West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
We start West Seattle Crime Watch with word of a business burglary overnight. From Natalie at Ola Salon in Luna Park:
Hi there, I wanted to let the community know that Ola Salon in West Seattle was broken into and (burglarized) last night. All of our retail, equipment, cash, checks, two laptops and more was stolen. Everyone is safe; we just want to give the community a heads up and to be aware of a robber in the neighborhood. If anyone happened to see anything, please let the police and the front desk at Ola know immediately. Thank you! 206-933-6702
We have another reader report – this one from Mona, who says she ordered something because of a crime report- and now it has resulted in one:
I came home around 5:30 PM today and found (an) empty package on my doorstep which was supposed to have contained the stun gun flashlight that a WSB reader recommended in (comments on) this post. I already filed a report. This happened near 17th avenue SW and Cambridge.
(TOPLINE: After almost 3 hours, the Design Commission told 4755 Fauntleroy to tweak its proposed “public benefit” plan and come back a 4th time)
1:43 PM: We are downtown for the third review of the 4755 Fauntleroy Way (Whole Foods/apartments) megaproject before the Seattle Design Commission – and it’s another crowded room, more than 50 people this time, including golden-shirted members of UFCW Local 21, which has expressed consistent opposition to the project, and others including members of the project team, Parks and SDOT reps and, among community members, Steve Huling, former owner of most of the land on which the project will be built, and Nancy Woodland, from the board of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce. The commission’s role in this is to review its “urban design merit” and the “public benefit” the developers plan to offer in exchange for the city granting an alley vacation. Highlights as they happen.
Lance Sherwood of Weingarten, the retail developer on the project, starts with three big announcements:
*There is no longer a drugstore drive-through in the project
*The developers will pay to improve the Masonic Temple’s nearby parking lot
*The developers will contribute money ($25,000) toward public outreach regarding the design of the park that the city plans to create on land it’s purchased across 40th from the project’s west side.
The presentation then is taken over by Bill Fuller of Fuller Sears Architects. He explains that the Masons’ parking lot will be graded to be at a single level (it’s on two now), with one entrance. He also notes that part of 40th SW will become the first true “Seattle Green Street” under their plan. Removing drugstore drive-through traffic and Masons’ entry from the project’s “midblock connection” will resolve many of the persistent concerns about it, he says.
He also shows the “iconic corner” at Fauntleroy/Alaska (northeast corner), which now will have glass and lighting.
Next, landscape architect Andy Rasmussen, a West Seattleite who works for Weisman Design Group, is talking about the corners of the project as part of its public benefit. An artist named Troy is here and is involved with the project, Rasmussen says.
The art will involve corten/rusted metal and will be inspired by maritime West Seattle – he shows anchors and pilings as “inspiration.”
He says the connection on 40th to the future park has been “strengthened” in the latest design. Also – more street trees, fewer curb cuts (4 total – compared to 15 on the site now), and overhead weather protection for pedestrians all around the project, he says.
2:02 PM: The discussion of the art, in particular at the Fauntleroy/Alaska SW corner, continues. Some of the forms also will be evocative of the mountains, Rasmussen explains; others, of waves. They also are continuing to work with SDOT, as mentioned previously, on a crosswalk across Alaska at that corner (where Spruce – which just started construction – will be). He says the “water-like” elements will continue down 40th south from Alaska, into the raingarden area that’s streetside on the site there:
Back to the midblock connector that will cut between the project’s two buildings, from Fauntleroy to 40th, it will still have a raised crosswalk midway through. One area on the Fauntleroy edges will also have some extra public space, north of the connector. It’ll carry on the nautical theme with “oar-like forms.”
On the Fauntleroy/Edmunds corner, it will be a more “pier-like/dock-like space,” Rasmussen continues. The major residential entry is there, as is bike parking. Fuller picks up the presentation after that, summarizing the points they believe comprise the public benefit – what’s mentioned above, and more.
