West Seattle, Washington
23 Saturday
Checking the West Seattle traffic cameras a short time ago, we noticed this:
(SDOT camera framegrab)
That’s the Shell-station sign at Fauntleroy/Alaska. No injuries, apparently, because no Seattle Fire dispatch was logged, and no SDOT traffic alert. Then we received this ground-level photo from Brian Presser of TouchTech Systems:
Brian says a semitruck was involved in the collision too. As of right now, the live webcam shows the car is still there on the corner – so pedestrians beware, and north/east-bound drivers too, as eventually a tow truck will have to come take it away.
(WSB photos added)
FIRST REPORT, 2:28 PM: A “brush fire” call that’s been open since late morning in the Roxhill Park area is actually an underground peat fire, according to Seattle Parks, which says it’s under control but has claimed a few trees. Parks also says part of the park will be closed TFN because of the fire. We’ll be heading over to find out more. The peat bog in the park was restored years ago but has gone dry because of a variety of problems that the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Coalition has long been trying to get the city to address. More to come.
3:04 PM UPDATE: We are at the park now. SFD and Parks are working together to dig into the peat to try to get to a not-burned area so they can cut off the fire. They have had to tear out some trees to get to it.
(And yes, that’s a TV helicopter.) What looks like smoke in our photos, we are told, is ash. Peat fires can burn for days, weeks, even months, so SFD is hoping this hasn’t extended too far. It’s at the southeast corner of the park.
3:56 PM UPDATE: Back at HQ now, and adding more images.
Since the fire isn’t out, SFD can’t say for sure how it started, but Deputy Chief Gene Zimmerman told us firefighters have been out a few times in recent days to extinguish “small warming fires” in that area of the park. We will check back in early evening but right now, this is NOT affecting the play area on the west side of the park, except that an SFD line is running to the fire area from a hydrant on 29th SW on the southwest side of the park. (added) This view of digging to fight the fire …
…is reminiscent of a view from the Seattle Municipal Archives, dated 1961, of peat being dug up in the area during road work (we’ve published this photo before):
FRIDAY NOTE: SFD closed out the call late Thursday night. We haven’t received a response yet to our question for them, whether the fire’s considered extinguished, but we went over at 5:30 pm for a look:
All that remains is a big muddy area, with chain-link fence around it. The paths to the east and to the north (toward the bus stop) are taped off, but nothing else in the park is affected. We’ll be checking with Seattle Parks, and again with SFD, next week.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
At least once a week, somebody asks what’s up with 35th Avenue SW Phase 2 – or whether there will even be a 35th Avenue SW Phase 2, given that it’s been more than a year since SDOT provided the last major community update focused on the project.
We took the question to SDOT’s longtime point person on the project, Jim Curtin.
Yes, he says, Phase 2 is still being worked on. But first, SDOT is “preparing to come out with before-and-after data,” covering the two years since the Phase 1 rechannelization south of Morgan.
In August 2016, you might recall, SDOT unveiled possibilities for Phase 2 at an open house (WSB coverage here), and said whatever was decided would be put in this year.
This year is almost over. Curtin explained that “Councilmember (Lisa) Herbold asked us to let the community help us with the design. We thought it would be a good idea to pause and make sure we were collecting sufficient amounts of data before making decisions.” Now, he says, they believe they have, and they’ll be releasing the “before-and-after study” which “will also have our plans for Phase 2 within it.”
No hint on how soon this will go public, but he promises it’s “going to be incredibly comprehensive and illustrative of how the corridor functions in the Phase 1 area and will also have information about what’s in the future for 35th north of Morgan.”
In connection with a connecting project – the West Seattle Greenway – crossing improvements already have been announced for 35th/Graham (that announcement in June suggested that the next 35th SW update would be in July).
Curtin says those are still planned, along with other “long-requested new crossings.” And while, again, other details – such as whether part of the stretch will be rechannelized as was a long stretch south of Morgan – aren’t available yet, Curtin told us, “There will also be attempts to reduce the speeds on the north end, where we still have some significant speeding issues.”
