West Seattle, Washington
19 Friday
Just in from SDOT – don’t look for those paving crews on Sylvan today, after all. But note another location’s on the schedule:
SDOT paving crews plan to lay a new surface of asphalt next week in the eastbound lane in the 2400 block of Sylvan Way SW (at the curve by Home Depot). On Monday April 25, the crews will grind off the old surface on Sylvan Way, and on Tuesday, April 26, if weather is favorable, they will lay new asphalt. One lane will remain open in each direction. Traffic flaggers will assist traffic. (We previously announced that this work would take place this week, but it has now been rescheduled.)
The crews plan to perform spot paving on SW Orchard Street between Delridge Way SW and Dumar Way SW on Wednesday and Thursday, April 27 and 28.
This repair work is needed due to an ongoing pothole problem at these locations.
Sunday morning, we published two reader reports of mystery incidents within a few blocks of each other on Genesee Hill. This morning, a comment from Barbara solves one of the mysteries, and we’re republishing it here since few will check back on a 4-day-old thread:
Thanks for your concern and for those who helped my mother-in-law who wandered from home and fell last Saturday evening on SW Genesee. She was once quite a walker around her neighborhood, but of course, not recently until Saturday. She was quite injured and unable to recall her name for several hours at Harborview. Eventually she managed her name and address and the family was contacted. We have been busy with her medical care and adjustments to her living situation since then so missed the Blog entries. Thanks again to all our neighbors who helped her that evening. We are thrilled that West Seattle still has such heroes.
Thanks to David Hutchinson for sharing that photo of a seagull regaling its own reflection. David is part of the Alki Community Council meeting, which happens to be having its monthly meeting tonight, 7 pm, Alki UCC (6112 SW Hinds), agenda includes the Summer Streets “car-free day” on May 22nd (the day starts with West Seattle 5K – signed up yet?) and The Whale Trail. Also of note:
SYLVAN WAY SPOT PAVING: Scheduled to be done today and tomorrow.
LOW TIDE: Not as low as the past two days, but still a good one for beachwalking – 2:04 pm, -2.1. Thanks to Lisa Stencel for sharing this colorful closeup from her beach visit during yesterday’s low tide:
MAUNDY THURSDAY: Looking for Holy Week church services? That’s part of what you will find on the WSB Easter page (along with egg hunts and brunches). Still not too late to let us know if we are missing something – editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!
As WSB commenters pointed out, the Aggressive Drivers Response Team was visible on 35th SW again yesterday. Here are the tickets mentioned on the Seattle Police website SPD Blotter:
1 at 49 mph
1 at 47 mph
3 at 46 mph
2 at 45 mph
3 for No Proof of Insurance and 5 Cell Phone violations
Will they return today? They don’t announce their plans in advance, but as the update concludes, they do advise “all motor vehicle operators to be familiar with and obey all local and state traffic laws and to always drive with due regard for all others on the roadway.”
Thanks to everyone who took the time to suggest ideas for this summer’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies lineup. The advisory committee met today with movie mastermind Lora from Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), next to the courtyard that converts to a theater for these six Saturday nights each summer – and here’s the plan, which includes some classics:
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off [trailer above], July 16
Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, July 23
Airplane, July 30
Despicable Me, August 6
Jurassic Park (1), August 13
Toy Story 3, August 20
Plus: The call’s out for
Call out for musicians, entertainers, comedy or anyone who loves to perform in front of a crowd:
The West Seattle Outdoor Movies series starts July 16th, 2011 and runs for 6 Saturdays during the summer. We are looking for folks who can perform for an hour prior to the movies beginning at dusk. This is a nonprofit community event but we do have a stipend for each act. To be considered, please e-mail the West Seattle Outdoor Movies committee at westseattlemovies@gmail.com, or click on the link on the movie website www.wsmovies.org with a short bio, website link, MP3, or whatever you think would showcase your talent. Acts will be picked the week of May 16th and deadline is May 15th.
Keep in mind, this would be entertainment that’s harmonious with a friendly crowd gathering before the movie to stake out seats and chat – no, oh, say, death metal. See you at the movies!
