West Seattle Blog…

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday alerts

(Live view from the west-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
7:19 AM: Just getting word of a crash on the eastbound bridge. (update) Texters say it apparently involves a scooter rider, and multiple lanes are blocked.

7:32 AM: Emergency personnel are still tending to the scooter rider on the ground. If you haven’t headed out yet, avoid the high bridge – try the low bridge or go through Highland Park or points south to get to the 1st Avenue South Bridge. Feeder routes are reported to be backed up too, especially Fauntleroy to 35th.

7:41 AM: Via Twitter, @jamesmahler says a tow truck has arrived for the scooter, and fire/medic vehicles have cleared, taking the rider to the hospital. Everything we’ve heard so far suggest the incident might only have involved the scooter – other cars were stopped for a while, but those were drivers who pulled over to help.

First Design Review for 4745 40th SW on Thursday

Tomorrow (Thursday) night, the Southwest Design Review Board takes its first look at 4745 40th SW, an apartment complex planned right across the street from the Masonic Temple and the southwest edge of the 4755 Fauntleroy Way megaproject.

Its design packet for the meeting is available online – you can see it here. We spoke recently with Suzi Morris from Phoenix-headquartered Alliance Residential, which is buying the property and developing the site, to find out more about the project in advance of the Early Design Guidance meeting.

The site is “split-zoned,” which means the two buildings comprising the project will be different heights:

Click to read the rest of First Design Review for 4745 40th SW on Thursday…

Update: Rollover crash at 35th and Roxbury, no serious injury reported

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
9:18 PM: Another big police/fire response in progress- this time, for a “heavy rescue” call in the 3400 block of SW Roxbury.

9:24 PM: First responders report the person/s got out of the crashed vehicle without needing “heavy rescue” assistance, so it’s been scaled back. Our crew should be there shortly.

(Photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
9:33 PM: A 26-year-old man rolled his car in front of the residential complex at 35th and Roxbury, and he is being taken to the hospital, according to radio communications, as a precaution, though he appears to be unhurt. Alcohol, emergency personnel report, may have been involved.

9:46 PM: Traffic effects – Roxbury is blocked between 35th and 34th. But 35th itself is not currently affected.

Video: Man shot with ‘projectile’ while walking dog in 4700 block 38th SW

(SCROLL DOWN for newest updates – 8:16 pm, video added with Lt. Ron Smith briefing media)

(Photos by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
5:02 PM: Police and fire are responding to an “assault with weapons” call believed to be a shooting, initially reported in the 4700 block of 38th SW (map), which is just south of The Triangle. The victim is being taken to Fire Station 32, which is nearby. We’re en route. Police are searching the area – radio traffic suggests police believe the victim was shot while walking in the vicinity. More to come.

5:10 PM: Official police info via Twitter – “a man was shot in the mouth.” If you are seeing/hearing a helicopter, it’s TV.

5:14 PM: Per medic discussion on scanner: The victim is a 31-year-old man who was walking his dog when he got hit by a pellet.

5:20 PM: Police were using a bullhorn to try to get someone out of a house on 38th SW. Our crew on the scene reports someone has been cuffed. No formal confirmation yet if that is the, or a, suspect.

5:28 PM: It’s clear from what our crew is seeing and what we hear via radio that police are still trying to sort all this out, regarding the circumstances, and whether the person they were talking to had anything to do with it. Their search remains very active. We’re seeing Gang Unit detectives on scene, though it is always stressed that their presence doesn’t necessarily mean gang involvement is suspected.

5:40 PM: An update on SPD Blotter describes the “pellet” as “possibly (a) BB” and says the victim was hit in the right cheek. Still a very active search/investigation. The injury is described as NOT life-threatening.

6:27 PM UPDATE: Police are reported to be searching the house they’ve been focusing on.

6:33 PM UPDATE: Also via radio – the house is reported to have “checked clear.” (We still have crews at the scene but they’re on each end of the block, as close as anyone will be allowed.)

8:16 PM UPDATE: No updates of note. We’re adding more photos and also this interview with Lt. Ron Smith – who discusses some of what else police found, including damaged vehicles:

The streets in the area are back open as of about an hour ago.

9:04 PM: If you couldn’t play back the video – Lt. Smith says police have no idea what the victim was shot with, describing it repeatedly as an “unknown projectile” that went through his cheek and out his mouth, apparently without even damaging his teeth in the meantime. He told police he didn’t see anyone or anything – just suddenly felt it hit him. Lt. Smith says the search of the house turned up a .22 rifle but it had not been fired recently.

