West Seattle, Washington
12 Friday
(New carving at Lincoln Park – photo sent by Darlene)
Here are the highlights, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
END-OF-SUMMER BEACH VOLLEYBALL: Alki Volleyball Association games 8 am-6 pm at the beach. (2400 Alki SW)
FINISH IT! AT WESTCREST PARK: A massive blackberry-clearing task will be finished this morning with your help – and the celebration will include homemade blackberry jam. Full details here. 10 am-noon at Westcrest Park. (5th SW/SW Cloverdale)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm in the heart of The Junction, end-of-summer freshness! (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
MINISTRY FAIR, SALAD POTLUCK, DESSERT CONTEST: 11 am at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor):
Tibbetts United Methodist Church is hosting a Salad Potluck, Dessert Contest, and Ministry Fair after worship service ~11:30 am-1:30 pm, in Adams Hall on the basement level of Tibbetts UMC.
Please bring any kind of salad or salad ingredient(s) and we’ll have a feast of fellowship. In theory, at least, salad leaves plenty of room for a dessert contest and you are the judges! This year the ministry fair will also focus on explaining the unique structure behind each of our four ministry areas – Stewardship, Worship, Outreach, and Discipleship. All are welcome! The leadership team looks forward to seeing you there!
(3940 41st SW)
GREYHOUND MEET-AND-GREET: 11 am-1 pm at Mud Bay in Admiral, meet retired racing greyhounds and find out about adoption, and more! (2611 California SW)
SAN GENNARO FESTIVAL: Last chance to go to Georgetown to enjoy this West Seattleite-founded Italian-American festival, with music, food, more. (S. Angelo/Ellis Ave. S.)
BOUNCY HOUSE AND BARBECUE: After the 10:15 am service at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, a parking-lot barbecue picnic to celebrate the end of summer and start of a new program year. Face-painting and bouncy house, too. All welcome. (3050 California SW)
COLMAN POOL, LAST 2018 DAY: The outdoor pool on the shore at Lincoln Park finishes its sole post-season weekend this year today, noon-7 pm. See the schedule of swim sessions here. (8603 Fauntleroy Way SW)
NEW CLEAR NEWS: West Seattle Neighbors for Peace and Justice hope to see you for this publication distribution in The Junction, noon-1 pm. (California/Alaska)
CAMP 2ND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: 2 pm at Arrowhead Gardens, find out what’s happening with West Seattle’s city-sanctioned encampment. Public comments/questions welcome. (9200 2nd SW)
FORMERLY CHORO TOCANDO: 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), you knew them as Choro Tocando but: “Now that we are more than a duo, our expanded group name is Chorando na Chuva, which translated means ‘Crying in the Rain’.” No cover. (5612 California SW)
FRIENDLY COED FUTSAL NIGHT: Go play futsal with the new Queen City Futsal folks, 6-9 pm at the Salvation Army. Maybe even find a team to join, or just go to see what it’s all about. Everyone 18+ is welcome. (9050 16th SW)
EREV ROSH HASHANAH AT KOL HANESHAMAH: Rosh Hashanah eve; gather at 7 pm at Kol HaNeshamah (WSB sponsor). The High Holy Days schedule is in our calendar listing. (6115 SW Hinds)
THAT’S NOT ALL … see our complete calendar for today/tonight/beyond!
Another event we covered today: The first-ever West Seattle community meeting scheduled as part of the city’s new “Early Outreach” stage of Design Review. Certain projects will be required to go through Early Outreach to get community input before the project reaches the official Design Review stage, whether with or without board meetings. In this case – as we previewed here – the project involves 5 townhouses set to replace two houses at 1772 Alki SW.