He acknowledged again that the next phase has “been a long time coming.” The design process is under way, and there’s no new funding request – Curtin says it’s coming “mainly through the Levy to Move Seattle.” As for how the next phase will be unveiled, if you haven’t already guessed this from other city events in the past year, they are not likely going to have a city-official-with-slide-deck-style presentation, he said. The city’s contention is that some community members “aren’t comfortable in those situations, so we miss potentially powerful input.” So look for potential “drop-in sessions,” probably another walking tour, and information online … sometime soon.
(WSB photo)
West Seattle High School‘s new principal Brian Vance was already scheduled to talk with the WSHS PTSA at its meeting last night, long before the situation last Thursday involving a “threatening statement” made by a student (WSB coverage here), but that became Topic A. Read More
Every quarter, the West Seattle Art Walk adds new venues – so take a good look at the new map for tonight and the next two months, to see who’s just joined!
(Click to see larger image)
While The Junction remains the heart of the Art Walk, new venues are in other neighborhoods too, including south Admiral and Sunrise Heights. Starred venues are hosting artists/art, while those without stars (as well as some with them) are offering food/drink specials to make your night of art exploration even more special.
Here are the highlights for tonight, including:
North of Morgan Junction, Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) invites you to be part of the art tonight, with an interactive experience – join featured artist Pamela Resnick:
If you have ever wanted to try painting with oil paints, now is your chance. You will have the opportunity to paint on a 6” x 6” piece of canvas with help and direction.
The subject matter is anything related to wine. There will be some images available to choose from, bring your own or just come paint the colors in abstract form or design. The goal is to get enough 6”x6” “wine” paintings so we can combine them all together into a large mosaic piece of artwork to commemorate the evening.
Art Walk starts at 5 pm and continues “until late,” depending on the venue – go explore, find out about West Seattle businesses you might not have visited before, and have fun!
Also happening today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:
MILITARY JETS: Just a reminder that three EA-G6B Growlers from Whidbey Island are scheduled to arrive at the nearby Museum of Flight at 11 am and leave at 2 pm – as previewed here yesterday.
ALAIR NIGHT OUT: 4-8 pm, gift shop Alair is hosting its next Girls’ Night Out, with a variety of visiting vendors, services, treats – full details in our calendar listing. (3280 California SW)
SECOND THURSDAY OUT! LGBTQ community members and friends are welcome to meet up at the Senior Center/Sisson Building at 6 pm for an evening including dining at Lee’s Asian Restaurant. (4217 SW Oregon)
(added) WOLF ALICE @ EASY STREET: 6 pm free in-store concert at Easy Street Records with “London indie-rock darlings” Wolf Alice – the only Washington stop on their tour! (California/Alaska)
HIGH-SCHOOL ECOTRAVEL OPPORTUNITY: Parent/guardian of a West Seattle High School student? 6:30 pm tonight at WSHS:
There is an unique opportunity for your student to earn high school and college credit while gaining lifetime experiences on an educational trip this summer to Belize. Mr. Rose and Mr. Marzofka will be leading an exclusive group of students on a trip that focuses on eco-travel through the diverse ecosystems of Belize. If you are interested, reserve your spot now at a last-chance informational meeting on October 12th at 6:30 pm in room 234 at West Seattle High School. There are only a couple spots still available and it will be first come first serve to fill the last spots. For more information or to RSVP to the informational meeting, email Mr. Rose (narose@seattleschools.org) or Mr. Marzofka (jdmarzofka@seattleschools.org).
(3000 California SW)
ACOUSTIC OPEN MICROPHONE: Singers and other musicians are welcome at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
LIVE MUSIC AT HAWKS NEST WEST: At the new venue on Alki, 8:30-11 pm, live music after Thursday Night Football, featuring Zechariah Valette. (2806 Alki SW)
SEE MORE … on our full calendar!
No Seahawks this Sunday since it’s a bye week, but you have two fall festivals to visit in West Seattle!
