West Seattle, Washington
26 Friday
(WSB photos, updated 9 pm: Above, Santa & Menashe granddaughters Makenna and Angelica)
What could be more Christmasy than Santa photos at West Seattle’s brightest light show? Until 10 pm, “Santa Al” is making his annual stop at the Menashe Family Christmas Lights – bring a nonperishable food item for the West Seattle Food Bank and take a photo that’ll be bursting with holiday festiveness. Yes, the weather’s a little wild, but there’s a canopy for photo protection!
5605 Beach Drive SW.
(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
Again this year, a doubleheader night for the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship in West Seattle began at Lowman Beach, right around sunset. The view is different from the nighttime stops, and you could still see the Spirit of Seattle as well as its lights. Onshore:
(This photo and next two by Trileigh Tucker)
The Lowman crowd enjoyed a bit of a break in the rain, and a little sunset color even broke through the clouds:
At both Lowman and Alki, Seattle Parks provided a bonfire:
Among those who appreciated their work: Sarah, who shared this photo:
Sarah wrote in her e-mail, “We had a great time watching the Christmas ships go by tonight at Lowman! Thanks to all who brought out hot drinks & built the big fire!”
From Lowman (where you might be able to watch next year from the observation deck atop the new Murray CSO facility across the street) the Christmas Ship headed to Alki Beach Park, where a bonfire also awaited:
(This photo and next three, by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
Inside the Bathhouse, a chance to get treats:
On the east side of the Bathhouse, Christmas Hope performed as an opening act:
Then, as rainshowers drifted in and out, the Christmas Ship sailed up – with The Dickens Carolers singing for 20 minutes until it was time to go, leaving West Seattle for the last time this season.
If you missed it, you can hear the performance (for the next day or two) in the archived video from our live Periscope phonecast. The rest of the Christmas Ship’s regional schedule, nightly through Christmas Eve-Eve, is online here.
Update on the three cross-country runners from the High Point Community Center team who represented our area in the national championships in Albuquerque (here’s the backstory, from earlier this week). Coach Eric Linxweiler sent the photo and report:
They ran this morning in a driving rain, at 37 degrees. It was cold, but they did fantastic! Boden, William, and Whit ran their best races of the year. West Seattle should be very proud!
Eric says the team they’re representing is the only one of its kind in the city, based at a Seattle Parks community center. All three of these boys are students at Schmitz Park Elementary and ran in the youngest division at the meet.
(WSB photo added 4:16 pm)
Less than an hour until the Christmas Ship‘s final West Seattle visits begin, and you can get ready for the second stop, at Alki Beach Park (5:10-5:30 pm, following 4:20-4:40 pm at Lowman Beach), by visiting the Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s ‘Holiday Party on the Porch,’ with free treats on the covered porch at the Log House Museum, right now at 61st SW & SW Stevens (half a block inland from where you’ll see the Christmas Ship).
The porch party is the second of two big events today for SWSHS:
(Photos courtesy Southwest Seattle Historical Society)
At the historic, city-landmark Admiral Theater, Santa Claus jingled his way into the auditorium during “Claus, Chowder, and Cartoons,” a free family event this morning. Santa’s stage show followed a program of short Christmas cartoons.
SWSHS supporter Duke’s Chowder House provided soup for the Admiral crowd and is doing the same at the museum right now.
One day after celebrating the King County Water Taxi system’s half-millionth passenger of the year – a record – workers were busy today getting Seacrest ready for the newer, bigger boats. Thanks to Carolyn Newman for the photo; as we reported earlier this month, once the dock work is done and the crews are trained, M/V Doc Maynard will become the regular West Seattle Water Taxi vessel sometime next month. (Today’s work isn’t interrupting service, because this is the time of year that the Water Taxi only runs on weekdays.)
