West Seattle, Washington
09 Monday
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:57 AM: Good morning. No current incidents/alerts reported in our area.
7:42 AM: We’re headed outbound this morning and it’s very slow going just getting from Fauntleroy to Alaska to the bridge.
8:07 AM: Bridge finally loosened up past the 99 exit. Motorcycle officer was pulled over with somebody just past the gore point.
(Photo courtesy Roxhill Park Champions: The park’s longtime steward Scott Blackstock supervising Saturday’s work party)
Fall is an ideal time to plant, and that’s why it was so important for volunteers to step up and dig in at Roxhill Park this past Saturday. As noted here, at least 20 volunteers were needed; Roxhill Park Champions got 26! Supervised by longtime steward Scott Blackstock, they got 300 plants in the ground in Peat Cell 3 of the park’s bog, site of an underground fire two years ago. Read more about their success here – and see how to be part of ongoing efforts to care for this unique place.
For the first time, West Seattle Bike Connections organized local riders for what’s become a holiday tradition in many places over the past 20 years – a food-drive-on-wheels dubbed Cranksgiving. West Seattle Food Bank was the beneficiary, and development director Judi Yazzolino sent the photos and report:
All I can say is “WOW”! The first annual West Seattle Cranksgiving was a huge success in our book!
The pedal-powered food drive organized by West Seattle Bike Connections brought bikers to the West Seattle Food Bank last Saturday.
They met up with their teams, got their food list and instructions, and using their load hauling accessories took off, coming back a couple of hours later with a total of 1,195 pounds of food.
In the last 7 years that I have been here, this is definitely the largest food drive in the shortest amount of time. And such variety, culturally diverse food, food for the kids Backpack program, diapers & wipes for the Baby Corner and fresh produce.
Thank you to the organizers for wanting to have their own West Seattle Cranksgiving for the West Seattle Food Bank and most importantly to the enthusiastic riders.
You will make the 12,700 individuals that we serve extremely happy this holiday season.
Having a donation drive this holiday season? Let us know so we can include it in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide!
Days after other new parking-limit signs went up in the West Seattle Junction, signage is now arriving for Restricted Parking Zone 35. Thanks to Sarah for the tip via this comment, in which she also wondered about enforcement. So we asked SDOT. The reply:
SDOT is not in charge of parking enforcement, but we did request that SPD Parking Enforcement consider issuing courtesy notices rather than citations for the first week or two to educate people about the change. With that said, neighborhood residents who park on the street should be sure to display their permits now. Anyone who qualifies but does not yet have a permit should get a permit as soon as they can.
Here’s how to do that. And here again is the map of the new parking restrictions:
The changes were announced in June, two and a half years after a Junction resident initiated the request – which in turn was seven years after the city had rejected the previous community request for one. This is West Seattle’s second RPZ; the only other one is near the Fauntleroy ferry terminal.
The bowls at Delridge Skatepark are graffiti-free today – 5 months after nearby resident Nancy Folsom first started reporting the vandalism, which she said started small but then kept spreading. Today she contacted the city again and CC’d us, so we went over for a look – and found a crew in the process of cleaning it up.
Folsom says she’s reported graffiti vandalism at other public parks in the area and has seen it cleaned up much quicker. One response she got about the just-cleaned-up skatepark situation included an apology and, “We try hard to remove graffiti 72 hrs from the time it is reported. Unfortunately we only have 2 individuals doing graffiti removal for the 485 parks that we have in the city.” The city has a goal of cleaning up graffiti on public property within 10 days, as noted on the page you can use to file a report.
Didn’t get to publish a daily highlights list this morning but we want to be sure you saw this calendar listing: Alki Mail and Dispatch (4701 SW Admiral Way) is celebrating 30 years in business! As reported here in August, the business is under new ownership. Proprietor Bree Fitts – a longtime employee before taking over – invites you to stop by 4-7 pm tonight for the 30th-anniversary party, with snacks and drinks. The mail-and-coffee-and-more business has been in its current spot for 15 years, after 15 down the hill at Alki Beach.
Early Saturday, we reported on a police investigation following 911 calls about gunfire in the 1900 block of Harbor Avenue SW. Officers found shell casings and blood near an empty vehicle – but no victim – in a parking lot. Today we followed up with SPD. Spokesperson Det. Mark Jamieson tells WSB that “A short time later, a male victim arrived at Swedish Hospital stating that he was in a physical fight, got pistol whipped, and suffered a large laceration to the back of the head. According to the victim, during the fight an unknown subject fired several rounds into the air.”
10:12 AM: Seattle Fire says a person has been hit and killed by a rail car in the 5400 block of West Marginal Way SW. Police are investigating. We’re on the way to find out more.
