West Seattle, Washington
06 Sunday
Out of the WSB inbox, here’s the announcement:
EOS Alliance is recruiting 100 Seattle homes for a free home efficiency pilot project called Green Blocks.
From July 6 through August 21, 2009, Seattle residents participating in this program will receive free home environmental performance assessments, recommendations for home efficiency improvements, and technical assistance implementing the recommendations.
Environmental performance measures installed as part of the Green Blocks program (pending home owner approval) may include smart electric meters, weather-stripping, door sweeps, gap sealant, low-flow sink aerators, low-flow showerheads, programmable thermostats, CFLs, hot water tank insulation, attic and wall insulation, efficient appliances, rain barrels, sheet mulching, drought tolerant landscaping, storm water infiltration swales, and vegetable garden beds. Once environmental performance measures have been installed, EOS Alliance will track (with homeowner support) energy, water, and fuel usage for at least one year to note the benefits and changes in home efficiency. Individual and household information will remain confidential and only generalized data will be used to assess the program.
You can apply online by going here.
That’s Mark Tomkiewicz from the Youngstown Arts Center-based Nature Consortium. Usually you’ll find him in the West Duwamish Greenbelt along West Seattle’s eastern slope, leading work parties that have planted tens of thousands of conifers and native plants in the city’s largest remaining greenbelt – but today, he was instead in the Boards and Commissions Room at City Hall, answering questions about a segment of the WDG whose future was once very much in question: The so-called Soundway property, 32 acres that are mostly south of South Seattle Community College. Decades ago, it was earmarked for road/highway development as part of a plan that even envisioned a bridge to Vashon Island; streets were mapped, but the bridge project never happened (here’s some online history). Then just five years ago, the city considered selling part of it to developers (here’s a 2004 story about community opposition and more here). That didn’t happen either – instead, neighbors and open-space advocates won the fight to see the site saved, and today’s Seattle Design Commission hearing was one step toward guaranteeing it will be protected as a greenbelt forever – read on for more on what happened today, and what happens next:Read More
No surprise that an electric utility would get some trucks that run partly on … electricity. Seattle City Light just unveiled two new hybrid diesel-electric trucks that are going into service starting today, and provided the photo you see above — read on for the official news release, which says they’re quieter, too:Read More
Want to get outdoors but not just, oh, say, sit on the beach? Here’s a chance this Sunday to tour one of West Seattle’s greenspaces:
Fauntleroy Park Plant Tour. Co-leaders: Richard Drokar and Steve Richmond
Fauntleroy Park is 28 acres of urban forest in West Seattle, currently under
restoration through the efforts of neighborhood volunteers, Earth Corps, the Green
Seattle Partnership and a company of professional restorationists, Steve Richmond of
Garden Cycles. It is the watershed for Fauntleroy Creek, which has been stocked with
salmon fingerlings by local schoolchildren and has an annual run of coho salmon. The
Park is little known, but it may be one of Seattle’s most pristine natural areas.
Join Steve and Richard to hear about restoration efforts and the native plants,
lichens and bird life of the Park. As an urban forest, the Park has urban amenities.
There is a small, local bakery a block away (the Original Bakery) where Bernie’s
bearclaws and donuts are especially good. A bakery stop after the tour will give us
a chance to discuss the challenges of urban forest restoration.Date & Time
Sunday, June 21, 2009; 12 PMLocation
Meet at 12:00 noon at the SW Barton Street entrance to the Park, between 40th and
41st Avenue SW, a few blocks west of the Fauntleroy ferry terminal.Contact
For more detailed directions and to
sign up, contact Richard at drokoo@mac.com or 206-935-1769.
That’s the current West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival Junior Court – in a WSB photo from their coronation last July. Now that summer’s here again, it’s almost time to choose a new Junior Court – and if you know a girl who’d be interested, here’s the announcement Diane Szender just sent:
West Seattle Hi-Yu is seeking 2009-2010 Junior Court Candidates
Applications must be received by Tuesday, July 14th, 2009.
The West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival organization is seeking friendly, outgoing, community-oriented girls for the 2009-2010 Junior Court. Young ladies must be between 7 and 11 by Sept 1st of the year they run. The new court will represent West Seattle at many local events and travel with the float to other community parades and festivals.
You can download the Junior Court application by going here. And you can meet current royalty and Senior Court candidates at the upcoming White Rose Reception, June 30th at Fauntleroy Church, tickets on sale now (more info here).
