH IN ADMIRAL: 10 am, it’s the first day of the new weekend brunch at Mioposto (WSB sponsor) in Admiral. (2139 California SW)

PLANT SALE: 11 am-3 pm, first of the season at the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) garden center on the north side of campus – info here. (6000 16th SW)

OPEN HOUSE: At West Seattle Nursery, 11 am-2 pm, it’s the Spring Open House, as gardening season gets going. (California SW/SW Brandon)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: This quiet spring-break Saturday might be the perfect time to visit the home of West Seattle’s history, open noon-4 pm today but closed tomorrow, you should note, just this weekend. (61st SW/SW Stevens)

BUY M’S TICKETS FROM WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL PLAYERS: 1-5 pm at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor). From Caryn Johnson:

West Seattle players will be at Morgan Junction Thriftway from 1-5 selling Mariners tickets to the June 28th game against the Pirates. This is a team fundraiser as well as gives them a chance to play at Safeco Field next spring in the High School Baseball Classic. Donations are welcome and all tickets purchased and donated back to the team will be given to the local community centers. Come out and help support the team.

They’ve been having a great season, as Caryn’s been reporting, though Friday’s game ended with a 10-3 loss to Garfield. (California/Morgan)

USED BIKE SALE, & BIKE RIDE: 1-6 pm, Alki’s Guy Olson has organized “Alki’s first used bicycle sale!! Bring at least a bicycle or bicycle parts to sell, and bring a bicycle to ride. I’ll be blocking off the parking area in front of El Chupacabra on Alki beach, for the biggest bicycle sale and swap Alki Beach has ever seen! If you don’t have a bike, this will be your chance to buy yourself something.” Then at 6 pm, Guy invites all riders to join the Alki Beach Creeps for their monthly ride. (2620 Alki SW)

CYGNE: Live music – original fingerstyle blues and folk – at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. No cover. (5612 California SW)

AFROCOP WITH BILL HORIST: Live music at Parliament Tavern, 9 pm. No cover. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

THERE’S MORE … to see, on our complete calendar.

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VIADUCT CLOSURE PREPS: City Council briefing Monday, after SWDC discussion this week
April 8, 2016 11:58 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Highway 99 tunnel | West Seattle news

Still no date set for the ~2-week Alaskan Way Viaduct closure that’s planned when the Highway 99 tunneling machine goes beneath it. But WSDOT is continuing to make presentations about the preparations. Monday morning, the slide deck you see above will be part of a briefing given to the City Council. Nothing major or new in it, but it includes graphics showing bus rerouting plans as well as extra parking for West Seattle Water Taxi riders. In the slide deck, you’ll again see the promise that advance notice of the closure will be provided; this past Wednesday in West Seattle, WSDOT reps were at the Southwest District Council meeting to talk about closure preps, and they reiterated the intent for two weeks’ warning. If that holds true, it means we’re getting closer to having the closure in May. SWDC members expressed concern that the closure would slide into the summer months, pointing out how busy Harbor Avenue gets on summer nights even without potentially hundreds of commuters returning to their vehicles. Monday’s scheduled briefers are Todd Trepanier and Dave Sowers from WSDOT; SDOT director Scott Kubly; and Victor Obeso from King County Metro. The council briefing meeting starts at 9:30 am Monday, and this is on the agenda for 10:25 am; you can watch live via Seattle Channel, cable 21 or seattlechannel.org.

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UPDATE: Roadside vigil on Highland Park Way
April 8, 2016 8:26 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news

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8:26 PM: A crowd is gathered right now for a candlelight vigil at the site of Thursday morning’s deadly crash, in memory of 21-year-old Devin Francis.

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They are filling both uphill lanes of Highland Park Way, so please avoid the area for a while.

9:07 PM: The vigil was breaking up as of about quarter till. We will go back in a while to check.

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West Seattle food: Fresh Flours in South Delridge to ‘soft-open’ Saturday
April 8, 2016 7:42 pm
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

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(WSB photos)

Tomorrow will be “soft open” day for the new Fresh Flours Bakery and Café at 9410 Delridge Way SW, starting at 7 am.

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We first told you back in January that Fresh Flours proprietors Etsuko and Keiji (above), who have three cafés elsewhere in the city, were thrilled to be opening their fourth in West Seattle, since this is where they live.

After Etsuko sent word today that they plan to soft-open tomorrow, we stopped by this afternoon, as they continued working hard to get everything ready to go.

Along with their baked goods – croissants and macarons are among their specialties, we’re told – they will be serving Stumptown Coffee, and giving some away during soft-opening day tomorrow.

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As we noted in January, South Delridge will be the production bakery for all Fresh Flours locations. They’re also working on an outdoor seating area on the north side, where they demolished a small old house and will be putting up a new fence and foundation – Etsuko says they hope that will be done by summer.

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UPDATE: Genesee reopens east of Avalon after truck spills load
April 8, 2016 6:05 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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6:05 PM: Thanks for the tips – westbound Genesee is closed just east of Avalon because a truck trailer’s load spilled.

6:28 PM: Just went by. Still blocked but traffic is getting by both ways, alternating, with SPD directing.

7 PM: Via Twitter, SDOT says it may take a few hours for this to be cleaned up so the westbound lane can reopen.

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8:05 PM: Added that photo from Daniel, who says he saw it happen: “Truck driver attempted to go up the hill, failed, rocked the truck and the load of bricks came out.” He says police told him the driver was cited.

10:23 PM: Thanks for the updates – Genesee is open again both ways.

