West Seattle, Washington
22 Sunday
On the eve of Schmitz Park Elementary‘s annual Move-A-Thon fitness celebration, the school staff shows their students what moving is all about – via a music video shared by principal Gerrit Kischner. The song, “What Does the Fox Say?”, is by Norway’s Ylvis – here’s the original video. The fox is the school mascot, and the principal adds:
… We are proud that we were able to capture the great community spirit that keeps Schmitz Park learning and moving. The Schmitz Park Foxes are excited about celebrating the great start we have had at our annual Move-a-thon!
By the way, I have seen questions posted on the WSB about where our beautiful fox logo came from. It is the great work of West Seattle graphic artist (and former Schmitz Park parent) Eric Bell, and we are looking forward to it transferring with us to the new building at Genesee Hill.
Here’s one of the WSB photos in which you can see the logo – taken in 2009, when astronaut Greg Johnson visited his elementary alma mater.
(WSB photo from 2012 West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival)
Along with trick-or-treating, activities and games, and an in-the-street edition of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, the second annual Junction Harvest Festival also will include a chili competition, as a fundraiser for the West Seattle Food Bank! And the announcement just shared by the WS Junction Association invites restaurants to join in – with the signup deadline less than a week away:
Our neighborhood restaurants will bring their best pot of chili and compete for bragging rights of Best Chili at Harvest Festival – 2013. It’s free for restaurants to enter. The West Seattle public will vote by buying a flight of chili and choosing their favorite! 100% of the donations collected will go to the West Seattle Food Bank to help our community.
Some logistics and rules to enter. Participants must:
* Be a West Seattle business.
* Bring two gallons of hot chili made in commercial kitchen, and an electric warmer. Maintain chili’s temperature to meet health standards.
* Provide a chili server who has a current Food Handlers Card.
* Be ready to serve at 11am! With 2 gallons of chili, we’ll be able to serve about 100 flights and the competition will probably be done by 1pm.
* Space is limited to 8 competitors and a minimum of 4 competitors are needed.We’ll provide everything else. To register, please email susan@wsjunction.org with your business name, contact person, and agreement that rules will be followed. October 23rd is the deadline!
The Harvest Festival happens 10 am-2 pm on Sunday, October 27th, with a costume parade at 11:30 am and trick-or-treating at noon. Lots of local businesses and organizations are offering free activities again this year (come bowl in the booth we’re sharing with WestSide Baby and West Seattle Bowl, aka “WSB x 3”). See you there!
From the weekly SDOT road-work/closure “lookahead”:
The two right lanes of northbound SR99 over the 1st Ave. S. Bridge will be closed Saturday (October 19) 7:30 am-1 pm for bridge inspection.
(WSB photo from Monday night: Medic unit just outside Roxhill Park)
So you can plan early – the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council has just gone public with the agenda for its next meeting on November 5th, including safety at Roxhill Park and Westwood Village, following recent incidents such as the Monday night assault and ongoing concerns. Read on for the agenda:
Two notes about tutoring, a simple way to help kids:
First, the Sound Partners beginning-readers tutoring program is offering free training TODAY, 4-7 pm, in the library at K-5 STEM at Boren (5950 Delridge Way SW); this is training for tutoring at ALL schools that need help. If you can give as little as a half-hour a week, you are needed. If you have questions or can attend, contact school librarian Ms. Hare at 206-252-8474 or dlhare@seattleschools.org.
Separately, Invest in Youth needs a few more tutors at Roxhill Elementary – after school on Mondays:
For one hour, just once a week on your way home from work, you can go into a nearby Seattle grade school and tutor a child who needs a little extra help with his or her studies. Invest in Youth is looking for 6 more additional tutors to reach our goal of 20 tutors for the 2013 – 2014 school year. Participating in Invest in Youth requires a tutoring commitment of one hour per week (with several holidays) for the duration of the school year. Upon joining the program, you will be paired with an elementary school student in 3rd, 4th or 5th grade and work with that same student for the entire year, getting to know their strengths and weaknesses while tracking their progress from week to week. It is an extremely rewarding experience for both students and their tutors! To find more and to register, please visit www.investinyouth.org/become-a-tutor/ or contact Alison Allen, Program Director at 206-316-6356 or aallen@investinyouth.org
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Seattle Police plan a crackdown on holiday crime, with the help of an extra overtime allotment.
So reported Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Pierre Davis during his briefing at the start of this month’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting.
In addition to Q/A with Lt. Davis, the meeting included an SPD narcotics detective and King County Drug Diversion Court manager explaining how that program works to try to stop the cycle of crime by addicts who are in and out of court and jail as they just keep stealing to pay for their habit.
