West Seattle, Washington
23 Monday
From Wednesday night’s North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting: NDNC has prioritized the traffic projects it hopes the city will fund, and settled on a list to send to the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council for review – here are the top three:
1. Delridge Way SW between Andover and Myrtle: Traffic calming by adding a median with trees and plants – cost between $6.8 and $8.3 million
2. Brandon between 23rd & 30th: Sidewalk to continue across creek and up the hill – cost between $2 and $2.5 million
3. Hudson between 26th and Puget Blvd: Add a sidewalk, as there is a school bus stop that serves 2 school buses — cost between $1.3 & $1.6 million
Before the group voted, discussion centered on a need for sidewalks, especially near bus stops – Metro as well as school buses – and in the areas where new townhouses have brought new density, and more people on foot. Also last night: Though the Delridge Produce Cooperative‘s “mobile market” experiment is over, the group is alive, well and looking for help in drawing up a business plan to create a 
storefront. DPC chief Galena White talked about the 525 surveys filled out during their four-week experiment, indicating high interest in locally grown organic produce being regularly available. The group meets 6 pm every Tuesday at Pearls on Delridge; online, you can find them here. And there was another reminder about Saturday’s Adopt-A-Street cleanup – show up outside Delridge Community Center (map) at 9:45 to get tools, supplies (and coffee!) – Nancy Folsom told the group they’ll have a drawing for a (Heart) Delridge T-shirt (as seen at right) from among those who show up.
NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 6:30 tonight, Delridge Library (map). Holli Margell sends word of what’s in store:
Want to cast another vote? Join us (tonight). We’ll be reviewing the “Bridging the Gap” Projects for the neighborhood to prioritize and narrow down the list for submission. Also on the agenda are our guest speakers, Amy Pennington of Urbangardenshare.org and Galena White of the Delridge Produce Coop, both sharing about their programs and answering our questions.
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: 7 tonight, South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) board room (map). As previewed here, highlights will include deputy Parks superintendent Christopher Williams with an update on plans for West Seattle Golf Course‘s future, and a rep for Councilmember Sally Clark talking about neighborhood planning. (The next step on that is tomorrow night, at a meeting that’s not in West Seattle but needs as many WS attendees as it can get – the followup to July’s neighborhood-plan “status check” meeting and all those online questionnaires – Thursday, 6 pm, Mercer Middle School on Beacon Hill [map].)
That dropbox outside the Delridge Neighborhood Service Center at 5405 Delridge (map) is the one place in West Seattle you can take your ballot all the way up till 8 tonight. If you get there before 7, go inside for the Voters’ Open House and meet folks like Delridge District Coordinator Ron Angeles (left in the photo below) – cookies, coffee, and tote bags while they last.
Just before sunset, we went out to look for afternoon sign-waving (here’s who we found this morning) – nobody in Admiral when we went through; on the Fauntleroy walkover, we found county assessor candidate Bob Rosenberger with supporters:
And at 35th/Fauntleroy, kitty-corner from where West Seattle-residing King County Council Chair/County Executive candidate Dow Constantine campaigned this morning, a supporter of his opponent Susan Hutchison stood with signs this afternoon:
Here’s the schedule for results tonight: King County plans just ONE release of results, around 8:15 pm. We will have all the major results here on the WSB main page, along with coverage from some of the biggest Election Night events, including the Constantine party at the Edgewater downtown, and the Approve Referendum 71 party on Capitol Hill. (They’ve also announced they’ll have a live video stream online – here’s a link.)
Haven’t voted yet? If you drop off your ballot at the Delridge Neighborhood Service Center tomorrow afternoon/evening, you’ll find an extra touch – it’s one of six NSCs around the city offering Voters’ Open Houses. Delridge Neighborhoods District Coordinator Ron Angeles explains, “When people drop by with their ballots, we hope to provide them with some information about the role of Neighborhood District Coordinators, and other Department of Neighborhood Programs. We also hope to engage people to find out more about their areas of interest, i.e. Land Use, Transportation, Public Safety, Housing, Parks/Open Space, Human Services, Emergency Preparedness, and particularly, Citizen Participation, Involvement, and Volunteerism. We’ll have coffee, juice, and cookies.” The Delridge NSC is at 5405 Delridge (map), and tomorrow’s open house is 3-7 pm – the dropbox itself is available around the clock till the voting deadline, 8 pm tomorrow.
