West Seattle, Washington
12 Sunday
We’ve learned there are two fundraising walk/run events coming up in Lincoln Park before the month is out. 
We’ve already mentioned the Monster Dash on October 27th, benefiting West Seattle’s Cooperative Preschools (WSB sponsor). But before that, October 21st is the date set for Miles for Midwives 2012. Organizers explain:
Miles for Midwives takes place every autumn to raise awareness around the benefits of midwifery and the important work of Washington midwives! Your participation helps to ensure that families in Washington State have greater access to quality women’s health care and the lower health-care costs associated with utilization of midwives. Proceeds from Miles for Midwives benefit the Washington Affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives and the Midwives’ Association of Washington State.
You can register online by going here – it’s $25 if you sign up by October 18th, one week from tonight. On Miles for Midwives Day, on-site registration starts at 8 am, a “kids’ lollipop run” at 9:45, then the official run/walk (not officially timed, by the way) at 10 am, near Shelters 1-2 in the south end of the park. It’s a 2.5-mile loop along the perimeter, down to the water, around Colman Pool, back up into the park, and we’re told it’s stroller-/pet-friendly.
Update on West Seattle’s newest restaurant/bar, Marination ma kai at Seacrest Boathouse: Co-proprietor Kamala Saxton sends word tonight that after a week with a “limited menu,” they are adding hot breakfast, shave ice, and fish and chips as of tomorrow. The hot-breakfast offerings include Breakfast Sliders, Sunrise Burrito, Biscuits and Gravy, and Loco Moco; for lunch/dinner, they are adding the promised fish and chips, with kimchi or miso tartar sauce and a ponzu malt vinegar. If you haven’t been yet, they have adjusted their hours to 8 am-8 pm weekdays and 9 am-“late” on Saturdays and Sundays.
(No rain yet! Tonight’s sunset, via Twitter, by @sudsymaggie)
Four warnings today about the rain that seems to be finally heading this way:
First, the National Weather Service has issued a “special weather statement” – see it here.
Second, even though the first bouts of rain are NOT expected to be heavy, it still could cause power outages, says Seattle City Light. They explain why – and what you can do to try to lessen the chances – in this update.
Third, WSDOT warns about a potentially rainy commute tomorrow:
Drivers can do their part to keep traffic moving by following these basic tips for driving in wet weather: leave plenty of following distance between vehicles; focus on driving and not on the cell phone; and check conditions and traffic before leaving. Drivers may also want to add 15 minutes or more to their commute.
Drivers who get into a collision should: move to the right to get out of traffic; stay in the vehicle until help arrives; and never stand or walk into traffic for any reason.
WSDOT crews are planning for the wet commute as well. Incident responders will be out in full force clearing roads and helping drivers along the key commute corridors, including Interstate 5, Interstate 405, State Route 520, Interstate 90, State Route 99 and State Route 16 throughout Seattle, Bellevue, Everett and Tacoma.
Our brand new daily traffic/transit thread (for your updates and ours, starting in the early morning and accessible throughout the day) will track the situation too.
Fourth, award-winning environmental activist Laura “Diver Laura” James has a reminder on behalf of tox-ick.org:
With the rains coming, it is imperative that we do our best to pick up the errant dog poop that is lurking beside the sidewalks on the grassy hills and planting strips. This poop is FULL of badness (such as e. coli and parasites such as Giardia and Roundworms) There are baby seal pups in the waters around our large storm outfalls, its up to US to help protect them!!! Even if its not YOUR dog’s poop, please pick it up! Its a race against time (and rain)!
Additionally, if you are out walking and see small bits of roadside garbage, cigarette butts, bottle caps, pens, candy wrappers, plastic bags, etc… Take a moment to pick it up and get it into a garbage can, otherwise that trash has a one way ticket directly into Puget Sound via the storm drains! Don’t let it add to the Underwater Garbage Patch off Alki Beach!
We’ll of course track the weather, the traffic, and everything related, 24/7 as usual, including our new every-weekday-morning (weekends as needed) “traffic/transit today” open threads with commenters’ reports as well as updates from us.
(Google Street View car near WSB HQ in July 2011 – thanks to Tony for the reminder comment!)