While you’re out shopping your favorite local stores this weekend, you can also see what local arts-and-crafts creators are offering at the annual C & P Coffee Company Holiday Fair. Here are a few things we spotted during our stop:
The fair is on until 3 pm today, and then from 8 am until 2 pm tomorrow; C & P is at 5612 California SW, between Alaska and Morgan Junctions.
That’s Vince Hance, the West Seattle 18-year-old who survived being hit by a light-rail train in Columbia City two days before Thanksgiving. He is now in rehab after getting out of the hospital, but has a long road to recovery. Vince was doing OK enough this morning to be at Highland Park Improvement Club, which hosted a pancake breakfast to benefit Vince and his family.
Vince, a former Chief Sealth International High School football player, was crossing the tracks after waiting for one train to pass but didn’t see the one that hit him; he had to be rescued from under it. If you missed the breakfast, they’re also continuing to fundraise online.
Who in this photo’s been naughty and who’s been nice? Up to “Santa Paws” to find out. Thanks to Bethany from Cascadian Nomads for sharing the photo of her canine friends’ adventure in The Junction, where – as previewed on our daily list – you can get a free professional Santa photo at West Seattle Windermere until 1 pm. (4525 California SW)
(WSB photo from Wednesday night’s visit)
The Christmas Ship returns tonight, with two more West Seattle stops, plus a bike ride and other activities accompanying one stop. That’s just part of what you’ll find while you’re out and about – highlights from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and regular year-round Event Calendar:
BENEFIT BREAKFAST: As previewed here earlier this week, pancakes are being cooked up at Highland Park Improvement Club 9 am-noon to raise money for the family of Vince Hance, the 18-year-old West Seattleite hit by a train. (12th SW & SW Holden)
ARTS & CRAFTS AT C & P: C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) presents its Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair featuring unique, local arts and crafts. Handmade jewelry, toys, clothing, prints , paintings, furniture and more. First of two days, 9 am-3 pm. (5612 California SW)
SECOND-TO-LAST DAY FOR HOLY ROSARY TREE LOT: Getting your Christmas tree today? The Holy Rosary Tree Lot (WSB sponsor) is open for its second-to-last scheduled day. 9 am-9 pm. (41st SW & SW Dakota)
SANTA PAWS: Photo op with Santa, and your pet is welcome, 10 am-1 pm, free professional photo with photography by Richard and Christina Figgins. At Windermere West Seattle in The Junction. (4525 California SW)
CLAUS, CHOWDER, & CARTOONS: Presented by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society at The Admiral Theater: Family celebration from 10 to 11:30 am. The fun starts with the screening of an hour of classic Christmas cartoon shorts. Then, “The Real Santa Claus” will entertain with a 20-minute live show, followed by an opportunity for families to take photos with Santa while enjoying chowder served in the Admiral lobby by Duke’s Chowder House. Donations will be taken for SWSHS. If you didn’t already get a ticket (online availability closed a week ago), note that walk-ups will be admitted only if space is available. (2343 California SW)
RAINWISE CELEBRATION: Another neighborhood ribboncutting, and you’re invited – go see what you could do in YOUR yard! (3700 block Tillman)
SILVER BELLES: Missed them on Art Walk night? The Silver Belles are due back in The Junction with spirited carol parodies, 1-3 pm.
VINTAGE HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOP: 1-5 pm at Treehouse Lounge in The Admiral District – details here. (2206 California SW)
‘ACCESS FOR ALL’: Technology open house at Southwest Library, 2-4 pm, explained here. (35th SW & SW Henderson)
ART UNDER $100: South Park Arts‘ big annual “Art Under $100” holiday art sale and party. 2-8 pm, free entry. At Seattle Design Center‘s Atrium. (5701 6th Ave S.)