We’ve already previewed the longrunning Fauntleroy Fall Festival (2-5 pm), and this year you can start your afternoon at Forest Lawn (WSB sponsor), which invites you to its Fall Festival from noon-3 pm.
This festival promises “hay ride, face painting, balloon artist, pumpkin decorating, photo booth, caramel apples & popcorn, giant games for kids.” Most of the activities will be in the parking lot outside Forest Lawn’s main building at 6701 30th SW [map] across from the cemetery; the hay rides will go around the cemetery.
All free!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
6:39 AM: Good morning! We start again today with no incidents in/from West Seattle.
REMINDER FOR TOMORROW: No classes Friday for Seattle Public Schools – it’s an in-service day for teachers.
P.S. Thanks as always for letting us know if you see a traffic/transit problem we haven’t reported on yet – text/voice 206-293-6302 (provided you can use your phone legally & safely).
(Parent-and-child volunteer team, October 2017 Duwamish Alive! – photographed by Leda Costa for WSB)
Just received tonight from the Duwamish Alive! Coalition – official word of the fall event on Saturday, October 21st, with opportunities for volunteers at multiple spots along the Duwamish River and in its watershed:
The salmon are running and leaves are brilliant with fall colors – it’s time for our annual Duwamish Alive! fall event throughout West Seattle. Join us in improving the health of our green spaces, creeks and especially our Duwamish River as we celebrate these special community places! Volunteers are needed at many local sites which provide critical habitat for our community and our river.
Duwamish Alive! celebrates the connection of our urban parks and open spaces to our river, wildlife and community. Starting at 10:00 am, volunteers of all ages – at multiple Duwamish sites throughout the watershed from river to forest – will participate in a day of major cleanup and habitat restoration in the ongoing effort to keep our river alive and healthy for our communities, salmon, and Puget Sound.
A special opening ceremony will be held at T-107 Park, across from the Duwamish Longhouse, at 10:00 with special guest Seattle Councilmember Lisa Herbold opening the day along with Duwamish Tribe members and the Port of Seattle. Included is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Washington Environmental Council’s work in restoring and protecting both our Duwamish watershed and Puget Sound. . The community is welcome and encouraged to attend.
Duwamish Alive! is a collaborative stewardship effort of conservation groups, businesses, and government entities, recognizing that our collective efforts are needed to make lasting, positive improvements in the health and vitality of the Green-Duwamish Watershed. Twice a year, these events organize hundreds of volunteers to work at 14 sites in the river’s watershed, connecting the efforts of Seattle and Tukwila communities.
To volunteer, visit DuwamishAlive.org to see the different volunteer opportunities and to the contact for the site of your choice, or email info@duwamishalive.org – this is a family-friendly event for all ages — tools, instruction and snacks are provided.
Direct link to see the list of where you can volunteer, and to sign up, is here.
From last night’s hourlong Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting:
SURVEY BRIEFING POSTPONED: The meeting was shorter than usual because a staffer from City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s office wasn’t able to attend to talk about the Alki Public Health and Safety Survey; its results are in the councilmember’s most recent weekly update.
UPCOMING EVENTS: ANA president Larry Wymer, who’s also on the board of the West Seattle Transportation Coalition, mentioned the mayor/City Council candidates’ forum that WSTC will be co-sponsoring with the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce on October 19th (6:30 pm at American Legion Post 160, 3618 SW Alaska)… He also mentioned that ANA will be helping with the Admiral District Trick or Treat event on Halloween (3-6 pm), and that Hiawatha has a fall carnival coming up too (October 27th, 6-8 pm) … On October 22nd, Admiral Congregational Church will host an “Ask a Muslim” event, 1-3 pm, its pastor Rev. Andrew Conley-Holcom announced.
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS: Community-engagement coordinator Laura Jenkins introduced herself to ANA and explained the department’s mission, which is focusing more and more on community engagement. Those in her role are “here to help you connect with the city and tell you more about … resources,” she explained. “We can help you find the right person to go to … even for us, it’s hard to figure out who that is” sometimes. She said she’s not assigned to a specific area – she “fills in where needed”; of the other three community-engagement coordinators, Yun Pitre is usually focused on the south end, including West Seattle.