Seth Hale from MAS Architecture was the lone project rep for the meeting this morning at Alki Community Center; five community members showed up, four nearby residents and one person from another neighborhood who is a longtime community advocate on land-use issues. Hale said they had sent 100 postcards to people living near the project site. One of the nearby residents identified herself as from the Action Alki Alliance, which had been active in issues related to the apartments-turned-condos development soon to start construction at 1250 Alki SW. She was concerned that the setback proposed for the 1772 Alki townhouses wouldn’t be enough. Other participants’ comments included a request to keep a big old monkey-puzzle tree on the site; the architect had design options with and without it. He said the design proposal hasn’t been finalized yet – they’re working with a neighbor to decide whether an existing driveway ca be shared. They’re also still working out how tall a retaining wall on the slope at the back of the site needs to be. The meeting was very informal, and is a prelude to the project going through Administrative Design Review – which does not include public meetings.
NEXT ‘EARLY DESIGN OUTREACH’ MEETING IN WEST SEATTLE: As first mentioned here a week ago, the 8-townhouse project planned for 5616 California SW is set for one of these meetings, 4 pm September 17th at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
HOW TO FIND OUT IF ‘EARLY DESIGN OUTREACH’ IS PLANNED FOR SOMETHING NEAR YOU: The city is using this page to note when a project enters this process, but at least so far, it isn’t cross-referencing when meetings are set – you have to check this calendar page for those, unless you happen to be one of the very-nearby neighbors who gets notice. (Media notification is apparently not required, as we haven’t received notification of either of the meetings scheduled so far.)
(Added: WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
9:36 PM: Just over at Southwest Athletic Complex in Westwood: Visiting from Tumwater, Black Hills HS beat Chief Sealth International High School, 41-13. Details and photos later.
ADDED EARLY SUNDAY: Most of the first quarter was all about the defense, including key tackling by Sealth’s #22 Jesse Brown:
But Black Hills got on the board with a TD at 1:57 to go in the first quarter and went unanswered up to a 20-0 score shortly after the second half started. Midway into the third quarter, Sealth got on the board:
Sealth's first TD. Now Black Hills 20, Chief Sealth 6, 6:15 to go in 3rd Q. pic.twitter.com/NccQUxSyTt
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) September 9, 2018
The Seahawks’ other TD was also in the third quarter, by #8 Dontae McMillan, not long after he had to come out for a short time after being down on the field:
Not only is #8 McMillan back in for Sealth, he just ran in the Seahawks' 2nd TD. Black Hills 27, Chief Sealth 13 with 2:40 left in 3rd Q. pic.twitter.com/ZHRjAn6nRV
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) September 9, 2018
Black Hills, however, was not done scoring, and won 41-14. Next week is the annual Huling Bowl matchup between the Seahawks and the West Seattle High School Wildcats – whose head coach Jeff Scott previewed Sealth from the stands at tonight’s game – 7 pm Friday (September 14th) at SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
At halftime of the Chief Sealth International High School-Black Hills HS football game at Southwest Athletic Complex (second half under way – story later), we caught up with CSIHS Ultimate Frisbee Club members Ksusha, Isaac, Indy, and Kai. The club just received a $100 donation from Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) in nearby Westwood Village, which is donating to a different school club at every home game – after designing the official coin thats being used for the toss at each Sealth home game.
Just in from the Seattle Education Association, which represents Seattle Public Schools teachers and other : Today’s votes on the one-year contract has been tallied and it’s been ratified. Minutes later, SPS sent this statement:
Seattle Education Association (SEA) members approved the educator contract. SEA represents the district’s educators, substitutes, paraprofessionals, instructional assistants and office professionals.
“I want to thank our educators, the joint bargaining team, and SEA leadership for their hard work throughout the bargaining process. I am proud of the interest-based bargaining process we engaged in with SEA,” said Superintendent Denise Juneau. “We coalesced around common values, including racial equity, and crafted a contract that honors our educators and helps us advance our collective commitment to every student in the district. Seattle remains competitive with our neighboring districts while maintaining critical services for students and families.”
“Great things happen when we keep students at the center of our work,” she added.