HOLIDAY PARTY ON THE PORCH: At the Log House Museum. “Planning to watch the Argosy Christmas Ship stop at Alki Beach from 5:10 to 5:30 p.m.? Don’t wait around feeling clammy and cold! Stop first and warm up at our ‘Birthplace of Seattle’ Log House Museum starting at 3 p.m. with our annual free cookies, hot cider and – added this year — tasty chowder from our sponsor, Duke’s Chowder House … While you wait for the fabled vessel and its broadcast carols, enjoy some of Duke’s chowder and get a sneak peek of our upcoming exhibit, direct from the Nordic Heritage Museum, about the life and times of a West Seattle notable, the restaurateur, folksinger and Port of Seattle commissioner Ivar Haglund. The exhibit will be up at our museum from December through next May.” (3003 61st SW)
RIDE TO THE CHRISTMAS SHIP: 4:15 pm, starting from Seacrest Marina, 1600 Harbor Ave SW – “Decorate and light up your bikes and come join West Seattle Bike Connections for a fun all ages, all abilities, all faiths, family-friendly ride from Seacrest Marina to Alki Bathhouse to see the Christmas Ships, and to hear and join the carolers. Seattle Parks will have hot cider and cookies at the bathhouse and a bonfire on the beach to keep us warm. Please arrive by 4:15 to sign in. We’ll roll at 4:30 in fading light, and arrive at the bathhouse as it is getting dark. The Christmas Ships are due to be at Alki from 5:10 to 5:30.” More on this FB event page. (1660 Harbor SW)
WHEN/WHERE TO SEE THE CHRISTMAS SHIP: It’s your last two chances this year to see the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship in West Seattle! 4:20-4:40 pm at Lowman Beach, 5:10-5:30 pm at Alki, with The Dickens Carolers on board. The Alki Bathhouse is offering cookies and hot cider, 4-7 pm, for the occasion. (60th SW & SW Alki)
JUNIOR ROLLER DERBY: Doors open at 5:30 pm for the “Star Wars”-themed slate of Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby bouts at Southgate Roller Rink – details in our preview. (9646 17th SW)
SANTA & LIGHTS: 6-10 pm, “Santa Al” is at the Menashe Family Christmas Lights display for photos – bring a nonperishable food donation for the West Seattle Food Bank. (5605 Beach Drive SW)
CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Concert tonight at Fauntleroy Church, 7:30 pm. Featuring the Fauntleroy Chancel Choir, Peace Lutheran Choir, and local instrumentalists. (9140 California SW)
FRED TALK FOR HANUKKAH: From Kol HaNeshamah: “Essayist, poet and award-winning storyteller Merna Ann Hecht will share an evening of Jewish stories taken from the treasure troves of both Eastern European and Sephardic tradition, beginning at 8 pm at West Seattle’s Kol HaNeshamah progressive reform synagogue community. Hecht is part of an ongoing series of FRED or Fresh Relevant Educational and Dynamic talks.” (6115 SW Hinds)
NIGHTLIFE! Live music, karaoke … see the venues on our complete calendar.
(CSIHS #15, Isiah Hart, led Sealth scoring with 17)
Final game of last night’s basketball slate with West Seattle High School visiting Chief Sealth International HS was a close one in the final moments – which were a story unto themselves – final score Wildcats 50, Seahawks 48.
(WSHS #1, Nate Pryor, led West Seattle scoring with 21)
Earlier in the game, WSHS had threatened to pull away. Less than a minute into the second quarter, they were up 17-8, but Sealth led the scoring that quarter, and at halftime it was WSHS 25, Sealth 21.
(WSHS #24, Carter Golgart; Sealth #24, Evan Moe, and #23, Peyton Dickerson)
Head coach Keffrey Fazio‘s (center, below) Wildcats led 44-36 with just under 4 minutes to go.
And that’s when it got wild, in no small part thanks to a flurry of fouls and resulting free throws. At 1:46, head coach Colin Slingsby‘s (center, below) Seahawks pulled within three, 46-43.
WSHS followed with a three-pointer at 1:10, 49-43. Sealth answered with one of its own, 49-46. Defense was intense, as was the fight for rebounds.
