West Seattle, Washington
30 Monday
Story and photos by Mary Sheely
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Popular wisdom holds that it’s best not to combine monetary transactions with friendship. Diane Steele gives the lie to that one. Steele will spend her last day as a teller at the Junction Wells Fargo Bank tomorrow, retiring just a month shy of 27 years at that location.
She’s made so many friends of her customers during that time, one of them, Kayla Weiner, got in touch with us to make sure Steele received the tribute she deserved.
“She is an amazing person who knows the name of everyone,” Weiner told WSB. “She knows about them and their family. Last year she even made a donation for me when I did the 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk. She is an institution, as those who know her can attest. I for one will really miss her.”
A visit to Steele’s branch confirms those sentiments. A huge card and message book are filling up with well wishes from devoted customers and coworkers. On Friday, customers and locals are invited to come in during business hours to help Steele celebrate (and grab a slice of cake while it lasts).
Steele is standing in the lobby when customer Andrew Carl enters the bank.
SCAM ALERT: Just got this from Southwest Precinct Lt. Norm James (who, as we reported last Friday, has a new role, so you’ll be hearing more from him when news happens) — He says they’re investigating a case of alleged fraud involving rental properties on Craigslist; one person found a listing that described a “super deal” in West Seattle. When the would-be renter e-mailed the contact, the reply came back seeking personal information and saying that the landlord was in Africa but would send the key once the personal info was received. The would-be renter didn’t fall for it but checked around and found two similar listings. Bottom line, Lt. James says, “Just a heads up .. to be aware of this type of scam out there. They need to be aware of deals that are too good to be true and to verify the authority of people who have rental properties available.”
35TH SW PATROL: On Facebook and Twitter, there were a few mentions yesterday of major police presence on 35th SW, apparently watching for speeders. We asked SW Precinct Lt. Steve Paulsen if anything special was going on. His reply: “Traffic/Pedestrian safety is one of our precinct priorities. The Traffic Section does enforcement on 35th on a regular basis due to the sheer speed folks travel at and the number of traffic collisions. Given the recent accidents, we requested some assistance. Several drivers were stopped and cited.” (Those recent accidents include this one last Sunday in which a car flipped; no one was seriously hurt.)
Another West Seattle neighborhood group is starting the New Year with some new features: The Alki Community Council has a new logo (at left) as it gets ready for its next meeting. The meeting at 7 pm Thursday, January 21, also marks the debut of Alki UCC as its permanent meeting spot, instead of Alki Community Center. Its newsletter, the Alki News Beacon, also has a new look, under new editor/webmaster Glynnis Vaughan – see the new edition here; it’s now being published 4 times a year instead of 6, but ACC leaders hope a membership increase and reader interest may enable them to return to a more frequent publishing schedule; ACC members get the Beacon in the mail – membership info is here.
(scroll down for info, links, reaction we’re adding after the original report)
(Graphic displayed at the mayor’s announcement)
ORIGINAL 9:55 AM REPORT: We’re at the Washington Street Boat Launch south of Colman Dock, where the mayor has just finished a news conference announcing he will ask Seattle voters in May to approve a property tax measure raising $241 million to replace the seawall, regardless of what happens with The Viaduct. He says current plans call for replacing the seawall in six years, and that’s too long – he wants it done in four. The 30-year property tax proposal will be on the May ballot if the City Council agrees, he says, and would require a 60 percent majority approval; he says it would equal about $48 a year for someone with a $400,000 home. McGinn showed a section of deteriorating seawall wood as a prop and said it runs the risk of failure even without a catastrophic earthquake. He refused to answer questions regarding The Viaduct/tunnel plan itself. He says the Council will be asked next month to approve the May 18 vote, and says he has had “positive” discussions with them so far regarding this proposal. The $241 million would not cover the entire cost of seawall replacement – the price tag would be about $50 million beyond that, he said, with about $30 million of that slated to come from the county. If the ballot measure is approved, McGinn said, it would take about 2 years to design the project, and about 2 years to build. How severely waterfront business and traffic would be affected, he couldn’t say. Side note: McGinn biked down here from City Hall (about half a mile uphill) and has now headed back – we’re heading back to HQ (via car) to add video to the story.
ADDED 11:23 AM: Some supporting documents are linked in the city’s own item on the mayor’s announcement – you’ll find the links (plus Seattle Channel video of the news conference) here. Here’s one of our clips, about a minute and a half, including his use of the aforementioned prop:
1:39 PM UPDATE: A statement from Governor Gregoire:
I congratulate the Mayor for his decision to seek early funding for the seawall portion of the Alaskan Way Viaduct project. I look forward to working with him and the City Council on this vital transportation effort.