Since May, a joint team of approximately 45 Seattle Public Schools (SPS) and Seattle Education Association (SEA) representatives have been negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement
This year the team was engaged in interest-based bargaining. This approach to bargaining builds on our shared commitment to students and to common goals. The district is excited to offer enhanced supports to our educators in the 1-year contract:
• A competitive pay schedule that honors the work of our current educators and helps us attract and retain new professionals to Seattle Public Schools. Each bargaining unit will receive an average 10.5% increase. • Increased nurses and preparation time
• Increased secondary counselors
• Expansion of school-based race and equity teams, confirming our commitment to eliminating opportunity gaps
• Enhanced parental leave including for the adoption of a child
• Enhanced educator professional development and dedicated collaboration time focused on addressing racial and educational inequities
• An innovative SEA and SPS developed Peer Assistance Review and professional growth program to support educator growth and teaching quality
• Increased professional development for staff and substitute educators
• Enhanced substitute health care benefits“These new investments will help ensure many students in Seattle receive the educational supports they deserve, ” said Board President Leslie Harris. “I am so proud of our educators and staff for building a contract that is student centered. We look forward to joining with our staff, families and students to work with the Legislature for full funding of public education.”
From Kristin:
We were reviewing our Nest cam from (Wednesday) night and noted that the car parked in our driveway (which abuts the alleyway) behind 12th Ave SW near Holden was broken into and rifled through. We had 0 things of value in there. We believe the thief probably just came across trash, basically, but … here’s a link to the video clip.
The prowler comes into view at the upper left just before the one minute mark, and goes back off-camera about a minute and a half later.
Check out the 50th-anniversary jerseys on the West Seattle Soccer Club players who were on the field during WSSC’s celebration at Southwest Athletic Complex this afternoon! Big fun in more ways than one:
Among those there to celebrate – the club’s founder, Joe Smith, at right below with the president of WSSC’s board, Stefan Persson:
WSSC is a recreational soccer club for all youth 5-18 in our area, and it has become a huge success over the decades, with four-digit participation. P.S. This weekend also marks the start of fall play for many – older players had games today, while younger players had a Jamboree.
Not only are cool and/or nostalgic and/or funky finds, priced to sell, available outdoors AND indoors at the Highland Park Improvement Club Giant Yard Sale, the bar is open too. We got one enthusiastic recommendation for the Bloody Marys.
Prefer something non-alcoholic? Outside, there’s a lemonade stand. And more records. And even a bit of golf gear.
We could go on, but really, one person’s treasure is another person’s … you know how it goes. So go see for yourself before 3 pm. HPIC is at 12th and Holden, and you can park down the block at Riverview if you’re not close enough to walk or ride.
(WSB photo)
Thanks for the calls/tips. Some wondered if that group of people seen walking with a flag in the Admiral/Alki area are protesting/demonstrating. No – we found out it’s the same thing that led to similar questions last December, as covered here – linked to goruck.com. As we wrote then, along with selling rucksacks and other gear, the company organizes/facilitates teambuilding-type long-distance walks; its founders include a former Green Beret, and some of its events raise money for the Green Beret Foundation.
9:13 AM: Not here at the Seattle Lutheran High School gym (4100 SW Genesee) yet? More than 50 people are, as the Sound Transit “neighborhood forum” for West Seattle light rail routing/station locations begins. This is in “open house” – circulate and look at boards, maps, etc. – mode until at least 9:30, followed by a presentation, followed by small-group conversation starting just before 10, so you have time to get here. (The format is detailed here.) Here’s our most-recent coverage, with the new ST-released “visualizations” of what some of the route/station options might look like. Updates to come!
9:32 AM: The presentation’s starting, projected on the north wall. The microphone is given first to Joe McDermott, County Councilmember and Sound Transit board member, who jokes about the ease of the commute (on a Saturday morning) and thanks everyone for turning out. He’s followed by project director Cathal Ridge providing some project backstory and timeline, starting with the planning phase (now) and moving to construction starting in 2025 to open the Stadium-SODO-West Seattle extension in 2030. (Rough count update, 100+ people here now.)