OUR AS-IT-HAPPENED COVERAGE CONTINUES BELOW: Read More
Two notes today about the newly renovated city-landmark building at Dakota Place Park, at California/Dakota just north of The Junction:
TUESDAY MEETING ABOUT PARK SYSTEM’S FUTURE: Tuesday night at 7 pm, you’re invited to Dakota Place to share your thoughts about the future of Seattle Parks – priorities, funding, more, as explained here. Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams talked about it at Celebrate Lincoln Park last month (here’s our story, including video), and you can see the draft Parks Legacy Plan here – but Parks would like to hear directly from as many people as possible, and with all the land and facilities it has here in West Seattle, plus more in the works, now’s the time.
DAKOTA RENTALS: While you’re at Dakota Place for the meeting, take a look around – they’re offering rental specials through the end of the year, since the facility is not completely booked with classes or other Parks events. From Tiffani Melake at Hiawatha Community Center, which runs the Dakota Place building too:
3-hour special, including booking fee, staffing, patio and exclusive use of facility! – $225
5-hour special, including booking fee, staffing, patio and exclusive use of facility! – $400
Weekday inquiries go through Hiawatha, 206-684-7441; weekend inquiries go through Parks’ event-scheduling department, 206-684-7254.
(Photo by Flickr member “old desolate,” shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Happening today/tonight (and you’ll find more on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar):
4755 FAUNTLEROY MEGAPROJECT BACK @ DESIGN COMMISSION: 1:30 pm today at City Hall, the city Design Commission takes its third look at the project, this time for “public benefit.” The Design Commission’s role in this project’s review involves the approval needed for the “alley vacation” that’s involved. The meeting’s in the Boards and Commissions Room. (600 4th Avenue)
FRANK FEST: Tonight’s that special night of the year when the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) celebrates Frank Sinatra – with food, music, and more. Starts at 6 pm. (6451 California SW)
TASTE OF WEST SEATTLE UPDATE: We’re told a “very limited number of tickets” will be available at the door for tonight’s fundraiser featuring almost 50 food and drink purveyors from around West Seattle and White Center, all to help the West Seattle Helpline. It’s at 6:30 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy. (9131 California SW)
POETRY READING: Joseph Aprile reads tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). (5612 California SW)
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: The agenda for the 7 pm meeting includes a review of housing developments in the area, including 2414 55th SW (covered here earlier this month), and a presentation on the Alki Point Lighthouse’s centennial year. The meeting’s at Alki UCC. (6115 SW Hinds)
Four years after a review process began for a proposed illuminated sign at Madison Middle School, the city has announced a decision: The sign installation is approved, “with conditions.” Some neighbors had expressed concern after the 30-square-foot sign was first proposed in 2009 for the east facade of the school gym. Discussion here at that time indicated the money was coming from parent fundraising as well as from grants and gifts. After the proposal languished for three years, it resurfaced last June, with the city convening the committee formed to consider a requested “departure” from zoning, and now comes the decision. Today’s notice opens a two-week period for appeals, with the deadline May 29th; we’re asking the district about the project’s status.
ADDED 1:51 PM FRIDAY: District spokesperson Tom Redman replied today to our inquiry. He included background, some of which is redundant to our story above, but in the spirit of sharing everything the district said, his full reply is below:
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
As we begin the morning, one more reminder: The new southbound Delridge Way detour between Holden and Thistle is now in effect. Looking ahead to the weekend, the only major planned closure happens on Sunday, for the West Seattle 5K and then Seattle Summer Streets on Alki:
Along the usual car-free-day footprint, Alki and Harbor Avenues will be closed for WS5K approximately 9 am-11 am, and then everything reopens except Alki between 56th and 63rd, where festivities will continue till 5 pm (see you there!).