SMOKE-FREE CITY PARKS? Smoking is one of the “behaviors” that would be banned in Seattle city parks under a new proposed Code of Conduct that’ll be discussed at tonight’s Parks Board meeting, 7 pm, Parks HQ downtown; a public hearing is scheduled for two weeks from tonight. Smoking is one of the “newly prohibited behaviors” proposed for the code; also “newly prohibited” would be (from the briefing paper):
• Conduct that deprives others of their use or enjoyment of a park or facility or disrupts parks business
• Possession of glass containers at athletic fields, beaches and children’s playgrounds
• Improper use of restrooms
• [as noted] Smoking
• Spitting
• Leaving packages, backpacks, luggage, or other personal items unattended
• Blocking entrances, exits, walkways, etc. that interferes with provision of services or use of park property
• Conduct that creates an unreasonable and substantial risk of harm to a person or property
• Entering restrooms designated for people of the opposite sex
• Use of flammable liquids
• Abusive or harassing behavior, including obscene language or gestures; assault or fighting
• Possession of fireworks, firecrackers, explosives, acid, or other articles or materials capable of causing serious harm to others
• Sexual misconduct
Again, the Parks Board is getting briefed on this tonight (full docs here); a public hearing comes Jan. 28, a vote later. Meantime, it’s Art Walk night all over our peninsula:
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WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: That’s the Barbie-inspired art of Wyn Bielaska, the Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) featured artist during tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk, 6-9 pm at dozens of venues all over WS (see the list, and learn about the artists, here). Other events happening during the Art Walk – C and P Coffee‘s Wine Club, and M3 Bodyworks (WSB sponsor; 5410 California SW) is having a Holiday Open House featuring photographer Wayne Burger‘s underwater work. (added 2;04 pm – more info on this:)
M3 Bodyworks’ holiday opening will be catered by Chef Kate Thomson of Seasonal Palate (www.seasonalpalate.com) with island themed food and specialty drink. M3 will also be giving away door prizes tonight including a 90 Minute Package of 5 massages. More can be found at www.m3bodyworks.com/events.html
HEALTHY HIGH POINT: Healthier living – including your chance to take a survey about food – is the focus of tonight’s High Point Neighborhood Association quarterly meeting, 6 pm, High Point Neighborhood Center. The featured speaker is Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association executive director Derek Birnie.
THINKING ABOUT REMODELING – OR BUILDING FROM SCRATCH: Tonight is another one of the free workshops presented by longtime WSB sponsor Ventana Construction. Free! It’s not too late to RSVP – 206-932-3009 – 6 pm, 5458 California SW.
See what else is up today/tonight (and beyond) by checking the WSB West Seattle Events calendar.
West Seattle’s new County Councilmember, Jan Drago, paid two high-profile visits to this part of her district on Wednesday: She attended the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce lunch meeting keynoted by County Executive Dow Constantine, whose former seat she’s holding until next November’s election, and then last night’s meeting of the 34th District Democrats – who had energetically opposed seeing anyone appointed to the council seat but State Sen. Joe McDermott. Ahead, what she had to say – and other 34th DDs highlights:Read More
Long, info-packed meeting for the Admiral Neighborhood Association Tuesday night, first one under the new slate of officers elected last fall – president Katy Walum and vice president Jim Cavin (both in the photo above), secretary Catherine Barker, treasurer Ann Limbaugh. (Their predecessors were among the 15+ people on hand.) Some new procedures, some old, and lots of looking ahead as well as looking forward – read on for the toplines:Read More
Just last night, the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s monthly meeting (story still in the works) included a recap of where the Admiral Safeway redevelopment project stands. It was asked at the time if anyone knew the date for the next Southwest Design Review Board meeting on the project – which is supposed to focus on the last point of board concern, the new store’s California SW frontage; the date wasn’t posted last night but it is now, on the city’s Design Review/Upcoming site: February 11th. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center; it could be the last SWDRB meeting on the project if board members give their approval. (Like The Kenney‘s redevelopment on the other end of West Seattle, this project also includes a rezoning request, so it will also require City Council approval along the way.)
Thanks to Cindi Barker from Morgan Community Association for the update that the city has granted a request to extend the comment period for The Kenney‘s redevelopment-rezoning request, reported here earlier this week. The comment period now will be held open till February 3rd; the notice posted online includes a link you can use to send in your comment(s). The Kenney project also will be discussed at the quarterly MoCA meeting next week (as noted here last night).