Ridge reiterates that they’re not asking people to pick their final preferred alternative today, but to help “narrow” the list down. One more level of review is ahead before that preferred alternative is finalized next April, to move into full environmental study.
Ridge notes that this is the first time “cost assessment” has entered the process (as we reported last Wednesday) – focused on “limited conceptual design” (5%, compared to 60% when they get to an actual project budget) based on “consistent methodology” including 2017 dollars. In the final level of review, Level 3, they will provide costs for “end-to-end alternatives,” compared to the current comparative segment-by-segment analysis, and those, Ridge explains, “will facilitate comparison to ST3 budget” (as approved by voters).
9:47 AM: He’s followed by Stephen Mak, ST’s West Seattle-specific planner, recapping the five West Seattle segment alternatives currently under discussion, including the “representative project” originally proposed. After going briefly over the route/station maps for the alternatives, Mak hits the info-dense tables of evaluation points that were originally presented at the Stakeholder Advisory Group meeting Wednesday (and included in our coverage – you can also see that slide deck here – but be aware that latter link includes the evaluation of all West Seattle to Ballard segments; WS is last). The highlights include the same takeaway points that ST chose to highlight, such as “visual effects” – where “low” and “high” guideways are mentioned, by the way, we asked for clarification on Wednesday, and “low” means up to 60′, while “high” means up to 160′. If you want to cut to the bare-bones summary, this is the page:
(That’s on page 106 of the presentation from Wednesday; we will ask on Monday for the WS-only deck that’s being used today.)
10:09 AM: Mak is followed by ST station planner Sloan Dawson, who talks about the by-invitation-only daylong station “charrettes” that were held in July, one for Delridge, one for Junction and Avalon. (We covered a walking tour that was part of the latter.) Someone in the crowd quickly spots the acronym TOD and asks for an explanation (answer: Transit Oriented Development). Here are the slides he showed:
10:20 AM: Presentation’s ending. That means table-by-table conversations will begin. ST has a note-taker assigned to each table.
It’s announced that City Councilmember Lisa Herbold is here. Someone asks if the slides can be made available online – the facilitator says yes. (Again, as noted above, the same slides were in the Wednesday presentations, but we’ll request today’s deck on Monday and add it here.) We’re within earshot of one table, whose note-taker/coordinator KaDeena Yerkan is asking people to introduce themselves and to say which station/route segment most interests them. One person in her self-intro says she’s interested in whatever would speed up the process. ST, meantime, tells us that the signup forms at last check showed 130 people are (or have been) here. The boards with post-it note options are still up for commenting on the other side of the room, too.
10:50 AM: Conversation continues and is scheduled to go until about 11:30 – soon shifting to “part 2, (to) share input for each sub-segment.” One participant at the table within our earshot asks what happens if the Port is not happy about a favored route – does it have a veto?The coordinator’s not sure. Meantime, all this feedback is to be summarized and provided to the decisionmakers further up the line – the Stakeholder Advisory Group will meet September 26th to make its recommendations for what to advance to the third and final review level; the Elected Leadership Group then considers those recommendations (but is not bound by them) on October 5th. (The public is welcome at all of those meetings but if you go, take note that there’s no public-comment period at the SAG meetings; there IS, at the ELG meetings. SAG meetings are not recorded on video; Seattle Channel does record the SAG meetings, which are also technically City Council meetings because the ELG has a quorum of city councilmembers.)
11:24 AM: Still talking, as the prescheduled adjournment time of 11:30 am nears, though a couple of the table groups are breaking up. We’re going to go look around at easels etc. and will add a few images later. (Update: Added below)
If you couldn’t be here, you still have a way to get involved in this round – as we reported Friday, ST has an “online open house” now under way until September 23rd, with info and comment opportunities. Find it here.
