West Seattle, Washington
17 Friday
Still a few things to catch up on from yesterday’s very busy news day – and here’s one. With Lynne Griffith retiring at the end of the month as the head of Washington State Ferries, her successor has been announced. Amy Scarton is WSDOT’s assistant secretary for Community and Economic Development and will become assistant secretary for WSF next month. The news release quotes state Transportation Secretary Roger Millar as saying, “Amy’s national experience managing programs and projects across all transportation modes, combined with the top-notch crews, will help ensure the ferry division remains on course.” That experience includes, WSDOT says:
… senior roles in both the Obama and Bush administrations at U.S. Department of Transportation; legal counsel to former Chairman James Oberstar of the U.S. House of Representatives Highway and Transit Subcommittee; and managing the WSDOT offices that support the agencies’ rail, freight, aviation, local programs, planning, and public transportation activities.
Scarton takes over at a time when major initiatives include figuring out how to solve recurring problems with the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route; formation of a task force is one of the next announced steps.
Not everything this Friday is inauguration-related. Here’s one example: The second annual 5 Minutes or Less Fly Fishing Film Fest at Emerald Water Anglers (42nd SW/SW Oregon; WSB sponsor) in The Junction. It starts at 7 pm Friday and admission is free, but space is limited, so you need to RSVP ASAP – shop@emeraldwateranglers.com or 206-708-7250.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:51 AM: Good morning! No incidents of note in or from West Seattle so far. Temperature’s in the mid-40s and roads are wet after a rainy night.
2:56 AM: Police are looking for a suspect in a shooting at 16th/Holden in Highland Park. According to scanner traffic, the suspect is about 6 feet tall, unknown race, thin build, wearing a red mask, black coat, black shirt, unknown color gloves, carrying a shotgun. The victim is reported to be an employee at the 7-11 – no information on condition so far.
3:28 AM: Police have been searching with a K-9 but no arrest reported so far. Here’s what our crew at the scene has founded out: The man who is hurt is the on-duty clerk; his injuries are not life-threatening so he’s being taken to the hospital by private ambulance (as shown in our top photo). The front door was apparently locked and he refused to let someone in, who then took out a shotgun and shot through the glass – the clerk’s injuries are apparently from broken glass as much as pellets. Detectives are joining the investigation.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The fight over 3,166 square feet of land and one ~100-foot tree is in the hands of city Hearing Examiner Sue Tanner, who is awaiting final written arguments after her 2+-hour hearing on the case.
Once they’re in, her ruling is expected by early February.
We first reported on the clash seven months ago, when neighbors went public with their hopes of keeping the city from granting a special exception to allow a house to be built at 3036 39th SW (map), taking out a towering Ponderosa Pine which meets the city’s definition of “exceptional tree” and has been dubbed the “gentle giant” of the neighborhood. The exception was granted; an appeal was filed; last Wednesday, we published this preview on the eve of the appeal hearing, with neighbors saying the fight had become about more than the tree.
The tree was not the topic of last Thursday’s hearing, it should be noted; it was scarcely mentioned at all. The neighbors’ other issues, such as the thousands of dollars charged by the city for the “interpretation” that facilitated the appeal, wasn’t, either. The testimony was all about the ground beneath, and around, the tree, and what its owner intended for that part of his property when seeking the building permit in 1930 to build the house to its south at 3038 39th SW.
For the city to grant a “historic lot exception” – which it did in October, leading neighbors to pursue their challenge – the Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) had to determine that it was considered a separate building site going back more than half a century, though nothing ever had been built on it. SDCI staffers who have written, by their admission, hundreds such determinations were the department’s main witnesses at the appeal hearing.
The focus was on the minutiae of what information the department uses to make those determinations – which seemed to be portrayed as more of an art than a science, as the specifics, SDCI reps acknowledged, are not written into the city code. Read More
Two reader reports and one police report in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
FOUND BICYCLE: From Mark – “Found a black Roadmaster bike today along Harbor Avenue. Probably stolen. If yours, email to msjseattle@gmail.com”
SMASHED WINDOWS: An alert from Allison, if you live near 16th/Trenton in Highland Park – “In the last 2 days I’ve seen my two immediate neighbors with the driver-side windows on their cars smashed.”