Two people have mentioned this to us today so far, so we’re sharing it: Google Maps‘ “Street View” 360-degree photography apparently has been updated for West Seattle – so if you have a minute, you might want to go see if that goes for your neighborhood. We can attest to one change: For a LONG time, if you looked at the Google Street View for California/Edmunds in The Junction, you would have seen the West Seattle Summer Fest road-closure signs and tents … from three or four years ago. Now, it’s a clear view (see here).
When Metro launched RapidRide C Line and a fleet of changes twelve days ago, you might recall, brand-new Route 50 had a partial West Seattle re-route from the start, since it couldn’t use its full intended westbound route until a long-awaited traffic signal was installed at Avalon and Genesee. So when is that signal finally going in? many asked. The most recent estimate was “by Thanksgiving,” and it looks like that’ll happen, since we’ve just learned that work might start as soon as next week. That’s according to John Vander Sluis of SDOT, who says the construction notice has just gone out to the neighborhood, saying the following:
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will be starting construction in your neighborhood soon. SDOT is preparing to install a new traffic signal at the intersection of SW Avalon Way and SW Genesee Street. The traffic signal will improve safety for everyone who uses the street and provide safer transportation options for you and your neighbors to reach local destinations. This project was requested by the community through the Neighborhood Project Fund, a city-administered program that works with communities to prioritize and build neighborhood projects. This location meets the criteria for a new traffic signal because of the traffic and pedestrian volumes at this intersection, as well as the past collision history.
The purpose of this project is to improve safety for all road users. Specifically, the project will:
· Improve the safety for drivers and pedestrians accessing and crossing SW Avalon Way from SW Genesee Street by installing a new traffic signal;
· Indicate the preferred crossing point for pedestrians by installing four new marked crosswalks;
· Improve accessibility for people with mobility challenges by installing six curb ramps;
· Replace damaged sidewalk near the new curb ramps.SDOT anticipates that construction will begin within the next week and last about one and a half months, depending on the weather. Some parking will be restricted during construction and SDOT will place “no parking” signs 3 days before construction begins.
And in fact, just after hearing from Vander Sluis, we spotted SDOT workers on the southeast Avalon/Genesee corner, examining plans (above). The community request mentioned above, by the way, was spearheaded by North Delridge community advocate Mike Dady.
(8/14 note: To check whether a business is still a current WSB sponsor, please go here)
Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Dinosaur Takeout, a West Seattle-based meal delivery service that brings ready-to-cook meals directly to your home or office. Here’s what its owners want to share with you about their business:
Owners Jeff Robbins and Brian Fraley have lived in Seattle for the past two decades. Currently they’re based in a commercial kitchen near the YMCA and deliver to West Seattle, Downtown, and surrounding neighborhoods. Their freshly prepped, ready-to-cook meal kits include customer favorites like Mustard-Glazed Salmon, Orange Piccata Chicken, Sausage & White Bean Stew, and Peppercorn Tofu.
Jeff says, “When developing the business, I asked myself, ‘How can I eliminate the time-consuming steps of planning, shopping, and prepping and still achieve the satisfying experience of preparing a fresh, home-cooked meal for myself, my family, and my friends without sacrificing quality or paying too much?’ That is when Dinosaur Takeout was born. I began creating new dishes and adapting classic recipes in a way that uses simple 3-step cooking instructions and a shorter, more convenient preparation time, usually around 20 minutes from the box to the table. Everything is chopped, mixed, and measured; the sauces are blended perfectly and delivered raw, the meat and poultry are obtained from local and reputable farmers, even our tofu is made fresh here in Seattle, and all the ingredients for a complete meal are packaged in a convenient, single, refrigerated box. It’s designed for single folks or couples, regardless of cooking skills, as well as experienced chefs and families who just want a night off.”
Brian adds, “People are always excited about getting new meals each week. Our menu changes weekly so there’s always something different. One of our clients said he feels like a celebrity chef on a TV cooking show because all his ingredients are chopped and ready to go. Enthusiastic feedback like that really makes us excited to keep inventing new ways for people to experience the fun of cooking.”
Dinosaur Takeout offers discounted monthly subscription plans in addition to their regular online ordering system. “Just drop us a line at info@dinosaurtakeout.com and say ‘I want to subscribe!'” says Jeff. “We’ll get back to you ASAP, answer your questions, and work out a subscription plan just for you. And remember, subscription plans make great gifts too!”
You can get more information via Dinosaur Takeout‘s ‘How It Works‘ page.