BUT FIRST … tomorrow (Friday) is Bike to Work Day, with a commute station under the West Seattle Bridge 6-9 am as usual, and other special events/stops as shown on this map assembled by the Cascade Bicycle Club:
ADDED 9:55 AM: Thanks to commenters for word of the truck flip on the hill to and from the Myers Way ramp to/from Highway 509:
It was a Charlie’s Produce truck, witnesses say. No injuries reported; traffic was getting around, albeit slowly, and the tow truck had arrived by the time our crew got there.
ADDED 10:39 AM: SDOT just tweeted that a crash reported earlier on southbound 1st Avenue South at Horton has closed the 1st Ave. ramp to/from the westbound West Seattle Bridge.
ADDED 12:54 PM: Still closed at last report. Thanks to Tony Bradley for the photo:
We’ll update when the blockage is cleared and the bridge ramp reopens.
(Front row: Corinne Blair, Alec Patajo; second row: Casey Iwamoto, Emma Carey, Lauren Phillips; not pictured, Owen Yeasting)
More big success for the West Seattle Totems riflery team, reports coach Joe Matter:
The West Seattle Totems recently competed in the American Legion National Air Rifle Postal match, which was locally sponsored by the Vashon American Legion Post #159. The American Legion match has two elements, a team competition and an individual competition.
In the individual competition, a match was worth 600 points. Lauren Phillips shot a 584 to place in the top 30 of the competition and qualified for the second round of competition. Lauren then shot a 586 to finish 5th in the second round which qualified her for the final round of competition which will be hosted at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs this summer.
In the team competition, a match is worth 2400 points. The team of Lauren Phillips, Casey Iwamoto, Owen Yeasting, and Emma Carey shot a 2302 to finish 2nd in the first round of competition. Only the top ten teams were invited to the second round. In the second round, the team of Lauren, Emma, Corinne Blair and Alec Patajo shot a 2322 to capture the team national bronze medal.
The Vashon American Legion Post as well as the West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club have been supportive of organized youth rifle sports, helping to build leadership skills and scholarship opportunities for youth and young adults. Focus skills required for shooting well are enormous and this further supports academic focus. NCAA rifle scholarships are not earned without having good grades also. We congratulate Lauren Phillips on earning a rifle scholarship to The University of Nebraska, a CMP Scholarship, as well as additional academic scholarships. We know that her opportunities have just begun.
The team practices at the West Seattle Stadium and has members from the peninsula, north Seattle, Puyallup, Ellensburg and Vashon. This summer will include a trip to nationals in Anniston, Alabama, for 8 shooters. The team was thrilled to get one team invitation last year and is stoked to have two teams qualify this year. What an accomplishment for these kids.
The volunteer coaching staff includes Joe Matter, Kurt Oberloh and Alan Carey.
Disappointing day on Wednesday for three local high-school sports teams:
SOCCER: In a first-round state-tournament match played at Snohomish High School last night Chief Sealth International High School lost to Glacier Peak, 2-1.
SOFTBALL: On Wednesday afternoon, district softball play resulted in defeats for two local teams:
4-1 was the final score in Chief Sealth’s game with Mercer Island, played at Lower Woodland, which is also where West Seattle High School‘s softball team played Interlake:
13-3 was the final score in that game, with the Wildcats on the lower end.
NEXT UP: The West Seattle HS baseball team awaits its first-round state-tournament game this Saturday, facing Ferndale at Dream Field in Mount Vernon at 1 pm.
GIVEBIG 2013, FINAL HOUR: You have till midnight to give to participating nonprofits and have your money go farther because of the Seattle Foundation‘s “stretch” – here one more time is our list of West Seattle, White Center, and South Park participants, and their special GiveBIG donation links. At midnight, this donate-a-thon is over until next year.
TASTE OF WEST SEATTLE: Last few hours to buy tickets online to enjoy your favorite West Seattle/White Center food/drink places – current favorites and future favorites – all in ONE place, tomorrow (Thursday) night. The Taste of West Seattle brings them all together at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW), on behalf of West Seattle Helpline, which helps people who find themselves in need of emergency assistance. Get your ticket(s) here.
