West Seattle, Washington
01 Tuesday
If the King County Ferry District Board – aka King County Council – says yes, the KC Water Taxi‘s West Seattle run will charge 50 cents more for adult passengers who pay cash, starting this spring. A new fare schedule is up for a public hearing when the board meets January 25th – including Seattle-Vashon Water Taxi fares:
Reasons cited for the rate increase – which would be the first in three-plus years – include wanting to encourage transit-pass use. The meeting on January 25 is at 1:30 pm in County Council chambers at the County Courthouse downtown; you can read related documents by following links from this page on the Ferry District website. Next Water Taxi season is scheduled to start April 4; work is under way at Seacrest right now to improve its dock in hopes of year-round operation, which will require additional funding that the county’s hoping will be worked out this summer. P.S. We just asked spokesperson Kris Faucett if there’s been a decision on which boat the county will lease for the new season (since Argosy is no longer running the service) – she says there should be news about that “soon.”
Thanks to commenter “KelticKitty” for reporting here that the indecent-exposure charge against West Seattle “World Naked Bike Ride“ organizer Daniel Johnson has been dismissed: We just verified via Municipal Court records that the case, scheduled for a hearing this morning, was “dismissed with prejudice,” on a motion made by the city. The ride was last September; the case wasn’t filed until late December (reported here 12/30), which was before former City Attorney Tom Carr left office. We have a request out to Johnson for comment; he tweeted a short time ago: “Thanks everybody for all of your support! Happy to see familiar faces today. Decompressing with friends …” ADDED 4:25 PM: Via Twitter, Johnson’s comment: “I’d like to thank everybody, locally and from around the globe, for their letters of support … God bless.” Also note he’s in the comment section here, moving on to a different project.(9/2009 photo by Christopher Boffoli)
We’ve been telling you about the Polar Plunge fundraiser for Special Olympics of Washington, coming up at Alki on Sunday, January 24. WSB is proud to be among the co-sponsors. Last night, we found out that one of our Facebook friends (find us at WS Blog), Norm Smith and son Zach (at left) are looking forward to Polar Plunge with a special challenge for you:
On Sunday, January 24th former longtime West Seattle resident and current Special Olympics Board member Norm Smith will be returning to the place of many of his wild childhood days to go “FREEZIN FOR A REASON.” Norm and his son Zach will be returning to the waters off Alki Beach in Seattle to take the POLAR PLUNGE for Special Olympics Washington. Team Smith will plunge to show their support for the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR). LETR is a group of officers from around the state and our great country that run with the Special Olympics torch, hold fundraising events at local restaurants, do cops on donut shops, or whatever else they can do to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics. Having worked many of the events with LETR over the years, Team Smith is honored to be part of the Plunge Team again in 2010. All funds raised go directly to the Special Olympics Washington. Please help us better the lives of over 7,000 local Special Olympics athletes. Your donation will make a difference!
Norm would like to challenge all his former West Seattle High School classmates, friends, and families to come down to Alki and plunge with us for this great cause. Registration opens at 9:00, with the plunge scheduled for 11:00.
If you would like to support Team Smith, you can donate directly to Norm and Zach’s fundraising website. www.firstgiving.com/normsmith
If you would like to join Team Smith in the plunge or would like to make your own team you can get information at www.sowa.org/05/letr_events/PP_2010/AlkiBeachSeattle.html
Again, that’s January 24 – one week from next Sunday!
The city’s two-year budgeting cycle kicks off later this month with the Citizens’ Budget Conference. It’s spearheaded by the City Neighborhood Council, which as of last month is led by two West Seattleites – Chas Redmond (from Morgan Community Association) is chair, Jim Del Ciello (from Admiral Neighborhood Association) is vice chair. Mayor McGinn will be there too. January 31, noon-5 pm, Center House @ Seattle Center; more info on the Department of Neighborhood‘s Front Porch website. Hat tip to Chas for an e-mail heads-up; of the event, he says, “This is a real opportunity for the citizens to tag up with various departments and get an understanding of where their tax money actually goes and what programs are supported – and this time, what programs are at risk.” (Even more info can be found on this flyer he forwarded.)