(WSHS #22, Yusuf Mohamed, with Hart & Pryor)
The fans had dueling chants, “Westside Power/Seahawk Power.” Foul shots netted two more points for the Seahawks, and it was 49-48. Then what turned out to be the last point of the game was a shot by West Seattle’s #4 – putting them ahead 50-48 – and with one second on the clock, Sealth tried a cross-court attempt that didn’t quite make it. As the buzzer sounded, players, cheerleaders, and fans erupted as if it were the playoffs. Next up for both teams, 7:30 pm Tuesday home games – WSHS vs. Lakeside, CSIHS vs. Rainier Beach.
Friday night was the only scheduled crosstown-rivalry match of the year for Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School‘s girls-varsity basketball teams. Above are friendly adversaries, Sealth head coach Katie Jo Maris and WSHS’s new head coach Darnell Taylor. The stands were full in the CSIHS gym and the game was intense despite the lopsided final score, Wildcats 70, Seahawks 28.
(WSHS #11, Jasmine Gayles; CSIHS #4, Labrea Denson, and #34, Kali Schroyer)
West Seattle remains undefeated.
(CSIHS #11, Bella CortesDeBonar, and WSHS #32, Lydia Giomi)
Both teams’ next games are at 7:30 pm Wednesday – the Wildcats play Lakeside, while the Seahawks are home vs. Rainier Beach.
(WSHS #30, Lexi Ioane)
Next – our final report on last night, with photos from the boys-varsity game that followed this one.
With Banda Vagos as the headliner once again, Friday night’s sixth annual Posada Navideña holiday party at Denny International Middle School was a hit. Especially so far as the piñatas were concerned:
Denny principal Jeff Clark was there to assist the littlest piñata-targeters:
Posada organizer and Denny teacher Roxana Amaral, too, as first a butterfly and then a dolphin (the Denny mascot) got the takedown treatment.
Crafts and food were on the menu , with at least one activity combining both:
The first Denny Posada, in December 2010, was the only one held in the school’s old building a few blocks from the one it’s occupied since fall 2011.
Three scores to report from a big night of basketball – West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School played tonight at CSIHS, with the boys’ varsity game just wrapped up in a wild conclusion, Wildcats 50, Seahawks 48. Earlier, the girls-varsity score was WSHS 70, CSIHS 28. And thanks to Mike Jensen for the report from Seattle Lutheran‘s game against Seattle Christian – the Saints, a 1B team, beat the 1A Warriors, 48-43. More later, with our photos from the CSIHS-WSHS games.
@westseattleblog trees falling next to QFC on 42 SW pic.twitter.com/0PVet06CeW
— NLB (@g7on) November 15, 2015
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The city has accused a Junction developer of violating city code by taking down a tree on the site where he’s planning a mixed-use project.
We reported on the tree-felling last month, after a reader shared the video (above) showing the tree being cut down at 4532 42nd SW on Sunday morning, November 15th.
That was a week and a half after the tree had figured into the Southwest Design Review Board‘s second Early Design Guidance review of the project.
(From the project “packet,” a rendering of building massing if the tree were kept)
Though the project team had said botanists determined it fell just shy of being an “exceptional” tree – 29.7 inches at midpoint of his trunk, with 30 inches the city’s threshold – the board said it was in its purview to request a design preserving the tree. Here’s our coverage of that meeting, and here’s the official city report on it, made public just this week; it noted, in part, that “The Board recommended that the project could move forward to MUP application, provided the design retained the Western Red Cedar at the northeast corner and incorporated this significant vegetation into the overall design of open space and massing transitions to the north and east.”
When we contacted owner/developer Mark Braseth the day that tree was cut, his reply contended that it and two others cut on the property that morning were allowed to be removed without a permit. But the city disagrees.