WESTSIDE NEIGHBORS’ NETWORK: Judie Messier continues making the rounds of neighborhood meetings to promote the new organization that is now officially seeking members to support each other as they “age in place.” So many people who are getting older “are living alone … and worried about the possibility of losing (their) home,” Messier said, and WNN is meant to provide life-enhancing support. North East Seattle Together (NEST) and others in Greenwood and Capitol Hill are the three other “virtual villages” in the city so far, among more than 200 nationwide, in addition to WNN, which now has 13 founding members, and is offering two types of memberships. “Full” membership offers the option of creating an “intentional household” for mutual support. Messier fielded a variety of questions, explaining that for example, you don’t have to provide support to receive support. Someone expressed concern about the price of dues; Messier explained it’s far lower than other similar organizations. When another attendee brought up the Senior Center and its role in offering/coordinating resources, Messier noted that WNN sees itself as part of a “tapestry” of services and resources. She offered to answer any and all questions anyone has, no obligation – contact WNN through its website.
SAFETY CONCERNS: An attendee raised questions about traffic safety and other transportation concerns that could arise when Aegis Living opens its new senior-living facility at 47th/Admiral next year, five years after Life Care Center closed at the same site. There were suggestions that these be brought up with SDOT.
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: ANA’s rep is SWDC co-chair David Whiting, who presented a recap. (We covered last Wednesday’s meeting here.)
The Admiral Neighborhood Association meets second Tuesdays most months, 7 pm at The Sanctuary at Admiral (42nd/Lander).
(WSB photo from last Friday)(WSB photo from July)
Ridership last month on both King County Water Taxi routes set September records, the county DOT says. The new numbers were published today, including:
The West Seattle route (had) 42,444 riders in September, up from 41,057 during the same month last year, representing a 3.4-percent increase.
Total year-to-date ridership is slightly down from last year’s record pace, the report adds, while noting various potential factors likely playing into that, including the five-day service interruption in August when the downtown dock was moved to its temporary location while its new permanent terminal is built. You can see a full month-by-month breakdown via the Data tab on this page of the Water Taxi website. October 29th, by the way, is the last day of this year’s seven-day-a-week schedule; you can preview the weekday-only winter schedule here.
(WSB photo)
If you drove/rode/walked along the north stretch of Delridge Way SW earlier this evening, you might have seen Hate-Free Delridge‘s demonstration on the pedestrian overpass. They were there to express support for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), the program that has postponed deportation for undocumented immigrants who were brought into the U.S. as children. As this federal webpage notes, the program is ending, though members of Congress are working on alternative plans.
(WSB photo from Monday morning)
4:37 PM: We reported Tuesday on Alki Elementary parents’ concerns about safety at the 59th SW/SW Admiral Way intersection since its conversion to an all-way stop. SDOT had told the parents, who formed a Traffic Safety Task Force for the school, that they would evaluate the intersection over a six-month period before deciding whether to make more changes or revert to the way it used to work, including a pedestrian-activated stoplight. The task-force parents met with SDOT reps at the intersection yesterday, including Safe Routes to School point person Brian Dougherty, and now SDOT has just sent this update from spokesperson Dawn Schellenberg:
I wrote to [the list who received this update] a couple of weeks ago sharing what we’d been hearing and were observing with the new all-way stop in at 59th Ave SW & SW Admiral Way. Since that time, the most common concern we’ve received is that people driving begin to roll through this large intersection before people walking start, or complete their crossing. We share your concerns and are dedicated to improving the intersection for pedestrians.