Charges are now filed against one of two men arrested after the carjacking/knife attack on a family in South Delridge last Friday night. 21-year-old Jose Antonio Castro, Jr., is charged with attempted first-degree robbery and second-degree robbery. The other man who was arrested is not being charged “due to insufficient evidence,” King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe tells WSB. The court documents include details on how the incident unfolded, including how the victims fought back/resisted – read on:Read More
Described on the scanner as one driver hitting two parked cars. Driver is not seriously hurt, but southbound traffic in the 6800 block of Delridge (map) is blocked “significantly.”
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
ORIGINAL 8:55 AM REPORT: The stabbing happened in the 4500 block of Delridge. Scanner says the victim is a 17-year-old boy who’s about to be taken to Harborview. We have one person on the scene and another on the way, details as we get them. 9:10 AM UPDATE: Police tell us on the scene that this began as “a fight between two juveniles” – one is hurt, one is in custody. 10:06 AM UPDATE: We have confirmed that this happened at Southwest Youth and Family Services. We waited at the scene to talk with SWYFS executive director Steve Daschle. He says it happened in one of the classrooms at SWYFS – both boys attend classes in one of the programs there. One other student and teacher were present when it happened. Right now, Daschle says, the students are debriefing with counselors and staff; they are working to convey to them all that it’s a safe place to be. He says there is no indication this was gang-related or anything more than a disagreement between the two involved. SWYFS happens to be the lead agency in our area working on the city’s Youth Violence Prevention Initiative; Daschle acknowledges an incident like this is a setback, but promises they will work even harder toward their goals. 10:40 AM UPDATE: Just talked to Det. Mark Jamieson in SPD media unit – he says the victim was stabbed in the back and leg but the wounds were described as “not life-threatening.” Weapon was a “kitchen knife” and was recovered at the scene. Christopher’s video shows the sizable emergency response – which cleared fast once the situation was resolved:
(WSB photo by Jonathan Stumpf)
From Wednesday night’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting: 2 city money matters. Finance director Dwight Dively gave the group the grim outlook for the upcoming budget, as the council gets ready to review Mayor Nickels‘ proposal. And Department of Neighborhoods director Stella Chao discussed proposed changes to the Neighborhood Matching Fund program – same ones discussed at the Southwest District Council meeting earlier this month (here’s our report). Attendees voiced support for folding Small Sparks into Outreach, with a new $1,000 funding ceiling; according to Chao, that “would give more flexibility in how (they) develop smaller projects.” Applications will be taken twice a year instead of quarterly. However, another proposed change – allowing large-project funds to be used for citywide proposals in addition to neighborhood initiatives – drew concern at DNDC, as it had at SWDC; Pete Spalding said that funding should remain neighborhood-based, because doing otherwise “gets ahead from the intended purpose … (helping) neighborhoods build a sense of community.” (The proposed changes are outlined in this Department of Neighborhoods document that was provided by SW District Coordinator Stan Lock after the SWDC meeting – see section 3.)
After tonight’s meeting (first of two) about the upcoming Delridge Playfield improvements – to be paid for by $3 million in Parks and Green Spaces Levy money – we know a little more about where the project goes from here. Most of the 30-plus people gathered at playfield-neighboring Delridge Community Center tonight had concerns about how the field will be used once its artificial turf and new lighting are in. Per the presentation, it is designed with two baseball fields and two soccer fields, with a 360-foot disc run. Some on hand tonight asked if specially colored circles could be added to the turf for lacrosse play as well. Project manager Ted Holden, a landscape architect with Seattle Parks, said he could bring plans with that option to the next meeting (7:30 pm November 23, also at Delridge CC). The field’s new lighting also was discussed; most questions centered on when they would be turned off at night – 11 pm, according to Holden, who also said that any concerns residents have once they’re installed can be addressed by Parks staffers making adjustments as needed. As for the timetable, if all goes according to plan, construction would start next May, with completion in September. (The official project page is here.) ADDED TUESDAY NIGHT: Nancy Folsom has published her comprehensive notes from the meeting at the Delridge Leadership website; you can read them here.
