West Seattle, Washington
21 Saturday
(10:53 AM UPDATE: Highland Park Way and Morgan have both reopened, post-crashes)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:28 AM: Good morning! While Seattle City Light is still working on outages around the city, the map does not show any remaining in West Seattle that would seem to affect this morning’s commute – but please let us know if you discover otherwise (206-293-6302 text or voice, when you can use the phone safely/legally – from the passenger seat or after you get where you’re going) – thank you. Meantime, no incidents in the area, and for Eastside-bound commuters, yes, the 520 Bridge *did* reopen early this morning after wind-damage repairs.
6:42 AM: Just texted (thanks!) – the Delridge/Henderson signal is in flashing-red mode. (If you see a signal out, or road hazard, please report to SDOT at 206-684-ROAD, and then let us know.)
7:05 AM: Heavy rescue call for a crash at West Marginal/Highland Park Way. Avoid the hill. One tipster says it’s a multiple-car crash. We’re en route.
7:26 AM: It will be closed a while – serious enough that the special investigation team is being called out. Police are blocking the hill both ways. 8th southbound to Roxbury is jammed.
7:48 AM: Olson/Myers light is still flashing red and that’s making Roxbury backup worse.
7:54 AM: We finally made it to West Marginal/Highland Park Way. W. Marginal is open both ways. It’s the Highland Park Way hill that’s blocked off, and of course the turn to Highland Park.
SFD spokesperson Corey Orvold is here and just told our photographer that two cars are involved, each with one person inside, a 19-year-old woman in one, 21-year-old man in the other, and he has been taken to Harborview. Photo added – the crash scene is about 100 yards up the hill south/SW of Pioneer Industries, and debris is strewn across the roadway, so once the investigators are done, there will be a significant cleanup too.
8:08 AM: And for further verification that it will be closed a while:
Per crew on the scene, Highland Park Way SW just west of W Marginal Way SW will be closed for at least 2 hours while @SeattlePD investigates
— seattledot (@seattledot) March 14, 2016
8:23 AM: Bicycle riders and pedestrians are being allowed on the downhill HP Way sidewalk.
9:01 AM: New rollover crash reported – via scanner, 34th/Morgan, “vehicle hit a parked car and is flipped over on its top.”
9:16 AM: Morgan is blocked from just east of 35th SW to Lanham – we’ve added a photo of the flipped car, which is in the eastbound lane. The parked car the driver hit is on the westbound side of Morgan:
No major injuries so far as we can tell – a private ambulance is at the scene.
9:34 AM: Metro has sent an alert that Route 128 is routed off Orchard/Sylvan/Morgan between Delridge and 35th because of the aforementioned crash.
10:10 AM: Highland Park Way is reopening both ways, according to police discussion monitored via scanner – the post-crash cleanup is over.
10:53 AM: Metro has just sent the alert that it’s back to normal service on Morgan/Sylvan/Orchard, so that scene has cleared too.
(Photo courtesy John Lang)
Before the weekend ends – one last event report: Results of the Fairmount Ravine community cleanup. Again this year, we have the wrapup from John Lang, who is handing over the job of coordination from hereon out.
The 24th annual Fairmount Ravine Cleanup was a success on Saturday 3/12. Thank you to the 18 hardworking volunteers of all ages who participated; most of the group removed trash under the Admiral bridge, primarily the west side, and six others removed invasive ivy from the mature trees. The morning started damp but Mother Earth must have been pleased with the community’s effort because the cleanup ended in sunshine.
(WSB photo: Volunteers cleaning under the bridge)
The weather-protected area under the bridge continues to attract the homeless and partyers. It is the Admiral district’s version of the Jungle. They bring third-world sanitation with them as all their garbage is thrown downhill. Between 80-90 large garbage bags were filled with trash! This includes a couple hundred beer bottles, many broken, large furniture, broken bicycles etc. There was enough to fill up the DOC flatbed truck twice. We post signs a week in advance warning that the area will be cleaned and to have personal possessions removed.(WSB photo: John Lang & Officer Flores)
Once again, we appreciate participation by [Community Police Team] officers Jon Flores and Kevin McDaniel, with the Seattle Police Department, providing security and helping with traffic control. Three cheers to our local merchants, Metropolitan Market and Starbucks, for their generous support of this community effort.Thank you to everyone who made this year’s cleanup a success. A special shout out to Matt Algieri, who is taking over leadership of this annual event. The Fairmount Ravine cleanup is a great example of community pride and putting into action the teamwork necessary to tackle a difficult situation to generate positive results.
Not sure where Fairmount Ravine is? It goes beneath the Admiral Way Bridge, between Admiral and East Alki (here’s a map).
ADDED MONDAY: John just sent word that the total weight of what they picked up was 3,740 pounds … close to two tons.