Since the all-way stop was installed in late August, we started collecting data. Our evaluation of the all-way stop will ultimately include an assessment of stop compliance, speeds, turning movement, and pedestrian counts. So far, we have collected speed data, turning movement counts, and pedestrian counts. Based on this data, we have seen pedestrian volumes comparable to pre-installation with a preference for crossing Admiral on the east leg, where the crosswalk is marked. We’ve also seen a decrease in speeds along SW Admiral Way since the street was restriped in late 2016. That being said, we’ve made the decision to accelerate some of the other proposed improvements, including:
• Relocating the stop sign on the west leg closer to the intersection for improved visibility
• Marking the crosswalks across 59th Ave SW to further alert people driving that pedestrians may be crossing
• Adding painted curb extensions (see design selected by the community below) on the northeast corner, southwest corner, and median island on 59th Ave SW to help reduce the size of the intersection
We expect these changes to be made by the end of the year. We’ll continue to evaluate operations at the intersection over a six-month period.
Schellenberg’s e-mail included this image to show the “design selected by the community”:
…but, checking WSB archives, we note that it’s not the one announced in August, nor was it among the three offered for a vote in June. We’ve asked a followup question for clarification. We’re also contacting the task-force parents to get their reaction to today’s announcement.
ADDED 6:39 PM: Regarding the design, SDOT’s Schellenberg replied, “Based on the design selected, we worked with the material fabricator and our Arts person to create a design as close as possible.”
ADDED 11:25 PM: Here’s the response from the Traffic Safety Task Force, via Merkys Gomez, who we contacted for comment:
We had sent an email to Dawn Schellenberg on 10.07.2017, and her email today was unresponsive to our questions, misses critical concerns raised by members of the Traffic Safety Task Force at Alki Elementary, and continues to push through an agenda to continue with an all-way stop, to which we, and area residents, are opposed.
We met with Brian Dougherty of SDOT on 10.10.2017, and he was able to witness first hand the issues that we are experiencing on a daily basis with the intersection, including the near-misses which are not being captured by SDOT’s data. We agreed to
* adequately marking the school zone (per SDOT’s school signage),
* reactivating the light on Admiral, and
* painting and later raising with concrete the median on 59th that separates the north and south lanes on the south side.Those changes are necessary for the immediate safety of this intersection while we work toward an ultimate goal to install an all-way traffic signal that is pedestrian and vehicle activated, with no turn on red arrows, and red light and speeding cameras to ticket violations, especially during the school commute. Given the nontypical nature of that intersection, this is the best solution to improve pedestrian to driver and driver to driver communication and safety. Dawn’s email today makes no mention of our agreement with Brian. We’re talking about an intersection where the primary users are children getting to and from school. Their safety is more important than meeting an exact numerical quota. One child lost is one death too many.
(U.S. Navy photo: EA-18G Growler landing on a carrier in 2014)
We don’t always get advance alerts about military aircraft in the area, but we just got one for tomorrow so we’re sharing it. This is in a media advisory from the Museum of Flight, which as you probably know is not far east of West Seattle [map]:
Three frontline Navy EA-18G Growler electronic attack jets will fly to the Museum on Oct. 12 to preside over the donation of a 10-foot aircraft carrier model to the Museum. The model will be presented by the officers of VAQ-130 Naval Air Station Whidbey Island to the Museum’s Education Office. The aircraft will arrive at 11 a.m. and depart at 2 p.m. One of the Growlers will be stationed in the Museum parking lot with crew members standing by to meet the public. The other two planes will be parked next to the Museum’s airport fence. The event is free.
The advisory included this background, if you’re interested:
The aircraft carrier model is of the crew’s ship, the USS Eisenhower (CVN-69). It was built by the officers from VAQ-130 for a booth at the annual NAS Whidbey Island Airborne Electronic Attack Ball, where each Growler squadron contributes a booth that includes interactive games or displays of squadron pride. This year, VAQ-130 squadron built the carrier, jokingly referred to as “Low Cost Trainer” for the pilots because it includes a zip line that allows a model plane to be landed on the deck. Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Jones, VAQ-130, said of its donation to the Museum, “We think it will be a great addition to the education department at the museum, and hopefully inspire some young future naval aviators!”