$3 million worth of improvements are on the way for Delridge Playfield, thanks to the Parks and Green Spaces Levy passed last year. Tonight you can get details, ask questions and offer comments at a Parks-led meeting at Delridge Community Center, 7:30 pm, first of two about the project (2nd one is 11/23).
Thanks to Wendy Hughes-Jelen for the tip about dozens of motorcycles gathered at Delridge Community Center: They include Patriot Guard Riders, there to be part of the memorial for Alan Gelvin from the Seattle Cossacks drill team, killed in an accident in Oregon last week.
Mr. Gelvin was a Vietnam War combat veteran; the Patriot Guard Riders join in memorials when families invite them, according to their website.
Leaders tell us they are about to leave Delridge Community Center heading to “the next phase of the memorial,” so you may see them heading south through West Seattle this afternoon. Here’s Mr. Gelvin’s obituary; he was a lifetime member of the Cossacks, who perform on vintage Harleys – like this one parked at the memorial, with the Cossacks’ uniform hat and boots:
Mr. Gelvin was 55 years old.
WEST SEATTLE CANDIDATES’ FORUM: It’s been in the works for weeks, and tonight’s the night – come hear the candidates for Mayor and City Council take on West Seattle-specific questions. The forum co-sponsored by the Southwest and Delridge Neighborhoods District Councils starts at 7 pm at Youngstown Arts Center (4408 Delridge); reminder that you can come early and meet the artists chosen for the Delridge Playfield art project.
SCHOOL BOUNDARIES Q/A MEETING: The Monday night session with School Board rep Steve Sundquist at Schmitz Park Elementary was informal – now, it’s the big official meeting for those with questions and/or opinions on the newly announced attendance-boundary proposals as the district transitions to a system more based on neighborhood schools. 6:30 pm, West Seattle High School. (If you absolutely can’t make it, there’s one Friday night at Denny; here’s the full list.)
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm, Alki Community Center, with agenda including an airline program that could change flight paths, and an update on the Alki Homestead (big topic at last month’s meeting).
GIRL SCOUTS INFORMATIONAL MEETING: Tonight there’s one at Roxhill Elementary, 6 pm. Organizers note that girls will not be assigned to troops at this meeting, but they explain the organization and even how to form your own troop, as well as how to become a volunteer!
UPRIDGE TOWNHOMES’ GRAND OPENING: As noted here when we welcomed upRidge as a sponsor yesterday, the new development alongside Longfellow Creek (5957 Delridge) has its grand opening today, 4-7:30 pm, and you’re invited to come take tours and enjoy free pizza from Delridge’s own Olympia.
From left, leaders of the North Delridge Neighborhood Council elected tonight – co-secretary Holli Margell, co-chair Russell Ehrman, (continuing) co-chair Jay Mirro, co-secretary David Ellinger. At tonight’s meeting, they heard from Randy Engstrom of Youngstown Arts Center, wearing a hat as interim director of the Food and Fitness Initiative; he talked about the outreach to stores such as the Super 24 – the newly painted mural is part of that (here’s our August photo):
Point of the outreach is to bring healthier food to Delridge even without a conventional grocery store in the area, and they’re working with Super 24 to get it going. Another big topic: The latest on how to get city money for street projects, as explained by Delridge’s Neighborhood Service Coordinator Ron Angeles. Eight projects are proposed in the NDNC’s area, and the group needs to prioritize the list and get it to the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council by November; that council will have an SDOT rep at its next meeting (10/21) to discuss street-project funding. Then NDNC leaders/members will take a walking tour of the proposed project sites on 10/24, 1 pm, followed by discussion at Olympia Pizza. One more note from tonight – co-chair Mirro talked about the Duwamish Alive! fall cleanup event coming up 10/17, one week from this Saturday; he is steward of the Brandon Street Natural Area, which is one of the work areas (nine in all, with two others in West Seattle – Roxhill Bog and Herring’s House Park – plus Alki Kayak Tours leading a waterborne crew on the Duwamish) – go here for more info, including how to volunteer.