Thanks to Machel Spence, who reports that mushroom season is in full bloom at Lincoln Park, sharing her photo of a beautiful Amanita, while noting that it should be left “in the forest to do its job.” (And not just because most Amanitas are poisonous!) On to our Thursday calendar highlights:
TODDLER STORY TIME: 11:30 am at High Point Branch Library, bring the 1- and 2-year-olds for story time! Free. (35th/Raymond)
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, LAVIDA MASSAGE: Today marks the second anniversary for LaVida Massage (WSB sponsor) at Jefferson Square in The Junction. And as so many businesses do on their anniversaries, this one is giving the gift – along with the $39.95 one-hour special for new clients, they’re offering free aromatherapy to new and ongoing clients – just ask about the anniversary aromatherapy special, valid through Halloween. (42nd/Alaska)
HEALTH-CARE CONFUSION? Experts help you untangle it, from a businessperson’s perspective, at the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce lunch meeting, 11:30 am at The Kenney (WSB sponsor). Reservations preferred but you can also pay at the door. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)
COLLEGE APPLICATION EVENT: It’s at West Seattle High School but open to ALL twelfth-graders. After school, starting at 2:30 pm, come get help with college applications – details in our calendar listing. (3000 California SW)
PIANO BAR/CAFE! LGBT SOCIAL FOR 50+: Fun, informal get-together for LGBT adults 50+ at the Senior Center of West Seattle at 6 pm, with live piano music, food, and no-host beer and wine. Questions? Call Dave at 206-243-3053. (California/Oregon)
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Monthly meeting at 7 pm, parlor at Alki UCC. Agenda items include the West Seattle Water Taxi, WS Transportation Coalition, development, and the new site for the Luna Girls on Alki sculpture. (6115 SW Hinds)
‘THE TAMING’: Onstage at ArtsWest in The Junction, the first production of the new season continues, with a 7:30 pm performance of Lauren Gunderson‘s “The Taming.” (4711 California SW)
Visiting jazz musician and educator Ron Carter, spotlighted in that video clip, will be on stage in West Seattle tomorrow night (Friday, October 18th), for a special concert with student musicians – and you’re invited! Here’s the announcement:
Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School are delighted to welcome jazz artist, clinician and educator Ron Carter (right) for a special evening in the Sealth Auditorium Friday night at 7:30 pm. Ron Carter is a professor of jazz studies at Northern Illinois University, faculty member with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Essentially Ellington Band Director Academy and will be performing with the Denny and Sealth Jazz Bands, under the direction of Marcus Pimpleton. The concert is free; donations will be accepted to support the Denny and Sealth performing arts programs.
The auditorium is on the west side of the Sealth/Denny campus, at 2600 SW Thistle.
Family and friends will gather tomorrow at Forest Lawn (WSB sponsor) in memory of 93-year-old Marie Carlson. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with the community:
Marie L Carlson passed away peacefully on October 9th, 2013, surrounded by her loving family.
Marie was born in Raymond, WA, on February 1, 1920 to Milton and Sebilla Hilliard. She was raised on a farm in Napavine, WA and attended Western Washington University. She married Harry Carlson on June 12, 1942, and settled in West Seattle to raise their family. Marie retired from the JC Penney Company in 1983 after 20 years of service. After her retirement, she loved to garden, and took great pride in flower arranging and tending to her beautiful yard.
Marie was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Her family was the most important thing in her life.
She was preceded in death by Harry in 2006 after 64 years of marriage and is survived by her three daughters
Janet, June, and Joanne, seven grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.Funeral Services and celebration of her life will be held at Forest Lawn Chapel, 6701 30th Ave SW, on Friday (October 18th) at 1 pm. A reception and graveside service will follow.
(WSB publishes obituaries by request, free of charge, all archived here. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@wsb.blackfin.biz)
(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Nothing out of the ordinary reported so far as the morning commute heads for its peak. Remember that during the day and into the afternoon, we do add updates to this daily report if non-major-but-affecting-traffic incidents happen.
Three reader reports to share tonight – starting with this one from a West Seattleite who doesn’t want to be identified:
I’d like to let people know about an attempted break-in (last) night near 34th SW and SW Henderson (by the Southwest branch of the library). The miscreant(s) removed an outdoor light that illuminated the area, slashed the screen in a back door, and then apparently used a baseball bat or crowbar to break the kitchen window. No one got in the house but it’s very unsettling to hear glass breaking when you’re sound asleep. I think it’s good for people in the area to be aware of these incidents so they can stay alert.
Second – be on the lookout for a little kid’s bike, spraypainted gold, stolen from a Highland Park home where its 4-year-old owner is heartbroken. More details and a photo are in this WSB Forums post.
