The 64-car Chetzemoka is the first new vessel built for Washington State Ferries in more than a decade – since the Jumbo Mark II class trio – and this morning it made its Elliott Bay debut, leaving Todd Pacific Shipyards on Harbor Island under tow, headed for some finishing work in Everett. We watched it from a spot just east of Anchor Park – one week after standing at almost the exact same spot, watching that visiting gray whale. According to the project page on the WSF website, Todd has a contract to build two more ferries like the Chetzemoka, which is destined for the Port Townsend-Keystone route, where the state’s been using a leased ferry since the Steel Electric-class vessels were taken out of service (the 2nd will go to that route as well, while the third is scheduled to run between Tacoma’s Point Defiance terminal and Tahlequah at the south end of Vashon). If you’re wondering about the name Chetzemoka, it’s explained here.ADDED 11:15 AM: A closer view from further along the journey (from a photographer who asked not to be credited):
EGG HUNTS: The storm lifted just in time. The list’s on the WSB Easter page, but in short – West Seattle Thriftway(indoors) at 9 am, all West Seattle community centers at 10 am, the Eastridge-sponsored hunt at Lincoln Park at 11 am. (*And a few minutes after we published this, C&P Coffee sent word it’s having an indoor hunt at 10 am.)
PANCAKE BREAKFASTS: Alki and Hiawatha Community Centers are also having pancake breakfasts ($4/person) starting at 8:30 am.
LOCAL STUDENTS PLAY BASEBALL AT THE SAFE: West Seattle High School plays Auburn Mountainview at Safeco Field at 12:30 pm. Admission is free; gates open at 11:30 am.
And two sales to mention …
MS-FIGHTING GARAGE SALE: One week before this year’s MS Walk in Seattle, Lisa‘s team (shown in a photo from last year) is having a garage sale today in West Seattle for one last fundraising boost. 9 am-3 pm, alley behind 3040 46th Avenue SW (map).
HOMEMADE BRIGADE: The bazaar-style gathering of local craftsfolk is back at Freshy’s Coffee in Admiral, starting at 10 am.
ALKI BIKE AND BOARD: Its annual spring sale continues today; full details online,, including snow gear up to 70% off (even as the mountain snow continues).
WHITE CENTER CAMBODIAN FESTIVAL: A big event just south of West Seattle – 10:30 am-5 pm, on 98th SW east of 16th SW (map), it’s the annual Cambodian New Year Festival; more here.
Great weather for cozying up with a book! A day later than usual this week (other news got in the way), courtesy of Gretchen Montgomery @ Square One Books (WSB sponsor), we bring you her store’s 5 best-sellers in each of 4 key categories:
Hardcover:
1. Art of Choosing by Sheena Iyengar
2. The Long Way Home by David Laskin
3. Solar by Ian McEwan
4. Shell Games by Craig Welch
5. Bite Me by Christopher Moore
Paperback:
1. The Stieg Larsson Mysteries
2. A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg
3. The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint by Brady Udall
4. All About Lulu by Jonathan Evison
5. Shadow and Light by Jonathan Robb
Children/Young Adult:
1. Poppleton in Spring by Cynthia Rylant
2. Savvy by Ingrid Law
3. Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series by Rick Riordan
4. Tickle Monster by Josie Bissett
5. The Warriors Series by Erin Hunter
Teen:
1. North of Beautiful by Justine Headley
2. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
3. The House of Night Series by P.C. Cast
4. Fang by James Patterson
5. Twilight:The Graphic Novel by Stephanie Meyer and Young Kim
All month long, we’re planning a nightly spotlight on Disaster Preparedness Month, and steps you can take – not just the same old ones you’ve heard over and over again and maybe even tuned out – to be sure you have the best chance at “getting through it” should something big happen. Tonight, expert advice forwarded by the local folks behind the Emergency Communication Hubs around West Seattle – at the heart of this excellent web resource – something particularly timely if you are still working on your taxes and have some of these docs out already: The documents you need to compile and set aside ahead of time, so you wouldn’t lose precious time in recovery mode.