That’s our video clip from rehearsals for the Westside Symphonette holiday concert last month – Symphonette director Toni Reineke says the concert itself was a smash, with 400 people in the audience, up 60% from the year before. With that success fresh in their minds, they’re starting a new season of West Seattle’s community orchestra, with the first rehearsals tonight, and they’re inviting more musicians to join — even if you can’t make it tonight because of the short notice. Says Toni:
We could use a bassoon or two (even a beginner!), a couple trumpets, a French horn or two, several violas, and a couple string basses. Musicians who play other orchestral instruments are welcome too, of course. … We now have three thriving orchestras: a beginning string ensemble, an intermediate full orchestra, and a more advanced full orchestra. Musicians of any age are welcome, but they must be able to read music in at least a rudimentary manner.
We rehearse at Chief Sealth/Boren, 5900 Delridge SW, juniors and strings 5:30-6:30, senior orchestra 6:45-8:15. Registration fee is $60 for this spring session, but we have scholarships available for those in need, especially the young people.
Interested folks should contact Toni Reineke, tonireineke@comcast.net, 206-243-6955.
This season’s first Westside Symphonette concert is scheduled for late March.
(scroll down for updates, including new info from police added at 11:23 am)
(photo added 8:28 am)
ORIGINAL 8:14 AM REPORT: California is closed at Dakota, north of The Junction, because of an emergency response; tipster Alison says a pedestrian was hit – we are en route to find out more. 8:20 AM: Arriving on scene – the closure is from Genesee to Dakota. Clear signs of a police investigation, which appears to be centered on the west side of the street. 8:38 AM: Some info from police on the scene – a pedestrian was indeed hit and has been taken to Harborview Medical Center. Still sorting out the circumstances; the street will remain closed a while because they are waiting for collision investigators to arrive. 8:50 AM: More info from police at the scene: The victim is a woman who was crossing at the corner, though they haven’t figured out yet whether east to west or west to east. The car that was involved can be seen nearby, with visible front-end damage. We are checking with the Fire Department, whose crew took the victim to the hospital, to see if they have any idea regarding the seriousness of her injuries. 9:40 AM: The collision investigators have arrived (see photo below). Authorities still don’t have official information on how the victim is doing, though police tell us this particular investigation team usually is only called to incidents involving serious injuries (or worse). No ETA on the street reopening but we will keep checking – please share word if you are nearby and see it reopen, as you’ll probably notice it first.
10:53 AM: Thanks to Julie for first word that California has reopened at the scene. 11:23 AM: We now have the police’s official summary, as it stands, from SPD media unit Det. Mark Jamieson: Around quarter till 8, an 81-year-old woman driving a Saturn was headed south on California at Dakota when she hit a 53-year-old woman who was crossing, headed west. The victim was taken to Harborview with what police describe as “serious head and leg injuries.” Investigators interviewed the driver but have not arrested or cited her – whether any charges result from the crash will depend on further evaluation by investigators, which often takes months in cases like this. Det. Jamieson did say that after an evaluation of the driver, they do not believe alcohol or drugs were involved. 12:16 PM: The official police account is also up at SPDBlotter – same details we added an hour ago (the media unit writes SPDBlotter), with the addition of “failure to yield” as a potential factor.
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar – three neighborhood groups meet tonight, and you are not only welcomed, but encouraged to attend any of these that’s even remotely close to where you are:
JUNCTION NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION: 6:30 pm at Ginomai (SW corner of 42nd/Genesee; map).
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm in Admiral Church basement meeting room (California/Hill; map). Last weekend, we republished new president Katy Walum‘s open invitation to the community.
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy.
One more note for tonight: West Seattle Little League registration begins (details at westseattlelittleleague.com).