(Chestnut-backed Chickadee, photographed by Mark Ahlness, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
So much happening! Here are highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
LIGHT RAIL NEIGHBORHOOD FORUM: Sound Transit‘s second West Seattle neighborhood forum is your next chance to find out firsthand where light-rail planning stands, and to offer your opinion o route and station locations. 9-11:30 am in the gym at Seattle Lutheran High School. Our most recent coverage is here (including new ST visualizations) and here (including other points of evaluation). (4100 SW Genesee)
HPIC’S GIANT YARD SALE: Rain or shine – indoor if it’s rainy, outdoor if it’s not – 9 am to 3 pm, it’s the annual BIG sale at Highland Park Improvement Club.
(Added 9:59 am: Photo sent from HPIC sale)
Music, beverages, food, shopping! (1116 SW Holden)
EARLY DESIGN OUTREACH FOR ALKI REDEVELOPMENT: 10 am at Alki Community Center, it’s the first West Seattle community meeting as part of the new Early Outreach component of the city’s Design Review process. You’re invited to come get information and/or ask questions about a five-townhouse project proposed for 1772-1774 Alki SW, as previewed here. (5817 SW Stevens)
HISTORIC RIVERSIDE WALKING TOUR: The Southwest Seattle Historical Society invites you to the “annual ‘Historic Riverside Walking Tour’ with the legendary Frank Zuvela returning again as our guide!” 10 am-noon. Meet at the Riverside Memorial to learn about the largely Croatian community that thrived on fishing and related industry, nestled between the Duwamish River and Pigeon Point.” $5 donation/person to benefit SWSHS. (Meet at W. Marginal Way SW/SW Marginal Place)
SAN GENNARO FESTIVAL, DAY 2: The West Seattleite-founded Italian-American street fair continues today/tonight in Georgetown, 10 am-10 pm. (S. Angelo/Ellis Ave. S.)
BARTON P-PATCH PIZZA PARTY: Between 11 am and 3 pm, visit the P-Patch to enjoy fresh-baked bagels or pizza from the garden’s outdoor oven. Music too! (34th SW/SW Barton)
CAMP LONG MOUNTAIN FEST: Rise above it all and celebrate climbing during this all-day festival at Camp Long, 11 am-5 pm – details are in our preview. (5200 35th SW)
SUNDODGER MEET AT LINCOLN PARK: The annual collegiate cross-country meet at Lincoln Park brings runners from 5 schools including UW and Seattle U. It’s set to start at 11 am; here’s a preview. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
COLMAN POOL SECOND-TO-LAST DAY: The outdoor pool on the shore at Lincoln Park is open for one post-season weekend this year, noon-7 pm. See the schedule of swim sessions here. (8603 Fauntleroy Way SW)
FOREST & FISH: Noon, optional traditional salmon-bake lunch ($15) and then a free 1-3 pm “informative workshop on forest and fish surrounding the local area,” at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE SOCCER CLUB’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY: 12:30-3:30 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex, celebrate half a century of youth-soccer history with WSSC! Details in our preview. Everyone’s welcome. (2801 SW Thistle)
MARTIN ELLIS AT THE MIGHTY WURLITZER: Organ concert at Kenyon Hall, 1:30 pm, “under the auspices of the Puget Sound Theatre Organ Society, for a special matinée concert. Martin has a wide and varied history as a master of the organ keyboard. He’s a featured artist at conventions of The American Theatre Organ Society, and is revered for his stylish performances. Tickets are $15. Children 16 or under, when accompanied by an adult, will be admitted free of charge.” (7904 35th SW)
ANTIQUE APPRAISALS: 1-3 pm, get yours appraised during a special event at Daystar. (2615 SW Barton)
PAELLA FOR THE HELPLINE: 6-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), a chef-prepared paella feast benefiting the West Seattle Helpline – details in our calendar listing; check to see if tickets remain! *1:50 PM UPDATE – C&P tells us it’s sold out.* (5612 California SW)
HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Chief Sealth International High School plays Black Hills (from Tumwater) tonight at Southwest Athletic Complex, 7 pm. (2801 SW Thistle)
JACK WILLIAMS AT KENYON HALL: 7:30 pm, the singer/songwriter and master guitarist performs at historic Kenyon Hall. Find ticket info and more background in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)
THERE’S EVEN MORE … see the full list on our complete-calendar page.