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC BENEFIT: Tuesday night, as previewed here, Abbondanza Pizzeria and volunteers from the Rotary Club of West Seattle teamed up for a dining-out benefit on behalf of the West Seattle High School music program. Tonight, Rotary member Sue Lindblom from Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) tells us it was a busy, busy night, raising $900 for WSHS music!
WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK GALA: The final tally is in for this year’s recent Instruments of Change – almost $100,000, the Food Bank reports, with 200 guests there for auction bidding, dining, and inspirational speeches.
The latest West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports are about car prowls. Jay tells the tale of break-ins on 37th SW:
Two cars were broken into, one (the 6500 block) and the other (in the 6700 block). The windows on the outside (rather than the sidewalk side) were almost fully broken.
Analysis:
Observation 1:
The distance betweeen the two houses is far enough that if a person heard one car being broken into, the other one was far enough away that the person would not hear the other being broken into. There were plenty of cars that could have otherwise be broken into. Thus, I think the person has some sense of not awakening the neighborhood.Observation 2:
Both glove comparment were left open.
a. One car was a loaner car from a dealer, hence nothing of value inside. Two windows broken.
b. The other car had the glove compartment gone thru, with items (old CD’s, etc.) thrown on the drivers seat.General:
1. Leave nothing of value in the glove compartment.
2. Pay attention to glass breaking noise at night.Other:
I awoke during the night 4ish and remember a car with its lights on on the other side of the car that was broken into. I thought, that is unusual, but was I going to go out, just barely awake?, and check if anything was happening. In retrospect, that might have yielded an answer.
Much of what Jay wrote dovetails with car-prowl-related advice from Southwest/South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon, in the form of his newest newsletter, received today. In case you didn’t get it – here’s the heart of it:
Recently many of our neighborhoods have experienced a high degree of car prowls. This is a concern from Arbor Heights to Mount Baker, Rainier Beach to Alki, and all points in between. Car prowl is a regional problem, not just a neighborhood problem or a City of Seattle problem.
It’s frustrating in so many ways.
(WSB video from the end of Lou’s run last year)
This year, Pathfinder K-8 teacher Lou Cutler turns 62 – and for Lou, that number carries extra meaning: It means he’ll travel 62 laps around the school playfield to raise money for Make-A-Wish, for which he’s been volunteering since way back in his forties. He doesn’t do it alone – hundreds of Pathfinder students and staffers join him along the way. And they’re all gearing up for next Monday (May 20th), when Lou is scheduled to start his 62 laps around 8:45 am. You can pledge/donate now by going here – and read on to see the official announcement from Make-A-Wish:
(Photos courtesy Potter Construction)
After some trouble with vandalism, the 13 1/2-foot-tall pencil sculpture that used to point skyward outside the California/Findlay offices of Potter Construction (WSB sponsor) was taken down for a while – but now it’s been refurbished and reinstalled. It used to be perpendicular to the ground, and now it’s parallel, right over the company’s front window.
The pencil was created by West Seattle artist Stephen Rock of Rock’s Studio and originally installed almost two years ago; a Potter Construction crew put it up in its new spot this morning.
The date’s been changed a few times – but King County says the “wet well bypass” is finally under way NOW at the site of the Barton Pump Station Upgrade Project, which means diesel pumps running around the clock for the next few days just north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock. Ahead, the full announcement:Read More
As the West Seattle Community Orchestras celebrated 10 years of musicmaking with a gala concert last night at Chief Sealth International High School, there was an emotional moment before the closing singalong: WSCO co-founder Dr. Toni Reineke – leading the WSCO Intermediate Orchestra in our first clip above – announced she’s retiring from conducting:
(Her announcement was followed by the closing singalong, “Rock Around the Clock.”) As was stressed in the announcement, Dr. Reineke – whose bio is here – will remain involved with the organization she founded to give community members of all ages/abilities a chance to be involved with orchestral music. She’ll be teaching beginning winds/percussion in the fall – class information, along with how to join WSCO, is on the organization’s website.