Aviva from Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle answers the question …. “PLAN!” Which leads to these announcements she wanted to share (including a survey for you to take, even if you’re NOT a gardener):
Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle has been very busy planning. Based on the 180 responses to a recent WSBlog survey, CH will be partnering with Seattle Tilth to bring some favorite hands-on gardening classes to West Seattle. Other classes will be offered as well in cooking from the garden and tree pruning. In the next few months:
* Cooking Seasonally From Your CSA – Saturday 1/30 2PM – 4PM
* Indoor Seed Starting with Tilth – Saturday 2/20 10AM – Noon
* Traditional Preserving with Lactic Fermentation – Saturday 2/20 10AM – Noon
* Fruit Tree Pruning – Saturday 2/27 10AM – NoonSeveral spaces will be reserved in each class for participants who would like to volunteer in place of paying the class fee.
View the entire list. Tilth’s Comprehensive Organic Gardening Class will be offered in West Seattle as well.
[second announcement] A Community Orchard in West Seattle…Just Imagine!
Abundant fruit trees and native edibles…a diverse habitat for wildlife… a pleasant place for people to gather…a demonstration garden of trees and vines which thrive in our climate… classes on fruit tree horticulture and preserving foods…Yes, this could be possible in West Seattle. Does this interest you? Give CH your feedback by answering this quick survey (go here).
Last week while researching our update on the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project, we asked SDOT if they had an aerial of the new 4th Avenue offramp. No, they said at the time – but Monday, the shot you see above turned up on this SDOT site along with another aerial view and a few more ground-level pix. Meantime, one more scenic West Seattle view from the weekend – James Bratsanos shared this view from Alki, captured Sunday night:
Thanks again for all the photos! editor@wsb.blackfin.biz – any time.
From tonight’s citywide Skatepark Advisory Committee meeting at Parks Department HQ downtown, a suggestion that if you support the Delridge Skatepark 
and want to be sure it clears the final turns on the way to hitting the home stretch toward construction, you might want to be at the City Council Parks Committee meeting, 9:30 am January 21 (one week from Thursday). West Seattle-residing committee member Matthew Lee Johnston says city staff is recommending the committee give thumbs-up to the final funding plan, but it was pointed out that the Parks Committee is now chaired by new Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, so supporters want to be sure she knows the Delridge Skatepark plan has garnered lots of love along the way. If you missed previous reports on the skatepark, it’s been in the works a year and a half for the northeastern section of the playfield on the north side of Delridge Community Center; the plan rose from the near-ashes of previous proposals including a smaller skateboarding facility at the future Myrtle Reservoir Park. Johnston noted that there would be an opportunity for public comment, too, though instead of having 50 people take the mike, he and chair Ryan Barth suggested, “if we all just stood up and said, hey, we support it,” that would work too. Letters of support also were encouraged (you can e-mail councilmembers through the addresses you’ll find here). Once the money’s finalized, and a few drainage and engineering issues worked out, construction is still expected to start this spring, it was reiterated tonight. One committee member’s comment on that? “Been a long time coming.” For updates on this and other Seattle skateboarding issues, follow Johnston’s website, seattleskateparks.org.
Emily from Many Moons Trading Company in The Junction e-mailed a message to share with you:
Hello! The homeless in White Center need SOCKS! We are collecting socks for the White Center Regina House Clothing bank. They need used and new socks, as long as they are in good condition.
Bring socks to Many Moons, on the alley side of the breezeway south of the liquor store in The Junction – 4517 California SW, Suite B (map); call 206-937-3481 if you have questions. They’re open tomorrow – Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 am-6 pm.
Seattle Public Schools just sent an announcement of several principal changes around the district. One affects West Seattle: Cindy Nash is the new principal of Middle College, an alternative program with three campuses including one at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) on Puget Ridge. She spent the last five years as principal of the district’s Interagency Academy, another alternative program with multiple sites, including the Learning Center at Southwest Youth and Family Services in North Delridge. No other direct West Seattle effects in the principal changes announced tonight, but there’s a principal change at The Center School at Seattle Center, which we’ve been told has more than a few West Seattle students: Lisa Escobar is leaving to become co-principal at Rainier Beach; Judy Peterson will serve as interim principal. Here’s the full district news release on everything announced tonight:Read More
Thanks to Courtney for the tip that Redline Music and Sports in The Triangle had some roof trouble because of the rain and was temporarily closed. We went over to check; owner Scott tells us some soggy drywall over the bar needed to be replaced. Workers are on the job now; they’re close to done with the repairs, and Redline expects to reopen for business around 9 tonight.
