West Seattle, Washington
22 Tuesday
silent is fuck
From Katie:
A 2006 Ford Fusion (silver w/ black hood – license plate 455-ZWM) was stolen this morning on Alki.
If you see it, call 911.
Six weeks after he finished restoring the Morgan Junction mural, artist Bob Henry has started work on the next West Seattle mural to be brought back to life, “Mosquito Fleet,” on the east side of the historic Campbell Building, across the alley from Junction Plaza Park.
Next in line is “West Seattle Ferries,” and then the “First Duwamish Bridge” mural at 4740 44th SW – the same one that got a band-aid courtesy of a mystery artist last year after it had been tagged by vandal(s) in a big way:
Lora Swift of the West Seattle Junction Association plans to seek a city matching-fund grant for this project, so she is looking for muralists to bid on it, with a full scope of work proposal needed by September 4th:
We are requesting a proposal which will include a time frame, cost of materials, sub-contractors, labor, and portfolio with past work. The body of work would ideally be completed by mid-year 2019, but we could start as early as October, depending upon the weather.
(Contact her at info@wsjunction.org.) Other murals are awaiting their turn, and crowdfunding continues here. Another way to help the mural-restoration fund is by attending this Saturday’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies finale (“Black Panther,” August 26th at dusk by the West Seattle YMCA [3622 SW Snoqualmie; WSB sponsor]); it’ll be the beneficiary of this week’s raffle.
Below are three items reported to us as found but likely stolen/dumped so as is customary, we’re noting them here rather than pointing people to WSB’s regular West Seattle Lost/Found/Non-Pets section:
FOUND GOLD WATCH, JEWELRY: This report was sent to us by the Seattle Police Evidence Unit. Turned in at the Southwest Precinct: A gold watch and “other items” of gold jewelry. Police can’t match them to anything reported as stolen or lost. If they might be yours, call 206-684-8720, extension 8 – proof of ownership will be required.
FOUND BICYCLE: This was found behind the Kingdom of Basil Wellness Clinic in South Delridge:
If it’s yours, please contact the clinic at 206-937 6288.
FOUND TOOL: A miter saw was found on a planting strip near the intersection of 35th and Raymond last week. If you’re missing one, let us know.
(August 2017 Cosmo 7K photo by David Hutchinson)
Thanks to Molly for the tip! The Cosmo 7K – successor to what had been the Alki Beach 5K – has been postponed because of the wildfire smoke. It was set for this Sunday (August 26th), but race organizers sent e-mail to registered participants that even with the smoke expected to dissipate, “the current air conditions are unsafe and not something we can risk lingering through the weekend.” It’s been rescheduled to September 16th.
(WSB photo: Duwamish River from the high bridge, as seen Tuesday midday)
First, from the “because it’s smoky” file:
A PLACE TO PLAY: Second day for St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church to be open until 1 pm for kids 0-5 to play indoors. (3050 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE YMCA: The main location in The Triangle is open again today for anyone – nonmembers too – who needs to get indoors and find respite from the smoky air. (3622 SW Snoqualmie)
POOLS CLOSED: Seattle Parks announced closures of outdoor pools, including Colman Pool and Lincoln Park wading pool.
NO FARM STAND: The High Point Market Garden Farm Stand‘s regular Wednesday afternoon opening is canceled this week.
Any other smoke-related changes/closures today? Please let us know and we’ll add to the list.
Now, what IS happening – indoors:
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON MOVIE: 1 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle, “Bright Road” (1953) is this week’s movie. $1 members/$2 nonmembers. (4217 SW Oregon)
EXPLORERS – EV3 ROBOTS: 3 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, for ages 9-12. Free but registration required – check with the library to see if there’s room. (2306 42nd SW)
DIESEL & HEAVY EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY OPEN HOUSE: 6-7 pm, come learn about this program at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) – details in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)
BARGE FIRE INFORMATIONAL MEETING: As previewed here, the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition has organized agencies/departments involved with the June fire and/or its aftermath to provide updates and answer questions. At South Seattle College’s Georgetown campus; all welcome. (6737 Corson Ave. S.)