After seeing the project file’s mention of a “violation,” we contacted the Department of Planning and Development to ask what it was for and what the proposed penalty is. Today, we heard back from DPD spokesperson Wendy Shark:
After removal of the tree, the Department of Planning and Development received a complaint that a tree was illegally removed. After investigating the situation, we’ve determined that there is a code violation for removing a tree 6 inches or greater in diameter on an undeveloped lot without approval from DPD. This is a violation of Seattle’s Tree Protection Ordinance. We are determining the appraised value of the tree to define the penalty amount and an appropriate restoration plan for the site. We will issue a notice of violation once we obtain that information.
Among community comments in the project file is one voicing concern about the tree removal’s effects on the integrity of the design process. It was written by Deb Barker, a retired land-use planner and former chair of the Southwest Design Review Board who often comments at review meetings. She wrote to DPD director Diane Sugimura, “It’s been almost a month since a developer cut down the mature cedar tree from his property at 4532 42nd Ave SW, and the silence from DPD is deafening … This letter is not about the removal of a healthy tree on a vacant lot. … This letter is about the perceived impact to the City of Seattle Design Review Process.”
Today, DPD’s Shark told us that has been addressed as well:
Shortly after the tree was removed, DPD staff met with the design review board chair to discuss the situation given the previous guidance from the board. At the last public early design guidance meeting, the board had requested that modifications be made to the bulk of the building along the alley to provide a better buffer for the neighboring Lowrise zone behind the proposed building. The existing tree provided a natural buffer to help accomplish this goal, so it was recommended by the board that the tree be preserved. If the tree was not to be preserved, then the design team would need to return for another public meeting showing revised designs that respond to the board comments on building bulk and creating a better buffer. With that in mind, the applicant and their design team will have to return for another early design guidance meeting.
Making modifications to a site while it’s undergoing a public design review process is not appropriate and erodes DPD’s trust, as well as the community’s trust in the applicant. The design review process provides a public forum for the board and community to offer feedback on the proposed building design, to create a product that responds to the neighborhood context while also meeting the objectives of the developer or property owner. Actions such as this reflect a disrespect for regulations and for the community where the development is proposed, which, during this time of rapid growth and citywide change, is a disservice to fellow developers as we contemplate change to this important but sometimes complicated design review process.
So the bottom line is that the project will have to return for a third round of Early Design Guidance. No date set for that yet. Design Review Boards are all-volunteer panels appointed by the city who work with the DPD, which has the final say.
The project is on a site that had been approved for a different mixed-use project more than six years ago, under different ownership; Braseth purchased it earlier this year and pursued a new plan, estimated at last month’s meeting as 6 stories, ~75 apartments, 3,813 sq.ft. of commercial space, offstreet parking for ~63 vehicles (though this is in an area where projects can be built without any parking because of the proximity of “frequent transit”).
This afternoon, the King County Water Taxi marked a milestone – the first year with more than half a million riders. Before the 4:50 pm run from downtown, regular rider Mary Ballanger, a West Seattle resident, was designated and celebrated as the ceremonial 500,000th passenger:
According to the KC Department of Transportation:
The previous annual record for the Water Taxi was 467,119 passengers in 2014. In addition to the Water Taxi system milestone, each route is achieving a record year for ridership.
The West Seattle route currently stands at 307,500 passengers for 2015. In addition to surpassing the 300,000 passenger mark for the first time, the total also surpasses the 282,662 passenger record set last year. The Vashon route is currently at 192,500 passengers for 2015 and will exceed 200,000 passengers later this month. The previous record on this route was 187,824 passengers set in 2013.
As the Water Taxi service continues to grow, so does the King County Marine Division’s fleet. Earlier this year, the Water Taxi launched two new vessels with the capacity of 278 passengers each. In the prior three years, the Marine Division also added a back-up vessel along with a new moorage and maintenance barge as part of its fleet expansion.