Dozens of judges needed for WSHS senior projects: Can you help?

Every graduating senior at West Seattle High School has to make a 10-minute oral presentation about the research for their senior project. And those presentations all need judges – with 58 spots remaining as of this afternoon. You can even sign up for two days, over the course of May 28, 29, 30, 31, and June 3 and 4, with presentations between 3 and 5 pm each day. “The latest trend in judging has been to listen with a friend or two and then go out for a nice supper afterwards. Think about it!” says teacher Rebecka McKinney – e-mail her if you might be able to help, ramckinney@seattleschools.org.

As-it-happened coverage: City Council committee takes up encampment-location issue – Nickelsville and elsewhere

(TOPLINE, 4:12 PM: Council discussion’s over; next step, public hearing June 25th)

(We’ll replace this video window when archived video of meeting is made available – just checked at 10:12 pm and it’s not, yet)
We’re in the City Council chambers at City Hall downtown, along with more than 100 people, as the Housing, Human Services, Health, and Culture Committee prepares to take up two hot topics – encampments and marijuana.

We’ll be updating live, mostly on the former topic, because of the Nickelsville issue. We also hope to add the live-video window here in a moment (the 2 pm meeting is running a bit late). More to come.

2:13 PM: Public comment is about to begin. Council chair Nick Licata says each speaker will be limited to a minute and a half. First, Rev. Bill Kirlin-Hackett of the Interfaith Task Force on Homelessness says he supports Licata’s proposal. “What we all agree about is that we need to keep working on remedies to enable interim survival plans,” he says. Next, a woman identifying herself as a Tent City 3 resident, who says excluding campers from residential areas would be discrimination. “Because I’m homeless, you don’t want me in the residential areas where kids are and stuff like that … (but) I don’t want to hurt kids.” Another Tent City 3 representative speaks next, about discrimination. “We support our friends at Nickelsville and want a good solution to their current dilemma,” but this is not it, he says.

A Nickelsville resident who says she is living there with her son and two cats is next. She says more than 125 people are there now and last summer peaked at more than 180 people. She says conditions and order are OK – except for the lack of running water, sewer, and “little police protection … We are doing great but our preference is to be moved someplace” where they would have such things. She says they “hope to move within next 2 months” without any new city codes and that they oppose the ordinances because they are not necessary.

Another Nickelsville resident, Trace DeGarmo, brings up the newly proposed Nickelsville “Option 7,” which he says would work within the current religious-encampment ordinance. They would move to two sites under control of religious organizations with whom they would sign contracts, he says. “This plan is now entirely doable” and would enable Food Lifeline to take over the current site

He is followed by Carolyn Stauffer of Highland Park Action Committee, who mentions the petition they have circulated with more than 200 names.

“We would like to see you act now and enforce the existing land use codes, because that’s your job … That it’s taken the council two years to have this conversation is shameful and disappointing,” she says, reiterating their demand that the encampment be moved before “it begins a third summer” there.

CLICK AHEAD TO READ THE REST OF OUR DETAILED AS-IT-HAPPENED COVERAGE:

Click to read the rest of As-it-happened coverage: City Council committee takes up encampment-location issue – Nickelsville and elsewhere…

West Seattle Crime Watch: Dog stolen & 2 more reader reports

Three reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch: First one involves a dog reported as stolen. This dog has been on the WSB Lost/Found Pets page, and its owner is now going public with an added fact – she says it’s missing because it was stolen:

My male black Pomeranian was stolen from outside Bartells at 15th & Roxbury Sunday, May 19 at 5:25p. Last seen with two white females (one adult, one possible juvenile) on the #128 Metro bus heading East on Roxbury. I am devastated! If you have any information please call 206.938.4242 or the King County’s Sheriff’s office 206.296.3311. Thank you!! Reward offered!

Also reported as stolen: Golf equipment taken from Alex‘s car outside his home at Beach Drive and Atlas. He writes, “This is the third break-in this year that I am aware of on my little section of the Dr.; I hope word can get around so that neighbors become more aware, and so that we can all help each other by looking out for thugs like these scumbags that stole my clubs.”