After our report last night on the recent “spike” in home break-ins, some commenters asked for prevention advice. Tonight, that’s exactly what’s in the latest newsletter from the Southwest Precinct‘s new crime-prevention coordinator, Mark Solomon. You can see it here (with pictures) in its original PDF format, or if you just want to read the text, we’ve republished that after the jump:Read More
The dent under the headlight in that photo is where a “flying door” hit Meredith‘s car about an hour and a half ago on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge, just before the “official bus lane” begins. It likely would have done much worse, if she hadn’t seen it coming in time for evasive action – she told WSB by e-mail, “It was set to come down on my open sunroof. I slowed enough that its first touchdown was front of my car.” Then, she says, she saw the “house door, hollow core” shattered by a black SUV nearby. She and her little boy are OK, but shaken up. Meredith thinks the debris might have come from an “unsecured load, perhaps on a westbound vehicle,” but is hoping that perhaps somebody saw something on the bridge that will help police investigate (she was awaiting a callback as of a short time ago).
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
In November 2007, Denise Sharify showed City Councilmember Nick Licata the dangers of 35th SW in the High Point area – and we captured a moment of drama on camera as he stopped a little boy from wandering out into the fast-moving traffic. She also explained to him how they had been lobbying the city for improvements since at least 2005:
(WSB video, November 2007, outside High Point Library)
Almost a year after that, following a crash that sent a teenage pedestrian to the hospital, Sharify (who works for Neighborhood House) and others staged a high-profile rally in October 2008 along the same stretch of 35th SW.
Not long after that, we published an update on police patrols along the road ruefully dubbed “I-35,” as police ticketed dozens for speeds often exceeding 55 mph.
Flash forward two and a half years, to yesterday afternoon:
The latest “emphasis patrol” on 35th led to 21 speeding tickets, Southwest Precinct’s Capt. Steve Paulsen — veteran of many years in the traffic division – told the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council last night, most around 50 mph in what’s supposed to be a 35-mph-maximum zone, with the highest ticketed speed at 60.
And that patrol came less than a week after a deadly crash at 35th and Juneau – the latest incident to revive concern about 35th SW safety.
SDOT’s community traffic liaison Jim Curtin (above right, with WSCPC president Richard Miller) was already booked to speak to the WS Crime Prevention Council before that happened; traffic-safety issues are often brought up in the WSCPC meetings when it’s time to voice concerns to the local police reps who invariably are on hand.
Last night, given recent events, almost the entire discussion focused on 35th SW.
As noted here Monday, the Sylvan Way spot paving is scheduled to start tomorrow; in the meantime, Mike spotted this SDOT painting truck out on Delridge by Orchard today. We also saw one near 35th/Morgan yesterday, while photographing the Aggressive Drivers Response Team in action (speaking of which, the last, longest story from last night’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting will be up in the next 15 minutes).
You might have wondered whether Alki Community Center would have an egg hunt this year, since city budget cuts slashed its staff and operating hours. The answer, from the ACC Advisory Council, a resounding YES! So it’s been added to the listings on our special Easter 2011 page of egg hunts, church services, and brunch notes. And Kathleen Scanlon from the council shares some extra information:
First of all, although the hunt starts at 10 am sharp, we would encourage folks to get there early to find their age group (and because in years past it is over by 10:05!). We will also be serving Starbucks, juice and muffins starting at 9:30 am and ages 0-11 are invited to participate in the hunt.
The center is at 5817 SW Stevens, adjacent to the south end of Alki Playfield and the east side of Alki Elementary.
For sellers and shoppers, May 14th is shaping up as another day to remember, as more than 130 sales are already registered for the 7th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day (ahead of last year’s pace, with the final 2010 count a record 200+). In terms of size and location, the sales are literally all over the map – we have schools, businesses, fundraisers, individual homes, and group sites too. We wanted to let you know that one week remains till the registration deadline, which is 11:59 pm next Wednesday night, April 27. After that, as your WSCGSD sponsors/organizers, we get to work on the maps (we make two versions – online-only clickable Google Map, and printable/downloadable version including the “ad” listings describing the sales). So if you haven’t signed up yet but you’re planning on being part of it, why procrastinate? Just go here now! (Again this year, all signups are online.)
If you have a a tableful of items you’d like to sell but not enough room at your own home (or no interest in inviting people over), here are the group sites we know of: Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), 4410 California SW, sign up at the shop or e-mail info@hotwirecoffee.com; C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW, sign up at the shop or e-mail candpco@comcast.net; VFW Hall, 3601 SW Alaska, sign up at the hall or call 206-935-4352; if you have bikes/gear, contact Cycle University, 4550 Fauntleroy SW, 206-432-9982.