In all, KCDOT says, it’s served 3.1 million riders since 2009. The new M/V Doc Maynard is expected to take over the West Seattle run next month, after training and dock improvement, as reported here earlier this month.
That letter is being distributed to neighbors of temporary Seattle Fire Station 29, announcing that after nine months, FS 29 is moving back to its permanent North Admiral location a short distance south. The city’s Finance and Administrative Services Department says the upgrade work at Station 29’s 2139 Ferry SW site has reached “substantial completion,” so the crews who have been in temporary structures since last March can re-occupy the permanent facility, and are expected to move next Tuesday. The choice of temporary sites drew controversy early this year because the triangle of city land at Ferry/Hill/44th was a sudden change from the longstanding original plan to house the temporary station on a much-larger site off Harbor Avenue SW. The temporary site is set for restoration work next month, the city says, including “removal of asphalt and gravel, top soil/seeding, planting of street trees, and completion of the missing section of sidewalk along Southwest Hill Street.”
24-year-old Si A. Phu is now charged with first-degree murder in the deadly shooting of his 14-year-old niece Christy Phu, a freshman at Chief Sealth International High School, where friends and family gathered to honor her with a vigil Wednesday night. We’ve just obtained the court documents, which also include a charge of second-degree unlawful firearm possession – as a convicted felon, he wasn’t legally allowed to have a gun. The charging papers say the felony was a domestic-violence “cyberstalking” case from Snohomish County earlier this year, alleging that case and this one “illustrate a pattern of erratic, dangerous, and threatening behavior by the defendant when he does not get his way.”
The charging documents expand on what was outlined in the probable-cause paperwork earlier this week, alleging Si Phu shot and killed Christy because she refused to give him a pair of shoes. Investigators now say she reportedly did give him a pair of shoes, but they were not the ones he wanted. The dispute over the shoes is reported to have lasted over three hours of text messaging and in-person confrontation just before the deadly shooting, and included threats to kill Christy and her cousin, with whom she shared the Columbia City bedroom where she was shot. After the shooting, Si Phu is reported to have fled the house, where he had gone to watch football with family members; two days later, police spotted him in the Skyway area and arrested him. He claimed, they say, that the clash began with Christy trying to “rob” him. He said he then decided to “rob” her and “it all went bad.” He is reported to have told police that he feels “guilty” because “she didn’t deserve it” and he “only meant to hit her.”
Hours away from the start of an even-bigger holiday weekend – and right now, we’re even seeing a bit of a sunbreak. From our WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round WS Event Calendar:
HOLIDAY GIVING: The Holiday Guide has a list of ways you can make this a happier holiday season for your neighbors. Just added to it:
That’s one of the Giving Trees for the West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor): “The West Seattle & Fauntleroy YMCA hosts a Giving Tree each December, which is full of gift requests for youth involved in our programs. Making an impact is easy! Stop by either Y location in West Seattle, pick a tag off of the tree, purchase the new gift and return unwrapped to either Y location by (the end of Monday).” (4515 36th SW or 9140 California SW)
(Added: WSB photo, WSFB’s Judi Yazzolino and HSB’s Melodie VanHouten with “Santa Al“)
SANTA PHOTOS AND TREATS AT HOMESTREET ANNIVERSARY PARTY: HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) celebrates its two-year anniversary in West Seattle, featuring free photos with Santa, a hot cocoa bar, warm apple cider, holiday treats, and more, 3-6 pm! Bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the West Seattle Food Bank. (41st SW & SW Alaska)
HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Chief Sealth International High School hosts West Seattle HS for a full slate of games today/tonight: Girls’ junior varsity 3:30 pm; boys’ junior varsity 5 pm; girls’ varsity 6:30 pm; boys’ varsity 8 pm. (2600 SW Thistle)
HOLIDAY TASTE: Sample holiday-meal dishes at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) in Admiral, 4-7 pm. (41st SW & SW Admiral Way)