P.S. WSCO has one more concert this season before its summer break – 7 pm June 11th, also at CSIHS, the Symphony Orchestra performs works by Schubert, Schumann, and more!
It’s becoming an annual reminder, but an important one so newcomers (etc.) don’t get worried: If you see reddish-orange water like this off West Seattle shores, it’s not a spill, and it’s not poisonous. It’s a bloom of single-cell plankton known as “noctiluca.” Thanks to Beach Drive resident Lura Ercolano for sharing the photo she took this morning, now that the current wave has hit full bloom; she helped educate us and readers about it two years ago, too. The state tracks blooms like this, so if you see it, you’ll find an e-mail address for reporting it on this Department of Ecology page, which explains that blooms usually result from “abundant sunlight, nutrients, and the right water conditions.”
FRIDAY FOLLOWUP: The state Ecology Department has a news release this morning about the bloom, earlier than usual, they say. You can see it here.
(Male black-headed grosbeak photographed in Fauntleroy Creek area by Mark Wangerin)
Highlights ahead for today/tonight (with even more on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar):
GIVEBIG TO LOCAL NONPROFITS: The link is atop the WSB sidebar – but if you see this first, go here to see which West Seattle, White Center, and South Park nonprofits are participating this year and eligible, depending on how much is given, for “stretch” funds! Deadline for making your gift count: 11:59 pm tonight.
LAST FULL DAY TO REGISTER ONLINE FOR SUNDAY’S WEST SEATTLE 5K: Tomorrow, online registration closes for the 9 am Sunday (May 19th) benefit run/walk on Alki – and it costs less than same-day signups. So don’t procrastinate – register here right now.
SEALTH TEAMS IN TOURNAMENT PLAY: First, it’s district-tournament softball, 2 pm at Lower Woodland Park, where the Chief Sealth International High School Seahawks play Mercer Island. If they win and then defeat Blanchet at 4 pm, it’s on to state. Meantime, for the Sealth boys’ soccer team, state play starts at 6 pm at Snohomish High School, vs. Glacier Peak. (P.S. As announced a few days ago, CSIHS is launching a new soccer camp for younger students this summer – details in this story.)
SANISLO ELEMENTARY PTA MEETING: Last one of the year and, as explained in the calendar listing, it’s a biggie. 6:30 pm.
DUWAMISH RIVER CLEANUP PLAN MEETING EN ESPANOL: At 5:30 pm at the South Park Community Center, the Environmental Protection Agency makes history with its first-ever public hearing in Spanish, taking comments on its proposed Duwamish River Cleanup Plan. Simultaneous English translation available. Details here, via the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition. (8319 8th Ave. S.)
DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: On the agenda for tonight’s 7 pm meeting of reps from community councils and other major organizations around eastern West Seattle: City Council President Sally Clark discusses public campaign financing, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center’s director David Bestock has an update on its status, and DNDC chair Mat McBride, along with Pete Spalding, will have an update on the Delridge Corridor proposal, after feedback from recent neighborhood meetings. The DNDC meeting’s at Youngstown, 4408 Delridge Way SW.
P.S. Not a highlight so much as a reminder – Seattle Public Schools are out 2 hours early today.
(8/14 note: To check whether a business is still a current WSB sponsor, please go here)
This morning we welcome one of our newest WSB sponsors, Center Studio, which wants you to know:
Center Studio, in the heart of White Center, is an inclusive space where our community can connect – a one stop shop for holistic fitness for our bodies craving strength, sweat & stretch and our minds seeking balance, focus & peace. We offer all levels of Yoga classes as well as Prenatal, Kids & Family Yoga, private Thai Yoga Therapy, special workshops, and more! Our Pilates classes will ground your body and strengthen your inner core. Our Above the Barre classes combine ballet, yoga, pilates and strength to work your mind and body. To bring your wellness full circle, we have two intuitive and nurturing Massage Therapists who bring 14 years of experience to combine a variety of bodywork specialties including Massage Cupping – an ancient detoxifying healing modality – Swedish, Deep Tissue, Prenatal Massage, Aromatherapy and more.