The mayor’s office announced a change at the top of the city’s Office of Housing – director Adrienne Quinn, a West Seattle resident, is heading east, to join Enterprise Community Partners as vice president for Public Policy and Government Relations. The announcement quotes Quinn as saying, “I decided that now was an important time to spend more time with my elderly parents who live on the East Coast, as well as work on housing policy in DC given the opportunities created by the Obama Administration.” She’s run the Housing Office, which has 43 employees, for five years. A 10-year veteran of the department, deputy director Bill Rumpf, will serve as acting director, according to the mayor’s office. The housing office works closely with agencies like West Seattle-based Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association, whose executive director Derek Birnie provided extra info for this story.
Friday’s Chief Sealth/Bishop Blanchet boys’ basketball game is in Q13’s “Varsity on Q” poll. Sealth athletic director Sam Reed just sent out a bulletin about it – you can help them get a TV spotlight by going here and voting in the poll on the right side of the page.
If you notice anything odder than usual this afternoon – a link takes you to a dead end, for example – please forgive us; our ace technical consultant has been working on some site improvements. Most have been very behind-the-scenes but there’s one you may have noticed already: After four years, we are finally getting rid of the default URL (website address) style that among other things had the word “blog” twice and identified each story only by number. From hereon out, URLs will include words from the story headline or page title, as they do on most websites, and the second incidence of “blog” is gone – so the WSB Forums, for example, are no longer at “wsb.blackfin.biz/blog/forum” but instead at wsb.blackfin.biz/forum. If you bump into any bugs along the way, PLEASE let us know by posting a comment here or e-mailing editor@wsb.blackfin.biz – thank you. A few other improvements are in the works, so thanks for your patience, and stay tuned.
Perhaps the most unusual contest we’ve seen in a while: “West Seattle’s first hybrid coffee shop” – Red Cup Espresso – and Solar Epiphany LLC (who provided the photo) are giving away a “complete solar installation” (a 350-watt expandable grid-tied installation). Entries are being accepted at Red Cup starting today, and the drawing is at 3 pm January 26th. Red Cup’s Tricia DiBernardo and Solar Epiphany’s Eric Thomas say this figures into their “2010 resolutions of community dialogue and direct action.” Need more info? Drop by Red Cup (4451 California SW) or call Eric at 206-919-3014. (P.S. They say the rooftop installation at Red Cup has generated more than 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity in the past year.)
This announcement’s just out of the postal mailbox (transcribed):
Seattle Parks and Recreation and West Seattle Little League have been working together to improve Bar-S Playfield, located at 6464 SW Admiral Way [map]. They are hosting a meeting to discuss these improvements and encourage you and your family to attend.
Please come and learn about the planned addition of restrooms, the upgrades to the snack shack, and the replacement of the temporary storage sheds.
The meeting is set for 7 pm January 27 at Alki Community Center; Parks contact if you’re looking for more info before then is Raft Hollingsworth, 206-615-1401, raft.hollingsworth@seattle.gov. (P.S. As noted here last week, WS Little League registration starts tomorrow night.)
Two announcements to share this morning. First, from Madison Middle School PTSA president Kim Early, an event this week of interest to parents of future high-school students all over West Seattle, not just Madison families:
Start the New Year off right by attending the next Madison PTSA meeting, to be held on Wednesday, January 13, 2010. We will be holding a panel for parents, guardians and students called “High School Choices for Your Tween.” At this PTSA meeting from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm, come and hear from various high schools in the areas about their school and the programs it has to offer. High schools who will be attending thus far include: West Seattle, Cleveland, and Chief Sealth. There will also be time at the end for Q & A (questions and answers)! The PTSA is looking forward to seeing you and your child at this meeting!
