West Seattle, Washington
23 Monday
(Camp Second Chance entrance, photographed December 2017 by WSB’s Leda Costa)
Early reminder that tomorrow (Tuesday, March 20th) brings the city meeting about whether sanctioned encampment Camp Second Chance will be able to stay on the city-owned Myers Way Parcels for another year. The city’s initial policies about sanctioned encampments stipulates that they can stay at any one site for up to two years. C2C actually has been at this site for more than a year and a half, as it originally moved onto the city-owned land without authorization in July 2016; the city later decided to open and fund sanctioned encampments, and retroactively designated C2C as one of them. Nonetheless, the city is considering renewing the permit through early next year, and a meeting for comments is part of the process: 6:30 pm Tuesday at the Joint Training Facility (9401 Myers Way S.). If you can’t be there but have comments about the proposed renewal, e-mail them to homelessness@seattle.gov (with Myers Way in the subject line) or call 206-727-8496 by April 5th. C2C is currently home to about 50 people, according to what was reported at the most recent meeting of its Community Advisory Committee.
Tower cranes handle many tasks – including getting portapotties to where they’re needed at construction sites. Thanks to Cathy Ingraham for catching and sharing that photo last week from the ongoing Harbor Avenue SW project we’ll forever know as the “former Alki Tavern” (now gone 5 years) site. Meantime, a few development notes from city files:
JUNCTION PROJECT UPDATE: It’s been three weeks since we first reported on the early-stage plan for a 7-story mixed-use building at 4747 California SW. One additional detail has turned up on a document that’s appeared in city files since then – the application for a “pre-submittal conference” lists an early projection of 84 residential units and 50 offstreet parking spaces.
DESIGN PROPOSAL FOR 3078 SW AVALON: Six months ago, we reported on the new 8-townhouse plan for this site, which once was proposed for an eight-story, 108-unit apartment building, and was at the heart of a neighborhood challenge. The current project is going through Streamlined Design Review (no meeting but open to public comment), and the design proposal is now online – see it here.
8823 9TH SW: Six townhouses are proposed to replace the 50-year-old duplex on this Highland Park site.
3850 22ND SW: Two 3-unit rowhouse buildings are proposed to replace the 88-year-old house on this Pigeon Point site.
ALSO ON THAT BLOCK: Two doors down from the aforementioned project, at 3842 22nd SW, there’s an application to tear down this 102-year-old house “for future construction.” (A separate site plan on file says it’s a 3-unit rowhouse building.) And inbetween, 3846 22nd SW is the address listed for a future new single-family house between the rowhouses.
(Sunday morning view of The Brothers, photographed from Alki Beach by David Hutchinson)
Last day of winter, but spring seems to have arrived early, as evidenced by the two beautiful photos gracing today’s list. Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SOUTHWEST SEATTLE YOUTH ALLIANCE: This group working on “community and school strategies to reduce and prevent underage drug and alcohol use” meets at noon at Neighborhood House High Point. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
SOUTHWEST POOL IS OPEN AGAIN: We confirmed that the city-run indoor pool reopened Sunday, one day later than planned after almost three weeks of maintenance work. Today’s swim sessions per the schedule include adult/senior, noon-1:30 pm; lap swims, 3-4 pm and 5:30-6:30 pm; public swim, 7:30-8:30 pm. (2801 SW Thistle)
FREE TAX HELP: Drop in, no reservation required, but it’s first-come, first-served, 2-7 pm today at Delridge Library – details here. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
LIGHT SEARCH AND RESCUE: Want to be REALLY prepared in case of catastrophe? This class offered by the city at the Joint Training Facility in southeast West Seattle might be for you. 6-8 pm. Check to see if there’s room – free but registration required. (9401 Myers Way S.)
FAMILY STORY TIME: 6:30 pm at High Point Library, for kids of all ages! (35th SW/SW Raymond)
(Sunday moonset, photographed by Chris Frankovich)
LAST SUNSET OF WINTER: 7:20 pm, according to the daily list on the WSB West Seattle Weather page; moonset, 9:58 pm. And remember that tomorrow (Tuesday) night brings Alice’s spring-equinox sunset watch!
Our Easter, Passover, and More seasonal list went live over the weekend, and as always, we will be continuing to update it daily through the end of spring-holiday season in early April. The event list starts with an “early” egg hunt and spring celebration next Saturday (March 24th) at Forest Lawn (6701 30th SW; WSB sponsor). The list also includes church services for Holy Week (starting with Palm Sunday on March 25th), and we’ve heard from six churches already. As with our year-round calendar, it’s free to have your event(s)/service(s)/brunch/etc. on the list – just e-mail the info ASAP to editor@wsb.blackfin.biz – no need for a fancy “press release” or flyer, just tell us the basic what/when/where/etc. – thank you!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
6:59 AM: Good morning. No incidents reported right now in/from West Seattle; no transit alerts so far.