(EARLIER AS-IT-HAPPENED STORM COVERAGE is here)
8:23 PM: The windstorm is officially over – the National Weather Service has canceled the “high wind warning,” which at one point was to be in effect until late tonight. Still some clouds, with showers remaining in the forecast; you probably noticed the early-evening hail.
(Photo tweeted by Todd Vandermark)
And lots of cleanup remains to be done. Some of the most urgent trouble spots have been cleared – we just went back to the eastbound bridge onramp at Avalon (etc.) to verify that it is fully open again. We have a few others to check on – if a road remains closed (or partly blocked) near you, please let us know – 206-293-6302 or editor@wsb.blackfin.biz.
The largest remaining power outage on the map for West Seattle is one with 200+ customers out just west of Delridge, north of Orchard:
9:38 PM: We’ve replaced the screengrab of the SCL outage map, because another 100-plus customers in that area have subsequently lost their power. And there’s another cluster of almost 100 who are still out to the west, also shown in the screengrab.
Traffic-wise, we’re told Olson/Myers in southeast West Seattle is flashing red. That’s one we’ll check on in the early morning, before the major commute hours. You’ll want to take extra time to check on your commute route tomorrow – for example, if you cross Lake Washington, the 520 bridge is closed overnight after storm-related damage, though WSDOT expects to have it open for the am rush.
Also: As mentioned in the comment section – and just now, via Twitter – some are experiencing a Comcast outage.
Last but not least: One more downed-tree photo came in tonight, this one a 30-year-old thundercloud plum that fell at Kelly‘s house in Highland Park:
If you’re dealing with a downed tree, we would be interested to hear what you find when you start calling around for help. We expect local services will be megabusy.
11:43 AM: Thanks to Darlene for letting us know Southern is still closed – downed tree and wires – west of California, heading onto 44th.
(SCROLL DOWN for newest power/road/other updates. 5:40 PM TOPLINES: Most WS power outages over; tree blocking EB bridge ramp from Avalon)
(Screengrab from City Light outage map showing only scattered outages left as of 6:28 pm – click to go to “live” map on SCL website)
1:46 PM: The wind has kicked up big time and we have the first reports of power outages. The Seattle City Light map is turning pink fast. Biggest outage so far in West Seattle: More than 1,600 homes/businesses from Beach Drive to Fauntleroy, roughly from Brandon to Morgan. Also, a tree’s down across northbound California, 4700 block in The Junction:
Thanks for the photo – text 206-293-6302 or editor@wsb.blackfin.biz – you also can post photos in comments – and we’re of course on Twitter at @westseattleblog – where this just came in:
@westseattleblog Tree down on California Ln up hill from Harbor Ave. pic.twitter.com/CpyqHRLPkS
— s|n|a (@sna23) March 13, 2016
2:02 PM: We also have word of a tree down on Highland Park Way, and an HP outage.
2:10 PM: Just added a current screengrab of the City Light outage map. PLEASE stay home if you can – trees are coming down in many areas and you don’t want to be under the next one to fall. If you ARE out, please remember that when signals are out, they are a four-way stop – we have a Twitter report of people just “blowing through” signals that are out of power. And once you’ve reported problems, please be patient – so far more than 34,000 homes and businesses are out around the city.
2:24 PM: Speaking of signals, they are out on major routes including 16th through Highland Park (at Holden and Austin, according to a text we just received). Another reason to stay home unless it’s an emergency – some businesses are out of power. (Please let us know when you’re back as well as when you’re out!)
2:39 PM: Just in, a tree down across Fairmount Avenue toward the north end of the ravine between Admiral and Alki:
Thanks to Thore for that photo. Also just received – tree down on Avalon by Yancy (thanks to the person who texted this):
2:51 PM: Updated the outage-map screengrab for West Seattle again, atop this story. Doesn’t appear to have worsened in the past 20 minutes or so. Citywide, the number also has remained steady, around 35,000 customers (homes/businesses) out. But there goes another strong gust as we type – so don’t get complacent yet if your power has remained on (ours has in Upper Fauntleroy/Gatewood, so far). And as someone has pointed out in comments, we’re not being alarmist when we warn against going out if you don’t absolutely have to, because of the danger of falling trees – one has killed someone in Seward Park (here’s the SFD tweet). Signal outages are a hazard too – along with 16th, as mentioned earlier, the Morgan Junction outage has California/Fauntleroy out, as we just were reminded by a scanner mention.