After a major disaster, you may need financial assistance and will want to document any property loss for insurance and income tax purposes. Having ready access to the documents necessary for completing application forms, as well as those which could be difficult to replace, will help reduce delay and frustration.
At A Minimum:
1. Gather property insurance papers (home, auto, boat, etc.) and make copies.
2. Gather health insurance papers (medical provider, dental provider, life, extended disability, etc.) and make copies.
3. Gather financial papers (bank, investment, retirement, etc.) and make copies.
4. Gather wills, powers of attorney, and estate papers and make copies.
5. Take photos or videos of all valuables as documentation for insurance claims.
• Store these copies and photos in a safe deposit box, or in a ziplock bag in your freezer (you may want to disguise these documents by putting them in a clean box like a frozen pizza box).
The latter advice is frequently offered by police, too, in case you become a theft/burglary victim. Even if you can’t do all this right now, find a few of the documents that are handy and start – get those to the safe-deposit box or freezer – add to it as you are able. Meantime, our nightly spotlights continue Saturday night; if you missed Night 1 on Thursday, it was simple advice – Know your hub, which you can do by browsing the West Seattle Be Prepared website (and joining its Facebook group too – check out the quake info posted today).
The sign in the above-left photo is one of two that brought a lot of smiles and comments when we published photos sent by their creator, Jim Sander, a month ago. Tonight, Pigeon Point’s Pete Spalding says the sign’s been stolen – along with most of the community signpost that held it (“after” photo, above right):
At some point during the day on Friday some low-life scumbag decided to vandalize one of our Pigeon Point neighborhood signposts. These signposts were donated by residents of the Pigeon Point neighborhood. These sign posts are normally used to notify residents of upcoming meetings and events that are taking place in our neighborhood. Now we will have to come up with the funds to replace this signpost and the Welcome to Pigeon Point sign that was attached to the crossbar on top. These signs have been in place for several years and we have had some occasional damage, but nothing on this scope. If anyone has any information about this vandalism please send an e-mail to pigeonpointcouncil@comcast.net.
Ironically, the road closure/detour that inspired the signs is just a few days from wrapping up.
That’s a bit of video from Constellation Park/Richey Viewpoint south of Alki Point, favorite haunt – in weather like this – of TV crews and intrepid stormwatchers. We saw both represented while we were out, briefly, at dusk. Note the past/future driftwood in the surf – extra-dangerous, so don’t get close. (We were there about an hour ago; high tide was at 9:15, so the surf will pull back a bit in the hours ahead, with the next high tide at 7:44 am.) Meantime, on the forecasting front, the National Weather Service‘s wind advisory is now extended till midnight, and tomorrow morning looks showery/breezy (egg hunts are still on, though – schedule here). ADDED 1:05 AM: John Polnik shared this video from central Alki, where he says a small outage hit Phoenecia – we had driven through after 8 pm and saw the streetlights appear to be “strobing”:
Attention has turned to the two future pump-station-overflow projects in south West Seattle over the past few weeks (Fauntleroy/Barton coverage here, Murray/Lowman coverage here), but it should be noted that work at the 53rd Avenue Pump Station expansion on Alki is still not all done – specifically, the street-restoration work. Martha Tuttle from King County Wastewater Treatment Division sent this update today:
King County continues to make progress on the 53rd Avenue Pump Station restoration activities. Crews recently completed sidewalks and curbs on the south side of Alki Avenue SW from 53rd Avenue SW to just beyond 54th Place SW.
Weather permitting, final paving of the roadway through this area will be completed over the next couple of weeks. In order to schedule this work, three days of clear weather must be forecasted. Neighbors and visitors should anticipate continued traffic revisions to complete paving. At times, traffic on Alki Avenue SW may be reduced to one lane. Traffic control and flaggers will be on site to help vehicles through the construction zone. King County thanks pump station neighbors and frequent users of the area for their continued patience.