We thank Dinosaur Takeout for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
As you’ll hear Karl de Jong of the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle say at the start of our video – ballots will arrive in the mail next week. So it’s time to start checking out the lesser-discussed issues and races. The Kiwanis hosted a forum at their weekly lunch meeting to take a look at Initiative 1185 (full text here), which would change the requirements for tax/fee approval by legislators. Amber Carter from the Association of Washington Business spoke in favor of it, 36th District State Rep. Reuven Carlyle against it, in a compact half-hour-long discussion all captured on unedited video above. You can see all the statewide ballot measures for this election here.
(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
If you drive down 46th SW between SW Raymond and SW Graham in Seaview (map) right now and notice tree-removal work under way – you might leap to the wrong conclusion if you don’t know the whole story, which was shared with us this morning by Jonathan Stumpf:
Once upon a time, Thundercloud Plums lined 46th Avenue SW, as well as many other streets in the Seaview neighborhood. Highly susceptible to breakage, most have fallen to windstorms during recent years. This week, neighbors between Raymond and Graham have pooled resources to remove the last of them, clearing the way to take advantage of an upcoming SDOT planting project. Nineteen Copper Beeches, alternating with Scarlet Oaks, will soon replace the dying plums on this block. The new trees should live up to 300 years, and although they will need a number of years to grow, eventually they will form a canopy over the street, to be enjoyed by generations to come. One of Seattle’s Tree Ambassadors, Brandis Gray, inspired the community stewardship of this planting strip.
The preparation work we found when we stopped by the block just now is being done by Stonehedge Tree Experts (WSB sponsor). If you’d like to find out about being a tree ambassador, just go here.
It’s West Seattle Art Walk night! Plenty of previews on the official Art Walk website, and some highlights below too, among other notes from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 11:15 am at Delridge Library (Brandon/Delridge). Stories, rhymes, songs, fun for 3-5 year-olds.
SLIME AND SCIENCE: 4 pm at High Point Library (35th/Raymond), for ages 7-9.
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: 6-9 pm, from Alki Arts in the north to Locol in the south, more than two dozen venues are on the West Seattle Art Walk roster for fall. Here’s the list/map; following are a few previews (and find more here):
C & P COFFEE WINE TASTING AND LIVE MUSIC: Choro Tocando brings the music, Gregg Curry the art, for the monthly wine tasting at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor; 5612 California SW), 6-8 pm – bring an appetizer!
WEST SEATTLE CELLARS WINE TASTING & ART WALK: Glenn Brewer‘s watercolors, and “affordable Oregon wines” poured by Click Imports’ Franck Mossenta at West Seattle Cellars (WSB sponsor), 5:30-9 pm.
MEET ME AT THE MORTUARY – ART WALK AT HOTWIRE: Artist Todd D. Martin has a most unusual exhibit at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor; 4410 California SW) – details here.
ALSO IN THE JUNCTION – TAMMY SPEARS AT WALLFLOWER: Recent work by Tammy Spears and edible treats by Kitchen Klaus are what you’ll find at Wallflower Custom Framing (WSB sponsor) on the ground floor of Mural, across 42nd from Jefferson Square, during Art Walk tonight.
ZATZ A BETTER BAGEL COLORING CONTEST & ART WALK: Stop by Zatz A Better Bagel (WSB sponsor) for Art Walk tonight in The Admiral District and – if there’s a young artist with you – get in on the coloring contest! It’s been extended till the November Art Walk. (Here’s our original report with contest details.)
UKULELE MUSIC AT CARMILIA’S FOR ART WALK: Proprietor Linda tells us “there will be a four-part ukelele band playing ’80s cover music along with great photos by Pauline Smith.” (Carmilia’s is at 4528 California SW in The Junction)
SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY AT BAKERY NOUVEAU: It’s a juried show – all month long, but check out, and meet photographers, tonight during Art Walk. (The photo above is by Larry St. Pierre.) Here’s the announcement:
Bakery Nouveau displays stunning images of the Seattle Chinese in a juried show now on display. Images taken from morning light to moonlight display the skill and artistry of ten photographers. They participated in a series of August workshops at the Garden led by Vashon Island photographer Ray Pfortner. Meet the photographers at Bakery Nouveau on October 11, from 6 to 8 pm, during the West Seattle Art Walk. Indulge all your senses and enjoy a delectable pastry while admiring the photography. Bakery Nouveau is at 4737 California Avenue SW.