3:04 PM: Thanks to Keith for word of tree trouble on northbound 35th between Alaska and Avalon. More trees are falling than in some windstorms, and that’s most likely because of how waterlogged the ground is from the far-above-average rainfall we’ve been having. If you’re anywhere near the water, especially west-facing WS, you’re seeing whitecaps and waves – Nick sent this from Me-Kwa-Mooks vicinity:
Many are asking “how long will our power be out?” Our stock answer is to assume the worst and be surprised if it’s better. Could be many hours, judging by past windstorms (we’ve covered them going back to the legendary one in December 2006, which was stronger than this and led to some people being out for more than a week). Citywide, the number of customers out is up to more than 40,000 now. Here’s SCL advice on what to do if/when your power’s out. … Also just heard via scanner, chain-link fence onto southbound 35th at Avalon; tree blocking the switchbacks from Upper Fauntleroy to Lincoln Park in Northrop/44th/Southern vicinity (added: photo from Linda)…
Also, tree trouble at 16th/Thistle. Scanner traffic continues to indicate that SCL and SDOT are maxed out right now so please do report but know you might not get a response soon. DON’T GO ANYWHERE NEAR DOWNED WIRES, PLEASE.
3:16 PM: From comments – Southwest Pool is now closed for the day because there’s no power. More trees down – Mariko sent this from 37th SW, near Willow:
And at Fauntleroy/Wildwood, south of the ferry dock – thanks to Jim:
3:38 PM: Thanks for the texts – a tree is down across part of the onramp to the eastbound bridge from Avalon/Admiral/etc.
The high-wind warning remains in effect until 11 pm – read it here.
4:05 PM: Thanks to Jay for the ferry/waves photo from Beach Drive/Alki Point area.
As mentioned earlier, businesses are affected in more than a few spots – Susan mentions in comments that the Morgan Junction outage includes West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor). We’ll be going out shortly for a look at some of the major areas. And we can’t say it enough – be careful and don’t go out if you don’t have to. Here’s a streetlight pole leaning at 16th/Trenton in Highland Park:
Thanks again to everyone sending photos.
4:42 PM: We have reports from Highland Park and High Point that some of the power is back on. We’re out now looking around and just happened to be at 16th and Holden when we saw that – the 16th lights ARE working. Meantime, at Delridge/Orchard, the signal is flashing red. Just texted from resident near SW Precinct that their power’s back too. We’ll update our outage-map screengrab shortly. … wait, maybe not; it appears to not be working at this moment.
4:51 PM: Just checked out the bridge-ramp-blocking tree firsthand:
Crew on scene of tree blocking EB bridge ramp from Avalon etc pic.twitter.com/qbTbyINjVV
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) March 13, 2016
Please let us know if you discover it open and we haven’t reported it yet – hard to tell how long it will take to clear. Meantime, get on the eastbound bridge from Fauntleroy or from Delridge.
As we continue our rounds – looks like California Lane’s blocking tree is cleared, as traffic is coming down the hill to Harbor Avenue. And the City Light map is back up. We’re traveling along Alki, which did NOT lose power this afternoon, and all the restaurants appear to be up and running.
5:02 PM: We’re along Beach Drive now – part of the central stretch is part of the remaining major outage zone in West Seattle, which also goes east to Morgan Junction, 1,600+ homes/businesses. Surf’s not too high along Beach Drive because the tide is relatively low right now.
5:13 PM: Just arrived in Morgan Junction and tweeted this pic:
Morgan Jct still out. But look – it's a @SEACityLight truck on Fauntleroy at California! pic.twitter.com/00GTkgDaGx
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) March 14, 2016
Our photographed just went into Thriftway – it IS open, no hot food in the deli, no frozen food sales, and some of their perishables are out of the cases for now. They’re also limiting cash back right now but otherwise they are running with generator power. Meantime, we’ve updated the SCL outage-map framegrab atop this story with the 5 pm view – reflecting the eastern West Seattle outages that are now over.
5:27 PM: Besides the trees being cleared from roads, tree services will be busy for days if not weeks with trees that have come down onto homes. Two are down on this house on SW Tillicum in Fauntleroy (thanks for texting the photo):
5:41 PM: Just got a text that 42nd/Graham has power restored, shortly after a text that it is back on in the 6300 block of Beach Drive. The SCL map shows only scattered small outages remaining in West Seattle, though across the service area, more than 41,000 customers are still without electricity.
5:56 PM: We just checked the bridge ramp again. Big progress for the crew but the ramp’s still closed. Also closed, SW Southern on the west side of California, because of a tree blocking the route down the hillside to neighborhoods east of Lincoln Park.
6:05 PM: Margie lost this 40+-year-old tree at her house near 39th/Andover:
We just checked back in The Junction, and the tree that fell in front of 4730 California hasn’t been cleaned up yet, but traffic’s going by both ways.
6:18 PM: Robert in Seola sent this photo, saying a family made a narrow escape:
He says they had just gotten out of the car when a tree fell on it, near where another tree had fallen across the road.