Once again this year, West Seattle Junction merchants are planning a one-day “tax-free sale” right after tax-filing season. The “Junction’s Tax-Free Day For All” sale, announced this afternoon, will be Saturday, April 17; like last year, participants will display red balloons so you know who’s participating, but you don’t have to wait till then to find out; the list of participants is on the West Seattle Junction Association website here, and some are offering coupons (you’ll see those here). Some participants plan in-store specials and discounts, too. Sale hours on April 17th will be 10 am-6 pm. (WSB photo from April 2009)
STRONG SOUTHERLY WINDS OF 20 TO 35 MPH WILL PERSIST INTO THE EARLY EVENING HOURS BEFORE EASING. OCCASIONAL WIND GUSTS OF 45 TO 55 MPH ARE ALSO EXPECTED… ESPECIALLY IN MORE EXPOSED AREAS.
The NWS hourly readings showed a gust of 51 mph at Alki Point at 3 pm. So far no reports of outages or other major problems in West Seattle – here’s the page to watch for power problems. Next high tide, for wave-watchers, isn’t till 9:15 pm. ADDED 4:16 PM: An advisory from Seattle Parks, related to the rain rather than the wind:
Seattle Parks and Recreation has closed all grass athletic fields on Friday, April 2, and Saturday, April 3, due to the muddy condition of the fields caused by rain. All baseball and softball games and practices have been cancelled for today and tomorrow.
Synthetic fields remain open, and games on those fields will continue as normal. The closures will not affect spring egg hunts.
For more information about field closures, please call Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Citywide Athletics Rain-out Hotline at (206) 233-0055.
(The egg hunt list, by the way, is on the WSB Easter page.) ADDED 6:52 PM: Still no reports of major trouble. But the wind-whipped waves remain the big attraction – TV crews have been out at Constellation Park, and out on the water, the view was even wilder, as you can see in this photo Kevin McClintic took from the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry:
The weather eased a bit at noon, just as that group gathered in The Junction to commemorate Good Friday in a unique outdoor manner – walking “A Way of the Cross” along several blocks of the business district, with readings, chanting and prayer. Our video is from the beginning, as Hope Lutheran Pastor Keith Eilers reads, before the group begins walking southbound on California SW. (This was a nondenominational event, as is this Sunday’s annual West Seattle Sunrise Service at Forest Lawn, just after 6:30 am)
NEW FERRY’S JOURNEY: The state’s new 64-car ferry Chetzemoka will make its first journey tomorrow, under tow to Everett Shipyard “for final outfitting and system testing prior to conducting dock and sea trials,” according to the WSDOT announcement. You should be able to see it from east- and north-facing West Seattle shores after it leaves Todd Pacific Shipyards on Harbor Island around 8; it’s due in Everett around noon.
As first reported here 2 weeks ago, the city has decided to have another “car-free” Celebrate Seattle Summer Streets day on Alki in connection with the West Seattle 5K Run/Walk for the second consecutive year – that’ll happen May 23. And this afternoon, SDOT just released the full list of CSSS days citywide – read on:Read More
(WSB photo from October 2009)
In ongoing reports about the convergence of various road projects and their effects on West Seattle drivers, we’ve been talking about the impending closure of the 1st Avenue South onramp to the westbound West Seattle Bridge as part of the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project, and how that will affect traffic. In particular, it’s going to mean many more vehicles – including buses – using the “low bridge” during the afternoon/evening rush hour (detour map here), with no access to the “high bridge” between I-5 and 99. Knowing this was ahead, the city asked the Coast Guard two years ago to consider restricting openings of the “low bridge” during rush hours; the Coast Guard said no. Now, as anticipated, the city is trying again – and City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen‘s office has just provided us with the official letter, sent this week. Specifically, they’re asking for restrictions between 3 pm and 6 pm weekdays, starting May 17, when the ramp is scheduled to close permanently (late next year, a new 1st Avenue S. on/offramp will be open), and continuing into 2011. As you’ll see if you read the letter, the city includes an example of how they expect traffic to be affected, for those flowing into the Delridge/Chelan/Marginal intersection on the bridge’s west end: Delays are projected to quadruple, from 40-ish seconds to 3 minutes. As for potential disruption of marine traffic, the city’s letter cites a one-year period in which about 30 vessels that had to go out at high tide went out during PM rush hour, and says those openings could be scheduled well in advance, with advance warning to drivers to plan around the bridge openings. So what next? The city is asking the Coast Guard to expedite review of its request – the request made in 2008 took months to review, but only six weeks remain until the 1st Avenue South ramp closes.