Also happening in West Seattle tonight:
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 6:30-8:30 pm, it’s the traditional fall open house event for WSHS families – as noted on the WSHS home page:
It will be an opportunity for you to learn about our schools’ performance data, communication methods and support. You will have time to meet your student’s teachers to find out what your student will be learning, and hear about his/her teacher’s expectations and support. Your student will be bringing home their schedule for you to follow. Please meet in the Theatre at 6:30 pm.
‘LAWFULLY WEDDED’ – FREE! 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall, an ArtsCrush presentation – here’s their preview:
“What is love? What is marriage? People have widely differing views, and through personal interviews, theatre, poetry, and music we will explore these views. This collaborative production is sure to speak to your heart! Don’t miss this thought provoking and relevant production.”
Presented in West Seattle in conjunction with Twelfth Night Productions and Kenyon Hall. Admission free.
NIGHTLIFE: … Pub quiz night at A Terrible Beauty (California/Edmunds), 7:30 pm … Danny Figgins Trio plays live at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), 8-10 pm … The Deep Cuts with DJ Kingblind at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor; 6451 California SW), 8 pm … Amir Beso performs at The Cask in The Admiral District, 8 pm… (Live music at YOUR venue? Please send us the info so we can include it on West Seattle’s most comprehensive events calendar! editor@wsb.blackfin.biz)
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:24 AM: We asked on Wednesday what you think about a daily dedicated thread for traffic and transit reports, from you and from us – consensus seemed to be, go for it. So here we go. No big trouble currently – we’re monitoring various sources and will update if there’s anything of note.
7:39 AM: Still quiet. No rain yet but the weather folks say tomorrow might bring a wet commute. Also of note tomorrow, no classes Friday in Seattle Public Schools, which will likely alter traffic patterns.
9:58 AM ALERT – ramp from West Seattle Bridge to I-5 north is closed, apparently a diesel spill. Keep an eye on the live camera at the top of the page – we’ll update when it’s cleared.
10:42 AM UPDATE: SDOT says a stalled vehicle linked to this is cleared and the live cam looks OK now so we’re dropping this story back to its time-appropriate slot on the home page.
5:19 PM UPDATE: Couple of Metro-related notes – First, County Councilmember Joe McDermott, who represents West Seattle (and White Center, Vashon/Maury, and some surrounding areas), has sent his latest “e-newsletter” summarizing his view of the bus changes, what’s been done about concerns, what’s in the works, and what he says “you can do” – read it all here.
Meantime, Metro has not yet provided the numbers it used to generate the information referred to in the “Very preliminary numbers, from some initial checks, show about a 15 to 20 percent ridership increase” quote from the system’s boss, Kevin Desmond. What we got back from spokesperson Jeff Switzer today was:
Metro planners made direct field observations Oct. 4 and 9, 10, 11, with plans for more data collection in the field and through our automatic passenger counters that are on about 15% of Metro coaches (more on RapidRide). The increase noted was during the morning commute from 7-9 a.m. We also had reports of crowded buses and passed stops that prompted us to add trips for the RapidRide C line. While the data is preliminary, we hope that this continues to signal increasing ridership demand.
We have renewed our request for the actual numbers – however preliminary and small they might have been – that suggested a “ridership increase.” Switzer subsequently elaborated, “Metro is still gathering data to confirm that the initial observations are accurate and consistent.”
8:08 PM UPDATE: Thanks to Trileigh for the tip – stuck semi-truck at California and Edmunds causing some trouble, with traffic having to make its way carefully around it.
(Emanuel Kozma, suspect being sought after King County Sheriff’s Office pursuit ended at 17th/Trenton)
8:07 PM: Thanks to everyone for the notes/texts. There’s a police search under way right now in south Highland Park, including K-9 officers – scanner traffic earlier indicated a pursuit may have been involved. One WSB’er says a car wound up on its side in an alley in the 17th/Trenton area. Another tells us that an officer at the scene told her this may have started with King County Sheriff’s Office deputies to the south and crossed the line into the city with Seattle Police helping. More to come.
8:17 PM: Our crew on the scene tells us that the Guardian One law-enforcement helicopter has joined the search. 17th is closed for several blocks in the area, as are parts of other streets – we won’t be specific about them since it’s an active search situation and detailing the full perimeter could jeopardize the investigation.
8:19 PM: IMPORTANT: If you are in that area, stay inside. We have just been told that sheriffs know who they are looking for and that the suspect is believed to be armed and dangerous.