And from the SPD report files, this burglary attempt from last Thursday night has narrative information available:
ALKI BREAK-IN THWARTED: Police were called to a building in the 1200 block of Alki Avenue SW around 10 pm and arrived to someone running up to their car yelling, “They went that way!” They explained that the two people running away had tried to break into the apartment above theirs. The witness heard a “loud bang” and went upstairs to find that someone had tried to pry open a deadbolted door. The suspects were then seen leaving the building; they were described as “a white male, wearing a white snow jacket, black jeans, a white head scarf, and white Adidas tennis shoes (and) a white unknown sex suspect, wearing a white snow jacket and light-colored jeans.” Two crowbars were found on the ground nearby. Police were working with management to get a copy of surveillance video that shows the suspects.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
After a little more than three years in business, Alki Fatburger has closed.
Thanks for the tip that sent us over to look for the telltale sign on the door. But with this restaurant closure, unlike many, we know what’s going to follow.
First, the backstory: Fatburger, part of an international chain, opened at 2738 Alki SW in October 2013, not long after the closing of Bada Bistro, which was in business for less than five months. The bistro had been a rebranding of the space that its then-owners operated as Beachside Café for about two years. That in turn was the successor to the abruptly shuttered Alki Bakery, a corner fixture for 25 years, until November 2010.
Back to the present – the sign on the door at the now-ex-Fatburger promises “an exciting new concept.” And we have just spoken to one of the co-proprietors who will be opening it within a few months.
Deborah Borchelt and her husband Ryan Borchelt are new West Seattleites who moved here from Indianapolis, where they founded B’s Po Boy, which she describes as “a Cajun-themed restaurant with authentic po boy sandwiches.” They will open its second location here.
How authentic? “If you’ve ever been to New Orleans, what really makes a po boy is the bread. We were thrilled to find out we’ll be able to get that bread here in Seattle, the same bread we use in Indiana.”
The menu – slightly expanded from what they have in Indianapolis, because the kitchen is larger – also will include gumbo, red beans and rice, beignets, salads, and other sandwiches. Also, she says, “vegan options.”
They’ll have “beer, wine, and spirits,” too.
They’re keeping the Indianapolis restaurant open as well as opening on Alki. So how did they wind up in West Seattle? It’s a love story – they fell in love with our area while visiting good friends here last summer. Those friends, she says, “said you’ll love it here …and we did fall in love, head over heels.” The friends, at the time, were renting on Alki, and had discovered another restaurant for sale. Deborah and her husband started talking and realized they could do business anywhere – so they pursued the idea of moving here and opening another B’s Po Boy.
It took four trips before they settled things, she says, and they were adamant that both their home and restaurant had to be in West Seattle – “that’s how much we love (it).”
So they have been in their home for a month and, this Friday, they close on the now-ex-Fatburger space. They will be working with the design-build firm Mallett to renovate it – nothing major, she says, “we’re not moving walls, but it will have a totally different look and feel.”
They hope to open within two months of closing but realistically, she says, it might be more like three. The hours will be similar to what they do in Indianapolis – opening daily at 11, closing at 9 Sundays-Thursdays, 10 Fridays-Saturdays, during the winter, adding an hour in summer. Maybe later, she says, depending on what they discover about business at the beach.
It will be a full table-service restaurant, with carryout too, and probably some catering.
Borchelt says they’ve seen lots of signs that things were meant to be. Even, she laughs, Alaska Airlines starting nonstop Seattle-Indianapolis service this spring!
She says they’ve talked to some West Seattle “merchants and neighbors” – without divulging their future location until now – and says “everyone’s been welcoming … we feel like we made a great decision.”