Just announced on KIRO radio (97.3 FM): Barely one full day after chef Tom Douglas and host Dave Ross kicked it off, hours after Seattleites learned that nobody had come forward what had become the city’s last fireworks show, the one on Lake Union, the pledge drive has reached its $500,000 goal – that’s how much longtime promoter OneReel said it would cost to put on the fireworks and accompanying festivities. They asked for donations from local businesses in $1,000 increments; here’s the list so far — WSB contributed $1K, as did West Seattle’s Ventana Construction, a WSB sponsor, as is Merrill Gardens, which pledged a short time ago to cover the “remaining balance.” (If anyone else on the list has West Seattle ties, let us know so we can add a shoutout!) The drive picked up major steam when Microsoft and Starbucks announced late yesterday that they would each contribute $125,000 as a matching donation if other contributions totaled $250,000, which they now have. (7/4/09 Hamilton Viewpoint photo by Gilbert)
This morning we welcome a new WSB sponsor, REDLINE Music and Sports. New sponsors are offered the chance to introduce you to their business, and here’s what proprietor Scott Goerig (right) wants you to know: “REDLINE Music and Sports is more than just a ‘bar.’ I say this confidently, as everyday somebody new still comes in the door and immediately becomes a repeat customer. We are still somewhat of a hidden gem in West Seattle; a delicate mix of a welcoming staff, 70+ menu items (we love homemade and fresh!), diverse nightly events, and a non-pretentious atmosphere where you can relax next to the fire and dine on Chef Joshua’s Hand-tossed NY-Style Pizzas. When the weather’s right you can even hang out and relax on our outdoor patio, the largest of any night spot in West Seattle. Perhaps that’s why in just over 2 years we have won ‘Best New Business‘ 2007, ‘Best Food under $10‘ and ‘Best Bartender‘ 2008, and runner-up ‘Best Bar/Pub‘ and ‘Best Happy Hour‘ 2009 (Best of the Westside), as well as many other accolades. Our energy and dedication are simply unmatched, as we knew it wouldn’t be easy to change West Seattle’s perception of the former businesses that have resided at 4439 35th Ave SW [map] over the past decades. When writing this I couldn’t decide which old adage fits REDLINE best — ‘don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it’ or ‘don’t judge a book by its cover.’ Especially with all the amazingly unique businesses in West Seattle, I truly believe it is what’s inside that counts. It wasn’t easy, but shaking the negative connotation associated with our old red building was only made possible by giving customers GREAT food, AFFORDABLE prices, and a FUN atmosphere. If you haven’t visited us yet, please come say hi and learn what hundreds of other West Seattleites already have; a wonderful experience is located just off 35th near KFC and kitty-corner to the West Seattle Golf Course.” You’ll also find REDLINE online at redlinemusicsports.com.
We thank REDLINE Music and Sports for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.
(Storm-watching seagull at Alki, photographed by Cheryl, from the WSB Flickr group) WINDY AND WET:The latest forecast has the city under a “wind advisory,” with 50 mph gusts possible. The rain is supposed to ease a bit this afternoon, even as the wind picks up (projected for “midday”). We’ll track the forecast and any weather-related problems as the day goes on; here’s how to contact us if anything happens you want others to know about.