If you’re not selling, just mark your calendar to get out and browse around – meet neighbors, look for deals, enjoy what we hope will be another sunny West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day – 9 am-3 pm, and be sure to invite your friends/family from other areas of the city/region too – we promote WSCGSD regionally with the hopes lots of folks will show up to see the splendor of our peninsula, shop in West Seattle stores, have lunch in West Seattle restaurants, make a day out of it. Oh, and here’s that registration link again!
Bernie Matsuno, who’s been acting director of the Department of Neighborhoods for three months, will be its permanent director if confirmed by the City Council, according to an announcement just sent by Mayor McGinn‘s office. The announcement includes other appointments – a new personnel director and communications director. Read on for the full news release:Read More
(Clouds over the Sound last Thursday, shared by Jeff Johnson)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
EARTHQUAKE DRILL: Statewide, whether you’re at work, home, or school, today’s the day to “Drop, Cover, and Hold” at 9:45 am. From the state, here’s info on how to do it – no matter where you are.
MORGAN’S QUARTERLY MEETING: The Morgan Community Association has a busy agenda for its quarterly meeting tonight, with topics including the Murray Pump Station combined-sewer-overflow project (short discussion, not a formal county presentation), Solstice Park (with a Seattle Parks guest), Zipcars, a traffic-circle request for 38th and Graham, the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative (with a guest speaker), and an update on the Morgan Junction Community Festival (coming up in June). Everyone’s welcome to MoCA’s meeting, which starts at 7 in the lower-level meeting room at The Kenney, 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW.
DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: The monthly gathering of reps from community groups and major organizations around eastern West Seattle is at 7 tonight, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), and you’re welcome to come early for the strategic discussion at 6 pm, taking a broader look at the area’s challenges and goals. The 7 pm agenda includes a presentation on where the Elliott Bay Seawall Replacement Project stands, as well as a review of area proposals for city Large Project Grants.
LOWEST TIDE OF THE MONTH: 1:16 pm today, -2.5 per our favorite chart. Tidewalking time!
2nd story from the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting (and we have a 3rd story to come, focusing on the 35th SW safety discussion): After something of a lull in residential burglaries, Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen announced, there’s been a “huge spike” these past two weeks. How huge? The recent average has been 5 a week, he said, but suddenly “we are pushing almost 20.” Police suspect one or two people are responsible for most of the spike, he said, and they’re asking for community help in catching the culprits.
Capt. Paulsen says two “hot spots” have been the focus of most of the increase – the “William 1” sector, Genesee/Admiral, and the “Frank 3” sector (plus a bit westward), in the 35th/Thistle/Trenton/Barton area. Most of the burglaries are happening between 10 or 11 in the morning and 4 or 5 in the afternoon, he said, and the most common break-in method is kicking in the back door. They suspect “people we have arrested before” are to blame, though when we caught up with Capt. Paulsen toward meeting’s end, he stressed they do not have anyone specific identified yet, nor is there any specific description available to share with you – they just ask that you be extra-vigilant, particularly in those areas and during that time of day, and if you see/hear ANYTHING suspicious, call 911. “We’re putting as many resources as possible” toward stopping the burglary spike, added operations Lt. Pierre Davis. (Other crime trends, according to Capt. Paulsen, are more encouraging – car prowls and thefts are “trending downward,” and non-residential burglaries have ‘flat-lined.”)
West Seattle was one of the stops today for a nationwide bus tour promoting a new program called Kids Bowl Free – which really is exactly what it seems. WS Bowl is among the bowling centers participating in the program offering kids two free bowling games every day this summer. Also along for the ride, pro bowler Mitch Beasley, who hails from Puyallup and is clearly excited about finding a way to get more kids involved with bowling:
West Seattle Bowl management tells us there’s plenty of room for hundreds more kids to sign up for the Kids Bowl Free program, beyond the 500 or so they have signed up already – just go to kidsbowlfree.com/wsbowl. (According to the registration page, the age limit is 15, and bowlers will still pay “standard rental rates” if you have to borrow bowling shoes.)
At the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, where SDOT community traffic liaison Jim Curtin is front and center: While most of the discussion so far has centered on 35th, Curtin revealed a new proposal for a California SW intersection that’s been of concern – California/Dakota. You might recall the most recent wave of concern there, sparked when a hit-and-run driver killed a dog (and narrowly missed its owner – WSB coverage here and here, and specifically regarding traffic-safety followup, here). Curtin says that the city is applying for a state grant to install a “rapid-fire beacon” (here’s what those look like) that would be pedestrian-activated. If they get the grant, the installation could happen this fall, he says.