(photo taken Tuesday, looking east from the west side of the site)
We’ve received a couple notes in the past week or so inquiring about the status of what’s been dubbed the “Hole Foods” site at Fauntleroy/Alaska/39th – where construction on a proposed Whole Foods Market/Hancock Fabrics/residential building has been stalled for more than half a year now – like this note from Dorothy:
I don’t see the Whole Foods sign at the dig at (Alaska) and Fauntleroy. Does this
mean they no longer plan to be there? What is the status of that construction site?
First of all – the banner that used to be on the fence there disappeared the day after our most recent report of vandalism (someone cut the W out of the word Whole). But aside from that, we were overdue for a project check anyway; read on to see what we have found out – both about this site, and another site linked to the Whole Foods project’s original developers:Read More
As reported here last month, the 80-year-old former 6th Church of Christ, Scientist, now known as The Sanctuary at Admiral (42nd and Lander; map), is nominated for city landmark status. And now, a date is set for the Landmarks Board to consider the nomination: 3:30 pm July 1st, on the 40th floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower downtown (here’s the official notice, which also includes information on how to comment in writing). Part of the info packet includes this note:
The owner is nominating this property for City of Seattle Landmark status as part of an application for a Conditional Use Permit to establish a non-conforming adaptive reuse of this historic West Seattle community church.
And this interesting bit of history from the church’s past (its congregation merged with the Fauntleroy Christian Science church before the building was sold in 2002):
The church’s first service was held on January 1, 1930. The total cost of construction was under $37,000. However, because Christian Science churches are not dedicated until they are free from debt, the Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist was not dedicated until February 8, 1942. There were initially fourteen charter members of the church.
You can see the entire nomination document, with tons of details about the building and its history (that’s where we found the 1937 photo at the top of this story), here.
“DUMP THE PUMP DAY”: Area transit agencies say today’s the day to take a bus, ride a bike, walk, carpool, anything but drive alone. Side note: Just looked up our D-the-P Day item from last year. It notes that gas at a certain station was about $4.33, while on the same date in 2007, it was more like what it is now, just under $3. (P.S. We just might see you today on the King County Water Taxi.)
SOUNDWAY “VACATION” TO DESIGN COMMISSION: Why the Water Taxi, you ask? We’re expecting to head downtown for a Seattle Design Commission review at 11 this morning at City Hall – seems terribly appropriate this one’s happening on “Dump the Pump Day,” because it involves greenbelt once targeted for roadbuilding that never happened, the “Soundway” property in the West Duwamish Greenbelt. For this to officially be preserved as greenbelt, its once-planned streets/alleys have to be officially “vacated,” and the SDC has to off on those. (Here’s the agenda.)
ALSO AT CITY HALL: The next big campaign forum is at 5 pm tonight, presented by the City Neighborhood Council. City Council candidates are in the spotlight this time.
SOUTH SEATTLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS MAKE HISTORY: Tonight’s SSCC graduation at Brockey Center, 7:30 pm, includes the first 4-year graduates from its Hospitality Management program.
Of all the photos we didn’t get around to using during our coverage of the Morgan Junction Community Festival last weekend, that’s our favorite – one of the many festival-going families stopping by to see Anne from Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor), though the youngest member of the family turned her attention elsewhere. This was the fourth time the Morgan Community Association (MoCA) has presented the festival, but the first time for the free food feature “Bite of Morgan” – get a coupon book and walk to area eateries to swap coupons for freebies including pizza and coffee. “Bite” organizer Kate Stineback wanted to share this message of thanks to the participating businesses:
Thank You “Bite of Morgan” Businesses!
Last Saturday the Morgan Junction Community Festival coordinated the first ever “Bite of Morgan Junction”. As part of the annual Festival, the “Bite” was intended to not only feed festival-goers, but to encourage attendees to walk around the Morgan Junction, patronize businesses and get to know their neighborhood.
This year we had eight businesses participate in the event, each donating a substantial amount of food or beverage. Kokoras Greek Grill; Feedback Lounge; Zeeks Pizza; Tully’s Coffee; Abbondanza Pizzeria; Domino’s; Caffe Ladro; and Thriftway.
The Morgan Community Association (MoCA) is happy to report that the “Bite” was a huge success. After tallying up the coupons from all participating establishments, we nearly hit 50% coupon usage – pretty good for a new event! (Caffe Ladro handed out their own coupons at the Park Opening and Thiftway donated proceeds from their BBQ to the Festival!)