9:52 PM: Not too much for the Wildcat Nation to cheer about tonight at Southwest Athletic Complex, where the West Seattle High School football home opener just ended in a 46-16 loss to North Creek. We’ll add toplines and photos later tonight. Next Friday at 7, the Wildcats play cross-town rivals Chief Sealth International High School, also at SWAC, where the Seahawks face Black Hills tomorrow night.
ADDED SATURDAY: Sorry for the delay!
WSHS #6, Colin Roman, had both TDs. We caught the first one on video for Twitter.
First West Seattle TD, with 1:43 left in 1st half, extra-pt kick good, now 18-7 North Creek. pic.twitter.com/YljGjxaWTg
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) September 8, 2018
As shown there and below, #2, Cyrus Storlie, had a busy night of throwing.
But North Creek had a ground game as well as an air game, and that made the difference, though the WSHS defense did a good job keeping them in check in the first quarter – the Jaguars’ first TD wasn’t until the quarter had just over 2 minutes left to go.
New uniforms for the players, by the way, as well as a new head coach – this was Jeff Scott‘s home debut:
Rain began to fall in the second quarter and continued fairly steadily for a while. Quarter-by-quarter scores: 6-0 NC after the first, 18-7 NC at halftime, 34-16 NC after the third.
With another tentative agreement for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302, work is expected to resume on many projects in the region, including two that SDOT has going in West Seattle. One is the Arbor Heights sidewalk project along the west side of 35th SW between SW 100th and 106th; SDOT’s LeAnne Nelson tells WSB, “We are working with crews to plan work starting on Monday, but it’s not yet known if there will be challenges in getting materials—with many public and private projects resuming concrete/asphalt work at the same time. It’s expected that the concrete work will take place first.” The other is the Chief Sealth Walkway Improvements project on 25th and 26th north of SW Trenton. Nelson says, “This work requires asphalt, which ended up with more of a backlog from the strike than did concrete. The team is checking with the contractor to determine when the asphalt subcontractor will be available to finish the trails.”
4:03 PM: In our Wednesday coverage of the newest information available about potential West Seattle light rail alternatives, we mentioned that Sound Transit promised to make new “visualizations” publicly available. They are now up for you to view as part of an “online open house” that’s also been launched – see them above or here (PDF). They’re black and white (unlike the unofficial community-member-created ones featured here back in January) and do not appear to cover all the possibilities currently under discussion, but they’re something else you can take into consideration. The new “online open house” starts here and is open for use until September 23rd. And again, you’re invited to the West Seattle Neighborhood Forum that Sound Transit is presenting tomorrow (Saturday, September 8th), 9-11:30 am in the gym at Seattle Lutheran High School (4100 SW Genesee). This is a key time for your feedback, as the process of determining a “preferred alternative” to send into full formal environmental study is about to get to the third and final stage of review.
ADDED 6:21 PM: We have since received some additional information we had requested – the estimated numbers for displacements projected along each of the alternatives currently being reviewed, and an additional 100-plus-page document with even more evaluation specifics.
The displacement numbers are here (1-page PDF) – “residential units” and commercial square footage – and also viewable on pages 28 and 29 of the additional data (103-page PDF). Broken out:
The “representative project” (ST’s original proposal): Between 85 and 145 potential residential unit displacements
Pigeon Ridge/West Seattle Tunnel: Between 145 and 220 potential residential unit displacements
Oregon Street/Alaska Junction Elevated: Between 145 and 220 potential residential unit displacements
Golf Course/Alaska Junction Tunnel: Fewer than 85 potential residential unit displacements
Oregon Street/Alaska Junction Tunnel: Between 145 and 220 potential residential unit displacements
Just a week into the new school year, Seattle Public Schools will be making the rounds one last time to gather thoughts on what should be in BEX V, one of two renewal levies it’ll take to voters in February. Five meetings are planned around the city, including one at West Seattle High School, 6:30-8 pm next Thursday, September 13th.