Also in southwest West Seattle, Gary sent this photo of a tree down at 35th and 111th – taking down a power line:
Later tonight, we will have a separate report on the aftermath of the storm, including any roads that remain closed … we appreciate updates, and thank EVERYONE again for all the information and photos throughout the afternoon – 206-293-6302, editor@wsb.blackfin.biz
(WSB photo from 2015 Food Fest)
If you live, work, and/or play in Fauntleroy, its community council invites you to the annual Food Fest membership celebration on Tuesday (March 15th). As is usual every March, that was the hot topic at the monthly Fauntleroy Community Association board meeting this past week – though not the only topic.
The event on Tuesday is FCA’s annual membership event, with local food-and-drink establishments participating in order to celebrate community as well as entice attendance. It’s at The Hall at Fauntleroy, starting at 6 pm, and will include officer elections (in a festive atmosphere). Come renew or start your FCA membership, while enjoying free samples from more than half a dozen local food/drink establishments, and learning about community businesses/organizations. Bring a food-bank donation too!
ALSO AT FCA – NEXT STEPS FOR EX-SUBSTATION: When the City Council gave City Light the OK to dispose of its surplus ex-substations, the FCA was given a year to come up with a plan to purchase it; if that doesn’t happen, the city will sell it on the open market, as it’s doing with the former Andover substation on Pigeon Point and the former White Center substation in Highland Park. FCA informally met with some neighbors recently and reported that most would like to see it become a greenspace, but some would be OK with housing. FCA is currently trying to rustle up funding for a landscape consultant to evaluate the site.
ENDOLYNE TRIANGLE: Following up on last month’s discussion of plans to calm traffic around the “triangle” in the Fauntleroy/Endolyne business district, FCA’s Marty Westerman says SDOT’s Jim Curtin told him the work is just awaiting two consecutive warm, dry days. As for the planters that are also in the works for the triangle, a neighborhood discussion will determine their configuration and maintenance plans.
FAUNTLEROY SCHOOLHOUSE: Vicki Schmitz-Block reported on a recent daylong retreat that included not only the board but also building representatives, working on a new long-term business plan for the historic schoolhouse. One of its major tenants, the Fauntleroy Children’s Center, has a fundraising auction coming up March 19th.
The Fauntleroy Community Association usually meets second Tuesdays in the schoolhouse conference room – but don’t miss the March 15th Food Fest mentioned above!
The National Weather Service‘s “high wind warning” for our area has been revised because “the storm is moving faster and winds are expected to begin rising sooner than previously expected.” The NWS expects the “strongest winds” in this area to be “during the early to mid-afternoon.” Current forecast is for south to southeast wind 25 mph to 40 mph, gusting up to 60 mph. We’ll be monitoring the situation throughout the day; if your neighborhood is hit with wind effects such as a power outage, downed tree or wires, etc., once you’ve reported to authorities, please let us know – text or call 206-293-6302. Here are some of the numbers you might need:
REPORTING A POWER OUTAGE: 206-684-3000
REPORTING A ROAD/SIDEWALK HAZARD: SDOT’s 24-hour dispatch is 206-386-1218; if you can’t reach them and it’s a truly urgent hazard, call 911.
Good morning – welcome to Daylight Saving Time! 2 am instantly became 3 am overnight, so you might have some clock-resetting to do today, for anything that didn’t automatically make the jump. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service’s “high wind warning” for our area is still up, with the wind expected this afternoon/evening, and most of what’s on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar happens earlier:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: As spring approaches, more of our region’s fresh-grown, fresh-made bounty appears. 10 am-2 pm in the street, in The Junction. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
ASK YOUR QUESTION: As previewed here last night, it’s “Question Week,” and you are invited to stop by Red Cup Espresso in The Junction 10 am-2 pm to contribute your Big Question. (4451 California SW)
OPEN HOUSE: 11 am-1 pm at Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School, which serves preschool through 8th grade. (20th SW/SW Roxbury)
BENEFIT CLASSES: Innate Vitality in Fauntleroy is raising money today for Mila, a 6-year-old girl fighting cancer, and her family. Classes this afternoon (at 12, 1, 2 pm) are on a “pay what you can” donation basis. Sign up in advance. (4507 Wildwood Place)
WEST SEATTLE SEED LIBRARY: Grand opening 2-4 pm today! More in our original preview. It’s at The Healing Tree. (3225 California SW)
CONNECT WITH YOUR COMMUNITY: Ever considered volunteering with the Southwest Seattle Historical Society? Or maybe becoming a member? Or just finding out more about the place where you live? This afternoon’s “fun-filled, informational” event is for you, 3:30-4:30 pm at the Log House Museum – info here. Raffle! (61st SW/SW Stevens)
CHRISTINE PARKER: Singer-songwriter performs live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)
BLUEGRASS JAM: Open jam starts around 7 pm at Poggie Tavern in The Junction. (4717 California SW)
THERE’S MORE … on our complete calendar.
Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight:
MAIL THEFT: Surveillance video caught someone stealing mail on Beach Drive near Lowman Beach around noon Friday:
The victim is offering a thousand-dollar reward if a tip leads to identification. You can refer to police incident #16000087115.
HIT-RUN: Emily reports her vehicle was hit “on Fauntleroy coming off the ferry (Friday). If you see a maroon Mercedes SUV missing its front emblem, with license plate AYJ4***, please call 911 and report to SPD, attn: Officer Johns!”
STOLEN-BIKE UPDATE: We reported Friday on Kim‘s stolen bike. Now, an update: “The boneheads couldn’t ride it and crashed. Found by neighbors where it was ditched. Back home in locked space.”
P.S. Reminder that the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meets Tuesday (March 15th), 7 pm at Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster) – bring your crime/safety concerns directly to local police, as part of the meeting.
It’s been said that it’s far more important to have the right questions, than to have the right answers.
Tomorrow, you have a chance to do something unique with your question(s):
In honor of Albert Einstein‘s upcoming birthday, this will be Question Week, and local organizers have announced:
To launch Question Week locally, Red Cup Espresso, 4451 California Ave SW, is allowing use of their deck on Sunday, March 13th from 10 AM – 2 PM, where everyone can come to have their photos professionally taken by West Seattle’s own Filmateria when they share their questions. We will have some starter exercises to align with the Sunday West Seattle Farmers Market, and there will be the option to participate via social media.
For more about Question Week, read on:
3:51 PM: The weather alert for tomorrow has been upgraded this afternoon to a “High Wind Warning,” and the National Weather Service‘s forecast discussion describes it as a “classic Puget Sound windstorm scenario,” with sustained wind from the south/southeast/southwest potentially 35-45 mph and gusts as high as 70 mph. This is all supposed to happen Sunday afternoon/evening, so you have time to charge everything, get flashlights handy, and other precautions for possible outages.
9:44 PM: As noted in comments, there’s now more of a possibility this might be a little weaker than the afternoon projection – you can read the NWS’s newest “forecast discussion” by going here. As of right now, they’re keeping the warnings up, since the possibility of winds strong enough to bring down trees and cause outages remains. We’ll see what the morning forecast updates (there’s usually another by 4 am, for night owls/earlybirds) bring.
1:35 PM: The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is just wrapping up downtown – and the three local school bands that marched in it turned out to be the only school bands in the parade. First, Chief Sealth International High School:
(Added: Video)
Then Denny International Middle School:
(Added: Video)
(Added: Video)
One more West Seattle sight – the Seattle Police Mounted Patrol, which is based next to Westcrest Park in Highland Park:
From Highland Park, the @SeattlePD Mounted Patrol pic.twitter.com/Ab49Wy20rz
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) March 12, 2016
The parade began with sights and sounds best known for summertime parades, the SPD Motorcycle Drill Team …
… and the Seafair Pirates, whose first two cannon blasts are on our short Twitter video:
And two cannon blasts from the @SeafairPirates !! pic.twitter.com/MfFgDRR4YW
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) March 12, 2016
This year’s Grand Marshal was SPD Chief Kathleen O’Toole.
(Added above: Photo with, from left, Chief O’Toole, husband Dan, local journalist Casey McNerthney, and retiring Congressmember Jim McDermott.)
5:35 PM: Updated with video of all three marching bands. Yet to come: Photos to replace the early ones we added from our as-it-happened tweeting.
9:22 PM: Photos added, as well as substituted for the bands’ Twitter images that we had originally included.
10:14 AM: In the hallway at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, the Gathering of Neighbors is under way, starting with a resource fair – tablers include:
*SWYFS
*West Seattle Food Bank
*Dept. of Education & Early Learning
*HALA
*West Seattle Time Bank
*SDOT
*DPCI
*West Seattle Helpline
*Seattle Subway
Opening ceremony is at 10:30. More to come.
11 AM: First panel is under way in the theater.
11:37 AM: The theme today is ‘growing pains’ and this discussion with Councilmember Lorena González and the Junction Association‘s Susan Melrose, plus Ben Crowther from The Urbanist and the city’s HALA project manager Michelle Chen, has touched on many challenges and opportunities. We have it on video and will add later when the clip’s ready. West Seattle-residing broadcaster Brian Callanan moderated. (Added – here’s the video:)
12 PM: Breakout sessions now, from business development to light rail. Still time to get here for the concluding panel on homelessness, to be moderated by Councilmember Lisa Herbold, scheduled as an encore of the panel we covered at the 34th District Democrats in January.