And thanks to the tipster who spotted and photographed this abandoned – stolen? lost? -stroller:
It was spotted by the end of the Rite-Aid drive-thru in Westwood Village this afternoon.
**Rescheduled to November 5th, same time/place**
Parents and teens/tweens are invited to an organizational/informational meeting planned in two weeks for a new youth service club that the Rotary Club of West Seattle is organizing. The announcement:
West Seattle Rotary Club is excited to announce our new Interact club. It is for youth ages 12-18 who want to connect with others in their community or school. Interact club members have fun while carrying out service projects and learning about the world. Interact clubs organize at least two service projects a year: one that benefits their community and one that encourages international understanding. While Interact clubs receive guidance from individual Rotary clubs, they govern and support themselves.
South of Morgan Junction, development plans are on file for the sites of three houses on the west side of the 6900 block of California SW. For starters, the three lots themselves are part of a “lot-boundary adjustment” proposal.
The largest proposed structure is a 3-story, 30-unit apartment building with no parking, proposed for the southernmost site, 6917 California SW, which now holds the 102-year-old house in the photo above. Meantime, 6911 California SW, the 99-year-old house in our next photo, is proposed as the address of a 4-unit rowhouse townhouse building.
And 2 single-family homes are proposed along the alley on the west side of the sites, at the address 6915 California, currently holding this 99-year-old house:
The lots are zoned LR-2, which according to the city guide says homes can be up to 25 feet, rowhouses and apartments up to 35 feet (that’s the maximum with bonus height for a roof of a certain pitch). The developer for the rowhouses/houses sites is listed on city webpages as DL Builders, currently about to build two houses on teardown sites a few blocks uphill, in the 7300 block of California SW.
Tomorrow’s the day for the big statewide quake drill, the Great Washington Shake-Out – 10:17 am on 10/17. Timely – as the Pacific Plate continues to be very active, with large aftershocks in the Philippines, and two quakes in Papua, New Guinea (6.8, followed by 5.3).
Tonight, we’re continuing to build a “Go Bag” in honor of Washington State Disaster Preparedness Month, with the help of West Seattle Be Prepared, whose announcement for this round is:
First-aid supplies go into your bag today. A pre-purchased kit is easiest, but if you have these things around your home, put them in a ziplock or small toiletry bag: scissors, tweezers, thermometer, disposable hand wipes, non-latex gloves, Band-Aids, gauze, ACE or roller bandage, adhesive cloth tape, space blanket, antibiotic ointment packets, antiseptic wipe packets, aspirin, and a First Aid instruction book. A very complete list with suggested quantities can be seen here.
STILL haven’t started building your “Go Bag” yet? No problem – start with this, then backtrack, and when you’re caught up, move forward to rejoin us somewhere in the second half of the month. Our previous installments are all archived in reverse-chronological order here.
Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, The Gatewood Bed and Breakfast. Here’s what its proprietors want you to know about this beautiful century-old West Seattle home, now open as guest lodging:
(The Gatewood‘s main room, with proprietors Margaret and Mary)
In 1910, British-born Francis Harper built The Gatewood for his wife Pontine and six children. The home holds more than 100 years of stories and history of the families who have lived here and after whom our guestrooms are named: the Harpers, Clarks, Frosts, and Odekirks.
Although only a short drive to downtown or the airport, the home is tucked away in a peaceful greenbelt with beautiful grounds and picturesque views. It is also a very walkable distance to Lincoln Park. To Margaret, Lincoln Park is an integral part of the experience of The Gatewood.
The Hayes family purchased the house in 1987 to raise their children and provide a place for her large, extended family to gather and bond. With the intent to restore the property with consideration of its era, they feel very fortunate to be the latest keepers of this wonderful place in West Seattle. The Hayes’s, as well as lots of aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents, created many fond memories at this extraordinary place. At Thanksgiving it became a tradition for everyone to take a leisurely walk together down to Lincoln Park and back to walk off the large meal … and avoid the dishes.
Margaret Hayes (current owner) and her daughter Mary are also in contact with the four previous owners’ families in order to capture their stories and extend the welcome back to their family home. The response has been remarkable. Some have even stayed at the house since its conversion to a B&B and expressed their deep appreciation for the loving care taken in the restoration.
In the desire to share this gem of a house, Margaret converted the residence into a Bed & Breakfast. We are confident that the environment will provide a restful, calming experience for everyone who visits. West Seattle is a unique place – the residents here genuinely care about their neighbors, local businesses, and the community as a whole. We feel we can be that home-away-from-home for those who are visiting West Seattle and extend that community and connection to them. Whether it’s the interaction with the hosts, the grounds, or the home itself, we provide guests an intimate experience. We are proud to be here in West Seattle and value greatly the support provided by the community.