Not long after that, the School Board will have to settle on the project list for the levy, which it’s been discussing at work sessions since the last round of community meetings back in April (WSB coverage here).
According to the info packet from the board’s most recent BEX V work session on August 22nd – 161 pages – the schools with the biggest potential projects under consideration (see the list starting at page 90) still include Alki Elementary (modernization/expansion, estimated at $55 million), Lafayette Elementary (replacement estimated at $71 million or a modernization/expansion that would only be $3 million less), Madison Middle School ($6 million addition), Roxhill Elementary (replace the original school at the original location for $73 million), West Seattle Elementary ($9 million addition).
A multitude of smaller West Seattle projects are under consideration too, such as a $512,000 “parent drop-off area” for Sanislo Elementary and $225,000 in “classroom sound systems” for Louisa Boren STEM K-8. And the list continues on through other specific types of repairs/rehabit – from roofs to playgrounds (the latter is a new category – it’s long been up to community groups to pursue funding, as happened most recently at local schools including Roxhill, Highland Park, and Gatewood).
After all that, the draft list of potential projects moves on to technology. Much of this list includes central/districtwide items but there’s also, for example, a $1 million line item for “Equitable Access and Distribution of Technology to High Need Elementary Schools,” with the list including four elementaries in our area: Highland Park, Sanislo, West Seattle, and Concord International. A similar item for “high-need secondary schools” would include Denny International Middle School.
Also to be discussed at next Thursday’s community meeting, the next three-year Operations Levy, which is explained here, but the BEX V project list is the big decision ahead for the School Board. Its next work session is September 26th, at which time members are expected to reach “consensus on project list for levy” and on the levy rate. So next Thursday is your last big chance to pitch for (or against) something. These levies will go to voters next February.
P.S. Community advocacy has made a difference in the past – for example, Arbor Heights – one of the major projects on the BEX IV levy (along with Genesee Hill and Fairmount Park) – wouldn’t have been rebuilt yet if not for a push to get it onto the levy and then get the construction timetable moved up.
(WSB photo from 2017 West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival)
It’s a little chilly, a little cloudy – technically still summer for another two weeks but it’s really feeling like fall. So – it’s time to talk about your opportunities for being part of this year’s West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival! 10 am-2 pm Sunday, October 28th, in the street, in the heart of The Junction. New here? Here’s how the West Seattle Junction Association explains it:
Now in our seventh year, the Junction’s Harvest Festival has become a favorite event for West Seattle. With California Ave closed, the streets are filled with colorful farmers and local vendors, fun art activities for kids supported by West Seattle businesses and community groups, plus a costume parade lead by West Seattle High’s marching band, the Farmers Market Applepalooza and a root beer garden. The Harvest Festival is good community fun!
(Here’s our as-it-happened coverage from last year.)
*WSB is proud to be the Harvest Festival media sponsor again this year. The festival welcomes sponsors to help cover the costs of presenting a free and fun event for the community – want to be one? Go here to sign up!
*Can your business/organization provide a free arts-and-crafts activity booth during the festival? Go here to sign up!
*Can you provide chili for the West Seattle Food Bank-benefiting Chili Cookoff at the Harvest Festival? (Note that you must cook and prepare the chili in a commercial restaurant/facility.) To sign up, e-mail lora@wsjunction.org!
*The Root Beer Garden will be back for a second year and needs volunteers. Can you help? Go here to sign up!
And of course – you can be part of the festival by just showing up as a participant, spectator, chili taster, costume-parader, trick-or-treater … Whatever your plan, we’ll see you in The Junction on October 28th!