We’ll also have time to discuss the early dismissals and its impact on this school year 2009-2010, as well as next year’s schedule & early dismissals for 2010-2011! If you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact Kim Early at ann8726@aol.com or 206-328-9335.
Announcement #2 – ticket sales are under way for the Chief Sealth High School Jazz Band benefit Big Band Dinner Dance coming up February 6. The Sealth Jazz Band will be joined by special guests the West Seattle Big Band, 6 pm at Sealth/Boren, tickets range from $7 (kids 5-12) to $15 (adults). Tickets can be ordered by mail; here’s the form.
As pointed out by Cindi Barker in the latest Morgan Community Association bulletin, The Kenney has now officially applied for the “contract rezone” it needs to carry out the current redevelopment plan (above), which the online notice summarizes:
Council Land Use Action to contract rezone 228,490 sq. ft. of land from LDT & L3 to MR and to allow a 387,450 sq. ft. expansion to an existing independent living apartment, assisted living and nursing home facility (The Kenney). Project includes three, 4-6 story multifamily structures containing 202 independent living apartments, 112 assisted living units, and 35 skilled nursing units. Parking for 279 vehicles to be provided below grade. Project includes 57,681 cu. yds. of grading and street vacation (46th Pl SW). Existing landmark building (Seaview) to be modified and relocated on site. Ten existing multifamily structures to be demolished.
A “contract rezone” means that a site would be rezoned under specific terms for a specific proposal, and, like any zoning change, requires City Council approval. Comments on the proposal are being accepted through January 20th; the online notice has a link for submitting them. As for the status of the project overall, here’s our October report on its most recent Southwest Design Review Board meeting – at least one more SWDRB meeting is still required for final approval. The date for that is not set yet. It’s been almost a year and a half since our first report on the project at The Kenney; all WSB coverage is archived here (newest to oldest).
Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: Want to find out about forming a Block Watch? Be at Delridge Library, 6:30 pm, for a community meeting that’ll show you how … At 6:30 at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, preview the next Seattle Opera production, “Il Trovatore” … Two sets of dance classes today/tonight: For kids, after school, Gildenfire Dance at Highland Park Improvement Club (get more info here); ballroom and Latin dancing at Kenyon Hall, 7 pm (details here) … Earlier in the day, you’re welcome to participate in 2 “second Monday” events at the Senior Center of West Seattle – Brain Gain at 10:30 am, Caregiver Support Group at 1 pm … Downtown, an update on the Delridge Skatepark project is part of the agenda for the city Skatepark Advisory Committee tonight, 7 pm, Parks HQ downtown … See what else is on the calendar (for today/tonight and beyond) here.
First – Cecile shared photos with us taken at Alki Sunday – that’s her in the water – saying, “This morning photographer Jenny B. and I went to Alki and took some awesome pictures!!! Thought it displayed our beautiful Puget Sound as a wonderful place to live!” We thought there had to be more to the story – a modeling shoot, maybe, given the striking outfit? Answering our followup, Cecile explained, “We were just experimenting with some new photographic equipment and threw together an outfit that we thought would bring out the colors of the nature, which it definitely did! I’m a classical musician so I thought it would be a good opportunity to get new pictures for CD covers/headshots etc.” Read More
We didn’t hear about it till Ron Zuber of Morgan Junction sent the official government report a few minutes ago: At 6:54 this morning, there was a 2.1-magnitude earthquake centered in West Seattle, north of Schmitz Park, about seven miles down (here’s the USGS page; here’s the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network info page; here’s another map you can use to zoom in on the spot). That’s pretty tiny as quakes go, but notable nonetheless, especially in light of the Northern California quake yesterday, and always a good excuse to bring up preparedness info again: Just so happens our newest sponsor is the Emergency Communication Hubs project, which shows you where to go for information and help if need be in case of disaster – go here to find your nearest hub.
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