ADDED SATURDAY EVENING … a few more photos. From the organizing group VieWS (Visualizing Increased Engagement in West Seattle), Pete Spalding showed off his T-shirt from the first GoN back in 2004:
The group that launched the GoN was Megawatt, which disbanded in 2007 but not before having a lasting effect on the local community, not just via this event but also by creating West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day in 2005 (after MW’s closure, we took it over in 2008 and beyond; we’ll be opening registration in early April for this year’s WSCGSD, which is nine weeks from today – Saturday, May 14th).
(Another beautiful jay photographed by Mark Wangerin – this time a Western Scrub-Jay found by the Duwamish River)
Tonight, we “spring forward” as Daylight Saving Time arrives at 2 am Sunday. But first, a big day/night in West Seattle – from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (which you can browse any time of the day or night to see what’s ahead), highlights include:
24th ANNUAL FAIRMOUNT RAVINE CLEANUP: It’s along the route so many take between the water and Admiral, so this cleanup is of interest even if you’re not a nearby resident. Spend an hour or two helping not only clean up the ravine but also clipping ivy off its trees – more info here. Treats for volunteers. Meet at 8:30 am. (Fairmount/Forest)
GATHERING OF NEIGHBORS: 9 am-1 pm, drop in for any or all of this year’s “Gathering of Neighbors” at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center and talk/hear about West Seattle’s “growing pains” – the challenges, the opportunities, and more. See our preview for what’s happening, who’s talking/listening, and when. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
SOFTBALL JAMBOREE: 9 am-4 pm, 10 teams at Southwest Athletic Complex, including all three of our local high schools. Free to watch – 2-inning games will be ongoing at the upper and lower fields. See the schedules and addresses in our preview (including Sealth vs. WSHS at 9:55 am on the lower field).
SHOP, DINE, HAVE FUN ALL AT ONE EVENT: 9 am-3 pm at the Seattle Lutheran High School Gym, Soroptimist International of Seattle South is throwing a fun(draising) event including “food, Easter baskets, plant starts, yard art, garden gnomes, gifts for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Kids can have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny and there will be an area for little ones to color while their parents shop.” There’s an admission charge – details in our listing. (4100 SW Genesee)
GIGANTIC GARAGE SALE: 9 am-2 pm, it’s the second and final day of West Side Presbyterian‘s megasale, indoors and out – just look for this (which we photographed yesterday afternoon):
(3601 California SW)
LOCALS IN ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE: The Denny IMS, WSHS, and Chief Sealth IHS bands are all in the parade downtown today. It starts at 12:30 pm, heading north from 4th/James. Route, running order, more, all here.
AUDITION FOR ‘LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER’: Local auditions for interested in writers start at 1:15 pm at High Point Library – explained here. (35th SW/SW Raymond)
SPAGHETTI DINNER: The West Seattle High School ASB hopes you’ll come have dinner with them tonight – (updated start time) 5:30 pm-8:30 pm, $10 adults, $7 kids at the door, spaghetti, garlic bread, dessert, beverages, and they’re selling T-shirts too – ASB officer Angelo Guerrero e-mailed us the info and promises it’ll be a lot of fun. Questions? angeloguerrero850@gmail.com (3000 California SW)
ULTIMATE ORIENTEERING AT LINCOLN PARK: Navigate in the dark! The Cascade Orienteering Club is hosting a nighttime orienteering event at Lincoln Park – sign up at 6 pm, start time 7 pm, details in our calendar listing. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
DANNY O’KEEFE: The legendary singer/songwriter is live at Kenyon Hall tonight, 7:30 pm – check ASAP to see if there’s still room. Here’s how. (7904 35th SW)
THE ESOTERICS IN CONCERT: 8 pm at Holy Rosary, choral music based on poets’ work – full details (including ticket info) in our calendar listing. (42nd SW/SW Genesee)
MAURICE AND HIS THING: 9 pm, live at Parliament Tavern. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
NO, THIS ISN’T *EVERYTHING* – take a quick run through the calendar for even more.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Next Wednesday afternoon, the full city Landmarks Preservation Board will formally consider the Alki Homestead‘s restoration plans. As a prelude, Homestead owner Dennis Schilling and his architect Jeff Hamlett spoke this morning with the board’s Architectural Review Committee – almost exactly one year after we first reported that Schilling was the historic Fir Lodge‘s new owner, and more than seven years after the fire that ravaged and closed what had been a beloved restaurant.
What is before the board now isn’t the full site plan, which is eventually expected to include apartments to the south of the city landmark. But because much of the Homestead is protected, changes and repairs have to get approval from the board as well as from city staff.
