West Seattle, Washington
19 Thursday
It’s been the hottest topic before the Fauntleroy Community Association board for months – the originally proposed design of the RapidRide bus stops by the Fauntleroy ferry dock, and concern the design could choke traffic — and it looks like there’s finally some progress. Tonight at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, FCA saw a new proposal presented by Metro’s Paul Roybal and Jack Lattemann, incorporating some of the group’s counterproposals. This one only has a curb bulb on the water side, only affecting northbound traffic – but it would also remove some of the parking in the park-and-ride lot. The revised plan would try to preserve the existing artwork at the bus stops, add a bike locker, and try to keep the traffic lanes more open. In discussion after an hourlong presentation, the FCA board decided they’ll draft a letter to Metro and King County Executive Dow Constantine saying they’re in favor of the revision and against the original plan (which was thoroughly explained on page 2 of FCA’s summer newsletter). FCA’s Susan Lantz-Dey got props for taking on a traffic study to make sure the county was dealing with accurate numbers – board members including Vlad Oustimovitch and president Bruce Butterfield thought that had helped move toward the changes.
The meeting also included an update on another long-thorny topic, a disputed path to lower Laurentide, and ongoing struggles over right-of-way access; a South Brace Point rep said their lawyer had found a 1945 easement filed by Ken Colman that covers the path, so the two sides are now in talks. Last but by no means least, the Fauntleroy Fall Festival is just one month away, 2-6 pm October 17th (with a fundraising pasta dinner this Friday); in addition to food, fun and festivities, nurses from Swedish will be there offering flu shots.
The Fauntleroy Community Association board meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy (old schoolhouse).
Fauntleroy Church‘s second recycling event of the year had an even bigger response than the first one – that’s the first of two Fauntleroy updates from Judy Pickens:
Sunday’s Recycle Roundup sponsored by the green committee at Fauntleroy Church relieved West Seattle residents of 20+ tons of recyclables. A steady stream of donors filled five large trucks with everything from computers to bicycles and dishwashers. 1 Green Planet will disassemble everything responsibly for use in making new products.
Now, a look ahead to a big event later this fall:
Judy continues:
Photographer Mark Morgan, shown here with a prospective customer, found last year’s art show at Fauntleroy Church well worth his time. Be among the West Seattle artists and crafters at the 2010 Fine Art and Holiday Gift Faire Nov. 19-21! Details and application form at www.fauntleroyucc.org. Deadline is Sept. 30. (Photo courtesy Enid Havens)
Just checked in on the scene at the Fauntleroy Church parking lot (map), where 1 Green Planet is back with trucks ready to be filled with recyclables – electronics and more (list here) – free dropoff. They had a steady stream rolling up to unload when we were there about an hour ago – and they’ll be there till 1 pm. (You can also park afterward and go inside the church to check out the final hours of the “Second-Time Sale,” 11 am-1 pm.) West Seattleites are clearly devoted recyclers – the 1 Green Planet folks told us that their last event at Fauntleroy UCC, this past February, was their most successful event of its type ever – we’ll see how today winds up!
Been looking for an … outboard motor? That’s one of the more unusual items we spotted when dropping by the first day of the Second-Time Sale at Fauntleroy Church. As we noted here the other day, donated merchandise filled the Fellowship Hall even before volunteers were done sorting and pricing. You can even get ready for Christmas, now that it’s just, well, three and a half months away:
The sale’s on till 3 today, with an encore 11 am-1 pm tomorrow – and if you go tomorrow, bring along recyclables for 1 Green Planet, which will have trucks standing by – this is a free chance (9 am-1 pm Sunday) to recycle electronics and other hard-to-get-rid-of items (here’s the list of what they will take). Not sure how to find Fauntleroy Church? Here’s a map. P.S. If you’re looking for other garage/yard sales, we’ve got some listed in the WSB Forums (post yours free, any time).
Earlier this week, we mentioned this weekend’s big sale at Fauntleroy Church – but had no idea just how big it was, till we stopped in this afternoon for a sneak peek at the stacks of stuff that volunteers are sorting and pricing. Lots of kid stuff:
Plus housewares, clothes, even a whole wall stacked with art, some of it donated by home stagers. Among those sorting, pricing, and inspecting this afternoon – Pastor David Kratz, Carol Karlstrom, and Pat Gedney:
The sale runs 9 am-3 pm on Saturday and 11 am-1 pm to Sunday; also on Sunday, you can bring all sorts of recyclables to the church (here’s a map) for free recycling via 1 Green Planet, 9 am-1 pm – here’s the list of what they’ll take.