Big crowd at West Seattle Fish House (35th SW/SW Henderson) just before lunchtime today – but they weren’t there for the fish, chips, and chowder. It was a big media event to show off the new restaurant-rating system and signage that Seattle-King County Public Health is rolling out, starting now. Above are King County Council Chair Joe McDermott and County Executive Dow Constantine – both West Seattleites – with WSFH proprietors Senait Beyene, Muzit Evans, and Stan Evans. Here’s a closer look at the new emoji-inspired signage:
As explained in the official announcement of the new system, the first in the nation that takes an average of inspections:
The four food safety ratings are:
Needs to Improve: The restaurant was either closed by Public Health – Seattle & King County within the last year or the restaurant needed multiple return inspections to fix food safety practices.
Okay: The restaurant has had MANY red critical violations over the last four inspections.
Good: The restaurant has had SOME red critical violations over the last four inspections.
Excellent: The restaurant has had No or Few red critical violations over the last four inspections.
The window signage will eventually be displayed in all restaurants in King County. Here’s more about what they mean:
Executive Constantine pointed out that he spent a lot of time working in the food and beverage business – starting out by making fish and chips “down at Alki Beach.” Also at today’s event, inspector Ann Jackson demonstrated some of what she and other inspectors do:
Though West Seattle was chosen for today’s announcement, you won’t see the rating signs in restaurants here until April, the second phase of this year’s four-phase countywide rollout – that’s when they’ll be posted in zip codes including 98106, 98116, 98126, 98136, and 98146. Meantime – you can look up restaurants’ inspection results here.
2:11 PM: A month and a half after announcing three “new” authorized encampments around the city, including the Myers Way Parcels site that is already home to an unauthorized encampment, Mayor Murray is following through. Here’s the announcement, including plans for a community meeting:
Today, Mayor Ed Murray sent emergency orders to City Council authorizing three previously announced encampment locations for people experiencing homelessness in Seattle.
The orders call for three new encampments, each with capacity for 60 to 70 people, to be established at 8620 Nesbit Avenue North, 9701 Myers Way South, and 1000 South Myrtle Street. These locations will be permitted for one year, with an option to be renewed for an additional year. The City has been actively meeting with residents and neighborhood leaders ahead of today’s announcement and will continue to engage with the community as the sites are established. Upcoming community meetings are:
Monday, January 23, 2017
Georgetown Community Council Meeting
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Old Georgetown City Hall, 6202 13th Ave SouthWednesday, February 1, 2017
Myers Way Community Council Meeting
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: City of Seattle – Joint Training Facility, 9401 Myers Way SouthAdditional meetings with South Park and Aurora/Licton Springs community groups are being scheduled.
The emergency orders sent to City Council today are part of Bridging the Gap to Pathways Home, Mayor Murray’s interim plan to address the immediate needs of people living unsheltered, while the City fully implements its long-term plan, Pathways Home.
We are following up with the mayor’s office to ask for a copy of the “emergency orders” and also to ask whether a decision has been made on whether the Myers Way encampment will continue to be self-managed as Camp Second Chance (which moved there, unauthorized, last summer) or whether a nonprofit is being sought to run it.
ADDED 4:41 PM: Here’s the order for the Myers site. Mayoral spokesperson William Lemke says they’re still working on who will operate it.
Eleven months ago, Seattle Police announced they were looking for a missing 
62-year-old from West Seattle, Richard Arneson.
The search is over. DNA testing has determined that Mr. Arneson is the man whose remains were found last May along the Columbia River in Wahkiakum County, according to this report today in the Chinook Observer.
How he got there – and how he died – remain mysteries, and the Observer report says SPD is still investigating. Just last week, months after the remains were found near Pillar Rock (map), Wahkiakum County’s Coroner/Prosecutor Dan Bigelow had gone public with a sketch and some information about more of what was found with them.
Then came the DNA match, with the help of samples provided by Mr. Arneson’s family, the Observer reports. We’ll be checking with SPD to see if they have anything more to add.