Your chance to buy/sell skis, snowboards, boots, clothing, and other winter accessories is just days away at the 2017 West Seattle Ski Swap, presented by Mountain to Sound Outfitters. It’s happening next door to M2SO at American Legion Post 160 (3618 SW Alaska). Here’s the schedule:
Sellers drop off items for sale:
Friday (October 13th) 3 pm-7 pm
Sale, day 1:
Saturday, 10 am-5 pm
Sale, day 2:
Sunday, 10 am-4 pm
Sellers pick up unsold items:
Sunday, 4:30-6 pm
If you’re interested in selling, register here.
1:56 PM: The photo and stolen-car report are from Eric:
It is a 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, burgundy/dark red color. License plate #AYC6610. It has a small dent in the rear door. It was stolen sometime Saturday night at 37th Ave SW and SW Kenyon St. in the Gatewood neighborhood.
The police have been notified, but I’m offering a $250 reward if you find it, so please call 911 and then call (removed) to let me know too.
UPDATED EARLY THURSDAY: Eric reports the vehicle was found – by his wife, who spotted it along 35th SW between Henderson and Barton.
(WSB photo from 2016 Fauntleroy Fall Festival)
Sunday (October 15th) brings the Fauntleroy Fall Festival – and a preview was the centerpiece of last night’s Fauntleroy Community Association board meeting, including:
NEW THIS YEAR: You’ll find a raptor display in the garden area behind The Hall at Fauntleroy, between the building and the open area where you’ll find the pony rides and petting zoo. Also new, an inflatable obstacle course and some extra activities for the littlest festivalgoers.
RETURNING FAVORITES: Birdhouse-building in the Fauntleroy Church parking lot, visiting vehicles from Seattle Police (the Mobile Precinct is expected) and Seattle Fire. Lots of live music around the festival grounds!
FOOD: Vendors will include Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering with brats and squash soup, plus pretzel sticks … Fauntleroy’s new Wildwood Market will be there … Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor) too … and “the tamale guy.”
CAKE WALK AND DECORATING CONTEST: It’s a highlight every year and cakes are needed – from the festival announcement:
There are three categories: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. To enter, bring your decorated cake to the Vashon Room at The Hall at Fauntleroy on Sunday 10/15 between 12 noon and 1 pm. Voting takes place from 1:30-3 pm. Prizes will be awarded for each category! The Cake Walk follows and continues until all the cakes are gone. Cakes can be any shape or size. They should have an autumn, Halloween, or West Seattle theme.
The festival is 2-5 pm Sunday on both sides of California SW in the heart of Fauntleroy – around Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW, east side of the street) and The Hall at Fauntleroy/Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW, west side).
Also at last night’s meeting:
CRIME TRENDS: Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Ron Smith said the Fauntleroy area is seeing an increase in car prowls and auto theft and as often happens, police suspect it’s related to a repeat offender’s recent release, with some new accomplices, and Southwest officers/detectives are on their trail. Asked how best to thwart them, Lt. Smith repeated the most-important advice – leave absolutely nothing in your vehicle, and keep it locked.
FERRY BRIEFING: Gary Dawson, who’s on the Ferry Advisory Committee for Fauntleroy as well as the Triangle Task Force, updated the FCA board on the ongoing travails related to trying to reduce backups – including the recent meeting on Vashon (WSB coverage here).
The Fauntleroy Community Association board meets second Tuesdays most months, 7 pm at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse.
(Spotted towhee, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Here are highlights of what’s happening in West Seattle, morning through night, on your Wednesday:
JOB FAIR: Happening now until 1 pm at Neighborhood House High Point – details in our calendar listing. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
FIREFIGHTER STORY TIME: 10:30-11 am at Southwest Library – your little ones get to see and hear firefighters reading to them and explaining fire safety. (9010 35th SW)
FLU SHOTS: As previewed here on Tuesday, both Denny International Middle School (1:30-5:30 pm; 2601 SW Kenyon) and West Seattle High School (3-6 pm; 3000 California SW) have flu-shot clinics this afternoon, not just for students and staff. This is happening “after school” since Wednesdays are two-hour-early-release days.