The North Delridge Neighborhood Council meets 6:30 pm, first Wednesday of the month, usually at Delridge Library.
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: Tonight’s agenda includes Dante Taylor from SDOT briefing the group on the proposed changes in Junction parking. The map you see above is the official version of the one that was shown in rough draft to the recent Parking Project Committee meeting (WSB coverage here); it’ll be on a mailer going out to area homes/businesses shortly. Also on the agenda for tonight’s meeting: 7 pm, board room at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor).
NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 6:30 tonight, Delridge Library.
COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOWS – AND WHAT THAT MEANS TO LOCAL BEACHES: Tonight and tomorrow night, King County Wastewater Treatment Division comes to West Seattle to talk about two projects involving pump stations and “combined sewer overflows” — what happens when the system gets overloaded – which affects Puget Sound and local beaches more than you might realize. Tonight’s meeting looks at the “Murray basin” – related to the underground pump station at Lowman Beach north of Lincoln Park. It’s at 6:30 pm at The Kenney; background information here. Tomorrow night, it’s the “Barton basin,” related to the underground pump station next to the Fauntleroy ferry dock – that meeting’s at 6:30 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy; background info here.
That’s Cooper Margell with the fresh-pressed cider, in one of the photos his mom Holli Margell from the North Delridge Neighborhood Council has just shared: Today NDNC invited neighbors far and near to the annual Ciderpress, held at the home of neighbor Karl, shown here with the press:
Holli says visitors came from as far away as Highland Park, and adds, “It was a lot less work than I expected, and the returns are delicious. Not to mention the fun of meeting a neat neighbor, Karl, and seeing his amazing garden!” NDNC, by the way, meets the first Wednesday of each month, so that’s this coming Wednesday, October 7, 6:30 pm, Delridge Library.
Tomorrow in North Delridge! Betsy Hoffmeister forwards the invitation:
Are you looking for a fun, free activity on Saturday? The North Delridge Neighborhood Council’s annual community cider press event is this Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm. You are welcome to drop by for as much of that time or as little as you want. The address is 5624 26th Ave SW [map].
The event is held at a private residence, using an old-fashioned, electric operated press. It is a small, neighborhood operation, not a big-time event, so expect gritty and fun. We have several goals: to meet our neighbors and exchange news; to make use of ugly, bruised, wormy, inedible fruit that would otherwise go to waste; to reduce pest infestations by removing fallen fruit from the ground; and to bring home locally made, sustainably produced fruit juice. Please bring:
* Yourself, friends, neighbors, and kids. Be prepared to supervise children under the age of three. The property is a wonderful place for kids to run around and play, but, Longfellow Creek flows through the property and no one will be supervising your children but you.
* Fresh apples, pears, or asian pears. Ideally, these will be windfalls or apples from neighborhood trees. We don’t want anyone to feel like they have to go to Thriftway for apples (but there are many fruit stands in the area, particularly in White Center and Beacon Hill, that have extremely good prices on “seconds” fruit). Please, please wash your fruit ahead of time.
* Clean containers to bring the cider home in.
* A snack to share with neighbors. You WILL get hungry.
* A camera.
* Wear VERY messy clothes and layers, you absolutely will get very, very dirty if you help out! Waterproof shoes are also a reasonable idea.Please do not bring: pets.
We need at least one volunteer to help clean up afterwards.
The homeowner and North Delridge Neighborhood Council are not liable for any harm
or injury that may befall attendees as a result of drinking too much cider, getting
stung by a yellowjacket, slipping on apple peels, etc. So be careful.
The two meetings mentioned here last week for discussion of upcoming improvements at Delridge Playfield – artificial turf and lighting – have been rescheduled; the first one had been in conflict with the West Seattle Candidates’ Forum, so now you can attend that too. New playfield-meeting dates: October 19 and November 23, both at 7 pm, both at Delridge Community Center. You can find more info on the project – which is funded by the Parks and Green Spaces Levy approved by voters last year – by going here.