10:44 AM: The SFD log address for the call is the Lafarge plant; its gates are closed and the remaining responders are all on the property beyond that, so we can’t find out anything on site.
10:53 AM: SPD describes the incident as an “industrial accident involving a worker and rail car.”
ADDED TUESDAY MORNING: Lafarge sent this statement:
Lafarge Canada has confirmed the death of an employee at our Seattle cement plant.
This is a very difficult and tragic incident, and we are extremely concerned about the impact to this individual’s family and friends. Our thoughts are with our colleague’s friends and family, and we are providing the support of our employee assistance program to help our co-workers cope with this loss.
Lafarge is cooperating fully in the investigation. We are unable to comment further at this time.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:57 AM: Good morning. No incidents/alerts so far.
Most of this month’s 34th District Democrats meeting was devoted to a “town hall” Q&A event with our area’s state legislators – Sen. Joe Nguyen, Rep. Eileen Cody, and Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon. Rachel Glass and Jordan Crawley moderated the event Wednesday at The Hall at Fauntleroy. Here’s our video:
Ahead, our toplines from what was asked and how it was answered:
In West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
WESTWOOD VILLAGE CAR PROWL: Reader report received this evening:
I was the victim of a car prowl outside 24 Hour Fitness last night (11/16) between 7:30pm-8:50pm. It was disappointing because it was my first real visit to the gym after starting a membership earlier in the week.
When I left the gym, I found the driver-side window of my car smashed in, and some Seattle Public Library CD’s and personal CD’s in the passenger seat that were taken. Nothing of real value, but now I’m stuck with cost of replacing the broken window, which is money I don’t have.
When I went back inside the gym to report the incident to employees behind the front desk, one of them asked, “Did you park on the Marshall’s side?”. I said yes, and he said there had been at least 4 recent car break-ins in that same area of the parking lot.
We checked Tweets by Beat – which, it should be noted, does have gaps – and found four car-prowl calls logged to WWV addresses since Oct. 1st.
CAR PROWL/THEFT PREVENTION: This month’s educational bulletin from Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner focuses on those two crimes – read it here (PDF) or below:
SHOTGUN SUSPECT FOLLOWUP: One update in a case we’ve been following – that of 48-year-old Michael J. Mullen, who originally made news in a June incident involving a “heavily altered” shotgun. Four weeks ago, we reported that he was back in jail, charged with misdemeanor domestic-violence harassment after an incident involving a roommate. Checking online court records, we see that case has since been dismissed but he was kept in custody on a “remand” in the gun case. Now he’s been found incompetent to stand trial and ordered to spend up to 45 days at Western State Hospital for attempted competency restoration.
7:10 PM: Another crash toward the west end of the eastbound West Seattle Bridge. This one has just been dispatched as a rollover, “on its top,” so SFD is sending a “rescue extrication” response. If you have to use the bridge, avoid that end for a while.
7:14 PM: Police are closing the eastbound Fauntleroy entrance to the bridge because of the crash. No injuries reported so far.
7:39 PM: The incident log shows all SFD units have now closed out their part of the call. SDOT’s live camera at 35th/Fauntleroy shows the eastbound bridge entrance is still closed.
7:52 PM: Now reopened.
As previewed in our Sunday highlight list, a camel – technically, a dromedary – was at Ounces in North Delridge this afternoon as part of the beer garden/taproom’s third-anniversary celebration. Crackle is from a farm on the Eastside. (We would have photographed Ounces’ proprietors too, but Laurel and Mike Trujillo had stepped away just before we got there. Happy anniversary!)
3:41 PM: Avoid the eastbound bridge from Fauntleroy for a while – a crash, and the SFD medical response for it, is blocking at least one lane.
5:04 PM: Just in case you’re wondering- yes, this did clear.
Thanks to Doug for the tip! Another West Seattle playground has improvements on the way. New equipment is planned for Cottage Grove Park Playground at 5206 26th SW, as part of the 2018 Your Voice, Your Choice! process, “to make the play area more usable for young children.” Seattle Parks is having a community meeting at 6:30 pm Monday, December 2nd, for input on the new equipment. All are welcome at the meeting, which will be in Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW) – see the full flyer here (PDF).
No football, no rain (yet) – here’s an option this afternoon: It’s all about the home-made and hand-made at Peace Lutheran Church‘s holiday bazaar, on until 3 pm. Above, the card for the kimchi is right next to the bake-sale tables. Other tables offer sewn, knitted, crocheted creations at bargain prices:
The bazaar’s in the church’s daylight basement, entrance just north of the northeast corner of 39th/Thistle in Gatewood.