8:35 PM: Expecting more info on the suspect from KCSO shortly. Just added video clip from the scene where the car went on its side – you can hear the chopper overhead.
8:40 PM: From Sgt. Cindi West:
Around 730 tonight our gang detectives attempted to stop a vehicle driven by a known convicted felon who they believe was armed with a firearm. When the detectives attempted to stop the vehicle near SW108/15 SW the vehicle fled north toward Seattle. As detectives chased the vehicle the occupants through a handgun out the window of the car. (that weapon has been recovered)
In the area of 17th and Henderson detectives lost the car. They learned from SPD that there was a roll -over accident at 17th and Trenton. Detectives went to that location and saw that it was the vehicle they had been trying to stop. A 22 year old female was in the car and taken to Highline Hospital with minor injuries. The male,, Emanuel Kozma, fled on foot in the area. He was last seen wearing a blue shirt with cutoff sleeves and dark pants.
The photo of him is very recent and he still has the goatee. He is said to be about 24 years old and about 5’7”. He may still be armed so residents should call 911 if they see him.
8:51 PM UPDATE: Moved the photo to the top of the story and moved the scene video down a line. No new information, but if you think you’ve seen him, or anything else suspicious in the surrounding area, please call 911.
9:04 PM: Just looked up the suspect’s background. He just got out of jail at 4:30 pm for a drug-related arrest.
9:50 PM: The search has scaled back and the helicopter has moved on; no arrest, though, according to Sgt. West. The tow truck has arrived to take away the crashed car.
(Photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
TV crews have shown up too. Police will continue to be on alert; if you see/hear anything/anyone suspicious, again, call 911.
THURSDAY, 7:11 AM: Checked the jail register – no sign of Kozma. We’ll continue following up.
3:43 PM THURSDAY: Still on the loose. We asked Sgt. West about the circumstances of his Tuesday arrest, which was followed by his “conditional release” (per the jail register) from jail on Wednesday afternoon. She says, “He was arrested on 10/9/12 around 5:20 PM in the area of 1200 SW 102 St. There are no charges on him at this time but he was booked for investigation of VUCSA.” (That’s “Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act” – in other words, a drug charge, as we noted last night. We are checking with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to see if there was any documentation they had received yet detailing circumstances of the case for possible consideration of charges.)
5:48 PM: We’re back at school district headquarters for what will be the School Board’s last work session before finalizing the BEX IV levy (BEX is short for “building excellence” – it raises money mostly for construction/renovation/repair work) to put before voters next February. Since the board will be hearing, and talking, about the entire citywide list, we won’t be updating this minute-by-minute except for the discussions of the West Seattle projects – and anything else that seems major. As this begins, board president Michael DeBell is reminding everyone that because of a session scheduled afterward, they must cut this off at 7:15 pm. He then embarks on a round of thanks to everyone from the district staff to members of the FAC-MAC advisory committee.
“We will not please everyone – there will be neighborhoods, or school communities that will not be fully satisfied with this work,” DeBell warns. He then notes that he believes the communities that were skeptical about the BEX III projects (the Denny/Sealth co-location was part of that levy) seem to be happy now, and fears did not come to bear. “We can’t please everyone – we don’t have enough money to please everyone, and even if we did have enough money, we probably wouldn’t please everyone.”
5:53 PM: The staff will now run through the slide deck. You can see it here. (First, Superintendent José Banda echoed the thanks that DeBell had offered.) The staff members are the same ones who have become familiar through the latter part of the process. Assistant Superintendent Pegi McEvoy is leading the presentation – and says there is late-breaking information. The microphone goes to Dr. Tracy Libros, who’s in charge of enrollment, and runs through that charge – including projections for the years ahead.
6:08 PM: Capital projects manager Lucy Morello is going through the timeline. In 2014 Fairmount Park Elementary would reopen (still no elaboration on whether it would be a neighborhood school or a home for K-5 STEM), 2015 Schmitz Park Elementary @ Genesee Hill (a “flex school” – intended for 500 but with “core facilities” that could handle 650) would open (new construction) … and in 2019, Arbor Heights Elementary (also in the “could handle 650” mode).