Founded by West Seattle resident Lonjina Verdugo, a New Mexico transplant and Seattle resident of 15 years, Center Studio encompasses her vision of bringing together mindful movement, art and community. “After spending lots of quality time with my family in White Center I realized – *this* is the place. I launched Center Studio in Spring of 2012 and the response has been great. People always say to me ‘I’m so glad you opened the studio. We need this in White Center!’ It’s been an exciting journey so far and I can’t wait to see what happens next.” Through her own personal journey she has realized that mindful movement and its underlying lessons can change you from the inside-out as well as the outside-in.
Looking to rent a unique venue? When we are not using it for classes, Center Studio can be used for photography/video shoots, workshops, rehearsals, meetings, birthday parties you name it! The open, light-filled space is perfect for inspiration and celebration. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Center Studio is at 9611 16th Ave SW (in the heart of White Center). Please visit us at www.whitecenterstudio.com for more information on classes, massage, special workshops & events, and on Facebook for insights, updates and specials. (And here’s a WSB coupon!) Center Studio is a stop on the White Center Art Walk and welcomes artist inquiries.
We thank Center Studio 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.
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Nothing to report as the heart of the commute moves on, except: Today’s the scheduled start of the new southbound Delridge Way detour between Holden and Thistle, as the repaving project starts Phase 3. And SDOT also plans to be fixing a section of Delridge at 23rd, scheduled as a one-day project.
Again this year, dozens of local nonprofits are participating in today’s GiveBIG one-day donation drive coordinated by the Seattle Foundation. The money you give to any or all of the participating nonprofits helps them be eligible for a “stretch pool” of partial matching funds, to be distributed proportionately depending on how much each participating nonprofit raises during GiveBIG, by 11:59 pm tonight. The BIG catch: You **must** donate through the special pages that participants have on the foundation’s website, NOT via theirs own websites. So again this year, we have made a list of all those special pages for participating West Seattle, White Center, and South Park-based or -founded nonprofits (and a couple parent organizations). The special links take you to pages on the Seattle Foundation website with background information and links to the organizations’ own sites, as well as the donation links to use for this one-day event. (P.S. Please let us know if we missed a WS, WC, or SP-based organization – post a comment or e-mail us ASAP at editor@wsb.blackfin.biz – thanks!)
ART FOR ANIMALS’ SAKE – go here
ARTS CORPS – go here
ARTSWEST – go here
COOLMOM – go here
DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION – go here
DENNY-SEALTH PERFORMING ARTS – go here
DUWAMISH RIVER CLEANUP COALITION/TECHNICAL ADVISORY GROUP– go here
ENVIRONMENTAL COALITION OF SOUTH SEATTLE – go here
FRIENDS OF SEALTH – IB SCHOLARSHIP FUND– go here
HIGHLINE MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION – go here
HIGHLINE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION FOR EXCELLENCE – go here
INVEST IN YOUTH – go here
KILLER WHALE TALES – go here
KING COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM FOUNDATION – go here
KOL HANESHAMAH – go here
LUNGEVITY FOUNDATION – go here (offering a cupcake incentive for donations over $40)
MARRA FARM COALITION – go here
MULTI-COMMUNITIES – go here.