(One of West Seattle’s suddenly abundant wild rabbits, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
The weekend’s in view! Here are highlights for the rest of today/tonight:
OPEN HOUSE: South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) welcomes “friends, family, and community members who are ready to go back or attend college for the first time” to the TRiO Educational Opportunity Center, 11 am-3 pm – just drop in. (6000 16th SW)
CORNER BAR: The monthly “pop-up party” at Highland Park Improvement Club features Deal – a Grateful Dead tribute band! 6 pm doors open, 8 pm-ish is when the music begins. All ages, all welcome. (1116 SW Holden)
PAELLA AND FLAMENCO FUNDRAISER: Starts with tapas and sangria at 6 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle – call to see if tickets are still available. (4217 SW Oregon)
SAN GENNARO FESTIVAL: This annual Italian-American celebration, founded by West Seattleites, starts tonight in Georgetown, 6 pm-10 pm. Free and family-friendly. (South Angelo & Ellis Ave. S.)
HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: West Seattle High School is home at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), 7 pm, vs. North Creek. At West Seattle Stadium (4432 35th SW), Seattle Prep is home vs. Redmond.
ERIC APOE: “Pop and underground music with cinematic imagery” at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
CROHN’S & COLITIS BENEFIT SHOW: 8 pm at The Skylark, $5 cover for Half Acre Day and Double Or Muffin raising money for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. 21+. More than music! (3803 Delridge Way SW)
PREVIEW THE WEEKEND, AND BEYOND … via our complete calendar.
The announcement was sent by Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner:
Sometimes first aid isn’t about a bandage, or CPR or calling 911. Sometimes, first aid is you!
A person you know could be experiencing a mental health or substance abuse problem. Learn an action plan to help! You are more likely to encounter someone in an emotional or mental crisis than someone having a heart attack. Learn how to help a friend, family member, coworker or neighbor in need. Get trained in Mental Health First Aid.
When: Saturday, October 6th 8 am- 5 pm
Where: Seattle Police Department’s SW Precinct (2300 SW Webster St)
Register: Sue Wyder – 253-426-5957 or swyder@valleycities.orgTraining provided by King County at no charge. Lunch will be provided. See attached flyer for more information.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:06 AM: Good morning! No incidents reported in/from West Seattle so far.
STADIUM ZONE: The Mariners open a series vs. the Yankees, 7:10 tonight at Safeco Field.
7:18 AM: Joanne reports a big backup on SB I-5, with lanes closed at Michigan.
Thanks to Dan Ciske for capturing the smoky sunset from Upper Alki. After a brief return of unhealthy-for-some air quality – blamed largely on a fire near Mount Rainier – it’s supposed to be improving right now.
Road work ahead on Puget Ridge – thanks to a South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) source for forwarding the notice:
We checked with SDOT and they confirm that this work WILL start this weekend
(2008 photo by David Hutchinson)
Ten years ago today, the Statue of Liberty Plaza at Alki Beach was dedicated. The reminder is courtesy of Matt Hutchins, a West Seattle-residing architect who donated hundreds of hours of work to the project as one of the plaza’s designers. The plaza was a community-initiated and -funded enhancement to what started as simply a project to recast the statue, which was in bad shape thanks to damage including vandalism over the years. The new statue was installed on the old pedestal in 2007, and a year later it was re-dedicated on its current pedestal as part of the new plaza. You can see before-and-after photos here; our entire coverage archive of the project and other significant events involving the statue is here (in reverse chronological order).
Congratulations to Chief Sealth International High School for receiving a $5,000 grant from the Mariners. Sealth athletic director and head baseball coach Ernest Policarpio sent the photo and word of the grant, saying the money is going toward new uniforms and equipment. CSIHS is one of 10 baseball/softball programs around the state getting Mariners Care Equipment Donation Grants this year.
| 1 COMMENT