HEARTLAND CAFE’ OPENING DAY: The new Admiral restaurant offering homestyle Midwestern food (and the Benbow Room, in a nod to the building’s past) will open its doors to the public at 3 this afternoon. Here’s our preview from earlier this week.
“WAY OF THE CROSS”: We’re checking with organizers to see if the weather is going to change the plan for this nondenominational Good Friday walk in The Junction at noon. Here’s our original preview.10:27 UPDATE: From Rev. Peter DeVeau at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church:
We’ll meet at the corner of southwest corner of SW Alaska and California Ave SW at noon. If the weather is too windy and wet we’ll walk up to “Torn,” 4506 California Ave SW. The Skate Church in the Junction is providing a place out of the storm should this be needed. We are thankful for this act of radical welcome and hospitality.
FLASHLIGHT EGG HUNTS: These are scheduled tonight at two West Seattle community centers and we’ll also be checking on their status – for now, see the schedule on the WSB Easter page.
HIGH POINT NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT: If you live in the High Point area, you’re invited to the HP Neighborhood Center 7-9 pm for the next Neighborhood Night event – more on the HP Neighborhood Association’s Facebook page.
With windstorm concern stirring tonight, perfect time to kick off a series of special updates you’ll see here during April –Disaster Preparedness Month. Again, nobody’s expecting a disaster, but a little readiness never hurt anyone. First thing we want to spotlight is the easiest thing to point you to: The West Seattle Be Prepared website. It’s showcased in our right sidebar, and we talked about it during the Chile aftermath. But that’s been a while! First and foremost, this site shows you the Emergency Communication Hubs (here’s the map) – 9 places designated around the peninsula where you can go in case something disastrous shuts down all the regular lines of communication – places where you can get information and find out how to get help, places chosen in coordination with neighborhood-group leaders and volunteers who have been working for more than 2 years now on the readiness plan. (If you have checked the Hubs map before, take note there’s now a Hub in Highland Park – might be new since the last time you looked.) Then take a spin around the website in general. The “What’s New” page might be a good place to start. And join the Facebook group for West Seattle Be Prepared, while you’re at it. Coming up, some key dates to mark on your calendar for this month – including a statewide drill, neighborhood workshop, and more. Then next week, after the holiday, we’ll get down to some practical advice – and a request for you to show others what you’ve done to get ready.
One day after the announcement that Seattle was likely to go without a major fireworks display this 4th of July, a pledge drive rocketed to life – spearheaded by celebrity chef Tom Douglas and KIRO Radio talk-show host Dave Ross. Businesses were invited to chip in, in increments of $1,000 (Douglas and Ross kicked it off with $5,000 and $1,000 respectively). We can’t bear the thought of fireworkslessness on the 4th, so WSB threw in for the minimum. (So did our friends who run neighborhood-news sites in North Seattle, Next Door Media.) And more than 80 other Seattle businesses have chipped in so far, according to the running list on KIRO Radio’s website – but the big mo came late in the day, when Starbucks and Microsoftannounced they will contribute $125,000 each, if the donations from the rest of the business community total at least $250,000. As of right now, according to the progress bar on this webpage, there’s only a little more than $50,000 to go. (Want to pledge? Scroll down this page.)
That’s part of the “Significant Storm Briefing” presented today by the National Weather Service – you can see it online. The most important message for our area – a High Wind Watch is in effect for Friday morning and afternoon, with gusts possible past 50 mph in the afternoon (read the High Wind Watch here; and here’s the city forecast). You may know all the preparation suggestions by heart, but just in case you don’t, read on for a news release from Seattle City Light:Read More
(Thanks to Fritz for sending the photo)
On our way to the “heavy rescue” call at 29th/Trenton (map). Details as soon as we have them. 6 PM UPDATE: This is a two-car crash, one a flipped red SUV, the other a damaged black Volvo station wagon, according to our crew on scene. Looks like responders are tending to at least two people. 6:17 PM UPDATE: Police say it looks like one of the vehicles may have run the stop sign; they’re also checking on whether alcohol played a role. Both victims are being taken to hospitals by private ambulance, and no major injuries are reported. A dog was in one of the cars and got out OK but was so upset it bit a firefighter’s hand; the firefighter was treated at the scene. Fire vehicles will be clearing but Trenton is closed at that spot until the wreckage is cleared.