Thanks to the reader who just sent this photo and report: “I live on 24th and Graham and access to Delridge is blocked off by a stuck garbage truck. It appears to have encountered a tree.” No injuries, apparently, since this isn’t on the 911 fire/medic log.
(Lynn Hall photographed the Great Blue Heron checking out a streetlight along Duwamish Head)
Before too much more of the day gets away from us … five things for the rest of today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
‘TRY IT TUESDAY’ AT THE Y: As the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) expansion/reopening celebration continues, nonmembers are invited to stop in and try the Y on Tuesdays – open until 10 pm. (36th SW/SW Snoqualmie)
EARLY DAYS: The Early Days drop-in support groups have two days/locations in 2017. Today – and every Tuesday – 1-3 pm, you’ll find Early Days at Nurturing Expressions (WSB sponsor) in The Junction – details in our calendar listing. (4746 44th SW)
JUNCTION NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION: As previewed here last night, this is one of two JuNO meetings to get ready for the city’s upcoming workshop on proposed rezoning as part of the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda. 6:30 pm @ the Senior Center/Sisson Building. (4217 SW Oregon)
WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: As previewed here over the weekend, tonight’s special guest is an SPD expert on “active shooter” situations. The meeting also brings you an update on local crime trends and a chance to ask police about your crime/safety concerns. 7 pm at the Southwest Precinct. (2300 SW Webster)
SOUTH SOUND NIGHT OF STARS: Live music at Parliament Tavern, 8 pm – details here. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
EVEN MORE … on our complete calendar page.
The city of Seattle currently has two potential annexations on the table – one in the South Park/Duwamish River area, the other in White Center/North Highline. A briefing on both is set for tomorrow’s meeting of the Seattle City Council’s Education, Equity, and Governance Committee (2 pm Wednesday, City Hall downtown, also live on seattlechannel.org). The documents in the agenda indicate that if the city decides to send North Highline annexation to the area’s 8,600+ registered voters, that’s more likely next year than this year (which had been previously mentioned as an option). See more in our preview on partner site White Center Now.
P.S. The committee meeting also includes updates on two voter-approved, levy-funded initiatives, the Democracy Voucher program and the Seattle Preschool Program, which according to the briefing slide deck now has half a dozen sites in our area.
TUESDAY NIGHT NOTE: The agenda has been revised and the Democracy Vouchers briefing is no longer planned.
The Seattle Public Schools administration has sent SPS families a note saying they’ve heard school walkouts are likely on Friday. No specific schools were mentioned. But overnight, we received this:
I am a student at Madison Middle School writing to inform you of a walkout happening January 20th at Madison Middle School.
This will occur 6th period, or 1:30. We will walk from Madison, down California, and then to the Junction and back. It would be helpful if you could post the walkout on the blog to spread the word.
Thank you for your time,
A Madison Student
Here is what SPS sent families (thanks to those who forwarded it to us):
We have heard from some principals and through social media channels that our middle and high school students may choose to participate in a planned walkout on Inauguration Day, Friday, January 20. This call to action is not endorsed or sanctioned by the school district. The “National Student Walkout Against Trump” has been organized by a group called Socialist Students.
In November, ten thousand of our students safely walked out of school in response to the presidential election results. The district supports students’ rights to express their views in a peaceful manner. However, when civic engagement includes missing class, there are appropriate and standardized consequences. Students should understand that if they choose to participate in the January 20 walkout, they will receive an unexcused absence per board policy.
Board Policy 3121 (pdf)
Superintendent Procedure 3121 (pdf)
Following an unexcused absence, students do not have the right to make up school work. Any make up is at the discretion of the principal and classroom teacher. The opportunity to make up work will depend on the course syllabus and other factors. If students do choose to walk out, you will receive a notice from the individual school. At this time, it is hard to predict how many schools and students will participate, if any.
Educators and other school staff have been asked to remain at school. Staff participation in the January 20 walkout, for reasons other than ensuring the safety of our students, will be treated as a personnel matter.