DACA SUPPORT DEMONSTRATION: 5-6 pm, join Hate-Free Delridge in a demonstration supporting the immigrants known as “Dreamers,” on the pedestrian overpass over Delridge Way at Oregon.
WEST SEATTLE NIGHT OUT FOR DISASTER RELIEF: As organized by the local Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions Clubs, from 5 pm to 9 pm at multiple West Seattle venues, a portion of the proceeds go to hurricane and earthquake relief. See the latest list in our calendar listing – if there’s any late word of additional participants, we’ll add to it.
EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 6:30-8 pm, find out more about Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) at the first fall open house, during which “families explore classrooms, talk to our faculty and staff, and engage with our parents and students.” (10015 28th SW)
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL PTSA: First meeting of the year, 7 pm in the school library. Hear from new principal Brian Vance among others. (3000 California SW)
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, this area’s largest political organization gathers for its monthly meeting, last one before the general election. According to the latest newsletter, tonight’s agenda includes the county levy that’s on the ballot. (9131 California SW)
THE BILLY JOE SHOW: Live music 8-11 pm at Parliament Tavern. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
THAT’S NOT ALL! See our full calendar for everything happening today, tonight, tomorrow, and beyond.
From the West Seattle anad Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor), it’s registration time for youth basketball! The announcement:
Hit the hardwoods with the folks who invented the game – the YMCA.
In this league for ages 4 to 11, your child will learn the fundamentals of basketball, sportsmanship, teamwork, and healthy habits while practicing skills and having fun. We promise no getting cut and no bench warmers! YMCA youth sports encourage and promote healthy kids, families and communities by placing a priority on family involvement, healthy competition rather than rivalry, the value of participation over winning, team-building as well as individual development, a positive self-image and a sense of fair play and mutual respect for others. Parents are encouraged to be more than mere spectators, by contributing their time as volunteer coaches – as well as being their kid’s greatest fan.
Practice starts the week of November 27. Games begin January 6.
Registration is open now! Learn more and sign up here.
As you’ll see via that link, discount rates are available for another week and a half!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:02 AM: Good morning – so far, no incidents reported in/from West Seattle.
LOOKING AHEAD: Reminder that Seattle Public Schools have no classes this Friday (October 13th) – in-service day for teachers.
12:51 AM: Thanks for the messages. Police have investigated two reports of possible gunfire in the past two hours – 911 had multiple reports in both cases, no word of any victims, and so far we don’t know what evidence if any was found. Both were heard in North Delridge. We’ll check later this morning to see if police found shell casings or property damage in either case.
11:13 AM: So far this morning, the incident types listed in report logs do not suggest evidence of gunfire was found – which doesn’t necessarily mean it was something else; sometimes it doesn’t turn up until daylight.
(Monday photo by WSB’s Christopher Boffoli)
A judge has set bail at $100,000 for 26-year-old Kierra M. Ward, arrested Monday afternoon after a short police standoff on an Admiral street, accused of stabbing a woman who was out for a walk with her baby.
Probable-cause documents from today’s bail hearing don’t reveal much more about the attack beyond what we and commenters reported yesterday – the brief police narrative says the original call was that a woman had stabbed another woman; first officers on the scene reported finding Ward, holding “a large kitchen knife,” and launching the eventually successful attempt to get her to surrender less than an hour later, while other officers found the victim and cared for her until SFD arrived to take her to the hospital. The court document describes her as having suffered injuries to her head, face, and hands “from Ward slashing at her with the large knife.” (Her infant son was not injured.) The document also says Ward threatened to stab a man who was trying to help the victim and pointed the knife at him, which explains why the original notation on her jail-register listing included investigation of felony harassment as well as investigation of assault. The documents do not mention anything about Ward having a criminal record, and as we noted in Monday’s coverage, we have not found one online.
The victim, according to a commenter and to someone who called us today, is out of the hospital and continuing her recovery at home.