6:46 PM: The discussion has centered almost extensively on north end issues – in particular, the late-in-the-procsss plan to relocate Jane Addams K-8. Staff is still going through the slide deck, and there’s less than half an hour left. They have just moved out of the building portion and gone on to a couple other aspects of the levy – technology, for example (with $12 million in “IT Infrastructure” including getting wireless Internet into all schools). A few other assorted projects will include a new roof for Gatewood Elementary.
6:50 PM UPDATE: Superintendent Banda is reading from a new report by the FAC-MAC committee, which in part urges that work on Arbor Heights be done “as soon as possible” – though he said that shortly after saying FAC-MAC “agreed with the recommendations for … Arbor Heights.” McEvoy is also summarizing the slide with “community feedback summary” thus far, which, as we noted in our story yesterday, included “build AH sooner” and “find a permanent home” for K-5 STEM at Boren, which has not been mentioned so far in this meeting (aside from appearing onscreen on that slide). District manager Bob Boesche is now explaining how the levy funding is spread across six years – and saying there are certain types of funding “dependent on market conditions” that COULD move some of the projects forward. “We are looking at different vehicles through which we could move projects up, but at this time we can’t predict what the market conditions could be or the financing costs … until we actually pass the measure.”
6:57 PM: Now, finally, board member discussion. Discussion begins with Sherry Carr thanking staff and saying they should still work on options for the Jane Addams/Pinehurst situation that has drawn so much scrutiny since this draft came out Tuesday. She then says she toured Arbor Heights with Lucy Morello earlier this week. “I understand why it’s landed where it is – but if there’s any room using (alternative financing) we really have to look at moving it forward. I didn’t see anything unsafe but … I asked the district archivist to pull information about that building and how it got to be the way it is.” She elaborates, that means how it is built in stages, with portables, and a hallway “strap(ping) it all together.”
7:04 PM: Marty McLaren says she is very disturbed at the thought of moving Jane Addams. “The other really big issue because I’m from West Seattle is Arbor Heights … I see the FAC-MAC committee has spoken very clearly … it’s so clear that the right thing to do is to deal with Arbor Heights and Schmitz Park simultaneously. As the directors know, there has been an impressive show of unanimity of the West Seattle community on this issue. … Everyone agrees these two schools need to be rebuilt immediately … there must be a way to make this happen. I also want to point out, the underlying issue is the equity thing …” She says it’s clear that people with money move into Schmitz Park boundaries, and “we are answering by adding capacity, which is a capital issue … but what we’re doing is pulling money away from schools like Arbor Heights.” There’s nothing wrong with those moves, she says, but “we are allowing people with resources to drive the shape of the district and the flow of operational resources.” She concludes by saying “I hope we can land this [final BEX IV draft] in a different place.”
7:07 PM: DeBell now gives the remaining board members 2 minutes each, as they roar toward the 7:15 deadline for ending this meeting. Betty Patu says she agrees they need to move up Arbor Heights … its conditions are “unacceptable … we can’t build new schools if kids are in the older schools that are falling apart.” Sharon Peaslee focused her remarks on the north end issues, as did Harium Martin-Morris. Kay Smith-Blum also said, “We need to rebuild Arbor Heights right away.” She says if the overall plan is looked at through a different lens, “we might be able to build Arbor Heights first.”
7:17 PM: Finally, DeBell: “I agree that I’d love to see Arbor Heights move up but this is a very complicated model that can’t be quickly repositioned … there are capacity issues all over the city and I hope the directors will think wholistically … big challenge, complicated puzzle.” And at 7:20, the meeting is adjourned.
If you’re watching the 4724 California project in The Junction – informally known as the “former Petco site,” currently home to Sound Ad Group – we have an update today: November 8th has been tentatively set for the project’s second Southwest Design Review Board meeting. Since the board allowed the project to move out of the Early Design Guidance phase at the end of the first meeting back in May, this will be the “recommendations” meeting – at which the board could give the 75-apartment, 13-live/work-unit project its final blessing. The time and place are not yet listed; the official announcement will be out at least two weeks before the meeting. The city report on Design Review meeting #1 can be seen here; our coverage, with video, is here. Two months after the meeting, we published this update on how the project was evolving; a project spokesperson tells WSB today that it’s continuing to evolve, and they have incorporated many of the comments from that community feedback session.