ADDED: We asked Curtin a few follow-up questions after the meeting. He says the city will apply for the grant in May, and is fairly confident it’ll be approved; the cost of the special lights will be about $50,000 $15,000. The case of Lucy the dog is not the only reason California/Dakota is being singled out for this, he says; it’s also a busy crossing area because of the schools on the north side of The Junction – such as Tilden, Holy Rosary, Hope, Seattle Lutheran.
(Photo by Danny McMillin)
When someone texted us a half-hour or so ago saying an Osprey was headed this way, we thought maybe they meant the feathered type. Nope. It was the tilt-rotor military-aircraft V-22 Osprey type. We have already mentioned this on Twitter and on Facebook, but some FB commenters say it was window-rattling quality in parts of West Seattle (not down here in Upper Fauntleroy, though), so in case you were wondering too, we’re also making note of it here. (Boeing is apparently awaiting some news about an upcoming contract for more.)
11:26 PM: Finally a photo! Major thanks to Danny McMillin for sharing what he and his camera captured from Alki.
From SDOT:
The contractor working for the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will completely close First Avenue South between Horton and S Spokane streets tonight to make emergency repairs to temporary shoring for the new Spokane Street Viaduct First Avenue S on-/off-ramp. The shoring was knocked out of alignment this morning after being struck by a truck. The closure begins at 11 p.m. with the expectation that lanes will re-open for use by 5 a.m. Wednesday, April 20. Detours will be provided for both southbound and northbound traffic.
Though that’s some distance south of the stadiums, it’s still worth noting there’s a Mariners night game at Safeco Field (which will be over by then unless it runs extra-long) .
6:04 PM UPDATE: Also note that, apparently unrelated to this, there currently is a traffic problem right at 1st/Spokane, northbound, affecting people coming off the eastbound West Seattle Bridge, related to a crash: SDOT says, “Traffic inbound from West Seattle must either continue on S Spokane St eastbound to I-5 or take a right turn and head south on 1st Ave S. Traffic northbound on 1st Ave S is being diverted to E Marginal Way S.” We’ll update here when we get word this has cleared.
Somehow, we had expected to see this happen in advance of tonight’s traffic-safety discussion at the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council, since SDOT’s Jim Curtin (who will address WSCPC) had told us “more enforcement” was a possibility after last week’s deadly crash: The Seattle Police Aggressive Drivers Response Team was out on 35th SW earlier this afternoon. (Thanks to the WSB’er who texted us after spotting them!) We photographed one of the Chargers at 35th/Henderson – after first spotting them just north of 35th/Webster (and as we got the camera out, off they went, lights flashing):
This comes six days after the deadly motorcycle-car collision at 35th/Juneau, where this afternoon, as police patrolled, we found a roadside tribute to the motorcyclist, Andrew Seffernick (whose 25th birthday would have been today):
Though there have been other 35th SW deaths in the years between, that stirred memories of the tribute a few blocks away at 35th/Graham after the death of bicyclist Susanne Scaringi (also in her mid-20s when a collision killed her in 2006 – also a 2-wheeled vehicle hitting a turning 4-wheeled vehicle broadside). Meantime, we spotted two TV crews out in the area this afternoon, so you may see regional-media stories tonight about 35th SW; the Crime Prevention Council meeting is at 7 pm, Southwest Precinct.
7:48 PM UPDATE: We’re at the WSCPC meeting. SW Precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen says 21 tickets were written today, average speed 50 mph (in a 35 zone), highest one, he believes, was for 60 mph.
(March photo by Kevin McClintic)
A note we received this afternoon said it looked like an Argosy Cruises boat was stuck during today’s very-low tide off Alki. Turns out, it wasn’t stuck, though Argosy gets that question about this boat all the time, and we had in fact asked them about it recently, intending to eventually write a story, so here it is: The one that’s seen off Alki frequently – anchored for hours at midday/early afternoon – is the Goodtime II, and Argosy’s Maureen Black explained that it’s used by Pacific Marine Research: “PMR is an educational organization that arranges marine science field trips in Puget Sound for local schoolchildren to help them understand Puget Sound and the watershed. Since 1972, Argosy Cruises has been providing boats and crew for the approximately 80 field trips held yearly from March to September. ” This promotional video shows what it is they’re up to during their field trips:
You can find out more at Pacific Marine Research’s website.