Finally, any time we know of a planned walkout, the district’s Safety and Security department works very closely with the Seattle Police Department (SPD). We are already in contact with SPD regarding this potential event.
In closing, if you have questions or concerns regarding the potential January 20 walkout you can send them to publicaffairs@seattleschools.org or direct them to your child’s school principal.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
7:02 AM: Good morning! With the temperature in the low 40s, it’s almost a heat wave out there. As for traffic – SDOT reported a crash at 31st SW/SW Cloverdale a short time ago, but SFD has already closed out of the call.
7:20 AM: Sound Transit says its express buses, including West Seattle-serving Route 560, are all running about 20 minutes behind due to “heavy traffic.”
7:51 AM: Charlie reports, “I’m on a rt 57 right now. Firefighters blocking the bus lane on 99. Helping someone in a stopped vehicle. Just north of the Starbucks building.”
8:14 AM SDOT says the 99 situation has cleared.
(Photo sent by Jeanine)
9:21 PM: A big Seattle Fire response is on the way to the 6700 block of 18th SW [map] on Puget Ridge. According to scanner traffic, an SUV has hit a tree and is on its side, with one person reported trapped. More to come.
9:25 PM: The person is now out of the vehicle, after reportedly claiming to be unhurt. Most of the SFD response is being canceled.
(WSB photo)
10:08 PM: Photos added. This one wrapped up fast. The last SFD crew (Engine 11) passed us while we were still a few blocks away. Only one police car was left keeping watch on the vehicle until the tow truck arrived – and we passed it as we left. 18th, narrow as it is, wasn’t even blocked by the wreck.
ADDED TUESDAY MORNING: Neighbors say the driver appeared impaired, and overnight, the call was officially logged as DUI.
(Direct link to draft West Seattle Junction rezoning map)
January 26th is the next major city meeting in West Seattle related to proposed rezoning for the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda‘s Mandatory Housing Affordability component – and this week, the Junction Neighborhood Organization has two meetings to prepare for it. From JuNO director René Commons:
1/17 Tuesday, JuNO Meeting, 6:30-7:30 pm – West Seattle Senior Center’s Nucor Room
Guest Speaker Cindi Barker: Cindi will be sharing the MoCA (Morgan Community Association) response to the MHA HALA rezone. She will offer her insights on how best to plan and prepare our WS Junction community to respond at the upcoming city meeting on 1/26.
1/19 Thursday, JuNO Land Use Committee meeting – 6:30-7:30 pm, West Seattle Senior Center’s Hatten Hall – for neighbors to provide input before the 1/26 City meeting.
JuNO is excited to announce Rich Koehler and Carl Guess are Co-Chairs for the newly formed JuNO Land Use Committee, which is a part of JuNO that will focus on helping the West Seattle Junction neighborhood influence programs that include proposed land use changes such as HALA and ST3! The JuNO Land Use Committee will be hosting this meeting. Thank you Rich, Carl, & all the new volunteers!
The January 19th meeting will be a community-organized “workshop meeting,” Commons says, “to discuss a response that is related to rezoning, infrastructure, and affordable housing in our West Seattle Junction Urban Village in an open forum.” Then a week later, it’s the city-sponsored January 26th workshop, also at the Senior Center, 6-9 pm. If you’re interested in being there, JuNO hopes to see you at one or both of this week’s meetings. The Senior Center (Sisson Building) is at 4217 SW Oregon.