Thanks to everyone who has pointed out that branding work has been proceeding quickly on the new Fauntleroy Shell station at Fauntleroy/Alaska (that’s its official name, according to the city business license). We’ve been working to find out when they expect to open, and finally reached someone today by phone – they say it could be as soon as this Friday, depending on how “network installation” work goes. For those wondering “why two Shell stations at the same intersection?” – please remember that the pre-existing one is going to be part of the 4755 Fauntleroy Way mega-project. That does not mean it’s closing any time soon – but eventually (though the land deal for that project won’t be done till next year, according to the developers, and construction may not start till 2014).
When we reported last month on “The Residence at 3295,” the long-in-progress apartment building at 35th and Avalon, the question came up in comments: What about the sidewalk? Today, we have the answer – the work is under way. Thanks to Tim for the tip; note that it might mean slower going around the corner there.
Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon. First, two car prowls reported this morning on the south end of Beach Drive – thanks to Whitney for the tip; they’re both listed on SPD’s Tweets by Beat (here’s our list of all West Seattle tweets) – they were in the 6000 and 6500 blocks of Beach Drive.
Second, from Chelsea:
I wanted to let you know about some vandalism happening in the 4800 block of Fauntleroy Way SW. On Saturday (10/6) between midnight and 7:00 a.m. the passenger side mirror was ripped off of my vehicle. The car was parked on Fauntleroy directly in front of my building in a well lit area. I heard two men arguing around 2:30 a.m. but can’t see the street from my unit. No other vehicles on the block were damaged.
This morning (10/10) at 7:30 a.m. I saw that another vehicle had the same damage (mirror broken and hanging from the wires). No other vehicles in the block were damaged. When I took the dog out at 10 p.m. last night, the vehicle was intact, so the damage happened sometime between 10 p.m. and 7:30 a.m.
I have filed an incident report with the police department.
Finally, the official announcement from the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council – the special guest for next week’s WSCPC meeting will be Ian Goodhew, chief of staff for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Got a question about what happens AFTER someone is arrested? Why are plea bargains made? Why are sentencing recommendations sometimes seem light? He’s the expert. 7 pm Tuesday, October 16th, Southwest Precinct meeting room, all welcome.
ORIGINAL REPORT, 12:46 PM: On a routine check of the city-permit files, we noticed something unusual a few days ago: Permits issued for a Delridge site to include “boarding houses.” Also catching our eye besides that seldom-seen term, the fact that the permit applications were filed more than three and a half years ago, and granted just now – not unheard of, but not common, either. The permits issued last week are for 4546 Delridge Way and 4548 Delridge Way, the overgrown site in our photo (between two houses); there is a demolition permit for a foundation at the latter address, and a construction permit for each address, described as “establish use … as single-family residence, construct boarding house.” (The one for 4546 is here; the one for 4548 is here.) A city website featured the boarding-house classification back in June, as a new “director’s rule” was implemented by the Department of Planning and Development. Seeking specifics about this project, we called the architect listed on the DPD pages as a contact, Novion; they noted that the project – as the DPD pages show – started several years ago as townhouses, and “the use has changed” because “the economy changed” – the idea is indeed, according to Novion, that the design would be “providing multiple bedrooms within a dwelling” and “the potential is that they would be rented or leased by the bedroom.” The architecture firm didn’t know about the current timetable for construction; the permits are good through 2014, so it could be soon – or could be a while.
6:40 PM UPDATE: We just heard from a neighbor who says a handwritten note was delivered yesterday saying construction will start on Monday.
If you only go to one high-school football game this season … this Friday night is the one. It’s the annual crosstown contest between West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School, known as the Huling Bowl (the trophy above will be held by the winning team till the following year), an event long supported by the Huling family, including a free barbecue before the game (get there early! barbecue at 5, football at 7, Southwest Athletic Complex). Sealth athletic director Sam Reed says there’ll also be face-painting stations in both schools’ colors, and since this is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, you’ll see some pink – including pink socks for both teams and their cheer squads, and pink paint/hairspray for fans. SW Athletic Complex is at 2801 SW Thistle.
If there were a co-op grocery store on Delridge Way, what would you like to see it carry, and how would you like to see it operate? If you can spare six minutes, Delridge Produce Cooperative is still accepting responses to a survey it launched a few days ago – short, anonymous, but extremely helpful to an up-and-coming organization that is in talks for the retail space planned in the 5400 block of Delridge Way when the DESC supportive-housing building opens – not just for produce, but for a co-op grocery store that would carry much more. The survey is here.