Also, be on the lookout for this bike stolen from Lydia:

It’s a Giant Avail III, stolen from her front porch in the 7900 block of Delridge Way SW on Monday or Tuesday.

P.S. Long-form report from last night’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting is in the works. Two toplines:

-Street robberies are on the upswing – still primarily the type where you’re at risk of getting held up for your iPhone or iPod.

-The most popular brand among car thieves right now is Subaru.

Parking changes, widened bike lane for part of Admiral Way hill

(Map provided by SDOT)
The Admiral Way hill north of the West Seattle Bridge is in for more changes, according to an announcement just in from SDOT. Spokesperson Peg Nielsen tells WSB the changes will “widen the bike lane and existing buffer (to) make it feel safer for people riding bikes and encourage cyclists who might otherwise use the sidewalk to use the bicycle lane. This change will make for an even more pleasant walking experience for pedestrians.” According to Nielsen, this will be facilitated by removing on-street parking on the east side of Admiral south of 3508 Admiral Way (map), and time restrictions are planned to the north:

SDOT has visited the location six times since August 2012. During each visit, no more than five vehicles have been parked south of 3508 Admiral and on average 50 percent of them were cars ‘for sale’. As a result, we do not anticipate the parking change will significantly impact local residents. We’ve also heard concerns about the potential for vehicles to park long-term in front of residents just north of this address (on the east side). As a result, we are planning to limit parking to four hours Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. up to SW Olga Street.

A letter was mailed to residents along this portion of Admiral Way notifying them of our plans. SDOT is interested in hearing their feedback and have invited them to e-mail walkandbike@seattle.gov or call 206-684-7583 by May 31.

The last major round of changes for this section of Admiral Way was back in 2010, when what started as a “rechannelization” proposal was eventually downshifted to “restriping,” including an uphill bike lane and parking removal down the hill, south of City View.

Video: West Seattleites discuss park system’s future ‘at a crossroads’

What do you want Seattle Parks to be like in the future – and how do you want to pay for it? Those key questions brought dozens to Dakota Place Park last night to discuss the department’s draft Legacy Plan. As Parks’ Susanne Rockwell explained during the opening presentation, there’s much at stake:

The opening presentation was followed by 2 rounds of small-table discussions after a short presentation, each table focused on a different component of Parks’ operations/accountabilities, and that resulted in butcher-paper sheets full of ideas and suggestions:

Tonight there’s one more meeting about the draft Legacy Plan, focused on issues affecting immigrant/refugee communities, not in West Seattle but all welcome – 7 pm at South Shore K-8 School, 4800 South Henderson.

Next month, a revised draft will be circulated, and a final proposal is expected to go to elected officials before year’s end. Something to say, but couldn’t get to last night’s meeting and haven’t said it already? Say it fast – parkslegacy@seattle.gov

West Seattle Wednesday: From the calendar, and beyond

The photo is courtesy of Patty, featuring some of the more than 50 Our Lady of Guadalupe School students who visited Fauntleroy Creek earlier this week to release school-raised salmon fry. Creek stewards and volunteers led by Judy Pickens are wrapping up the spring salmon-release schedule today. Here’s some of what else is happening around West Seattle and vicinity:

CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE DISCUSSES NICKELSVILLE, ENCAMPMENT RULES: The council’s Housing, Human Services, Health, and Culture Committee meets at 2 pm at City Hall, with two proposed ordinances that are likely to affect the future of the West Seattle encampment that calls itself “Nickelsville” – one expanding where in the city encampments would be allowed, one specifically calling for a study costing up to $150,000 as a step toward making the current site semi-permanent, both linked in the agenda. Public comments will be taken at the start of the meeting. (City Hall is on 5th between Cherry and James downtown)

NICKELSVILLE ON HPAC AGENDA: Then at 7 pm tonight, during its regular monthly meeting, Highland Park Action Committee will follow up on the afternoon’s meeting and discuss the claim it has filed as a possible precursor to suing to get the city to take action. The meeting’s at Highland Park Improvement Club. (12th/Holden)

Two school events tonight:

POETRY SLAM AT DENNY: Student poets and their work are in the spotlight during the annual 8th-grade poetry slam at the Denny International Middle School Galleria, 5:30 pm. (2601 SW Kenyon)

‘FINAL AND MOST IMPORTANT’ WSHS PTSA MEETING OF THE YEAR: That’s how the announcement of tonight’s meeting is headlined in the latest Westside Weekly newsletter, edited by Bev Corey, who reminds us this is happening tonight:

Please come to the last PTSA meeting of the year … at 7:00 pm in the school library. Come to recognize the wonderful volunteers and educators who’ve won Golden Acorn awards. And, we’ll be adopting next year’s budget and voting for officers. We’ll have important updates on the West Seattle 5K and auction. And some other good stuff too.