JEFF FERGUSON’S TRIANGULAR JAZZTET: 7 pm at Whisky West (WSB sponsor), live music – details here. No cover. 21+. (6451 California SW)
THERE’S MORE, AS ALWAYS … just go here to see our complete calendar!
Before we move on from traffic to today’s other news – one more weekend alert: The 1st/Olson work at the east end of the SW Roxbury corridor continues. This project began without a standalone announcement and we’ve been asked what it’s going to accomplish, so we asked SDOT’s LeAnne Nelson, who explained:
The 1st/Olson location was prioritized for a Levy to Move Seattle major maintenance rebuild, to enhance reliability and function where underground wiring/materials had degraded. The failing existing conduit system had caused repeated maintenance issues.
The 4-intense-weekends-effort was planned to reduce traffic impacts during replacement of underground wiring and bonding across about 70 feet of travel lanes. Crews finish installing the new underground infrastructure this weekend, followed by paving. The new conduit connects to our Traffic Operations Center and Intelligent Transportation System, which helps enhance safety and mobility remotely.
There is an additional phase of the effort, above ground, expected to be complete by the end of September. It includes new LED traffic signals and new signal support poles—better aligned with the current roadway configuration for optimal visibility.
Interesting side note, the team had to make minor adjustments to the planned conduit route, after discovery of an abandoned streetcar rail during excavation. (Photo above)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:12 AM: Good morning. No incidents reported in/from West Seattle.
STADIUM ZONE: Day game for the Mariners playing Houston at 1:10 pm.
WEEKEND CLOSURES: I-5 and 99 closures Friday night through early Monday, and the parameters of the 99 closure have changed – here’s the new info.
7:20 AM: As noted in comments, the live camera for the eastbound bridge shows something going on with a bus just past the exit to NB 99. No alerts on this but clearly blocking right now.
7:30 AM: Camera shows that’s now cleared.
9:25 AM: More bus trouble – one is stuck on the stretch of California SW near Fauntleroy Schoolhouse/Church.
9:31 AM: We just went to check on the bus – and it’s cleared. Adding a photo texted before that happened.
Thanks to Keith Davidson for the sunset-and-heron photo from Beach Drive, near Cormorant Cove. We have two smoke-related notes as the night ends:
ANOTHER CANCELLATION: The city sent word tonight that the High Point Market Garden Farm Stand will NOT be open tomorrow because of the unhealthy air.
FORECAST UPDATE: Here’s what the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is saying tonight:
Air pollution is still at UNHEALTHY levels throughout the Puget Sound region. With a high pressure weather system over our region pushing the smoke down, we expect UNHEALTHY levels to continue on well into tomorrow. We hope to see some clearing tomorrow night, but with all the smoke around the Pacific Northwest, it may take until Thursday to get cleaner air.
P.S. The heat is notable, too, says the National Weather Service:
Even with the smoke the high at Sea-Tac airport today was 91° breaking the record of 88° set in 1966. Today is the 11th 90°+ day in Seattle this year. In over 120 years of records there has been only 2 years with double digit 90°+ days, 12 in 2015 and 11 so far this year. #wawx
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) August 22, 2018
Two weeks after the August primary election, final results were certified today. So it’s official – Joe Nguyen and Shannon Braddock will face off for the 34th District State Senate seat from which Sharon Nelson is retiring. They finished atop the 11-candidate field, with 14,019 votes for Nguyen, 11,114 votes for Braddock. Neither has held elected office before; he hasn’t run for office before, while Braddock finished 39 votes behind Lisa Herbold in the 2015 City Council District 1 race. Both are West Seattleites. You can see the full August election results in King County by going here.
As Mayor Jenny Durkan did last fall, Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best took her oath of office multiple times today. One ceremony was in Southwest Precinct territory, at the South Park Community Center, after the Seattle Police Pipes and Drums opened the ceremony:
Chief Best’s other ceremonies were at City Hall and at the Northwest African American Museum in the Central District. Here’s her bio; she’s been with SPD for 26 years.