EDITOR’S NOTE: TFN, we will keep this item updated with all West Seattle/White Center fundraising efforts we hear about – you can contact us any of these ways, or leave a comment and we will pull it up into the story – thanks! (LATEST UPDATE: 1/30 MORNING
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ONGOING AND NEW FUNDRAISERS WITH WEST SEATTLE CONNECTIONS:
NEW – CRUTCHES COLLECTED ASAP: For a medical team’s flight to Haiti this weekend. Go here for details.
EDDIE VEDDER SINGLE FUNDRAISER: West Seattle’s most famous rocker is donating proceeds of a cut you can download now for 99 cents – details here.
VALENTINE’S DAY ART SALE: Artist Stephanie Hargrave, co-owner of West Seattle’s smallclothes, is hosting a “Give Your Love to Haiti” art sale with all proceeds to Haiti relief on February 14 at her studio (across from the shop), according to a note Kelly forwarded. More info to come.
ARTIST CHALLENGES OTHERS: West Seattle artist Todd Martin has a challenge (as he donates 65% of his sales) – read it here.
CONCERT AT WEST SEATTLE EAGLES: 8 pm January 30, benefit concert at West Seattle Eagles aerie in The Junction. Bands so far:
Beth Wood
Tacoma Finish
Sledgeback
Hartwood
Midnight Idols
WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY: (ongoing) Donate $10/up at checkstands. Thriftway is matching ALL funds donated up to $3,000 benefit The American Red Cross and World Vision.
SOLD HOME DESIGN: Maria Groen of Sold Home Décor (WSB sponsor), 9003 35th Ave SW, says her shop “is teaming with artist Linda Thorson to donate 10% of all art sales to Lutheran World Relief for the emergency response to efforts in Haiti. This donation opportunity continues through February 7th.” Find out more about LInda’s work at the Sold Home Décor website.
BRUCE BUTTERFIELD: A challenge to local real-estate agents from local Prudential NW Realty agent Bruce Butterfield, who announced today that he will support earthquake relief efforts in Haiti by donating $100 from each home purchase or sale he completes, now through the end of June 2010, to Doctors Without Borders.
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Past fundraisers after this:Read More
For those who have asked about the woman hurt when a car hit her as she walked across California SW at SW Dakota yesterday morning, friend Bob Carroll e-mailed this information:
As of this morning, her injuries include 2 broken legs (both may require surgery), fractures of the 4th and 5 th vertebrates, a broken clavicle, and a head injury. She had orthopedic surgery this morning, but I haven’t heard the outcome yet. She has been alert and talkative, and the informal feedback from nursing staff is that this is good sign.
This corresponds with information we obtained through the Fire Department, which transported the 53-year-old crash victim to the hospital. As we reported yesterday, it may be months before there is a decision on whether the 81-year-old driver will be cited.
The forecast looks a tiny bit better for tomorrow night, when more than three dozen local businesses and venues welcome you to stop by between 6 and 9 pm for the next monthly West Seattle Art Walk. You can start plotting your course now by going to the official Art Walk website — which has previews of some of the artists you’ll see, all over the peninsula. The business lineup changes every quarter – some come, some go – the lineup for January through March, more than three dozen strong, includes seven WSB sponsors that are literally all over the (West Seattle) map: Click! Design That Fits in Admiral, Skylark Cafe and Club in North Delridge, Hotwire Online Coffeehouse, Mural and Wallflower Custom Framing in The Junction, Feedback Lounge in Morgan Junction, and Sold Home Decor in Westwood. You’ll also find participants that are hot spots for art any time of the month, including Twilight Artist Collective in The Junction, celebrating its fifth anniversary. Keep an eye on the Art Walk site for more previews, and we’ll bring you the walking map (printable!) as soon as we get it – 6 to 9 tomorrow night, all over West Seattle.
Tomorrow’s the day for a new round of closure/changes because of the East Marginal Way Grade Separation, the latest in the big line of road projects affecting people driving between West Seattle and points east/north. Here’s the advisory from the city’s SODO Traffic list:
East Marginal Way Grade Separation Construction begins tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 14
When complete, the new overpass will decrease traffic delays, improve business access and increase safety. The new structure will be in service by mid-2011.
· The right-hand east bound lane of S Spokane St between E Marginal Way and Duwamish Way will be closed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. January 14, 15 and 18.
* All lanes on S Spokane St will be open between 4 p.m. and 7 a.m.
* The permanent closure of the northbound lane of Duwamish Way begins January 14.
* Both lanes of Duwamish Way will be closed for the duration of the project beginning February 1.
(WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
A month and a half after taking office as King County Executive, Dow Constantine keynoted today’s annual lunch meeting of his hometown Chamber of Commerce. Among many topics in his 14-minute speech, Constantine assured the crowd at Salty’s on Alki that the county is committed to the West Seattle and Vashon runs of the King County Water Taxi. Within view of Salty’s, work is under way on dock upgrades for the Water Taxi to use at Seacrest when the new season starts in April; but that’s still a longterm temporary dock, and Constantine says they’re still working to figure out the permanent location. We’ll have video up soon from his speech, in case you missed it, as well as a few more highlights in text. ADDED 3:51 PM: The County Executive’s big theme was that he’s midway through his first 100 days. When he gets to the end of those first 100 days, he’ll roll out his blueprint for his vision of a more efficient, more responsive county government. He says he’s also committed to making sure that in these budget-crunched times, Metro gets the biggest bang for its buck. ADDED 5:02 PM: Video of the Constantine speech in its entirety:
A WSB’er e-mailed to ask for an update on the future Westwood Village liquor store. We thought we’d share the answer in case you were wondering too: The lease is finalized, according to the state Liquor Control Board, and they’re hoping to be open in early April. (If you missed our earlier stories – they’re opening in part of the former Famous Footwear storefront on the north side of the shopping center; it’s the replacement for the Morgan Junction store that closed in September 2008.
11:54 AM: That’s video of work being done at the slope with the slide that shut down Beach Drive in the 6000 block – south of there, it’s closed to the Lowman Beach intersection (as first reported here very early this morning), since there are no outlets. SDOT told us at the scene at midmorning that they needed to evaluate the stability of the top of the slope before figuring out what needed to be done to stabilize it, and how soon the road could be reopened. Note that Route 37 buses are being detoured TFN. We’re continuing to check with SDOT for the latest and will add updates as we get them. 2:02 PM UPDATE: Just checked the scene. Road’s still closed, and as some have noted, the tricky thing is that there is no signage at Jacobson, which is the last place to head east/uphill before the closure – so we’re seeing many people drive all the way up to the closure, be surprised, and turn around to head back. Here’s the latest from Marybeth Turner at SDOT:
The urban forestry crews expect to wrap up, and then we will clean up and set up traffic control to reopen Beach Drive, except for restriction to one lane at slide site. Goal is to reopen by 5 pm. We will continue to monitor the site through the weekend.
5:29 PM UPDATE: The road’s open again, per the Metro alert that says 37 and 53 are back on their regular routes.
(WSB December photo of West Seattle totem pole in Parks Department possession after recovery in OR)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The Rotary Viewpoint Park totem pole, stolen Nov. 30 and found in Oregon Dec. 10, is back in West Seattle.
No, not back on its home pedestal (35th/Alaska) yet – but a plan is starting to take shape after a meeting Tuesday with the West Seattle Rotarians’ task force and reps from the Parks Department and art-restoration specialists Artech.
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
HEALTH: The annual Health and Wellness Fair presented by the Women’s Center at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) is 11 am-2 pm today. Lots of info on the flyer.
POLITICS: New King County Executive Dow Constantine is keynote speaker at the annual luncheon meeting of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce today, 11:30 am at Salty’s on Alki. And tonight at 7, it’s the monthly meeting of West Seattle’s biggest political organization, the 34th District Democrats; meeting’s at The Hall at Fauntleroy as usual; here’s the agenda.
EDUCATION: Two events of note tonight: The Madison Middle School PTSA invites all West Seattle parents of future high-schoolers to tonight’s meeting, since they’re having presentations on at least three area high schools (details here); at 6 pm, Fauntleroy Children’s Center hosts a presentation on Early Literacy (details here).
ALSO TONIGHT: Trivia (6:45 pm)/open mike (9 pm) night at Skylark Cafe & Club (WSB sponsor); a new session of Balorico salsa/mambo classes starts at Kenyon Hall (6 pm); and even more.
(WSB photo added 10:12 am)
ORIGINAL 2:28 AM REPORT: Thanks to Leslie (via e-mail) and Susan (via Facebook) for sending word of a road closure on Beach Drive. We checked with Southwest Precinct Lt. Ron Smith, who confirms that “SDOT responded to a landslide in the 6000 block of Beach Drive (map) … SDOT determined the landslide posed a risk to the public and closed the street.” He says that right now, there’s “no time frame for reopening the street.” We plan to check on its status before morning commute. 7:38 AM UPDATE: Still closed, per SDOT’s Rick Sheridan:
The road in the vicinity of 6031 Beach Drive SW was closed late last night due to a landslide risk. Concerns about a tree sliding onto the road due to wet soil conditions caused the city to close the roadway area for safety reasons. Metro has been notified and will reroute their buses based on this closure. We will reevaluate the area once we have daylight to determine how to stabilize the area and reopen the roadway.