P.S. One week from today – on Sunday, November 24 – Peace Lutheran celebrates its 75th anniversary. Events start at 9:30 am and continue into the afternoon – details in our calendar listing.
The Chief Sealth International High School PTSA is inviting everyone interested to a free showing of the film, “Screenagers: Next Chapter.” It’s been in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar a while but in case you haven’t seen the listing yet, it’s 7:30 pm this Thursday (November 21st) in the CSIHS Auditorium. From the producers, here’s some info about it:
Filmmaker and physician Dr. Delaney Ruston takes the conversation around screens and teens to the next level with Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER: Uncovering Skills for Stress Resilience — a film that examines the science behind teen’s emotional challenges, the interplay of social media, and most importantly, what can be done in our schools and homes to help them build crucial skills to navigate stress, anxiety, and depression in our digital age.
SCREENAGERS: Growing up in the Digital Age — Delany Ruston’s award-winning 2016 film — was the first feature documentary to explore the impact of screen technology on kids and offer parents and families proven solutions. Screened more than 8,000 times (and counting) to 4 million people in more than 70 countries, it has been featured on PBS NewsHour, the Today Show, Good Morning America, Dr. Oz, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and more. What started as a personal story grew into a national movement, helping millions of youth and their families find their way in a world with instant access to screen time.
In Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER, we follow Delaney as she finds herself at a loss on how to help her own teens as they struggle with their emotional wellbeing. She sets out to understand these challenges in our current screen-filled society, and how we, as parents and educators, can empower teens to overcome mental health challenges and build emotional agility, communication savvy, and stress resilience.
We witness Delaney as she finds her way from ineffective parenting to much-improved strategies. We follow other personal stories of families from an array of backgrounds with a spectrum of emotional challenges. We also observe approaches in schools that provide strategies relevant beyond the classroom setting. Interwoven into the stories are surprising insights from brain researchers, psychologists, and thought leaders that reveal evidence-based ways to support mental wellness among our youth. The impact of social media and other screen time is incorporated in all the topics raised in Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER, how it may be impacting our teens’ mental health, and what we can do to help foster youth in the face of struggles.
If you’re interested, you can RSVP here. The CSIHS PTSA adds, “This viewing is free but we will be collecting donations at the door to pay for the screening rights and the district AV crew.”
(Dark-eyed Junco, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
First, from the just-launched WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
PANCAKE-BREAKFAST TICKETS: Get yours in advance for a discount at the West Seattle Kiwanis booth at the south end of the Farmers’ Market today, 10 am-2 pm. The breakfast – with Santa photos! – is on December 7th. (California/Alaska)
HOLIDAY BAZAAR: Peace Lutheran Church Holiday Bazaar & Bake Sale, noon-3 pm. Free kids’ crafts. (39th/Thistle)
And from our year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: See what’s fresh, 10 am-2 pm, in the street in the heart of The Junction. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)
BRUNCH LAUNCH: As noted earlier this week, Lady Jaye in The Junction starts weekend-brunch service today, 10 am-2 pm. (4523 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE ARTIST AT MCCAW HALL: In conjunction with Pacific Northwest Ballet‘s “Locally Sourced” performances, which conclude at 1 pm today, local artists including West Seattle’s Babs Fulton are showng work at the hall. Here’s one of three pieces being shown by Babs:
She explains, “My 3 pieces are funky tributes to Seattle, our music history and of course the ‘gone, but not ever forgotten’ Viaduct!” Ballet ticket info here. (321 Mercer St.)
OUNCES ANNIVERSARY PARTY, WITH CAMEL! 2 pm-5:30 pm, the taproom/beer garden in North Delridge conclues its third-anniversary party – with Crackles the camel there 3-5:30 pm. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
SEATTLE SWING DANCE CLUB: 4-9:30 pm at Alki Masonic Center – schedule and pricing are here. (4736 40th SW)
HIGHEST OF HEELS, OKAY-ISH, LEILANI NITKEY: 5 pm at The Skylark, all ages, $5 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
FAIRGROUND: West Seattle duo, iive at the Pacific Room on Alki, 6-9 pm. No cover. All ages. (2808 Alki SW)
BLUEGRASS JAM: 7 pm at Whisky West. No cover. 21+. (6451 California SW)
LOOK INTO THE FUTURE … via our complete calendar and newly published Holiday Guide!
(WSB photos)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
As a community-owned-and-operated neighborhood center, Highland Park Improvement Club is one of a kind in West Seattle.
Statewide, it has a rare designation too. In a proclamation read at HPIC’s 100th-birthday party today, the Secretary of State’s Office noted that it’s one of fewer than two dozen 1919-founded corporations still in existence (out of 3,000+ founded that year).