MoCA would like to extend our sincerest thanks to these businesses for participating in the “Bite”. In particular, we want to thank them for donating during such a precarious time in the economy. It says a lot about our little business district that eight establishments, both large and small, as well as local and corporate, would come together to serve our community in this way.
As a big neighborhood thank you, MoCA would like to encourage anyone who attended the “Bite” to patronize these restaurants in the coming months. Let’s make sure they know how much we appreciate them!
Click ahead to see Kate’s photos of the friendly folks at six of the venues:Read More
Just out of the WSB inbox (here’s how to contact us any time):
Dirty diapers! Teething babies! Giggling (and sometimes crying) toddlers and little kids! Stay-at-home moms! These are things that the members of MOMS Club have in common. MOMS Club of West Seattle is part of an international organization supporting stay-at-home moms. MOMS stands for “Moms Offering Moms Support.”
We now officially have a MOMS Club of West Seattle. As an organization, we have park days, play dates, moms nights out, service projects, and much more! Through MOMS Club, you’ll get to know other moms in West Seattle and build lasting friendships! We have our first meeting set for Tuesday, July 7th from 9:30 – 11:00 and are very excited to share MOMS Club with you. We are also looking for someone to fill the Secretary Position on our board.
Please e-mail us at momsclubofwestseattle@gmail.com for the location and additional information. Meetings are kid-friendly!
Also from the Seattle School Board meeting: The long-awaited Student Assignment Plan, which will transition the district from “choice”-focused school attendance to neighborhood-focused school attendance starting in fall 2010, has just passed 6-1 (Mary Bass was the lone “no” vote) – after the same vote approved an amendment by board member Sherry Carr creating a transition time so that fewer families face the possibility that siblings will wind up having to attend different schools. Here’s the plan, pre-amendment; here’s Carr’s amendment. ADDED 10:48 PM: While this phase of the plan does not specify boundaries, there’s a board “work session” scheduled next Wednesday (June 24), 4 pm at district HQ, to discuss “how boundaries are drawn” (p.s. for those who’ve asked, yes, that meeting is open to the public, though there’s no comment opportunity). ADDED 11:34 PM: The official district news release just came in – read on to see it:Read More
As of this writing, no ruling in the legal challenge to the Cooper Elementary School closure. But one of the three people leading the challenge, Joy Anderson, asked us to share this announcement:
COOPER ELEMENTARY FUNDRAISER
WHAT: Fundraiser for Cooper School’s Legal Defense Fund
Suggested donation @ door/ 20% of all food sales go to Cooper ElementaryWHERE: 88 Keys Dueling Piano and Sports Bar
315 Second Avenue South, Pioneer Square, Seattle www.ilove88keys.comWHEN: June 18, 2009
Happy Hour 3-7. Fun starts @ 7-8:30
Open Mike, Comedy, and @ 8 to close, the infamous DUELING PIANOS!!!!
We’re monitoring the Seattle School Board meeting (live on cable channel 26), where budget boss Don Kennedy has just said they’re cutting the number of teachers they expect to lay off – 103, instead of 160 – districtwide. No word yet what that means to West Seattle schools, but we’ll be checking. $5 million in restored funding is what he said is making this possible – $3 million from the lifting of “restrictions” on “stimulus” money, and most of the rest from savings during the district hiring freeze this year. 8:05 PM UPDATE: Superintendent Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson says principals notified the “recalled” teachers today. ADDED 8:29 PM: Here’s the PowerPoint that Kennedy presented, including information about the teacher “recalls.” And the district has just sent an official news release – read on:Read More
(May 4 photo, taken as first RapidRide bus was shown off)
Confirmed by King County Council Chair Dow Constantine‘s office: During a hearing this afternoon, it was revealed that Metro is proposing pushing back the start of West Seattle RapidRide bus service by a year – that would mean it debuts in the second half of 2012 instead of 2011. But it’s not a budgetary matter, according to Constantine’s chief of staff Chris Arkills – it’s because of the construction that will be under way as part of the “South Portal” package of projects related to the Highway 99 corridor, and Metro wouldn’t want to unveil a service as “rapid” when it may well not be, in the midst of construction and changes. Arkills stresses that the increased bus service levels promised as part of mitigation funding for the Viaduct construction WILL still kick in by then, so West Seattle WILL still have more service – including the 54 corridor that RapidRide is to follow. The Constantine team has arranged for us to speak with Metro tomorrow morning to get more details on the proposal and what happens next – so look for a followup.