The committee meetings are open to the public but informal, so this morning’s session was a discussion more than a presentation. And this stage of the review generally follows months of discussions between building owners and city staffers:
6:41 PM FRIDAY: It’s early – but the National Weather Service wants you to know there’s a chance of a windstorm Sunday afternoon through late Sunday night, possibly bringing southerly winds 20 to 40 mph and gusts up to 60, so it has issued a “High Wind Watch” (read it here). We’ll update through the weekend, as usual.
6:51 AM SATURDAY: The High Wind Watch is officially in effect noon Sunday-5 am Monday, as of the most-recent update (see it here).
2:13 PM SATURDAY: Now the alert is up to a ‘high wind warning,’ noon-11 pm Sunday, gusts up to 70 mph.
5:30 PM: Thanks for the tips – we’ve just checked out the incident that has eastbound Barton blocked across from central Westwood Village, west of 26th SW. Emergency responders tell us a female pedestrian was hit while crossing there. She’s being taken to the hospital by private ambulance, indicating her injuries are not life-threatening.
5:44 PM: Our crew tells us police and fire have all cleared the scene and the road is open again. Community advocates have long lobbied for safety improvements there, and SDOT indicated at a recent meeting that some are finally in the works.
That’s a quick Instagram-video spin (mouse over the image to bring up the “play” button) around the treacherous intersection of 30th/Avalon/Yancy/Andover. Busy road, many residents, south edge of the Luna Park business district, RapidRide stop steps away … dangerous whether you’re on wheels or on foot. It’s been a concern for many years – and now improvements are on the way. This came in from project manager Brian Glas at SDOT this afternoon:
Starting as soon as late March, crews working for the Seattle Department of Transportation will add a curb extension, curb ramps, a striped crosswalk, and a flashing crossing beacon at the intersections of SW Avalon Way, SW Andover St, SW Yancy St, and 30th Ave SW.
As I’m sure you know, this junction of intersections does not have a marked crosswalk across the SW Avalon Way arterial. Also, the current sidewalks do not have curb ramps that are compliant with current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, making access difficult for people with assistive devices (such as wheelchairs, walkers, or strollers). Please see the map in the attached project fact sheet for more details about the planned improvements.
The contractor has not yet finalized the construction schedule, but we wanted to give you and your readers a heads up of some general construction impacts. Crews will need to temporarily close SW Andover, SW Yancy St, and 30th Ave SW at SW Avalon Way as they build the improvements. They plan to close these side streets on a rotating schedule, to minimize impacts. There will also be intermittent single lane restrictions on SW Avalon Way while crews are working. During these lane restrictions, a flagger will be present to maintain two-way traffic. As of now, we expect King County Metro routes will not be impacted. We anticipate construction will last approximately 6 weeks, though the paving work is very weather dependent. As we know more about the traffic impacts during construction, we will distribute construction notices door-to-door in the project area and to the project email list.
This project is part of the Pedestrian Master Plan, which aims to enhance pedestrian safety, comfort, and access in all of Seattle’s neighborhoods. This project is also part of the Neighborhood Street Fund Program and was one of three projects the Delridge District Council submitted in 2015.
We also plan to send out project listserv email updates throughout construction. People can sign up to receive updates here.
Note that this does *not* include a signal, though one was decreed as “warranted” back in 2011 – before the signal was added at Genesee/Avalon nearby.
Three incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch so far today:
BUSINESS BREAK-IN: Pharmaca in The Junction opened late today because of a burglary. Damage was visible to the shop’s door on the SW Alaska side of the drugstore the first time we went by at mid-morning after a tip; we went by again, and someone fixing the door said the shop would open as soon as the repairs are done. No other details about the burglary yet.
CAR PROWL: Joe in Arbor Heights reports his car was gone through overnight in the 9800 block of 32nd SW. Charging cables were taken.
BICYCLE STOLEN: Kim is asking that you be on the lookout for this bicycle stolen from a backyard patio around 9 pm last night in the 8400 block of 8th SW: “Voodoo titanium cyclocross bike. Serial number b115420.” If you have any info, in addition to calling police, you can contact Kim at trendamissoula@msn.com
We hope crime doesn’t happen to you. If it does, once you’ve reported it (911 if it’s in-progress or just happened), let us know so we can get the word out via Crime Watch – editor@wsb.blackfin.biz or 206-293-6302 text or voice – thank you.
(ADDED FRIDAY NIGHT: Newly published Port of Seattle video that, toward the end, shows one of these tests)
12:54 PM: We’ve just confirmed with the Port of Seattle that what rattled windows from Admiral to Pigeon Point a little while ago was another one of those rapid-load pile tests related to the planned Terminal 5 modernization project. Port spokesperson Peter McGraw says the test scheduled for yesterday – second one this week – was postponed until today because of the wind. Judging by the messages/questions we received, this one was apparently the most widely felt one yet. Here’s the original alert from December.