VIADUCT CLOSURE THIS WEEKEND: We’ll remind you every day this week – the Alaskan Way Viaduct is scheduled to close 6 am-6 pm Saturday (March 24th) for its spring inspection, and again on Sunday if the work isn’t completed Saturday.
WATER TAXI NOTE: As mentioned Friday, the Water Taxi backup boat Spirit of Kingston is scheduled to fill in for the Kitsap Transit foot ferry starting today, but King County says that if there’s a problem during that time with either of its boats, SoK will fill in.
We’re continuing to track various West Seattle crime cases through the court system, and have three updates:
WESTCREST PARK MURDER CASE: The trial date for the three defendants in last September’s Westcrest Park murder of 15-year-old Derek Juarez-Lopez has been changed again. Now Diego Carballo-Olivares, Elizabeth Cabrera-Aparicio, and Jonatan Islas-Martinez are scheduled for trial in July, depending on how a trial-readiness hearing goes on May 11th. Court documents say defense lawyers requested the extra time because they have dozens of potential witnesses – including law-enforcement personnel – to interview.
ADMIRAL STABBING CASE: A new trial date also has been set for Kierra Ward, charged with two counts of assault in the October stabbing of a woman walking with her baby. Ward is now scheduled to go on trial April 25th, depending on how her next trial-readiness hearing goes – that’s set for April 13th. She remains in King County Jail, in lieu of $400,000 bail.
WARRANT FOR BURGLARY/CAR PROWL SUSPECT: Four weeks ago, we reported on charges filed against Nicholas Watson, arrested in mid-February at an Upper Morgan one-time nuisance house that had since been renovated and readied for sale, found with what was described as loot from car prowls. It was his fourth arrest this year but first time he’d been charged. Checking on his case, we found court documents showing that Watson requested a bail reduction at his March 1st arraignment and was released from jail, on grounds he would participate in the CCAP program. Now a warrant is out for his arrest. Terms of the program included reporting for classes every weekday; court documents say he stopped reporting five days after he was released.
Over the weekend, West Seattle artist Desmond Hansen painted a tribute portrait on a fourth local signal box. This time, it’s Layne Staley of Alice in Chains, and it’s on the northwest corner of the Avalon/Harbor/Spokane intersection. That follows Jimi Hendrix at California/Fauntleroy (featured here March 7th), Bruce Lee at 35th/Morgan (featured here March 10th), and Chris Cornell at 35th/Alaska (here’s the artist’s Instagram photo). Hansen also launched a crowdfunding page to raise money for supplies, and it’s already past its goal; in a video accompanying it, he says he might even take the project citywide.
(All ages made blankets to comfort sick children through Project Linus. Photo by Monika Lidman)
Thanks to Judy Pickens for sending the photos and sharing the report:
Today the second annual Worship Without Walls at Fauntleroy Church drew 120 adults and children to a morning of service, volunteering an estimated 200 hours to Food Lifeline, Friends of Lincoln Park, West Seattle Elementary, Project Linus, and refugee support through the International Rescue Committee.
(Church volunteers repackaged sufficient food for 2,133 meals; here they ready portions of pasta for area food banks. Photo by Bill Zoellner)
The first-ever WWW last year saw volunteers involved with four projects that day.
(March 2014 WSB photo)
That was the spectacular sunset on March 20, 2014, as seen from West Seattle’s Solstice Park, during NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen‘s spring-equinox event. Our archived coverage shows that was the most-recent time the sun cooperated with Alice’s spring sunset watches – but the forecast for the next one, 6:30-7:30 pm Tuesday (March 20th), looks promising! You’re invited to join Alice for the free and fun informational all-ages gathering Tuesday night – here’s how to get to Solstice Park (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW, uphill from the tennis courts) if you haven’t been there before.
P.S. Spring officially arrives at 9:15 am our time Tuesday. While the official sunset time will be around 7:20 pm, Alice has noted over the years that the moment of disappearance behind the Olympic Mountains is usually about 10 minutes earlier.
The photo above shows Chief Sealth International High School Jazz Band members on the pedestrian bridge over the Clark Fork River in Missoula, Montana. It’s from parent chaperone Debbie Taylor, who explains:
They returned yesterday from a four day trip there to compete in the Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival. The festival is in its 38th year and takes place at the University of Montana. The band was able to take this trip through the generous donations made to and support from the Denny-Sealth Performing Arts (DSPA) Boosters. The Jazz Band is conducted by Dr. Marcus Pimpleton and Brittany DeLong (not pictured). The Chief Sealth Jazz Band brought home the Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival Outstanding Soloist Award, and at least seven medals awarded for outstanding musicianship to individuals in the Jazz Band.