They’ve been in the same building a while, but what you see above is a new sign – literally – of a permanent relationship. Here’s the news release just in from Kol HaNeshamah regarding an event celebrating its relationship with Alki UCC:Read More
Just sent out by Rachel at ArtsWest:
ArtsWest 2009 Summer Theater Program
SWEENEY TODD the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, July 15-25
A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD, Kids, August 5-9
DARK OF THE MOON, August 19-23Where: ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery
4711 California Avenue SWwww.artswest.org
Box Office: (206) 938-0339Students at ArtsWest learn how to sing, dance, act – and a lot more. All performances are open to the public. Come enjoy the high level of excellence achieved by students in these nationally recognized programs!
Apprenticeship Program (ages 16-21):
SWEENEY TODD
the Demon Barber of Fleet StreetJuly 15-25
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Hugh Wheeler
Based on the play by Christopher BondDirected by Christopher Zinovitch and Nick DeSantis
Musical Direction by Jessica Skerritt and Dane StokengerSWEENEY TODD is Sondheim’s award-winning musical thriller about a man, unjustly deported, who vows revenge with devastating consequences. Mrs. Lovett is Sweeney’s amorous accomplice (and creator of the infamous meat pies), as his diabolical plan brings them ever closer to the judge who destroyed his life and family, and their own bloody fate.
Tickets: only $15
Musical Theater Camp (Ages 8-12):
A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD, Kids
August 5-9Music by Robert Reale
Book and Lyrics by Willie Reale
Based on the Books by Arnold LobelDirected and Staged by Suzanna Wilson and Chris Shea
This enchanting musical follows best friends Frog and Toad on their adventures through four fun-filled seasons. Cheerful Frog and “worry-wart” Toad leap off the page, along with the rest of the animal gang, for kite-flying, sled-racing and cookie-munching. Each amphibian anecdote comes to life with hilarious, heart-warming songs exploring the challenges and rewards of friendship.
Tickets: $12
Conservatory (Ages 12-16):
DARK OF THE MOON
August 19-23
by Howard Richardson and William BerneyDirected by Christopher Zinovitch
Musical Direction by Andrew LeonardDARK OF THE MOON is a tragic play in the vein of Romeo and Juliet and Twilight, set in the Appalachian Mountains during the 1920s. The play centers around the character of John, a witch boy, who seeks to become human after falling in love with a human girl, the beautiful copper-haired Barbara Allen. John tells a Conjur Woman he will pay any amount and agree to any terms just so long as he can be with his mortal love. She agrees, and he marrys Barbara Allen; if Barbara is faithful to him for a year, then John will remain a human. Meanwhile, the rest of Barbara’s clan doesn’t much approve of John, or Barbara’s strange newborn baby.
Tickets: $12
Sponsored in part by: Nucor Steel Seattle and The West Seattle Garden Tour
Just received from the Seattle Public Schools communications team, a letter that they say is being sent to all Denny Middle School families, in the aftermath of the attack that sent a 12-year-old boy to the hospital (we were first to report the incident; here’s our most recent story). Here’s the full text of the letter:
June 17, 2009
Dear Denny Students and Families,
I want to share with you information regarding an incident that has affected our school community. I am sending you this letter to update you on the facts and to assure you that we are doing everything we can to support our students and provide for their safety.
On Monday, June 15, an incident occurred during lunch time. Student A swung a backpack at Student B. The backpack hit Student B in the head causing Student B to lose consciousness. The Seattle Fire Department and Seattle Police Department were immediately contacted. The injured student was subsequently transported to the hospital. Fortunately, that student was able to return to school the next day. The Student A has been assigned the appropriate consequence in alignment with school district policy. The Seattle Police Department is currently conducting an investigation into the incident.
I do want to alert you that some media reports regarding this incident are not consistent with the facts as we currently understand them to be. As a result, I would like to assure everyone that all of us at Denny Middle School remain very committed to providing an academically challenging environment here at school—where every student is safe both emotionally and physically. As a reminder, if anyone ever has any information relating to bullying or other potential conflicts that students are experiencing, please share that information immediately with school staff. We will follow up with the appropriate next steps right away.