P.S. The next major step in the T-5 project, after this testing ends later this month, is the release of the draft Environmental Impact Statement, expected in May.
ADDED 1:32 PM: McGraw just sent word that two more tests are scheduled, Monday (~3 pm) and Wednesday (~noon).
ADDED 8:06 PM: The Port has just published a video explaining how the tests work, and showing one – we’ve added the video above.
11:41 AM: Two crashes of note this morning:
WESTWOOD STAPLES: Thanks to Andy for the photo taken right after a driver hit the Westwood Village Staples about 9:15 am. We missed it in real time, having been downtown covering a meeting about the Alki Homestead (story to come); by the time we checked on the scene an hour later, the only sign of it was this damage to tiles on the store’s facade:
We’re checking with Seattle Fire about the driver’s condition when transported; staff inside the store tells us everybody there is OK.
1:19 PM UPDATE: SFD spokesperson Corey Orvold tells us the driver in the Staples crash is 92 years old and was taken to the hospital via private ambulance with minor injuries.
(back to original report) HIT-RUN SOUTH OF THE JUNCTION: The owner of this car says it was hit between midnight and 4 am, on the west side of California SW by Rite-Aid:
Please contact SPD if you have any information about what happened. And yes, the victim is checking with nearby businesses to see if any surveillance cameras caught the crash.
We’ve just received a couple questions about a loud takeoff from Boeing Field within the past half-hour. According to flight trackers, it’s the military tanker-jet testing we first wrote about three months ago. (Hat tip, @civmilair.)
(Steller’s Jay, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Happy Friday! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
GIGANTIC GARAGE SALE: Now through 5 pm, it’s the first of two days for the annual West Side Presbyterian Church Gigantic Garage Sale. More here. (3601 California SW)
FOR TEENS – ARTISTS IN ACTION: 4-5:30 pm at Southwest Library, ages 11-18 are invited to “get creative, have fun and win prizes” – more info here. (35th SW/SW Henderson)
PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT: 5:30-10 pm, leave the kid(s) for a fun night, and have one of your own. Last call to sign up for the Parents’ Night Out planned for tonight by West Seattle High School senior Gabby Carufel, as part of her project to raise money to buy audiobooks for learning-disabled schoolmates. More info here. (3000 California SW)
ARBOR HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY DINNER/AUCTION: 5:30 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, it’s the biggest benefit of the year, to help AHES students. Everyone’s welcome – check here for ticket availability. (9131 California SW)
TRAVIS HARTNETT @ ADMIRAL BIRD: 6:30 pm-8 pm, live music with Travis Hartnett at Admiral Bird. (California SW/SW Admiral)
NELSON WRIGHT @ C&P: Singer-songwriter Nelson Wright performs live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
NERDY 30s & 40s OF WEST SEATTLE: 7 pm, the inaugural meetup! At The Bridge. More info here. (California SW/SW Graham)
PANAMA HOTEL JAZZ, BENEFITING WEST SEATTLE HELPLINE: Another one-of-a-kind concert at Alki UCC, benefiting West Seattle Helpline, 7:30 pm – ““music made from memories,” a combination of stories about the Japanese internment during WWII and original jazz compositions by Steve Griggs. More info here. (6115 SW Hinds)
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: 7:30 pm at Chief Sealth International High School Auditorium, a free concert by WSCO (donations appreciated):
Beethoven: Overture to Egmont
Mahler: Four songs from die Ruckert-Leider featuring Evan Norberg, Baritone
– Ich atmet’ einen linden Duft
– Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen
– Liebst du um Schönheit
– Blicke mir nicht in die Lieder!
Saint-Saëns: Danse Macabre
Khachaturian: Masquerade SuiteSay hello to the musicians at the reception over cookies and snacks after the concert!
In the CSIHS Auditorium. (2600 SW Thistle)
MORE, MORE, MORE … on our complete calendar (where you can preview the weekend, too).
Holy Rosary School will have a new principal for next school year – and she’s already a Holy Rosary parent. The school has just announced Anna Horton as its next leader:
Holy Rosary School is pleased to announce the appointment of Anna Horton to the position of principal, effective July 1, 2016. Ms. Horton succeeds Mr. George Hofbauer, who will retire in June after serving with distinction as teacher and principal for 45 years in the Archdiocese of Seattle.
After an extensive search both locally and nationally, Ms. Horton was the unanimous choice of the Principal Search Team. She brings many gifts and talents to the Holy Rosary School community. Her background in science education will help her integrate STEM into all areas of the school.
The announcement continues:
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