West Seattle Crime Watch reader report from Linda:
Stolen truck: 1990 Dodge Dakota – 4X4 – 2-tone brown. Last seen on Friday, March 16th in the 5200 block of California Ave. in the back parking lot. The plate number is B68460L.
If you see it, call 911.
As we first mentioned a week and a half ago, next weekend brings what just might be the last of the Alaskan Way Viaduct‘s twice-yearly inspection closures. It’s officially scheduled for two days as usual – 6 am-6 pm Saturday, March 24th, and 6 am-6 pm Sunday, March 25th – but these closures have tended in recent years to just need the first day.
For history fans, summaries of the inspections going back more than 15 years can be read here. As for why we note that this might be the last semiannual inspection, yet another briefing last Thursday (like this one three weeks ago) suggested the AWV might be out of service before October arrives.
(Cooper’s Hawk in Seaview sunshine, photographed by Jeremiah Holt)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: See what’s fresh at the last market of winter – spring starts Tuesday morning. 10 am-2 pm in the street in The Junction. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
RUN CLUB: Kid- and dog-friendly run leaves Ounces in North Delridge at noon on Sundays. All levels welcome. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
SIGN-MAKING FOR THE MARCH: Looking ahead to next Saturday’s March for Our Lives, you’re invited to Admiral UCC to make signs, 12:30 pm-1:30 pm. (4320 SW Hill)
JAMTIME: Live music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 1-4 pm. (5612 California SW)
SOUTHWEST STORIES: The speaker series presented by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society and Seattle Public Library returns with curator Phil Hoffman talking about the Log House Museum’s new “Navigating to Alki” exhibit. 2 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library.
GOT SOMETHING FOR THE CALENDAR? editor@wsb.blackfin.biz – as far in advance as possible – thank you!
It’s been a week and a half since Tully’s Coffee on Alki suddenly shut down, posting signs describing the closure as temporary. While the neon OPEN sign has continued glowing in the front window, the shop remains closed. Hours after our report, The Seattle Times reported Tully’s was closing all its shops, telling staffers it was because they were out of coffee. But other troubles seem to have percolated in the meantime. Reader Paul sent us images of a “pay rent or vacate” notice he reported seeing on the shop door Thursday evening; it said parent company Global Baristas hadn’t paid March rent, and that they had to pay $5,103 or vacate within three days, or else court action would be pursued for eviction. That’s already happened for some other Tully’s locations; court records show “unlawful detainer” complaints filed for two more just this week, in the 625 Union Station building on the south end of downtown and at 1171 NW Sammamish Road in Issaquah.
Thanks to Cub Scout Pack 799 parent Jason T. for the photos from and update on today’s Scouting for Food door-to-door-and-dropoff food drive:
Last Saturday 3/10, twelve Cub Scouts (Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos) and families put out approximately 850 door hangers, requesting food donations from their local neighborhood.
This Saturday, March 17, eleven Scouts and their families collected 952 pounds of food for West Seattle Food Bank!
Our kids are very grateful for the kind and incredible response from community, and they had an absolute blast (and great exercise) walking their neighborhood, representing Pack 799.
Overall, 21 Scouts and families participated in the drive, collectively putting almost 8 hours of community service, applying stickers to door hangers, distributing hangers, collecting food, and helping weigh and sort food at the West Seattle Food Bank.
P.S. Next door-to-door food drive is Stamp Out Hunger on May 12th – same day as West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, as always – leave a bag of food by your mailbox that day for your carrier to pick up.
After a win over Whitman late today, the Denny International Middle School girls are celebrating a championship! The report and photos are from Denny principal Jeff Clark:
Denny Girls are City-Wide Middle School Basketball Champions!
Congratulations to the Denny International Middle School Girls Basketball team on winning the city-wide championship! We are very proud of our team for an outstanding season, filled with teamwork, hustle, and great sportsmanship!
A big shoutout to Coach Espinoza, Coach Hyde, Coach Johnson, and our Athletic Director, Mr. Rodriguez, for all that they do for our kids! Thanks also to our fantastic parents and staff who support our team and open our gym every Saturday for teams across the city to play. Go Dolphins!
Today’s championships followed a two-month season – you can see the schedule here. Today’s final score (thanks to parent Krista for the added detail) was 57-39.
Just one week until the first egg hunt of the season (longtime WSB sponsor Forest Lawn is having one next Saturday, while the rest are on Easter weekend March 31st and April 1st) – and the first take of our seasonal list is up: See it here. If you have a seasonal event, service, brunch, etc. to add, please send us the info ASAP so we can add it! Graphics, flyers, press releases not required – just some info in plain text in the body of your e-mail – editor@wsb.blackfin.biz – thank you!
Seen in West Seattle on St. Patrick’s Day 2018:
We of course had to go see if the legendary green stripe on 41st SW north of Admiral Way had been refreshed for another year. The pictorial proof is above. (We’ve featured it many past years – including 2017, 2016, 2015, 2011, 2010 – and it remains a mystery.) The next photo is from Suky:
Suky explains, “No shamrocks at Lincoln Park this morning – Just clamrocks!”