Sincerely,
Jeff Clark, Principal
That’s Phil and his young sidekick Adam from Longfellow Creek Garden, just after they dropped by the West Seattle Food Bank this afternoon to donate some fresh, clean greens. Their donation happened to come on the same day we got a note about two ways YOU can help WSFB, sent by board president Pete Spalding, who first explains that he and his board colleagues need some reinforcements:
We are looking for new board members for the West Seattle Food Bank’s Board of Directors. Over the course of the last year we have lost some directors due to varying circumstances like moving, job change etc. We know that there are some very dedicated souls out there in West Seattle that are specifically looking for something to do with some spare hours that they have. We know that they may want to do something that is personally fulfilling and this might just be the fit for them.
As most of your readers know the West Seattle Food Bank is committed to eliminating hunger in our area. We try to do this by:
– Securing and distributing quality nutritious food to our clients
– Educating our clients about good nutrition
– Increasing public awareness of hunger in our community
– Coordinating community resources for our clients
– Assuring continuity of services to our clients through a convenient, accessible locationIf anyone is interested in finding out more about this volunteer opportunity they can go to our web site www.westseattlefoodbank.org and download the board application, they can call the West Seattle Food Bank office at 206.932.9023 and speak to our Executive Director Fran Yeatts or they can contact me at 206.579.4373.
That is rewarding in its own way. And if you’re also up for prizes – Pete adds that the annual West Seattle Food Bank raffle tickets have just gone on sale today, $5 each, with these prizes:
Grand Prize – Two unrestricted roundtrip Alaska Airlines tickets
1st Prize – Fresh Water Pearl necklace from Menashe & Sons JewelersBut everyone that buys a ticket is a winner because you can take your ticket stub to:
– Cafe Revo [WSB sponsor]
– Christo’s on Alki
– Elliott Bay Brewery and Pub
– Zeeks Pizza, West Seattle location onlyEach of these restaurants will give a 10% discount on your meal and that is probably more than the price of the ticket.
You can contact any West Seattle Food Bank Board of Director, call the food bank or contact me at 206.579.4373 to buy your raffle tickets. We will also be selling them at our booth at the West Seattle Summer Fest in July. There are only 1,000 tickets for sale.
West Seattleite Joni, who works for the company behind story-sharing site Whrrl, e-mailed to share the latest story posted there – a traveling writer’s photographic look at a day in the life of the homeless camp that calls itself “Nickelsville,” now in its second week at 2nd SW/Highland Park Way on the eastern edge of West Seattle, just feet from its original location. See the story here (or click on the image above); Joni also notes that the writer, Mark Horvath (who tells the story behind the story here), is having a Tweetup (Twitter-driven “meetup” – he’s at @hardlynormal) downtown tonight to talk about his project invisiblepeople.tv, and there’s still a few spots left. P.S. Just discovered some additional “Nickelsville” updates at Blogging Georgetown, including work to start an organic garden.
Just received from a WSBer who wants to stay anonymous – her story started with a theft that happened literally in an instant in the Admiral District, and ended with help from a Good Samaritan on the other side of West Seattle:Read More
Thanks to Forest for the tip that fencing went up around Hiawatha Playfield in the past 24 hours or so. We’re checking with the Parks Department for an official status report, but this is likely to mean the long-awaited start of field improvements (detailed here in a story that also noted the previous project delays). The work will include new lighting (up to 90′ high) and synthetic turf, with the end result accommodating baseball, soccer and football; here’s the official project page. (Side note: The cost of this project came in at half a million less than estimated, according to Parks managers, and that’s the money now rechanneled to replace two-thirds of the funding pulled from the Delridge Skatepark at the last minute in last year’s budgeting process.) P.S. Here’s the overview rendering of the Hiawatha project from our coverage last year:
Friday’s the last day of school – and Monday’s 
the first day of Basketball Camp at Chief Sealth High School – for students who will be in the 2nd through 9th grades this fall. Sealth’s incoming athletic director Sam Reed just e-mailed a reminder about the camp (here’s the story we published in April); you can see the brochure here, and he notes you can even sign up at the door Monday morning. That’s not the only sports camp in West Seattle this summer – we’ve also published notes on our Announced page about West Seattle High School basketball camp (details here), WSHS volleyball camp for middle- and high-schoolers (details here) and Lee’s Martial Arts summer camps (details here). Got a West Seattle summer camp with room? Let us know!
We published first word of this on June 8th. But it’s too important to not mention again, since the city’s sending notices around again today. The “Neighborhood Plan Status Check” meeting for West Seattle is July 28th. The plans (find them here), written a decade ago with community involvement, outline not what your neighborhood looks like now so much as what it will look like in the future. Read on for the meeting explanation/reminder issued today:Read More
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