(WSB photo from February recycling event at Fauntleroy Church)
Thanks to Fauntleroy’s Judy Pickens for sharing information about what’s happening during “reuse/recycle weekend” next Saturday and Sunday:
The 15th annual 2nd Time Sale and the second Recycle Roundup constitute a “reuse/recycle weekend” coming up in Fauntleroy.
The much-anticipated sale will be Saturday, Sept. 11, 9 AM – 3 PM, and Sunday, Sept. 12, 11 AM – 1 PM, in and around Fellowship Hall at Fauntleroy Church, 9140 California SW. Expect bargains on a wide variety of clean, workable, and well-organized stuff, including furniture, toys, books, linens, kitchenware, and “Cut Above” treasures, plus a bake sale on Saturday.
That’s the reuse part of the weekend. The recycle part – a community-wide recycle roundup organized by the church’s Green Committee – will be Sunday, Sept. 12, 9 AM – 1 PM in the church parking lot. 1 Green Planet will accept and recycle a wide variety of items (see www.fauntleroyucc.org for the list), all for free. You bring it and, within minutes, it’s out of your life forever!
When 1 Green Planet came to Fauntleroy last February (photo above), they took away 4 truckloads of recyclables!
(Photos by Christopher Boffoli)
We mentioned this as a postscript to the morning preview – today’s the day for the date-never-published Isle of Vashon vintage-motorcycle rally – then Christopher Boffoli headed over to Fauntleroy and caught some of the motorcyclists ready to head over via ferry:.
More photos later if we receive some from the events on Vashon (here’s how to share!).
Adding a couple of reader-submitted images. These are from “Todd”:
And thanks to “Scott”for the cameraphone image of this canine motorcycle enthusiast:
Residents and visitors at The Kenney got a summer serenade on the northwest lawn tonight – that’s Ed Hartman on the marimba, during the retirement center’s annual summer barbecue party. Here’s the view looking over the roses and dahlias:
As reported here earlier this month, The Kenney is currently revising its redevelopment plan – two years after announcing the expansion project – and promising to have a new one out for community consideration within a month or two, before the official review process resumes.
The RapidRide bus-stop plans for the Fauntleroy ferry terminal remained the top topic for the Fauntleroy Community Association as its board met Tuesday night. While board members continue to meet with Metro rep Paul Roybal – who also is scheduled to attend the next meeting (Sept. 14) – they don’t believe their concerns about a potential traffic bottleneck are being addressed. As reiterated at last month’s meeting, they’re worried that will be a result of the current design, which brings traffic past the terminal down to one lane each way. And they’re concerned that many people don’t realize that – nor the potential for more traffic to divert onto 45th SW to avoid it – so time was spent Tuesday night discussing how to raise awareness – possibly via a mailing or door-to-door campaign. FCA also believes Metro is working with inaccurate traffic-flow numbers; while they say the county numbers show 400 cars an hour in the area during peak ferry-traffic hours, FCA’s Susan Lantz-Dey did a car count the past two days, and said she counted at least twice that – even without school in session (there’s dock traffic from West Seattle parents picking up Vashon-school-attending kids). She and FCA president Bruce Butterfield plan to push for a new traffic study. Also discussed: The ongoing discussions about how the county will control Combined Sewer Overflows from the basins that feed Barton (Fauntleroy) and Murray (Lowman Beach) pump stations, with the Barton “green stormwater” meeting last week and ongoing Murray citizens advisory group meetings (FCA board member Vlad Oustimovitch is a Murray group member).
The Fauntleroy Community Association board meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy (old schoolhouse).
Just came back to West Seattle on the state ferry Tillikum from Vashon (covered the two-race campaign forum – stories in the morning) – without realizing, till the boat was almost docked, that it was a historic run: The last voyage for Captain Lynda Wheeler, Washington State Ferries‘ first female captain. Well-wishes were broadcast on the public-address system just as the Tillikum pulled up to the Fauntleroy dock; the voice urged those on board to applaud Captain Wheeler as she walked off. (We hoped to catch a photo but she was out of sight by the time we drove off the ferry.) In 1977 – according to this timeline – Captain Wheeler became WSF’s first female deck officer (here’s more from HistoryLink).
ADDED SATURDAY 6:48 AM: Turns out someone who read this last night did get a photo – one of the West Seattle-residing candidates at the aforementioned forum. State Sen. (County Council hopeful) Joe McDermott:
I had the opportunity to congratulate her (last) night walking off the boat here at Fauntleroy. She is looking forward to hiking during retirement, but is sleeping in (this) morning.