But what the centennial celebration was truly about was heart – HPIC’s mission “to be the heart of the neighborhood.”
The party was open-house style indoors at HPIC (1116 SW Holden) except for about 45 minutes of presentations, appreciations, and reminiscences, which we recorded on video:
Becca Fong emceed – here she is with newly re-elected City Councilmember and Highland Park neighbor Lisa Herbold showing a mayoral proclamation that HPIC’s 199th anniversary of incorporation (originally the Dumar-Outland Improvement Club), November 28th, will be Highland Park Improvement Club Day in Seattle:
(“That’s Thanksgiving,” somebody called out. “We have lots to be thankful for!” was the rejoinder.)
The stories shared were not just warm memories but tales of how the club was revived ~20 years ago when an aging, dwindling membership had trouble figuring out how it could sustainably carry on into the future. But they did, and HPIC’s current standard-bearers are confident it’ll last “another hundred years.”
HPIC trustee Kay Kirkpatrick acknowledged HPIC’s presence on Coast Salish land and thanked Duwamish board president Lupe Barnes for her presence at the party.
Newly re-elected County Councilmember Joe McDermott, a third-generation West Seattleite, recalled early in his political career driving someone to vote at HPIC, briefly expressing nostalgia for the days of in-person voting.
He also congratulated HPIC for a King County 4Culture grant facilitating some of the renovations/repairs that have helped the building weather the years.
The speaker who really brought down the house was grande dame Martha Mallett, who said she got involved in the late ’50s at age 30, “you do the math.”
“I’ve got so much I want to tell you,” she said after ascending to the stage.
She singled out old friends in the crowd, and paid tribute to HPIC leaders before and after her, from the founders who she said bought the site for $10, to the current leaders who have overseen improvements including a kitchen upgrade and wi-fi.
She also spoke of connecting with now-retired city neighborhood-district coordinator Ron Angeles, who followed her onstage:
His own Highland Park roots go back to moving there as a 5th-grader. He lives outside West Seattle now, but he assured HPIC, “You guys are the ENVY of other neighborhoods.”
HPIC’s current president Nicole Mazza was the final speaker.
She recalled moving to Highland Park a dozen years ago and having since met at least a hundred neighbors she knows by name. “That happens in Highland Park. … This place has a heart, has a soul.”
This is a party that was a year in the making (as well as, obviously, 100 years in the making!), with HPIC counting down by spotlighting a different decade each month at the first-Friday Corner Bar events.
The decades of history were also detailed in banners by Highland Park’s own Digital Genie, Dina Lydia Johnson, displayed during the party along with other exhibits looking back.
News of the decades was captivating – like a clickbait-style headline from the early 20th century, “Sicko Hearing About Flappers? Then Don’t Rea This.” Other headlines and document excerpts on display were a reminder that “the more things change, the more they stay the same” – meeting notices circa 1940, with “Highland Park district transportation problems to be discussed.” In 1967, a mudslide on Highland Park Way, which was hit with one again in just a few years ago.
Historic events of the past decade were noted as well, including the late-’00s fight against a proposed misdemeanor jail that the city ultimately agreed with Highland Parkers didn’t need to be built.
The 75th and 90th anniversary parties were noted as well – though nothing was likely as grand as today’s centennial celebration. As emcee Fong said onstage, “Through it all, (the club) has been there to sustain the neighborhood.”
And the sustenance will be mutual as long as people keep walking through the doors. With the neighborhood continuing to evolve – across the street to the west, modern townhouses replaced a small church – they no doubt will.
HPIC membership info is here.
So grateful to Bob Bollen for capturing this and sending his photo – we spotted the big burst of color while driving in The Junction; turned westward in hopes of getting down to the water for a clear view, but it vanished too quickly.
(WSB photos)
A man driving a pickup truck suffered a medical problem and hit four parked cars along Delridge Way near Hudson tonight. One of the cars was knocked on its side. SFD checked out the pickup driver at the scene; no injuries otherwise.
The southbound lane will be blocked until the police and tow truck are clear.
8:50 PM: Just broadcast on police radio – the missing 12-year-old’s been found.
ORIGINAL REPORT, 7:55 PM: Read More
Thanks to John Smersh of Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) for the photo, taken Friday – SDOT has started putting up the new parking signs in The Junction. Making a spot check late today, we only saw these signs – extending 2-hour-max parking in the business area to 8 pm most nights rather than 6 pm; the RPZ signs don’t appear to have gone up yet. (Please let us know if you’ve seen any!) SDOT had said the signage would all go up in the first two weeks of this month, so clearly they’re running behind. Once all the signage is installed, here’s what the new restrictions will be:
The plan was announced five months ago.
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