4:39 PM: Just announced by Seattle Parks: Because of the unhealthy air, it’s closing its outdoor pools as well as the remaining still-in-operation wading pools, through tomorrow. Colman Pool is closing at 4:45 pm, and wading pools (including Lincoln Park) were to begin draining an hour ago. (Sprayparks weren’t mentioned, so we’re checking on their status.)
5:06 PM: Parks’ Christina Hirsch replied that sprayparks are staying open. (West Seattle’s lone spraypark is in Highland Park at 1100 SW Cloverdale.)
Thanks to Jennifer for catching that the weekend northbound Highway 99 closure we mentioned yesterday had changed from Friday/Saturday/Sunday nights to “all weekend long.” But there’s now another change beyond the one she had spotted on the WSDOT site. While we were corresponding with spokesperson Laura Newborn about the change, she got word minutes ago that the NB 99closure will *only* extend from the West Seattle Bridge to Atlantic Street. That means the elevated Alaskan Way Viaduct itself, from the stadium zone northward, WILL remain open all weekend.
To recap:
*NB Highway 99 closed Friday night to early Monday, between West Seattle Bridge and Atlantic St.
*No change in NB I-5 closure – Offramp to West Seattle Bridge and Columbian Way will be closed 9 pm Friday-5 am Monday
With a little old indoor cat keeping us company here at WSB HQ, we’ve been wondering whether he’s feeling the effects of the smoky air too. No outward signs – he’s sleeping a lot, but well, he always sleeps a lot. Anyway, in case you also share your life with pets, here’s advice from the Seattle Animal Shelter on the best ways to protect their health while we’re blanketed in smoke.
No date set yet for the three-week Highway 99 closure that will precede the tunnel’s opening, but WSDOT is providing another peek inside the almost-ready tunnel today, along with this explanation:
… Crews are using stencils to paint “running man” symbols on walls in both directions of the tunnel.
The green icons are spaced about 50 feet apart on the west walls of the southbound (upper) and northbound (lower) roadways. As shown in the photo, arrows point the way to the nearest exits, along with the distances to them.
If the seven-foot-tall green stick figures don’t get your attention, flashing lights at each of the tunnel’s emergency exits and electronic signs will provide additional guidance.
Crews are also striping the roadway inside the tunnel, according to today’s update from WSDOT, which continues to promise that it will provide at least one month’s notice before the three-week closure, which will be followed by two more weeks of work on the ramp that West Seattleites will use to get into downtown south of the tunnel entrance.
(WSB photo from 2017 Arts in Nature Festival)
By this weekend, the air is expected to be clearer, and that’s a good thing given the number of big outdoor events on the schedule! Among them: The 19th annual Arts in Nature Festival at Camp Long, presented by Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association. The festival spans both Saturday and Sunday, with visual and performing artists all around the sprawling, forest-and-meadow West Seattle park. You can see the full schedule here; find out more about the artists here. As explained here, this isn’t just a festival where you go to watch and listen – it’s also a festival where you experience and create. (And don’t miss what’s happening in and around the cabins!) You will be inspired and stirred on Saturday night by musical headliners Total Experience Gospel Choir, led by Rev. Pat Wright, who’s talking about retirement, so this might be one of your last chances to see and hear her! Festival hours are noon-9 pm Saturday and noon-6 pm Sunday; tickets are discounted when you buy online in advance, so do that here ASAP! (WSB is a co-sponsor of this year’s festival.)
11:25 AM: Thanks to Andy for the tip. Notices of their impending removal have been posted for weeks, and today – with two weeks to go until school starts – the remaining street trees outside Lafayette Elementary in The Admiral District are coming down.
We’ll be checking with SDOT regarding replacement plans.