Eight years after we took that photo – just after the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse in West Seattle was completed and dedicated in January 2009 – its next anniversary celebration is days away. You’re invited to the Longhouse next Saturday (January 21st), 10 am-5 pm, for an open house that will start with a screening of the new documentary “Promised Land,” featuring the Duwamish and Chinook Tribes’ fight for restoration of their treaty rights – here’s the trailer:
This is the first time the film will be shown at the Duwamish Longhouse. Here’s the longhouse’s backstory, as shared by the tribe:
It is the 8th Anniversary of the building of the first Duwamish Longhouse since the last one was burned down in West Seattle in 1894 to push the Duwamish off their land. In 1851, there were over 90 Duwamish Longhouses. Opened in 2009, the Longhouse is a traditional cedar post and beam structure designed in the Puget Salish Longhouse style. It houses a Native Art Gallery, Duwamish History Museum, Gift Shop, Duwamish Tribal Offices, and traditional Longhouse. As in ancient times, the Longhouse is the site where tribal business is conducted and cultural & educational events are held.
Now, the plan for Saturday’s event:
Open house featuring new Duwamish film, cultural program & reception. Celebrate the heritage of Greater Seattle’s First People, Chief Seattle’s Duwamish Tribe. Open house, 10-5, visit exhibit areas and art gallery. Festivities include:
10 am – Duwamish Film: “Promised Land” – This new documentary revisits Chief Seattle’s Duwamish Tribe’s continuing struggle for justice in its own land. The filmmakers & Duwamish tribal leaders will be present for a brief discussion after the film, to be followed by a reception.
“Promised Land” is a social justice documentary that follows two tribes in the Pacific Northwest: the Duwamish and the Chinook, as they fight for the restoration of treaty rights they’ve long been denied. The film examines a larger problem in the way that the government and society still looks at tribal sovereignty. Produced and directed by Vasant and Sarah Samudre Salcedo, and sponsored by 4Culture and San Francisco Film Society.
12 pm – Reception
1-3 pm – Cultural Program with special guests & native storytelling. Duwamish Heritage Group will invite friends to join in song and dance.
Free admission & parking.
The Duwamish Longhouse is at 4705 W. Marginal Way SW.
(Texted photo)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 3:48 PM MONDAY: Moments after we published a Crime Watch roundup, this happened – a big police response at the 35th/Holden gas station. Thanks for the tips! Per the scanner, officers recovered this stolen Honda Accord:
(WSB photo)
We don’t know yet if there’s anything more to the case than “stolen/recovered car,” but even if there isn’t, the sizable response is standard – since motor-vehicle theft is a felony, it requires what is referred to as a “felony stop” (guns drawn).
UPDATE, 11:10 AM TUESDAY: We followed up this morning with SPD. What ended at the gas station started at Westwood Village, where an officer spotted the stolen car, alerting others along the way, and finally catching up with it. Its occupants, who were taken into custody, “had stolen credit cards and IDs” in their possession, per SPD.
Three reader reports plus a quick note from the online SPD files, and a reminder:
STOLEN BIKE: From WB:
Sometime on the evening of 1/15/17 and the morning of 1/15/17 my locked bike (Cannondale M400) was stolen off a second floor landing of my apartment building. California and Andover. Black/Dark Green. Commuter bike with rack. Serial #06526B5M16.
If you have info on it – refer to police report #2017-900426.
BIKES FOUND: Lewis sent this photo, reporting: “Just spotted these two girls bikes halfway up the staircase near Andover and 21st SW. They were in the trees off to the side of the staircase (visible from the stairs) if anyone is looking for them”:
(They might be the same ones shown in this report – though we published that two months ago.)
BAG THEFT AT BAR: From Jordan, who hopes you will keep watch for some of the stolen stuff:
(Saturday) night (1/14) my bag was stolen from the bar at West 5. This happened between 8:30 pm and 11:30 pm. My partner and I were sitting closer to the middle of the bar, near the serving station. I had my jacket and my bag hanging from the hooks under the bar in front of my bar stool. I am guessing my bag got swiped in the short time that I was gone to the restroom. My boyfriend was sitting next to me the whole time, but he had his back turned talking to our friend who was sitting to our left while I went to the restroom. Neither of them noticed anyone come up and take it, nor did any of the staff. However, it was quite busy and loud, especially around the bar area, where people were coming and going, so it’s not so surprising that someone could have swiped it and not drawn attention to themselves. As soon as I noticed it was gone, the staff helped me search for it, including walking out in the alley behind the bar to see if someone dumped it since I don’t keep much of value in my bag.