(Photo by Long Bach Nguyen; click the image to see a larger version on his website)
From the distance at which that West Seattle overview was photographed, it’s easy to forget what it’s like down in the trenches, on the roads and the sidewalks, in the cars and the buses and the trucks and the ferries, on the bikes and the motorcycles. We talk about individual challenges and concerns here all the time. But take a moment if you will for the big picture. Right now, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce is doing that – in hopes of angling for a share of another city pie related to transportation needs.
Chamber CEO Patti Mullen has convened a group to brainstorm a potential “wish list” for the Citizen Transportation Advisory Council, CTAC III for short, as it drafts recommendations on spending about $7 million around the city (partly related to the new $20 license tax, as explained here). No one on that council represents West Seattle, so the Chamber is trying to make sure our peninsula has a loud, unified voice, by presenting some strong requests/recommendations. We sat in on the Chamber-convened group’s first conversation last week and agreed to run a list of questions by you – for your seat at the table, so to speak, if you’d like to post a comment with your answers to these questions:
*Identify ONE transportation improvement or project you believe is essential? (for example improved bus service to Delridge, more bike lanes or paved streets)
*What ONE street needs the most improvement? What specific improvements (new sidewalks, paving, crosswalks, signals) need to be made?
*If you had $500,000 to improve some part of the transportation system in West Seattle what would you invest it in?
The Chamber needs to compile comments by April 28th; that’s the date CTAC will convene a meeting about “neighborhood interests” (see the link above), and the Chamber plans a followup shortly thereafter. P.S. In case you’re wondering who’s in the Chamber-convened group – facilitated by consultant Josh Stepherson – those on hand for the first of two conversations last Friday were: John Huey, Viking Bank; Patrick Jablonski, Nucor; Brandon Nicholson, Nicholson Kovalchick Architects and West Seattle Junction Association; Denny Onslow, Harbor Properties; Gary Oertli, South Seattle Community College; and Chas Redmond, Feet First (and Morgan Community Association, Sustainable West Seattle, Southwest District Council, among other groups).
The two latest West Seattle Crime Watch reports are burglaries – one came in by phone because the victim’s computer was part of the loot, so she had no other way to report it here – read on for details on that, and another break-in with a puzzling “clue” – an unplugged appliance:Read More
(Monday rainbow photo, shared by Greg Daly)
Seen the WSB Easter page yet – egg hunts, church services, brunch notes? Find it here. The first of the egg hunts happens this morning:
TODDLER SPRING EXTRAVAGANZA: At High Point Community Center, Ages 2 – 5. A morning of fun and activities, including a very special bunny visit especially for toddlers. There will be games, crafts for the children, and an egg hunt (11 am sharp) with age-appropriate prizes and candy. Activity fee $5.
2ND-LOWEST TIDE OF THE MONTH: 12:31 pm today … not sunny but not so bad for tidewalking if you can get out! -2.4 tide; even lower tomorrow (here’s the chart).
TRAFFIC SAFETY @ WSCPC: As previewed here yesterday, the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meets tonight at Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster), 7 pm, with traffic safety on the agenda – guest, Jim Curtin, the community traffic liaison for SDOT.
TEEPA SNOW AT THE MOUNT: 7-9 pm in the Chapel at Providence Mount St. Vincent (4831 35th SW), you are invited to come hear Teepa Snow, a nationally recognized expert on ways to understand and better help people living with dementia. She will lead a discussion on non-traditional stress management for the person with dementia and their caregiver – with a focus on humor and positive interactions. Free, public welcome.
KIDS BOWL FREE: If you pass West Seattle Bowl this afternoon, you might see the promotional bus for this nationwide campaign. They’re scheduled to visit around 1 pm, while making a tour of Seattle-area bowling centers (Roxbury Lanes and White Center’s Magic Lanes are on the agenda afterward). (But you don’t have to stop in to get the “bowl free” deal – WS Bowl tells is they already are signing up kids for free games all summer long, and you can register online at kidsbowlfree.com/wsbowl.)
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS Always open to new members, and Tuesday night is practice night – details here and at the WS Community Orchestras website.
COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE IN HIGHLAND PARK: 3rd week for the Highland Park Improvement Club-hosted Community Acupuncture Clinic, 11 am-3 pm (here’s our story from last week).
ROCK TRIVIA AT THE FEEDBACK: Rock music trivia every Tuesday night at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm
FAMILY STORY TIME: At the Seattle Public Library’s Delridge Branch (Delridge/Brandon) — with Amy! 7 pm.
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