POSADA AT DENNY: 6:30-8:30 pm, the annual Posada Navideña at Denny International Middle School. It’s “a Latin American celebration of the holidays through music, dance, food and games. Everyone is welcome!!! Please bring a traditional holiday dish to share. Featuring live music from Banda Vagos and performances from Denny and Sealth International Dance Groups. Plus games, raffles (including a grand prize of an Amazon Fire Tablet) and piñatas.” (2601 SW Kenyon)
HANDBELL CONCERT: Bells of the Sound at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor): This year’s holiday concert is “Ring, Little Bells“! Come see and hear Puget Sound’s premier handbell ensemble at 7:30 pm – show and ticket details here. (3940 41st SW)
HOLIDAY JAZZ: The Steve Griggs Jazz Ensemble, featuring Steve Griggs, Milo Petersen, Susan Pascal, and Evan Flory-Barnes, will play Christmas and seasonal favorites, 7:30 pm. Come support the West Seattle Helpline and professional jazz in West Seattle, brought to you by the “Music with a Heart” concert series at Alki UCC. Free Will offering, $15-20 suggested; refreshments at intermission. (6115 SW Hinds)
ARTIST RECEPTION AND F3 FUNDRAISER: At VAIN (WSB sponsor), “We are presenting modern terrariums created by West Seattle artist and animal lover Michelle Crabtree available for sale to benefit Furry Faces Foundation Dec 11th-31st. Meet the maker behind these captivating miniature living landscapes 6-8 pm Friday, December 11th. 100% of proceeds go to Furry Faces Foundation to help keep pets and people together. In addition, we will have select boutique items on sale to benefit F3, including Drink EZ handmade coasters created by Angie Cooper.” (4513 California SW)
If you’ve been waiting for the promised extension of Metro’s RapidRide C Line to South Lake Union – as the C and D lines are separated – it’s getting closer. SDOT just sent an announcement of work starting in SLU this weekend to get ready for the extension/separation in March. Read on:
(August 28th photo, courtesy Megan)
How long does it take to fix a fire-damaged mailbox?
More than three months, in the case of the Westwood Village Post Office’s drive-up mailbox, gone since a fire in late August. (Repairs took only a few days when the same box was hit by a driver back in March.)
When we followed up on its continued absence in September, US Postal Service regional spokesperson Ernie Swanson told WSB that no spare boxes of this type were available, so this one had to be fixed.
As prime holiday-mailing season approached, we started asking again about its whereabouts. Today, finally an answer. Swanson says, “Repairs to the damaged mail collection box have been completed and it should be re-installed at the PO soon.”
How soon? Too … soon … to say. Let us know if you see it before we do (206-293-6302, text or voice hotline, day or night, and yes, in this case, the mailbox’s return would qualify as breaking news).
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The organization that was planning to open West Seattle’s first charter school in the former Freedom Church space at 35th and Roxbury is putting the plan on hold for at least a year.
That announcement comes amid uncertainty about the fate of charter schools in our state, after the state Supreme Court ruled that they weren’t entitled to “common” state funds, and refused to revisit the ruling.
A West Seattle parent just forwarded us this e-mail announcement sent last night by the Summit employee hired to lead the West Seattle school, Summit Atlas – Greg Ponikvar:
Dear West Seattle families,
I want to thank you all for your ongoing support of Summit Public Schools. I have been so impressed with the passion you have shown for ensuring your children and all students in Washington have the choice of attending a public charter school.
Unfortunately, with the state Supreme Court ruling public charter schools “unconstitutional,” we have had to make some difficult decisions. While we are still deeply committed to opening a middle/high school in West Seattle, we have decided to delay opening Summit Atlas until the 2017‐18 school year as we work toward a legislative fix that will ensure public charter schools have a secure future in the state of Washington.
I know this is incredibly disappointing to our families and students in West Seattle who are eager to enroll their students next fall. I want to encourage those of you with incoming 9th and 10th graders to consider Summit Sierra.