Another look ahead to the next big summer weekend – Saturday midday, Fauntleroy Park – another of West Seattle’s green treasures – needs some helping hands. Four of them are above, in the photo shared by Judy Pickens along with this preview:
Steve Hodson introduced his daughter, Georgia, to pulling English ivy when she was just a toddler. Now she’ll be joining her dad and park neighbors and users this coming Saturday in a major assault on the invasive vine in the southeast section of Fauntleroy Park. Steve, a long-time volunteer steward of the park, is coordinating with the Green Seattle Partnership and EarthCorps on the event. Meet at the 97th St. entrance to the park [map] at 9:45 AM and bring a lunch. Work until 2 PM or as long as you can. Contact Steve at noahsark10@msn.com.
(Thanks to all the volunteers who are out in greenspaces around West Seattle every weekend (and often between weekends!) – previews about/reports on/photos from your work parties are always welcome; here’s where to send ’em.) 3:40 PM: See the comments for an update on the new meeting site for this work party.
From last night’s Fauntleroy Community Association board meeting: FCA is continuing to pressure Metro to address concerns about the plan for the RapidRide bus stops at (and across from) the Fauntleroy ferry terminal. Last month, the group got its first look at 60-percent-complete design for the stops, which bring Fauntleroy Way down to one lane each way by the terminal, leading to traffic concerns, including big backups behind stopped buses. FCA has sent King County Executive Dow Constantine a letter describing the design as “unacceptable,” but president Bruce Butterfield said last night that nothing’s come of the letter yet. FCA’s Susan Lantz-Dey, who’s on a RapidRide advisory committee, says the next step is to start a working group with local residents, Metro, and SDOT. No date/place for meetings is set yet. The night’s other major topic: Future upgrade work at the Barton Pump Station on the north side of the ferry dock – read on for that:Read More
(From left, Jack Block, Vicki Schmitz-Block, David Haggerty, Dicki Crumm)
Before tonight’s Fauntleroy Community Association board meeting (toplines in a separate report), FCA board members and friends had a special mission down the hill at Endolyne Joe’s – paying tribute to Dicki Crumm, who’s been Joe’s general manager since it opened in 2003. Dicki’s leaving Joe’s, “to take some time away from the business.” FCA president Bruce Butterfield (not pictured) presented her with a certificate of appreciation and carried the tribute on to the start of the board meeting, reminiscing about Dicki’s community involvement and how much it’s meant to FCA over the years. (Wednesday morning P.S.: The certificate actually proclaims Dicki an honorary Fauntleroy resident, “with all the privileges and responsibilities pertaining thereto”!)
That photo is courtesy of Alice Haury, who shared it along with this report:
This sailboat, the Gypsy Woman, owned by Rick of Brace Point, just south of the Fauntleroy ferry dock, broke its buoy anchor and drifted aground early this morning. No one was aboard when she broke her anchor. Rick is waiting for high tide at 7:00 pm to get her back in the water. My sister in law Jeanne James, my granddaughter, Mikki Haury and I walked the beach to get this picture around 2:00 this afternoon.
That’s a clip from a performance last December by the Ugandan Orphans’ Choir, which has been traveling the U.S. – and will be in West Seattle tomorrow night, to sing and dance at Fauntleroy Church. Ticket info is on the Fauntleroy Church home page; you can find out more about the choir here. (Also at Fauntleroy Church, the remodeling project continues – here’s the latest online update.)
(Video added beneath original as-it-happened report)
ORIGINAL 7 PM REPORT: Via cameraphone, a couple early photos from the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse celebration, which you still have plenty of time to go join – it’s continuing till 8 pm. Above, the group that gathered to cut the ceremonial ribbon a short time ago; below, back from a few months on the East Coast, it’s former Mayor Greg Nickels, the West Seattleite whose administration was among those helping secure funding for the schoolhouse purchase:
The West Seattle Big Band is playing, and there are treats and tours – 9131 California SW (take SW Barton west and downhill from 35th, or head uphill from Wildwood through the Endolyne area east of the ferry dock), till 8 pm.
ADDED 10:35 PM: Video of the ribboncutting – Fauntleroy Community Service Agency‘s Kevin Wooley speaks first, joined by Dr. Jack Pierce (at center), founder of Fauntleroy Children’s Center, and Bruce Butterfield (right), president of Fauntleroy Community Association – keep watching till you see the jersey on the young spectator!
And the West Seattle Big Band (which is playing tomorrow night at the West Seattle High School All-School Reunion event), with lots of little ones on hand to dance:
Tonight’s celebration is in honor of the official completion of the FCSA’s purchase of the schoolhouse and some of the surrounding property from Seattle Public Schools, which closed this spring. But the purchase is just the start – the building needs a fair amount of work – and there’s also room for more tenants – so its next chapter has just begun.