3:10 PM: SDOT spokesperson LeAnne Nelson says that’s actually a crew hired by Seattle Public Schools, though replacing the trees eventually will be up to SDOT:
Regarding the trees near Lafayette Elementary, unfortunately, they have Dutch Elm Disease. Several trees were removed from the area a few years ago, due to the same disease. We estimate the trees are about 70 years old. The School is responsible for removing the remaining 4 trees. Hauling the wood away and grinding the stumps helps eradicate the infection. We’ll then come in with site-appropriate trees — more resistant to Dutch Elm — and they will become our maintenance responsibility. There isn’t a specific timeframe for planting yet.
Since we sent our inquiry to SDOT this morning, some commenters have brought up other issues that we’ll have to take to the district for a separate followup.
(Fishing at Seacrest, across from the smoked-out skyline – photo by Marie Tweedy)
The wildfire smoke and resulting unhealthy air are, unfortunately, Topic A today. And related annoucements begin our highlights list:
ESCAPING THE SMOKE: As previewed here last night, two local places are offering the chance to come indoors: The West Seattle YMCA (3622 SW Snoqualmie; WSB sponsor), all day/night; St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW), now through 1 pm for kids through age 5 who need an indoor place to play.
WADING POOL & SPRAYPARK: Daily through Labor Day (unless the weather is cool/cloudy), the schedule is now down to Lincoln Park wading pool (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) and Highland Park spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), both 11 am-8 pm.
CHIEF BEST SWEARING-IN: 1 pm, the second of three around-the-city community swearing-in ceremonies for new Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best is at South Park Community Center. (8319 8th Ave. S.)
TEARS OF JOY PUPPET THEATRE: 2 pm at Delridge Community Center, join Tears of Joy for a show based on the life of the monarch butterfly. (4501 Delridge Way SW)
MOBILE BIKE REPAIRS: Sixth BikeWorks session of the summer for free or reduced-price bicycle repairs. On the driveway behind Neighborhood House High Point, 2-4:30 pm. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
DELRIDGE GROCERY FARMSTAND: The Delridge Grocery Coop continues its weekly farmstand today, 3-7 pm at the Shell across from DGC’s future Cottage Grove Commons store. (5441 Delridge Way SW)
EVENING BOOK GROUP: 6:30 pm at air-conditioned High Point Library. This month’s book is “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison. (3411 SW Raymond)
UNPLUGGED, A MUSICAL GATHERING: Acoustic musicians and singers are invited to jam at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
FAMILY STORY TIME: 7 pm at air-conditioned Delridge Library. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
GEEKS WHO DRINK: Tonight, you’re invited to join the weekly trivia night at Whisky West (WSB sponsor), 8 pm. 21+. (6451 California SW)
(Monday night’s smoke-reddened moon, photographed by Marc Milrod)
MORE FOR TODAY/TONIGHT/BEYOND … on our complete calendar.
Two ways to help West Seattle Helpline via C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor):
BACK-TO-SCHOOL CLOTHING DONATIONS: Through the end of this month, you can drop off new clothing for kids 5-12 and/or visit the coffeehouse first to “grab a tag with specific clothing needs” you can then shop to fulfill and bring back.
PAELLA PARTY: Get your tickets fast for the annual feast – only $25 for chef-made paella during a festive night at the coffeehouse, 6-9 pm Saturday, September 8th. As explained in our calendar listing, you can get your ticket at C&P or via e-mailing candpco@candpcoffee.com ASAP!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:06 AM: Good morning. No incidents reported in/from West Seattle so far.
STADIUM ZONE: Mariners play Houston again tonight, 7:10 am.
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: All students are back at Summit Atlas (35th/Roxbury) today.
NEXT WEEKEND: I-5 and 99 closures you need to know about – here’s the early info.
(WSB photo: Smoky Monday afternoon @ Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza)
First announcements of this type that we’ve received – and likely not the last – both just out of the WSB inbox. First, from West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) executive director Shalimar Gonzales:
With more fires cropping up in BC and surrounding areas, the smoke may be here for a while longer. The West Seattle Y is offering a respite for community members at our location on Snoqualmie Street. Our center is air-conditioned and offers free Wi-Fi.