I hope you will also continue to be a voice of support for public charter schools so that we are able to open Summit Atlas in 2017. The state legislature meets again in January, and we need our state legislators to hear from parents and students about the importance of school choice and the need to move forward with a Summit Public School in West Seattle. If you would like to contact your state representatives to make your voice heard, you can find them here.
While we have delayed the opening, we will continue working hard on our plans in West Seattle. An additional year will allow us to continue building community support for the school which will ultimately make our school’s foundation even stronger. Please join me for coffee on Tuesday, December 15 anytime between 8 and 11 am at Dubsea Coffee in White Center to ask questions and share ideas.
Thank you again for your ongoing support and partnership. We will continue to keep you updated with important events and announcements as we approach the upcoming legislative session.
As reported by the education-news site Seattle Schools Community Forum, the state Charter School Commission – chaired by West Seattleite Steve Sundquist – met this week and started the process of shutting down, with state charter funding running out as of next week. Meantime, some of the already-open schools have been reported to be looking at other options for staying open and funded, including affiliating with a small school district in Northeastern Washington.
We broke the news of the West Seattle charter-school plan at the start of this year, after discovering early-stage documents in city Department of Planning and Development files. Summit Public Schools – a California firm that opened its first Washington schools this fall in Tacoma and in Seattle’s International District – was soon revealed as the school’s prospective operator, and this summer it was approved to open a middle-and-high-school campus at the 35th/Roxbury site.
Meantime, Washington Charter School Development – also the local arm of a California firm – bought the site from Freedom Church for $4.75 million. Interior renovations were planned so that the first two grades could start next fall, with building additions planned later; Freedom Church leased the site back for a while but has now purchased and moved into its own new location in Skyway, so the prospective school site is in essence vacant.
We’re checking with Summit for more information on what happens now, both for families who had been seeking to attend the future school and for the site, a prominent, sizable piece of Arbor Heights real estate. The organization had told WSB twice since the Supreme Court’s ruling on charter funding that they were moving forward with the West Seattle plan.
It’s been four weeks since this year’s WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide launched – thanks to everyone who has shared information and event listings for the only one-stop place to find out what’s happening holiday-ish in West Seattle. This morning we’re reminding you that we continue to update the Holiday Guide at least once a day – adding new listings, and removing what’s already happened – and since today marks exactly two weeks until Christmas and three weeks until New Year’s Day, we’re especially interested in:
-Holiday church services
-Holiday restaurant/coffee hours if you’re going to be open (Christmas Eve/Day, New Year’s Eve/Day)
-New Year’s Eve/Day celebrations and contemplations (just added a labyrinth-walk listing, for example)
Don’t worry about sending posters/flyers/other graphics, though a photo is helpful if available and relevant – just send the information, in plain text (NOT a Word doc/PDF/etc.) in the body of your e-mail, to editor@wsb.blackfin.biz. Thank you!
(New Year’s 2015 Space Needle fireworks photo by David Hutchinson)
(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:29 AM: No incidents affecting the routes through/from West Seattle so far this morning.
One Highway 99 alert announced for next week – north of downtown
The west (outside) southbound lane of Aurora Avenue, between Comstock and Lee Streets, will have temporary lane closures overnight as Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) completes sewer repairs. During the closure, all southbound traffic will be diverted to the center southbound lane.
This work will take place overnight for up to five nights, but weather may extend the schedule. Contractor crews plan to start work the evening of Monday, December 14. Work will occur overnight from 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. During non-work hours the lane will be opened to traffic.
8:08 AM: Still nothing to report. So here’s a holiday note – an event we just added last night to the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, for tomorrow – West Seattle Bike Connections is leading a ride to the Alki Christmas Ship stop tomorrow evening. Decorate your bike! Sign in by 4:15 pm at Seacrest – details on the WSBC website.
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