We do provide recommendations to West Seattle restaurants and services for our guests. We also have partnered with several local Seattle artists to display their works throughout the house.
The Gatewood Bed and Breakfast is at 7446 Gatewood Road SW; you can see photos and book a reservation online at gatewoodwestseattle.com. Or, call 206-938-3482.
We thank The Gatewood Bed & Breakfast 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.
When the crew we photographed at work on SW Oregon west of California SW today is done, The Junction will have seven fewer trees. But West Seattle Junction Association director Susan Melrose tells WSB they will all be replaced. We had seen the tree-removal notices on two SW Oregon trees last week, noting “poor health” and “poor form”:
Then came a tip today from Eddie, who noticed the removal work in progress. There’s also a tree in front of West 5 that’s being taken out, and pear trees that – as mentioned in our coverage of September’s Southwest District Council meeting, which was attended by Seattle’s city arborist – weren’t thriving either. Melrose says the crew will grind down the stumps both for these trees and others that have fallen down recently, and will mulch the tree wells; replacements will arrive next spring, though the species hasn’t been finalized yet.
While Election Day is almost three weeks away, the voting begins at your home as soon as tomorrow – since King County Elections has announced that ballots for the November 5th election are going out in the mail today. Once again, they’ll have drop vans in West Seattle and White Center, this time on November 2nd, 4th, and 5th. More information here on how to get your ballot back to the county – remember that if you mail it, it needs a stamp.
It was a staple, almost a cliché, decades ago .. the Tupperware party. You might not have heard much about it lately – but it’s never really gone away. Proof: There’s a big fun one this Friday night at the Senior Center of West Seattle (WSB sponsor). Tickets are free; the Tupperware benefits local seniors. The announcement:
Senior Center of West Seattle announced plans today to host a first of its kind Tupperware party to raise funds for Seattle seniors. The event is scheduled to take place on Friday, October 18th, at the Senior Center, located at 4217 SW Oregon Street, in The Junction.
Entertainment for the event will be provided by Seattle’s very own Sylvia O’ Stayformore & LaTrina Bidet, who will also be acting as the mistresses of ceremony and co-hosts for this landmark charity event.
“We are very excited to be hosting such a groundbreaking and unconventional event to raise funds and create awareness about the various services offered by our organization to the community,” said Karen Sisson, the Executive Director at The Senior Center of West Seattle.
According to Sisson, Tupperware products will be available for purchase throughout the evening, with up to 40% of all the proceeds being donated to The Senior Center. She added that the event is open to all age groups, and promises to be a memorable night full of good food, fun, and laughter, for all the guests.
Among the supporters of this spectacular event are Trader Joe’s, Nerium Skin Care, and the nonprofit organization, Gays for Good/Seattle. Event guests will be able to sample delectable offerings from a menu of 1950’s retrothemed cuisine, prepared specially for this occasion.
A limited number of tickets for this free event are available via The Senior Center website at www.sc-ws.org or by calling (206) 932-4044. All donations are accepted and greatly appreciated.
Thanks to Lynn Hall for sharing last night’s colorful sunset view from Luna/Anchor Park. By the time we get to tonight’s sunset, a busy night will be under way, as evidenced by these highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BOUNDARIES INTRODUCED AT SCHOOL BOARD: The Seattle School Board‘s meeting starts at 4:15 pm, but the introduction of the second draft of the “Growth Boundaries” (here’s WSB coverage from last Friday; here’s the district page with details) is not scheduled until after 6 pm; public comment – for which the list is already locked in (see the revised agenda) – begins at 5 pm. (3rd and Lander)
EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 6:30-8:00 pm, come visit Explorer West (longtime WSB sponsor):
Explorer West welcomes prospective parents and students to drop by at 6:30pm to begin an interactive school tour including art and drama demonstrations. Meet faculty and current parents/students as well as try out some classroom activities. If you cannot make it this week, additional Open Houses will be held on Saturday, November 16th, 10-11:30 am & Tuesday, December 10th, 6:30-8 pm.