8:28 PM: The scene is long since clear, but we are adding that photo of the dog, and the following video with general scenes from the incident, both by Christopher Boffoli:
As promised yesterday, we followed up with police on the “Highland Park burglary pattern” mentioned during a Community Police Team briefing at the Admiral Crime Prevention Summit Tuesday night. Southwest Precinct Lt. Norm James summarizes what’s happening:
We have had a string of daytime residential burglaries – 29 in the month of March. The one significant pattern for them is that they are forced entries. We have made a couple of burglary arrests and identified suspects of burglaries in that neighborhood but haven’t tied those to the string of burglaries. We’ve put extra patrols in that neighborhood. Again, as you know – we’ve stated over and over how much we need the citizens out there to be vigilant and call when they see something suspicious.
If you see that suspicious activity/person NOW – call 911. Meantime, we also asked Lt. James about overnight robberies. He confirms that the 7-11 at California/Charlestown (map) was held up just before 2 am today, by robbers described as “two males,” one with a handgun. Police believe the same suspects may have been responsible for a robbery attempt in South Park three hours earlier, at the SP Grocery in the 8900 block of 14th S. (map) And back in West Seattle, Lt. James also confirms a call we heard on the scanner and mentioned via Twitter – A man in the 5400 block of 31st SW (map) answered his door around midnight, and a man “brandished a handgun and forced his way in. The victim got the suspect to leave somehow without being injured or taking anything. This suspect doesn’t match the two commercial robbery suspects.” (Thanks to Diane for the 7-11 tip, after she heard it on a Channel 5 newscast.)
Holy Rosary School vice principal Ted Mohrbacher is excited about the preschool that HR is opening this fall, and not just because it’s a project on which he’s worked intensively for a year.
The biggest thrill comes from the fact his son will get to be a pre-K student there. “He’s very excited; he asks every day, when does he get to go to school?”
We talked with Mohrbacher (photo right) and principal Dr. Randal Peters(photo left) after hearing they’re trying to get the word out that Holy Rosary is adding preschool as of this fall, while they realize the news comes “a bit late in the game,” after many if not most families have made 2010-2011 school decisions already.
Read on for more about what they’re offering and why:Read More
The West Seattle High School Baseball team will be playing in the 4th Annual High School Baseball Classic at Safeco Field this Saturday April 3rd at 12:30 pm. West Seattle will be playing Auburn Mountainview (currently ranked 8th in 3A state baseball). The gates at Safeco Field open at 11:30 am. Entry into the game is free. Parking in the Safeco Field parking garage will be $5. Following the West Seattle game, Nathan Hale High School will be playing Foss of Tacoma.
Tonight, expert advice forwarded by the local folks behind the 
Once again this year, West Seattle Junction merchants are planning a one-day “tax-free sale” right after tax-filing season. The 
This morning we welcome a new WSB sponsor, 
First thing we want to spotlight is the easiest thing to point you to: 
One day after the announcement that Seattle was likely to go without a major fireworks display this 4th of July, a pledge drive rocketed to life – spearheaded by celebrity chef Tom Douglas and KIRO Radio talk-show host Dave Ross. Businesses were invited to chip in, in increments of $1,000 (Douglas and Ross kicked it off with $5,000 and $1,000 respectively). We can’t bear the thought of fireworkslessness on the 4th, so WSB threw in for the minimum. (So did our friends who run neighborhood-news sites in North Seattle, 
As promised yesterday, we followed up with police on the “Highland Park burglary pattern” mentioned during a 
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