From Cherisse, teen librarian at Delridge Library – an invite to an event at noontime today:
We would like to invite middle and high school homeschooled students and West Seattle residents to join us in marking Banned Books Week. Professional actors from Book-It Repertory Theatre will present readings from banned or challenged books, and there will be a short discussion about the Freedom to Read after the presentation. The program is free, open to the public, and best suited to those 13 years old and up because of the mature themes of some of the books that will be presented.
What: Danger: Books! A celebration of intellectual freedom
When: Wed. Sept. 30, 2009 at 12:10-1:00 p.m.
Where: Delridge Community Center Multi Purpose Room, 4501 Delridge Way SW [map]
Books:
Call of the Wild by Jack London
Summary: Stolen from home and sold into a harsh life as a sled dog in northern Canada, Buck must quickly learn to survive.
The Controversy: Jack London’s writing was censored and banned in several European dictatorships in the 1920’s, and his books were burned by Nazis.Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser
Summary: Brendan and Gary, who have been mercilessly teased and harassed by jocks who rule their school, take their classmates hostage at a school dance.
The Controversy: There have been several concerns over the book’s realistic depiction of school violence.Uncle Bobby’s Wedding by Sarah. S. Brannan
Summary: Chloe’s favorite uncle Bobby is getting married to his boyfriend Jamie and she fears that he won’t have time for her any more.
The Controversy: Challenged at the Douglas County Libraries in Castle Rock, Colo. (2008) where a resident wanted the book to be removed from the library and placed in a special area or labeled as inappropriate for children because it features same-sex marriage.
With a couple weeks gone by since the one-month Delridge Produce Cooperative “Mobile Market” experiment, DPC invites you to a party tonight to announce results of the survey conducted during the mobile produce-stand pilot project – and to celebrate the community’s support and involvement. A reminder from DPC leader Galena White:
We’re having a party tonight from 7-9 pm at Delridge Community Center to thank the volunteers, attendees, and donors for all their help with the ‘Mobile Market.’ Our main attraction of the evening will be the revealing of the results of our 525-person survey, but we’ll also have a band and dessert and free tote bags. Please let people know to come – it’s free!
ORIGINAL 12:43 PM NOTE: This just in from Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association: Its community-barbecue celebration LINKS has been moved indoors – still at Delridge Community Center, but it’ll be inside, still 2-6 pm with live music, entertainment, food and other fun. 1:19 PM UPDATE: It’s actually indoors at YOUNGSTOWN ARTS CENTER across the street (4408 Delridge). See you there. 3:45 PM UPDATE: Here’s a photo from about an hour ago – tables are set up inside the theater, lots of food, entertainment should be in full swing by now:
Westbound Henderson is at least partly blocked at Delridge (map), according to the scanner, because of a hit-and-run crash. Two vehicles were reported to have been hit – no injuries reported at this point – and the vehicle that hit them is described as a maroon minivan. It may be a while before the vehicles are cleared, so you’ll want to avoid that intersection.
One major event on the calendar tonight — the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council‘s regular monthly meeting: Reps from major community groups and organizations in eastern West Seattle will gather to talk about successes, challenges, projects, ideas and more – and you’re invited. 7 pm, Youngstown Arts Center (4408 Delridge; map). ADDED 8:44 PM: Got word from DNDC’s Pete Spalding of Pigeon Point that the date is set for the DNDC/Southwest District Council candidates’ forum – 7-9 pm October 15th at Youngstown.
Double bill at Skylark Cafe and Club tonight – after turntable time, bellydancers took the stage. Dina Johnson shares the photo and a report:
Terrific bellydance show from 7:30 -8:30 at Skylark on Delridge, about 8 short sets by solo and troupe acts. The place was packed with bellydancers & friends, but at least one guy there for the self disc-spinning was surprised and HIGHLY entertained by the bellydance show.
Picture: 3 members of the polished Troupe Hipnotica, who improvise all their routines using invisible cues in American Tribal style. Julia, on the right, is a resident of Highland Park.
Could become a regular thing if enough interest, I hope so!
Skylark is at 3803 Delridge, just south of The Bridge (map), usually known a bit more for their four-nights-a-week live music (here’s the calendar).
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