(3000 California SW)

Exploring your career future? One event tonight:

CAREER NIGHT AT PRUDENTIAL: 6 pm at the Jefferson Square offices of Prudential Northwest Realty (WSB sponsor), find out if a real-estate career is for you. Details in the calendar listing. (4700 42nd SW, Suite 600)

To find all tonight’s nightlife listings, check the calendar. Here’s an event that happens just once a month:

POEMS AND STORIES: The fourth-Wednesday poetry/storytelling showcase at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) is tonight, 7-9 pm – details in our calendar listing. (5612 California SW)

WEDNESDAY TRAFFIC/TRANSIT: Holiday weekend approaches

(Live view from the west-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Since many schools are taking a four-day Memorial Day weekend this year – Friday through Monday – today will be the second-to-last “regular” commute of the week. So we should also start making note of Monday schedule changes:

*Metro will be on a SUNDAY schedule for Memorial Day
*West Seattle Water Taxi also will be on a SUNDAY schedule for Memorial Day

‘Paint the Town Purple’: American Cancer Society centennial; West Seattle Relay for Life reminder

Hate cancer? Wear purple today.

It’s the American Cancer Society‘s 100th birthday, which is why “Walking On Logs” is decked out in purple. Local ACS supporters are encouraging everyone to do the same, to ‘Paint the Town Purple’ today. And it’s a chance for a reminder about next month’s ACS fundraiser, the annual Relay for Life of West Seattle – this time around, running from 2 pm Saturday, June 29th, until 8 am Sunday, June 30th, at West Seattle Stadium. And besides the always inspiring milestones along the way – organizer Kate Flanagan tells WSB that Relay for Life will include a free concert by popular kid-music band Recess Monkey at 6:30 pm that Saturday. Find out more about R4L at westseattlerelay.com or on Facebook.

Seattle Police surveillance cameras: Another public meeting

(April photo of SPD surveillance camera installed at Admiral Way Viewpoint)
When last we checked with Mayor McGinn‘s office regarding the status of his decisionmaking on whether to give Seattle Police approval to activate the surveillance cameras installed from Fauntleroy to Alki to Admiral and beyond, they told us the ball was in SPD’s court, expecting the department to schedule “additional public meetings” (that quote’s in our March 31st update). Tonight, SPD has finally announced one more meeting: This Friday night, 7 pm, in Ballard. The announcement was made via SPD Blotter just after 8 pm tonight:

Got questions about the Port Security Grant? Missed our meetings in West Seattle and Belltown? Planning a staycation this Memorial Day weekend?

Well then, this opportunity is for you!

Tell us in person. We’ll be at the Golden Gardens Bathhouse, 8498 Seaview Pl. NW, Friday, May 24th at 7 p.m.

Can’t make it? Not a problem. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, you can send your thoughts to us electronically. Drop us an email at cameraquestions@seattle.gov

The first two meetings were March 12 on Alki (WSB coverage here) and March 19 in Belltown. Missed the backstory? The “port-security grant” refers to a communication system including dozens of Seattle Police-managed surveillance cameras, funded by a federal grant originally described as being for port security, but since framed in a broader public-safety context. WSB readers were first to notice cameras being installed unannounced, which led to the news being broken here, if you go all the way back to the first story (January 29) in our archive.

Anybody up for a weekday walk? New group starting Friday

Looking for someone to go walking with? Three West Seattle women invite you to join them this Friday for the first of what they hope will be weekly walks – at least for a month, and then they’ll see how things have been going. The invitation is simple:

Walk with us! This Friday [May 24], 8:00 am, meet at south goalpost at Hiawatha soccer field. Walk for 20 minutes with us and bring your dog, friends – anyone welcome! Walk longer with some of us, or less …. it is all fine!

Questions? Call Carol at 206-938-4204. No RSVP needed, though – just show up. Hiawatha is at 2700 California SW.