Regarding commenters recognizing Ward as someone who has long slept outdoors at Hiawatha Playfield, today’s documents list her “last known address” as being on Walnut SW just east of Hiawatha.Community Center. Our conversation with the aforementioned caller may explain that: The caller contacted us in response to our question about whether anyone had reported, and/or tried to get help for, Ward. The caller reported knowing both Ward and the victim, saying that Ward had lived in a car along Walnut until it was towed, and then started sleeping outside on the field. The caller reported befriending and suggesting resources for Ward, with multiple interactions, and said Ward never showed signs of mental illness or other instability, aside from apparently choosing not to take advantage of the suggested resources, so far as the caller knew.
We may find out more details on the case if/when charges are filed in the next day or two. And in case you wondered – the incident was not brought up by anyone at tonight’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, which did not have a police representative in attendance (none was scheduled, but sometimes we’ve seen last-minute changes at neighborhood meetings after an incident of significance).
Three Junction notes:
TAGGING VANDALISM TO BE CLEANED UP: Thanks to everyone who tipped us about the particularly big and brazen tagging across the front of the former Radio Shack store at 4505 California SW. We checked in with West Seattle Junction Association executive director Lora Swift, who had just put up the sign you see in our photo – informing everyone interested that it is scheduled to be cleaned up tomorrow.
Also in The Junction, more bike-share bicycles were dropped off today:
RENTAL BIKES REPLENISHED: The orange bicycles in the truck are from Spin; the truck was replenishing/adding them at spots along California, judging by what we later saw as we headed south, all the way to the bottom of Gatewood Hill. The green rental bicycles are from LimeBike, also in view along the sidewalk (we see them most often in use), and there’s also been a recent multiple-bike appearance by the third company authorized to operate in the city, Ofo, whose bicycles are yellow. Anna sent this photo as they appeared on corners in the heart of The Junction a few days ago:
Those three companies have permits to have thousands of bikes out around the city. The trend is spreading nationwide.
RECYCLING REMINDER: Our third and final Junction note – just four days until the dropoff Recycle/Reuse event on Saturday (October 14th), 9 am-1 pm, in the Junction lot along 42nd SW just south of SW Oregon – here are details about what they will and won’t take.
Sorry to have another disturbing incident to report today, but we also wanted to thank the people who e-mailed us to ask about it, after they saw the victim’s husband’s post on a neighborhood group but didn’t see anything about the incident on WSB and thought more people should know. Saturday night, a woman was grabbed while walking on the path (photo above) to 28th SW from behind Westwood Village Target. We obtained the police report today. The narrative begins with officers being dispatched at 7:49 pm Saturday to a nearby residence where they found the victim, a woman in her 30s:
(The victim) stated that she was walking home from Westwood Village when she cut through a walkway that connects the parking lot to 28 Av SW. (The victim) stated that she was walking when she observed a man standing in the walkway. As (the victim) walked by the man, she stated that he grabbed her left shoulder and squeezed. (The victim) stated that the unidentified suspect mumbled something to her, but she could not understand what he said. (The victim) reported that the suspect appeared to be intoxicated.
(She) described the suspect as a W/M [white male], ín his early 20s, with short blond hair and wearing a dark gray sweatshirt with blue jeans. (The victim) also stated that the suspect is around 5’10-6′ tall and thin.
(She) explained that she often walks through the walkway and has not previously seen the suspect. She also stated that it is an area where transients frequentÌy hang out and sleep. (She) reported that it has been an ongoing issue with transient people sleepinq and staying in the area of the walkway. (She) explained that there are multiple beds made of cardboard, un-capped needles, trash, and empty alcohol bottles littering the walkway. I advised (the victim) to call the SW Community Policing Team regarding the ongoing issues.
The report says the officer then searched the area and didn’t find anyone resembling the suspect, and that the victim did not have injuries requiring treatment. After obtaining the report, we went over for a look at the pathway – the photo above looks back toward Target, and we noted this syringe along the way:
Community Police Team contacts for the Southwest Precinct, by the way, are listed here – eastern West Seattle sectors are assigned to Officer O’Neil. Also of note, this is a few blocks east of where 2 students walking to school were inappropriately approached a week ago, and not much further from where two other students were flashed last Friday.
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