The content of my bag included: A black plaid scarf, a silver ring, my light-up knit gloves, my fingerless/mitten gloves, a portable phone charger, an umbrella, prescription sunglasses, and a bottle of non-narcotic prescription medication. The most expensive items being my sunglasses and medication. I never keep my wallet, phone, or house keys in my bag and that paid off. I am shocked that this happened, especially at West 5. We are regulars there and we know all of the staff and many of the other regulars. This is the last place I would have expected something like this to happen and it’s an important reminder to never let your guard down and always keep an eye on your stuff. I did file a police report online and I am awaiting a response. The total to replace everything is going to be around $500. If anyone happens to see my messenger bag and other things dumped somewhere, let me know.
And from the online SPD files:
STORE HOLDUP: According to the police-reports map, the 7-11 at 3280 SW Avalon Way was held up just before 3 am today. The report’s narrative details are not available online yet, so that’s all we know.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL REMINDER: As previewed here on Saturday, the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council DOES meet tomorrow, and that’s where you can find out more about crime trends, get answers to questions about crime/safety concerns, plus see the guest presentation about “active shooter” situations. 7 pm Tuesday (January 17th), Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster).
11:38 AM: Thanks for the photos!
The crowd rallying at the State Capitol in Olympia right now for full education funding includes West Seattleites – Keri Watson sent the two photos above, and Emily Goldstein sent the next two:
Parents, students, and educators are continuing to pressure legislators to fix the education-funding shortfall – both the failure to live up to the State Supreme Court’s McCleary decision, and the “levy cliff” problem (explained here) that is further constraining funding. After a School Board work session last week, Seattle Public Schools has a list of what cuts will be made if needed to cover $63 million of its potential $74 million gap, if nothing changes by February 28th – here’s the update from Superintendent Dr. Larry Nyland.
ADDED 2:11 PM: More photos! First, texted by a Pathfinder family:
And two more from Emily Goldstein – first, meeting with 34th District legislators (in the background, from left, Reps. Joe Fitzgibbon and Eileen Cody, and Sen. Sharon Nelson), and then hearing from Gov. Jay Inslee:
ADDED 7:31 PM: Thanks to Lindsay Yost for this photo of the Alki Elementary PTA contingent with SPS Superintendent Nyland at the rally:
ADDED 8:46 PM: Thanks to Shawna Murphy for this photo of the Louisa Boren STEM K-8 contingent just before they left for Olympia this morning:
And she also shared this panorama from the Olympia rally:
ADDED TUESDAY MORNING: Thanks also to Darcey Pickard for STEM K-8 photos from Olympia:
If you are concerned about school funding and not already involved with the PTSA/PTA at your school – check out its next meeting.
In addition to the transportation changes we noted earlier – more holiday info:
LIBRARIES: Closed
PARKS FACILITIES: Most closed, but the West Seattle Golf Course is open
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: Post offices closed, no delivery/pickup
MLK DAY OF SERVICE: We don’t know whether they have room for more volunteers, but here again is our preview with four local work parties – three in West Seattle, one in White Center. (If you’re out on a Day of Service project today – please consider sending us a photo!)
HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: West Seattle High School plays tonight in the 4th annual MLK Day Unity Hoop Showcase at Garfield High School. Doors open at 4; WSHS plays Eastside Catholic at 5 pm; it’s Cleveland vs. Franklin at 7 pm. Admission $10. (400 23rd Ave.)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:57 AM: Good morning! One last dry, cold morning – the rain isn’t expected to move in until tonight.
Meantime, here are the transportation changes for today’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day holiday:
METRO – Reduced weekday service
WATER TAXI – No service
SOUND TRANSIT – Regular weekday service for Route 560; light rail, Saturday schedule
CITY STREET PARKING – No charge at city-run pay stations/meters
SCHOOL BUSES – No school, so no buses
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