NATURE CONSORTIUM – go here
NAVOS – go here
NEIGHBORHOOD FARMERS MARKETS – go here
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE – go here
NONFICTION MEDIA– go here
NORTHWEST CENTER – go here
NORTHWEST HOPE AND HEALING – go here
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL – go here
PLUMBERS WITHOUT BORDERS – go here
PONGO PUBLISHING – go here
PROVIDENCE MOUNT ST. VINCENT FOUNDATION – go here
PUGET SOUNDKEEPER ALLIANCE – go here
SAFE FUTURES YOUTH CENTER – go here
SEAL SITTERS – This is an unusual path; you need to go to the Associated Recreational Council GiveBIG page, click donate, and then in COMMENTS, write Seal Sitters – ARC is its fiscal sponsor
SEA MAR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS – go here
SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN SOCIETY – go here
SEATTLE PARKS FOUNDATION – go here
SEATTLE POLICE FOUNDATION – go here
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION – go here
SEATTLE YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS – go here
SENIOR SERVICES – go here
SOUTH PARK AREA REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – go here
SOUTH PARK INFORMATION AND RESOURCE CENTER – go here
SOUTH SEATTLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION – go here
SOUTHWEST SEATTLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY – go here
SOUTHWEST YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES – go here
SPORTS IN SCHOOLS – go here
TECHNOLOGY ACCESS FOUNDATION – go here
THE ANUNNAKI PROJECT – go here
THE SALVATION ARMY – KING COUNTY – go here
THE SERVICE BOARD – go here
THE VILLAGE OF HOPE – go here
THE WHALE TRAIL – go here
TRANSITIONAL RESOURCES – go here
TWELFTH NIGHT PRODUCTIONS – go here
WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK – go here
WEST SEATTLE HELPLINE – go here
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION ASSOCIATION – go here
WESTSIDE BABY – go here
WESTSIDE SCHOOL – go here
WHITE CENTER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION – go here
WHITE CENTER FOOD BANK – go here – and note, again this year, WCFB has added events on GiveBIG day, including a portion of proceeds donated this morning if you have breakfast at Meander’s Kitchen, and tonight if you dine at Proletariat Pizza, Zippy’s Giant Burgers, or Company in WC. Caffé Delia (WSB sponsor) and Dubsea Coffee also will have “donation stations” set up in the morning.
WHIT PRESS – go here
YES FOUNDATION OF WHITE CENTER – go here
YMCA OF GREATER SEATTLE – go here
YOUTH MEDIA INSTITUTE – go here
YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION NETWORK – go here
YWCA OF SEATTLE-KING COUNTY – go here
(King County photo)
Will state legislators be impressed? They were the real target of tonight’s County Council committee hearing inviting people to voice their concerns about Metro’s warning of “devastating” service cuts if nothing is forthcoming to replace special funding that expires next year. The Times estimates the crowd at about 400, and multiple sources say more than 100 people signed up to speak, with the hearing finally ending after 7:30 pm. Coverage links:
*Coverage on the Metro Matters website
*Tweets, photos in a Storify aggregation
*Seattle Times (WSB partner) coverage by transportation reporter Mike Lindblom
*Daily UW report, focused on student participation at hearing
If you’re just catching up, our coverage of Metro general manager Kevin Desmond‘s April 1st briefing explains what’s going on, with links to ways in which he says service might be affected. From that story, the map of potential West Seattle changes (shown again at today’s hearing, according to Joe Szilagyi from the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council):
(Metro summary of what West Seattle/White Center might face, with a clearer view of the map shown above, here)
More recently, here’s our Tuesday report following a WSB interview with Desmond, mostly on behalf of the skeptics who still aren’t so sure crisis looms. So what happens now? Depends on the Legislature; HB 1954 – reintroduced when the special session started Monday – remains the bill to watch, for now.
Graffiti/tagging vandals strike anywhere and everywhere – the photo above is a blurred version of a defaced wall back in 2009 at a local school that was getting hit over and over again. Parents fought back there. Wherever you are, you can challenge this kind of vandalism – as long as there’s help. That’s where you come in. You can join a community cleanup this Saturday to paint out graffiti/tagging vandalism in the Delridge area (and if you don’t feel like painting, trash-pickup help is needed in the area too). Meet at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW, at 10 am Saturday (May 18th). This is the start of a graffiti-fighting campaign that organizers expect will also eventually include mural-painting to protect and beautify targeted areas. Questions? Contact David Bestock at Youngstown, david@youngstownarts.org or 206-935-2999.