Before the day went gray … three colorful views:
Above – thanks to Frank S.! Below – thanks to Chris Frankovich:
And thanks to Jim Borrow for this view, as fog rolled in:
If you have lost track — spring is just three days away! It arrives at 9:15 am Tuesday.
(Some “wearing of the green” for this Anna’s Hummingbird, photographed by Mark Ahlness, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Welcome to Saturday! First, some transportation notes:
DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC/TRANSIT ALERTS FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY: The St. Patrick’s Day Dash downtown this morning will bring reroutes for buses including these serving our area – each route number links to the reroute explanation: RapidRide C Line, 21, 131, 132. The reroutes are scheduled to end around 11 am. No local bus routes are on the list to be affected by the St. Patrick’s Day Parade that travels along 4th Avenue downtown starting at 12:30 pm, but if you’re headed downtown, be aware of the road closures.
And now, highlights of what’s happening in West Seattle:
WEST SEATTLE LINUX USERS GROUP: 9 am at the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor), all Linux enthusiasts welcome. Coffee and doughnuts promised. (9140 California SW)
SCOUTING FOR FOOD: At least two local troops are picking up food donations today at homes where they left doorhangers last weekend – Boy Scout Troop 284 (details here) and Cub Scout Pack 799 (details here). 799 will also be accepting dropped-off donations 10 am-11:30 am at Arbor Heights Elementary. (3701 SW 104th)
MAD ABOUT MAHONIAS: It’s not just a work party, it’s science too. 10 am-noon, the Mahonia Evaluation Project welcomes you to South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) – here’s why. (6000 16th SW)
CLEAN UP ALKI BEACH: 10 am-noon, Puget Soundkeeper would love to have your help – details here. Meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza. (61st SW/Alki SW)
UNDERSTANDING AUDIOBOOKS: 10:30 am at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, this free and fun event with West Seattleite, TV host, and audiobook producer Brian Callanan and author Wendy Terrien takes you into the world of audiobooks. All welcome. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
JEWELRY POP-UP: Susan Goodwin is at CAPERS in The Junction, noon-6 pm. (4525 California SW)
LEARN TO MAKE FRY BREAD: 1-3 pm class at the Duwamish Longhouse – learn fry-bread-making from the tribe’s chair Cecile Hansen. Call for your reservation – info’s in our listing. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
ST. PATRICK’S DAY SCAVENGER HUNT: 1:30 pm, bring your team to Ounces for a scavenger hunt! (3809 Delridge Way SW)
LIONS CLUB ST. PATRICK’S DAY DINNER: No-host bar opens at 5 pm, dinner at 6 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle. Details in our calendar listing. All ages. (4217 SW Oregon)
ST. PATRICK’S DAY WITH SUSTAINABLE WEST SEATTLE: 6:30-9 pm, come hang out with SWS at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) and learn about getting greener while celebrating the saving of C & P. (5612 California SW)
NORTHWEST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: In concert tonight at Holy Rosary, 8 pm. Program details are in our calendar listing, as is ticket information. (42nd SW/SW Genesee)
LOTS MORE … happening today/tonight; check our full calendar.
That’s what the Friday night sunset looked like to us. @WestSeaWx explained it as “debris clouds” left over from terrain-based thunderstorms (we had tweeted an afternoon view). Thanks for the photos! Above, from Dan Ciske; below, from James Bratsanos:
And the wider view of that colorful phase, from Kersti Muul:
Photos are always welcome – 206-293-6302 for phone photos of breaking news, editor@wsb.blackfin.biz is best if non-breaking.
Two big topics on the agenda for last night’s Alki Community Council meeting, and we have video of both. First – the week’s second discussion of Sub Pop Records‘ August 11th Alki Beach 30th-anniversary megaparty:
“We’re really excited,” declared Sub Pop CEO Megan Jasper as she led the briefing and discussion, as she had at the Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting two nights earlier. Most of the details were the same – as reported in WSB coverage that night – but we heard a few other details, as well as Alki residents’ questions:
Thanks to Val for the tip and the photo of that notice posted on the door at the West Seattle Junction Post Office. We don’t know if the new closure time is actually in effect yet – after getting Val’s note, we went over to verify, and a door was still wide open at 7:55 pm (the USPS website, meantime, cites an even-earlier closure time) – but we do have a potential answer to Val’s question of what the reason might be: Multiple readers told us this week that a local accounting firm had told customers they had been “notified by the U.S. Post Office that mail thieves broke into approximately a dozen post office boxes at their West Seattle Branch on or around February 16th.” We hadn’t found a corresponding police-report number yet so have no further details, but are mentioning it given the lobby-closure notice.
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