Followup: Seattle Fire Department reassurance for neighbors of ‘low-flow’ hydrants

Tonight, another followup on the recent discussions of “low-flow” – 500 gallons per minute – fire hydrants that remain in parts of West Seattle and whether people living by those hydrants – particularly a few concentrations in Arbor Heights – are at higher risk. Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Kyle Moore asked us to share this:

For the past few years, the Seattle Fire Department has been working in partnership with Seattle Public Utilities to achieve greater fire protection in Arbor Heights. Since 2011, SPU has updated the water mains, added fire hydrants, and has installed red rings to clearly identify low-flow hydrants. These additional measures assist the Seattle Fire Department with our fire-suppression tactics and also provide an increased level of safety and fire protection to the residents in Arbor Heights.

Each Seattle Fire Engine carries 500 gallons of water, enough to extinguish an entire room fire. Also every fire engine is equipped with 1000 feet of hose line. This is enough hose to reach the 1000 gallons-per-minute (gpm) hydrants which SPU has placed within 1000 feet of all residences in the city.

Concern surfaced after SPU announced it’s working this month to place reflective red rings on the remaining “low-flow” hydrants; we first published the map above on Monday showing their locations – click the image to get a larger PDF of the full citywide map.

Massage Envy: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor

Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Massage Envy, now open in Westwood Village, with a grand-opening celebration this Saturday. Here’s what Massage Envy‘s West Seattle owner Jennifer McCollum (in red in the photo below) wants you to know:

Our Massage Envy staff is amazing. We have 15 talented massage therapists, each trained in multiple modalities. In addition to being licensed health-care professionals in Washington, each passed a 3-part interview which included a practical massage with myself and my experienced Clinic Administrator, Amanda. They were evaluated on 6 criteria and had to score well in all six categories to come aboard. We had to turn away several applicants and get a lot of massage to select these wonderful, gifted people. It was tough. My neck and shoulder have never felt so relaxed.

I’ve worked in health care for the last 15 years, in a variety of settings. I’ve never seen therapy apply to such a variety of issues. It was a natural fit to open a business designed to make people feel good right away. The more you have massage, the better you feel. It’s as healthy as working out, but instead of sweating, you lie down. Our American lifestyle is pretty stressful. Americans don’t have any pause rituals like afternoon tea or siestas. Pausing is essential to a healthy balanced life.

Massage Envy invented the concept of a gym-type membership for massage. The response has been huge because people always leave feeling great and want to have more of that well-being feeling. Regular massage is addictive and we have a great program that makes it affordable and convenient. Parking and public transport are plentiful; we’re open 7 days a week, 8 am-10 pm Mondays-Fridays, 8 am-6 pm Saturdays, 10 am-6 pm Sundays. It’s pretty easy to fit it into a busy schedule. As the local owner, I spent a year vetting the Massage Envy brand to gain a comfort level with the brand for professionalism, convenience, and value. I visited over 50 Massage Envys around the US in several states. I talked to a lot of therapists about what made their job rewarding (or not) and took note. The consistency and quality of massage is strikingly good. I found a manager talented in delivering on customer service and systems that work for our staff. She has several years’ experience in the wellness industry. Because of my history as a health-care provider, spending long hours in the operating room, it’s important to me that my employees have state of the art equipment that preserves their bodies. We take care of our clients, we take care of ourselves and we take care of each other. It’s hugely rewarding to all of us to make people feel so good, run a better race, wake up less stiff, move with ease and less pain, go to sleep soundly, recover from surgery — I could go on and on and usually do if you give me half a chance. I believe in massage. If you are the type of person who likes massage, please come and give us a try – 2513 SW Trenton, on the north side of Westwood Village, 206-456-3400.

And this Saturday (May 25th), it’s the grand opening, with a ribbon-cutting at 11 am, followed by complimentary chair massages, healthy treats, and a water bar until 1 pm.

We thank Massage Envy-West Seattle for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

West Seattle development: June 27 set for 3210 California’s Design Review return

The date’s been set – June 27 (technically tentative until the formal notice comes out) – for the second Early Design Guidance review of 3210 California SW. The five-story, 180-apartment, 180-parking-space project‘s first session before the Southwest Design Review Board was on April 12th (WSB coverage here; official city report here), and board members asked the development team to give it another try. Neighbors’ concerns include the project’s length – “200 feet longer than a downtown block,” as they described it – and height, with a single-family-zoned neighborhood right behind it to the east. The June 27th meeting is scheduled for 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle, site of most Design Review meetings these days, California/Oregon in The Junction.