Three months after the purchase of the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse and some of its surrounding land officially became final, the community celebration is just four days away – 6:30 pm Thursday (June 3) – and we have more details of how it will unfold. Kim Sheridan from schoolhouse-headquartered Fauntleroy Children’s Center says it will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring its founder Dr. Jack Pierce as well as Fauntleroy Community Service Agency – the nonprofit purchasing entity- board president Kevin Wooley, and Fauntleroy Community Association president Bruce Butterfield. The West Seattle Big Band is scheduled to perform 7-8 pm. And Kim says they’ve got RSVPs from city/state reps including State Sen. Joe McDermott and Rep. Eileen Cody, Department of Neighborhoods director Stella Chao, and former Mayor Greg Nickels (who has just returned from the East Coast). As noted in our first announcement of the event, schoolhouse-based Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering – which won the vote at the recent Taste of West Seattle – will provide treats. (Here’s the Facebook invite, if you’d like to track this event that way.) P.S. There just might be some other special “guests” nearby – a team of goats is due at the schoolhouse, possibly by midweek, to munch away weeds and invasives. MONDAY MORNING UPDATE: Kim Dinsmoor from Seattle Civic Dance Theatre, also headquartered at the schoolhouse, sent a note to make sure you know you’re invited to come downstairs on the building’s north side to see performers preparing for their next production, “The Tea Party” (they’re performing it at 2 pm next Sunday, June 6, at Highline Performing Arts Center).
(Photos courtesy Craig Harrold)
By the end of next week, more than a dozen groups (mostly from local schools) will have visited Fauntleroy Creek to release salmon, with guidance from creek steward Judy Pickens, in addition to the proud teachers and parents who accompany them. It’s an annual tradition, after the kids watch the fish grow from eggs, usually placed in aquariums in hallways or classrooms. One of the groups that released salmon this past week was from Arbor Heights Elementary School, and parent Craig Harrold shared a few of the scenes from their visit. Above, that’s Jesse inspecting one of the fry; next, Alec carefully pours water and fish into the creek:
With the students were Arbor Heights kindergarten teacher David Wilkie (below left) and 5th-grade teacher Ruben Gonzalez (below right):
According to the latest creek update on the Fauntleroy Community Association website, the groups participating this year are releasing about 1,800 fry to join the “home hatch” at the creek. This is also the time of year when smolts migrate toward Puget Sound, and the online update says monitors have seen 23 so far – up from last year’s 18.
Maybe it’s just a day for news about dates. We just heard from Kat Sparks-Jones, who explains that she’s the new property manager/tenant relations coordinator for the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse:
We are excited about the future and legacy of this great building; We would love to make
the community aware of our purchase celebration scheduled for June 3rd. … We would love to encourage the community to come out and view the building! It will be an open-house style event, with Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes providing treats. The Fauntleroy Community Service Agency founder will be cutting the ribbon.
Kat says more details will be available next week. The purchase of the schoolhouse and some of the surrounding property, previously owned by Seattle Public Schools, was completed in February, as reported here.
The Hall at Fauntleroy was filled with hundreds of West Seattle Food Bank supporters Friday night, for the food bank’s annual benefit “Instruments of Change.” Among those we saw – Pablo Lambinicio (left) from the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council and Ron Angeles from the Delridge District Neighborhood Services Center:
Besides enjoying a catered banquet by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering and inspiration from speaker Robert V. Taylor, the crowd heard world music by the Miho and Diego Duo:
WSB is proud to have been among the sponsors of the event – the full list is here, along with other event details from “Instruments of Change.” You can find out how to help the West Seattle Food Bank and the thousands it serves by going here.
Out of the WSB inbox:
Our boat was stolen sometime in the middle of the night [Friday night/today]. It is a blue and white 20 ft SeaDoo Utopia Jet boat on a trailer.
The boat was stolen near Lincoln Park on 46th Ave. SW between Thistle and Rose streets [map]. Please report this if you see this boat on land or on or near the water. A police report has been made.
The first of three sets of notes from community-council meetings we covered tonight: The Fauntleroy Community Association board, meeting at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, was happy about the outcome of this year’s Food Fest/Membership Meeting. Not only was the March 23rd event’s turnout big (as shown in our coverage), board members were heartened by the night’s new memberships and renewals – overall, one of the best in a long time, they said. Also discussed: The county’s controversial list of three options (shown here) for controlling Combined Sewer Overflows at the Barton pump station by the ferry dock (here’s our March 19th report from the first major discussion of the proposals). The county’s still taking feedback; go here. Looking ahead: An update on The Kenney‘s redevelopment plan is expected to be on the May 11th agenda; before then, Endolyne Joe’s hosts a Fauntleroy Fall Festival fundraiser April 27, dinner 5-8 pm and live music/happy hour afterward.
The Fauntleroy Community Association board meets at 7 pm the second Tuesday of the month; more at fauntleroy.net or at the FCA’s Facebook page.
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