(Click image for larger view)
Since it’s out of sight this morning, we’re featuring the sun, as photographed last night by WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams – check out the silhouetted small plane across its left side. (And the sunspots – here’s the NASA view.) Today’s forecast promises the sun WILL be back. While we wait, here are highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:
BLOOD DRIVE: Puget Sound Blood Center has a mobile drive today at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor), 10:30-4:30 (closed 12:30-1:30, in case you’re thinking of dropping by).
COUNCILMEMBER BURGESS AT WEST SEATTLE CHAMBER: 11:30 am-1 pm at The Kenney (WSB sponsor; 7125 Fauntleroy SW), the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s monthly lunch meeting will be keynoted by City Councilmember Tim Burgess, who chairs the Budget Committee this year. More info in our preview story.
TAX-SUPERMAJORITY INITIATIVE 1185 @ KIWANIS: The weekly Kiwanis Club of West Seattle lunch features pro/con speakers on I-1185, one of the ballot measures you’ll be deciding in a few weeks, as previewed here. Noon, Be’s Restaurant in The Junction (4509 California SW).
HERITAGE PUMPKIN PIES, PRE-ORDERING: Thanksgiving is getting closer and at last check, Diane Niemi was down to a few last 10″ pies, with 5″ remaining. It’s a benefit for Alzheimer’s/dementia research AND a wa to guarantee you have one less thing to do for the holiday – enjoy her family recipe instead of baking one yourself. 2-8 pm, put in your order at the West Seattle Eagles‘ HQ in The Junction. Details in our ongoing calendar item.
SCHOOL BOARD’S BEX IV LEVY WORK SESSION: Though the format does NOT include public comment (send that to capacity@seattleschools.org), the public is welcome to sit in on the board’s work session as they look at the newest draft of the BEX IV levy – first reported here yesterday – scheduled to be finalized within weeks for next February’s election. The work session is scheduled for 5:45-7:15 pm at district HQ in SODO (map).
WINE TASTING: Spanish wine tasting, with appetizers, at The Cask in The Admiral District (2350 California SW), 6-9 pm, $10 fee.
IMMIGRATION ISSUES: They’re on the agenda for tonight’s 34th District Democrats meeting, including a resolution on the Secure Communities initiative. Details are here; the meeting’s at 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW).
ONGOING YOUTH BASKETBALL CLASSES: With Huskies legend Donald Watts – rotating between gyms in West Seattle, 7 pm Wednesdays, drop-in participation OK. More info in our calendar listing.
More for tonight, and beyond, on the calendar.
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
7:39 AM – INCLUDING REQUEST FOR FEEDBACK: We’ve had open-thread stories each of the past seven weekdays since the Metro bus changes – and the conversation hasn’t quite died down yet. We’re wondering what you think about a daily transit/traffic thread where any and all issues, big and small, could be brought up. Useful?
Right now, for example, we’ve just gotten a report via Twitter: “Accident blocking left lane under WS bridge blocking route to lower Spokane Bridge.” And of course the fog is affecting the commute too. What do you think – daily “open thread” started fresh each weekday morning, with traffic/transit updates from you and us? Or, continue the daily transit-talk thread TFN? Or just tackle such topics as in the past, on an “as needed” basis?
8:25 AM UPDATE: Chris has more on the aforementioned crash: “No injuries but one car leaking fluids, may need tow. Backups all the way down Harbor Drive as people try to get to bridge.”
One year ago, the idea of a 26th SW “Greenway” through North Delridge was mostly just a dream. Now it’s edging closer to reality, and that was the biggest topic at Monday night’s North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting:
Three sightings of these “Magic Wishing Pumpkins” have been reported to us in the past two days … from two West Seattle neighborhoods. Top photo is from Dano, who says he happened onto them in the Alki area. They are accompanied by a poem, and a whimsical warning – he shared photos of both:
Dano reported, “Children walking by were making pumpkin wishes after reading the little Halloween poem….. So cool!” Then, two Junction sightings came in .. Desiree sent photos tonight that had the poem and warning on the same page, along with a smaller group of pumpkins, while this one was sent this morning by Mike, saying he saw one big “wishing pumpkin”:
Each of the three “warnings” in Dano, Desiree, and Mike’s photos suggests a different fate would befall a tamperer; the wish invitations, though, each have the same verbiage. To check that it’s not something mass-produced, we tried web searches … nothing comes up for “Magic Wishing Pumpkins,” so maybe they’re just … magic
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