This is an opportunity for us to pay back this special community. We are happy to open our doors to our neighbors to protect their health.
The use of these facilities is free to the public. YMCA lot parking regulations still apply. A government issued photo ID is required to enter the facility. If you are interested in getting a workout in, feel free to stop by our welcome center to get a free pass to use our facility.
And from St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church rector Rev. Kate Wesch:
Tuesday and Wednesday, August 21 and 22 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Escape the smoke with children ages 0-5 who need to move at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church
Do you have cabin fever with your little ones? Looking for some space to run around where the kids can play indoors away from the smoke? St. John’s is opening the Parish Hall, a large carpeted room, and will have a few large motor toys and blocks out. Come for an hour or stay all three. We’ll have coffee for the grown ups. St. John’s is located on the corner of California Ave SW and SW Hanford St. next door to WS High School. (3050 California Ave SW) Questions? 206-937-4545
Anybody else with something special to announce? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thanks!
Need a smile before bedtime? Todd e-mailed us the tale of “Tullie the flying dog,” whose neighborhood adventure stopped short of an appearance on the WSB Lost/Found Pets page:
My dog Tullie, a 8-y-o mischievous terrier mutt, was missing for about 20 minutes. I could slightly hear her, but could not see her. Then i looked “up.” When i called her, she tried to come down off the roof toward me, by jumping off the roof! NOT a good decision. She refused to come down the way she went up………. so i had to slowly enter the unoccupied home, making as much noise as possible, to retrieve her (the back door was open and i asked my friend to witness the event) where i discovered her cowering up on the roof. She accessed the roof from a built-in rooftop deck. Apparently she chased a cat up into the neighbors’ house. A very large white cat had kidnapped Tullie up there! I was able to move the cat, and steer Tullie down the stairs, where she promptly placed the brakes on again…. a second cat stood in the doorway preventing her exit. I had to move the 2nd cat to get my dog out of the house. I don’t think Tullie will be chasing cats anytime soon.
This unfolded in southwest Admiral.
The photo and announcement are from West Seattle VFW post commander Steve Strand:
The West Seattle VFW would like to invite everybody to help us celebrate our 100-year anniversary this Sunday, August 26th, 2018, at 2:00 PM.
Our Post was created when the original Seattle Post #24 COL Theodore Roosevelt joined with the Sgt Farwell post to create Post 2713 Farwell-Roosevelt. We are still housed in the old Morrison Hall at 3601 SW Alaska Street, where we have been since the 1960s. We are across the street from the American Legion who have the cannon out front.
We have been researching our history and will have old newspaper articles and photographs on display. We also have compiled a database of members from 1918 and will attempt to have a list if anybody wants to check it for family members. Our database is incomplete, but the original applications include veterans from the Spanish-American War.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US strives to give back to the community while allowing our members a friendly face and open place to gather and share their experiences. We are offering a one-year free membership to any qualifying veteran that lives or works in West Seattle. If you have a veteran in your life, please bring them by. Many of our members were encouraged to join by children, grandchildren, or others, only to find out the benefit it added to their life. We are all-inclusive – all ages, genders, races, religions, orientations.
This is a free event and our doors will be wide open. Anybody is welcome to come in and browse our building, check-out the displays, or talk with our veterans. We hope to see you there.
Three notes tonight:
STOLEN VEHICLE: Jyl’s 1993 white Jeep Grand Cherokee was stolen in the 9800 block of 24th SW. Plates AYU8906. Call 911 if you’ve seen it.
DUMPED BAG: Stephanie found this dumped in her alley over the weekend, near 35th/Dawson:
Recognize it? Let us know and we’ll connect you.
ABOUT THAT POLICE RESPONSE: Got a few questions about a police response late today near 35th/107th in Arbor Heights. It was a “person in crisis” situation, related to a family dispute, resolved without injury.
| Comments Off on West Seattle Crime Watch: Silver/black Ford Fusion stolen