More information is available at explorer-west.org
(Explorer West is at 10015 28th SW)
MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: MoCA’s quarterly meeting, 7 pm in the lower-level meeting room at The Kenney (WSB sponsor). Busy agenda including City Council candidates Kshama Sawant and Sam Bellomio, as well as speakers on behalf of the West Seattle Transportation Coalition, the West Seattle Green Space Coalition, Getting It Right-West Seattle, and more. See the full agenda on the MoCA home page. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)
CHIEF SEALTH PTSA: 7 pm in the library at Chief Sealth International High School, the Sealth PTSA will hear from new principal Aida Fraser-Hammer with an overview of the school year, ASB treasurer Randi Rankin with an update on what’s going on with the student body (including this year’s Grad Night), and community partners including the Y will provide updates too, according to PTSA president Ted Reed. (2600 SW Thistle)
HARBOR SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: The first fall open house for Harbor School (WSB sponsor), a Vashon Island independent school for 4th-8th graders, 7 pm. (15920 Vashon Highway SW)
DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: Reps from community groups/organizations around eastern West Seattle meet tonight at 7 at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. The agenda includes Pierce Murphy, the director of the city Office of Professional Accountability, as well as an update on the Barton combined-sewer-overflow-control project. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
LAUGH IT OFF: The next comedy night at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) is tonight, 8 pm, hosted by West Seattle’s own Mona Concepcion – see the lineup in our calendar listing. (6451 California SW)
Local nonprofits run with a lot of help from volunteer power. Sometimes it’s thankless – but sometimes, stellar volunteers get some recognition, as happened last night for the volunteer shown above with her family in a photo shared by Josh Sutton from the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor). He explains:
Last night, about 200 Y volunteers and leaders from around King County gathered to recognize our amazing volunteers who give so much to others through the Y.
Andrea Escame Hedger (in photo with her family) was recognized for her volunteer leadership through the West Seattle & Fauntleroy Y.
From the Y program:
“Andrea has been a Y member since she was a small child in the Fauntleroy community. The Y was a big part of her formative years; from playing in youth sports to working as a counselor at YMCA Camp Colman, Andrea progressed from participant to leader.
“Andrea says her involvement with youth programs at the Y inspired her to become a school teacher. She continues to give back – coaching her sons’ teams in Y youth sports for the last six years.
“Andrea is a knowledgeable resource for the Y sports programs and is happy to help new volunteers. Her family is also involved in Adventure Guides, camps, and she somehow finds time to fundraise for Y program support.
“Thank you, Andrea, for all that you do!”
(East-facing camera on the West Seattle Bridge; see other cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:33 AM: Nothing unusual reported so far this morning commute. If you drive to/past our area’s two public high schools, you’ll notice different traffic flows today – it’s a two-hours-early-release day for WSHS, while some Chief Sealth students are starting late because it’s a testing day for two grades. Weather-wise, as you can see from the bridge camera if you haven’t been outside yet, it’s clearer than the past few mornings; forecasters expect sun later.
9:38 AM: Big response heading onto northbound I-5 for a reported rollover crash on the offramp to Highway 520.
5:37 PM: Scanner report – trouble at 8th and Roxbury again, either a crash or a stalled/broken-down vehicle in the westbound lanes.
(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
A crosstown rematch for West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School girls-varsity soccer on Thursday afternoon at Hiawatha Playfield – and the division-leading Wildcats took the match. Sealth started strong and kept the pressure on, but couldn’t get a goal past WSHS keeper Sarah DuLong.
The Wildcats’ scoring came from Annie Murphy with two goals and Tess Beck, Lindsay Hage, and Kate Veenhuizen with one each.
Next opponents: WSHS hosts Franklin at 3:30 pm Thursday, Walt Hundley Playfield in High Point; Sealth hosts Blanchet at 4 pm Friday, Southwest Athletic Complex.
This Saturday, family and friends of former West Seattle and White Center resident Bette Nelson, gone too soon at 59, will gather at Highland Park United Methodist Church to celebrate her life. Here’s the remembrance we were asked to share:
Elizabeth (Bette) Ann Nelson * 6-25-1954 to 10-4-2013
Bette died suddenly on October 4th at her beloved residence in Burien. A remarkable presence in the lives of many, she leaves a lasting impression with all. She always had a positive outlook through the most difficult times and never complained. She loved to laugh and brought joy to all with her stories. Above all, she had boundless Faith to guide her life.
Bette was born on June 25, 1954 in Stanley, North Dakota. Her father Tollef worked in the oil fields and her mother Bonita was a school teacher. Bette was the 3rd of four children, along with Byron (Teri), Stuart (Maureen), and Dan (Jeanette). She also left behind her nieces: Michelle (John), Jaimi, and Meghan and nephews Kristopher and Mitchell, stepchildren Alicia and David, and grand-nephews Jacob and Joshua.
The family lived in northern Minnesota during the early years near Bette’s mother’s parents, who were a strong presence in the family.
In 1957 Tollef relocated to Seattle in search of employment – soon followed by the remainder of the family.
| 30 COMMENTS