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Here’s who gets flushed first in West Seattle brown-water battle
April 8, 2016 4:05 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

One week after we first reported that Seattle Public Utilities plans a huge flushing operation intended to lessen the recurring brown-water problems, SPU has settled on where and when it will begin. Word is going out in postal mail today, with a map, announcement, and FAQ. SPU plans to start the flushing the week of April 18th in this area:

W Seattle Flush Map Apr 8_FINAL

That entire area will not be flushed on the same day – it’ll be different neighborhoods on different days (more like, nights) from April through June. Here’s the text of the letter that will accompany the map:

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) will begin flushing water mains in West Seattle starting the week of April 18, 2016. The map on the back of this page shows the area in purple that will be flushed first (from April through June). Eventually more water mains throughout West Seattle neighborhoods will be flushed, which will take several months to complete.

SPU is performing this major water-main flush to help maintain water quality and reduce the uptick in discolored water that some West Seattle customers have been experiencing since last summer. Flushing won’t eliminate discolored water, but it will help decrease it.

What do customers need to do? Residents and businesses do not need to take any action to prepare for this work. Customers will be able to use their water as usual. When crews are flushing nearby, customers may notice a slight reduction in their water pressure. They may also see temporary discolored water, which should clear quickly once crews are done flushing the water main. Running the cold water for a few minutes can also help clear the discoloration.

Why does discolored water occur? Discolored water can happen when crews operate a fire hydrant, when there is a water main break or leak, or when the water in the pipes is forced to travel in a different direction than normal. When one of these events happens, naturally occurring sediment in the water and rust in the pipes get stirred up, causing the water to look discolored.

Flushing the water mains will remove some of the sediment and rust that has been resting in the pipes. This will help reduce the level of discoloration and the time it takes for the water to clear when there’s a disturbance in the pipes.

Is the water safe? Yes. Every single day, SPU takes samples throughout the system of the drinking water that it provides to 1.4 million people. The water is tested for contaminants and is regulated by the Washington State Department of Health. Seattle’s water remains safe to drink.

Questions or concerns: If you have any questions or concerns about the flushing process or discolored water, please read through the “Frequently Asked Questions” sheet that is enclosed with this mailing. If you experience any problems with your water, contact SPU’s 24-hour emergency line at 206-386-1800.

We thank you for your patience and understanding while SPU strives to continue to provide some of our nation’s best drinking water.

Also being mailed with the map and letter, a two-page list of Frequently Asked Questions and answers – read them here. And in the meantime, if you get discolored water, wherever you are, whenever it happens, SPU wants to hear from you at that same number, above, the one we’ve been publishing in brown-water coverage since last fall.

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DAY OF GIVING: Bonus reason to shop The Junction on April 30th
April 8, 2016 2:25 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle businesses

Something new in The Junction this month: A “Day of Giving” on April 30th.

Participating shops and restaurants will give 10 percent of their proceeds to nonprofits of their choice that day. From the West Seattle Junction Association:

Giving back has always been a part of what it means to be West Seattle. Our deep neighborhood pride comes through in everything we do and exemplifies the spirit of “neighbors helping neighbors.”

In The Junction, our local businesses are proud to give back throughout the year to the many deserving causes in our neighborhood and beyond. Within The Junction business community, there is a profound sense that it’s the right thing to do and that by supporting our local nonprofits we can strengthen our neighborhood and thrive.

In the spirit of that commitment, The Junction businesses are teaming up with their favorite nonprofits for a fun day of shopping and eating to benefit many important causes. On April 30th, each participating business will be donating 10% of their sales to the nonprofit of their choice. Stop by your favorite Junction retailers and restaurants to lend your support and make a difference through your purchases. It’s an easy and fun way to show your community spirit and just how much you care!

You can see the early list of participants, and their chosen recipients, by going to this page on The Junction’s website.

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UPDATE: $11,000 pricetag for a tree in another West Seattle cutting case
April 8, 2016 1:06 pm
|      36 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(UPDATED 3:37 PM with city reply to our followup inquiry)

(WSB photo, November 2015)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

One of the discussion threads woven through the West Seattle tree-cutting case these past two weeks has been the monetary value of a tree.

In another West Seattle case, it appears that value has been set at $11,000.

You might recall the reader video last November 15th showing a big red cedar cut on a Sunday morning on the future site of the 4532 42nd SW mixed-use development (immediately north of the Junction QFC).

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Live/work/study in Admiral? Here’s what’s on the agenda for your community council Tuesday
April 8, 2016 12:01 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

If you’re not going out of town for spring break – take some time Tuesday and see what the Admiral Neighborhood Association is up to. New president Larry Wymer sends word of what’s on the agenda:

GROWTH IN SEATTLE, HALA, & THE GRAND BARGAIN
7:00 pm Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Roger Valdez – Director of ‘Smart Growth Seattle’ – will discuss 21st century approaches for new and unique (and sometimes controversial) choices to help create a wide range of housing choices to address the varied needs of Seattle’s growing population, something of significant interest to us in the northern section of West Seattle as we witness significant changes along our major corridors. Roger will provide a perspective largely from the development community which is sure to provide for a lively Q&A.

Larry Wymer will provide an overview of the newly released Sound Transit 3 plan which will extend light rail into West Seattle, and what you can do to help influence the final design to reflect Admiral/West Seattle needs.

We will finalize our discussion, and establish the Association’s position, on the potential of lowering default speed limits within Seattle for non-arterial neighborhood streets to 20 mph, and 25 mph on selected arterials.

And finally, we will seek membership input as we work to refine our on-line presence & communications/ notifications protocols to best suit your needs.

The ANA meets at The Sanctuary at Admiral, at 2656 42nd Ave SW. Our monthly meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.

If you missed it, here’s our coverage of the March ANA meeting.

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