As noted in comments (also thanks to Robert for the e-mail tip), Route 37 buses are rerouted because of the closure. Metro’s e-mail alert says:
Route 37 inbound service is temporarily rerouted this morning due to a mudslide at 48th Av SW & Beach Dr SW. Please use stops on 49th Av SW north of SW Hudson St or on Beach Dr SW north of SW Jacobson Rd.
You can sign up for route-specific alerts by starting with the box in the right sidebar here.
9:48 AM: We’re at the scene and will post a separate update soon with video/pix. Still no ETA for reopening the road – SDOT still has to evaluate the stability of the top of the slope. It’s closed from the 6000 block on the north to the Lowman Beach intersection on the south.
Story and photo by Christopher Boffoli
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
At Tuesday night’s Junction Neighborhood Organization meeting: Information from SDOT on the implementation of the West Seattle Junction on-street parking changes (as well as discussion of some wider transportation issues), updates on the status of Junction Plaza Park, and a plug for West Seattleites to attend upcoming Southwest District Council meetings.
The meeting began with a presentation by Danté Taylor, Associate Transportation Planner for SDOT, who gave a brief review of the Junction parking study completed last year.
Read More
Busy night for neighborhood-group meetings. First of three reports we’ll have for you from meetings tonight: Fauntleroy Community Association. Among the topics at tonight’s board meeting: They’re supporting Gordon Wiehler‘s pursuit of an Opportunity Fund grant to extend the park at 46th SW and Brace Point (map); he’s looking at an adjacent parcel once used by City Light. Next step, he’ll write a letter to beat the process’s Feb. 1 deadline. Also at tonight’s meeting at The Hall at Fauntleroy, another update on the King County Wastewater Treatment Division‘s work in the area, including pump-station upgrades; Lynn Olson has been working with KCWT’s Martha Tuttle to plan a spring meeting to talk about the projects, and the FCA board is strategizing what format might be best, and how to boost turnout. And final topline – FCA is working on an upgrade to its membership pamphlet; look for it if you live in the area.
Fauntleroy Community Association’s board meets the second Tuesday of the month; the group has lots of updated community information online at fauntleroy.net.
Two announcements out of the WSB inbox tonight, both for next week, but you might be interested in planning ahead. First, Sustainable West Seattle has sent around its agenda for next Tuesday night’s meeting at the Senior Center of West Seattle – with a new City Councilmember scheduled to be a guest:
Newly elected Seattle City Councilmember Mike O’Brien, a member of the Sierra Club and of the Viaduct Stakeholder Committee, will join us to discuss Seattle’s future. But before that, we will take inventory of our own slice of Seattle as we review the 2009 Annual Report and take some time to reflect on the future of Sustainable West Seattle.
They’ll be electing members of the Coordinating Council, too. 7 pm Tuesday, Jan. 19, Senior Center of West Seattle in The Junction. The next after that – Wednesday, Jan. 20 – it’s the quarterly Morgan Community Association meeting. Steve Sindiong sent the agenda announcement tonight:
Morgan Community Association (MOCA) Quarterly Meeting
Wednesday, January 20 at 7:00 pm
Location: The Kenney: 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW
Agenda Items to Include:
Planning for Neighborhood Festival, Parks Levy Discussion, City Light Strategic Plan Taskforce, Update of Spokane Street Viaduct, The Kenney expansion project update, West Seattle Trails/Kiosk project, Lowman Beach Pump station project update.
These meetings and many other upcoming West Seattle events can be found on our frequently updated calendar page, any time you want to catch up.
3:30 tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon, it’s orientation day for the winter semester of All-Access arts (and more!) classes at Youngstown Arts Center – all listed on the Youngstown home page. The classes are all free for teens 13-18, and some of them are also open to 10-12 year olds. As explained by Alberto Mejia:
Outreach days are intended to be community-building events where youth can meet and interact (with) the teaching artists and one another face to face prior to starting their respective arts classes. The orientation will end with a F.E.E.S.T. dinner. At the weekly F.E.E.S.T program, youth plan and prepare organic dinners and present a discussion around healthier food options and more safe, active communities.
The All-Access classes themselves begin on Thursday. Again, the calendar is here, along with descriptions of the classes (scroll past the calendar).
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