4:49 PM: Thanks for the tips that 1st Avenue is closed in the Georgetown area, north of the 1st Avenue South Bridge. According to the Seattle Fire Department, a car vehicle hit a pedestrian this afternoon at 1st and Findlay – a 70-year-old woman suffered life-threatening injuries. Investigators are now at work in the area. No update on how long it will be closed, but if you would take 1st to or from the bridge, find an alternate route.
5:49 PM UPDATE: According to SPD Blotter, the 69-year-old woman hit by a pickup truck in this crash has died.
6:22 PM UPDATE: SPD estimates 1st will reopen around 7:15 pm.
4:23 PM: One day after the second anniversary of the “Nickelsville” encampment’s return to a mostly-city-owned site in West Seattle (here’s our Monday report), Mayor McGinn says he sees two options for the site – and one of them is to pass a proposal that would allow it to be converted into a “semi-permanent” encampment site. The other option – sell the site to Food Lifeline as that agency has sought, but only after the council passes a bill that would enable more possible encampment sites at “non-religious” locations. Both options are outlined in a letter he has sent to City Council President Sally Clark; read it here (or here, added, uploaded to Scribd):
Mayor McGinn's letter re: 'Nickelsville' by WestSeattleBlog
We received it in response to our query sent to the mayor’s office yesterday asking where the mayor stood on the issue.
4:33 PM UPDATE: Though the mayor’s letter says he prefers the option of selling the site to Food Lifeline once he’s sure the residents of Nickelsville will have somewhere else to go, Highland Park Action Committee chair Carolyn Stauffer, whose group had asked the mayor and council not just to promise to move Nickelsville out but to set a date, is not happy. Her response, shared with us via e-mail:
We have been holding off on contacting a lawyer with high hopes for our elected leaders, but now see the need to speak with one as soon as possible. If anyone out there could help us, please email any names or contacts that might be interested in helping HPAC pro-bono to hpacchair@gmail.com.
4:55 PM UPDATE: We’ve started checking with city councilmembers and their staffs to find out what’s next – since this broke late in the day, we will still be finding out more tomorrow, but for starters, the office of Councilmember Nick Licata – who proposed the “non-religious encampment” bill that the mayor says he would support – says both options will be discussed in the committee he chairs, Housing, Human Services, and Health Care, a week from tomorrow (May 22nd) at 2 pm. Licata favors proceeding with that bill and a Food Lifeline sale, according to staffer Lisa Herbold.
6 PM UPDATE: We’ve also heard back from Council President Clark. She says she is reserving substantive comment until a briefing tomorrow, but adds, “I can say that I’d like to see people living at Nickelsville find open doors into housing as soon as possible, and I’d like to see Food Lifeline land their new facility in the city.” And a statement has just arrived from Revel Smith, on behalf of SHARE/Tent City 3, not regarding Nickelsville specifically, but regarding the ordinance, which Smith says they consider “redlining,” because of what they understand is a “residential zone restriction,” which they oppose because, they say:
• Restricting camps by Ordinance from Residential Zones unfairly plays on, and accommodates, irrational fears of homeless people.
• Residential Zoning Restrictions EXCLUDE 65% of all available land in Seattle!
• NO other city or jurisdiction in King County — many of which also have Encampment Ordinances — restrict camps from Residential Zones. Therefore, there is NO REASON for Seattle to do so.
• It’s a big step back from the successful modus operandi of Tent City3 during 10 years of our operation (2002-2012) under a Consent Decree which did not have any Zoning Restrictions.
• And finally, if it’s OK for churches in Residential Zones easily to host camps (under the Religious Encampment Ordinance), why not vacant private land in those neighborhoods too? Churches can’t carry the weight of solving homelessness all on their own.
We’re checking to see if the text of the ordinance is available online.
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