Alki Point Lighthouse celebrating centennial as tours resume June 1st; Log House Museum part of the party

(April 2011 photo by Long Bach Nguyen, over Alki Lighthouse)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Every year, you get just a few chances for a close-up look at one of West Seattle’s true gems – the Alki Point Lighthouse.

This year, those chances start June 1st, when weekend afternoon tours resume. But that first day comes with something extra – a celebration of the lighthouse’s centennial.

US Coast Guard Auxiliary member and area resident Will Winter talked about it at last Thursday’s Alki Community Council meeting. (He’s at right in the photo below, taken by Liesbet T. and published here as the tour season wrapped up in 2011:)

The USCG Auxiliary volunteers staff the lighthouse for tours, and that’s why Winter joined.

He presented an overview of its history, as well as mentioning the low-key celebration that’s ahead, planned in conjunction with the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, which has a “complementary celebration” on deck that day:

Click to read the rest of Alki Point Lighthouse celebrating centennial as tours resume June 1st; Log House Museum part of the party…

Followup: Taste of West Seattle cooks up $30,000 for Helpline

550 people, almost 50 local food/beverage purveyors, and … drum roll … more than $30,000 raised for West Seattle Helpline at last Thursday’s Taste of West Seattle! So reports Helpline executive director Tara Luckie, now that the final count is in:

That’s 23% more than last year. We want to give a big thanks to the many establishments who participated and to the ticket purchasers who made this event a success. The West Seattle Helpline looks forward to helping many families get back on their feet after facing an emergency in West Seattle with these funds.

You of course don’t have to wait for the next special event to help the Helpline … you can donate online any time.

Surprise! $5,000 grant for Sanislo librarian Craig Seasholes

(Photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
The alert we received on Monday warned us not to tip off Sanislo Elementary librarian Craig Seasholes (right) that CenturyLink rep Sue Anderson (left) would be visiting the school with a surprise for him – a big $5,000 check as part of the CL/Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Teachers & Technology grant program. He’s one of 22 teachers to get one of the grants this year, and we’re told it’ll go toward iPads with educational apps and e-books. (Big spring for Mr. Seasholes and the Sanislo Library – you’ll recall they hosted Caroline Kennedy last month.)

West Seattle development followup: Rowhouse-project neighbors will get their meeting

(WSB photo of proposed rowhouse site, April 2013)
“Rowhouses” are a hot development trend right now, under construction and/or on the drawing boards for at least half a dozen West Seattle sites. Three weeks ago, we reported on a petition drive launched by neighbors of a proposal for four three-story rowhouses at 2414 55th SW in Alki. They had learned that, although the project did not hit the threshold for a mandatory public meeting of any kind (such as Design Review), if they gathered at least 50 signatures requesting one, the city would consider it. Neighbor Marie McKinsey says she heard back from the city Monday afternoon:

This is from Tami Garrett, the DPD planner in charge of this project: “DPD will facilitate a public meeting. The purpose of this meeting will be for Staff to provide an overview of the proposed project and for the public to provide comments about the proposal in person. The meeting date, location and time hasn’t been confirmed yet. It’s my understanding that the parties of record will be sent written notice of the date, time and location. Neighbors within close proximity of the proposal site, petition signers, and public commenters are considered part of this group.

McKinsey says Garrett also indicated it could take a month or more to schedule that meeting. (The neighbors’ reasons for requesting one were detailed in our previous story.)

West Seattle Tuesday: Talk about parks’ future; hear about burglary prevention; benefit dinner; more

(Ducklings at Lincoln Park; photo by Patrick McCaffrey)
Even if you’re not much for meetings, there are two tonight that might give you reason to reconsider. They’re on our list of highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BLOOD DRIVE: Puget Sound Blood Center‘s Bloodmobile is at Chief Sealth International High School till 2 pm (closed 10:30-11:30 am) – walk-ins usually welcome if you are interested in donating. (2600 SW Thistle)

BABY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at West Seattle (Admiral) Library – parents/caregivers, bring your 4-to-12-month-old(s)! (2306 42nd SW)

BENEFIT DINNER @ SENIOR CENTER: “Pay what you can” turkey dinner tonight at 5:30 at the Senior Center of West Seattle, to help raise money to repair the front door. (California and Oregon)

MEMORIAL WALK: Just got word while writing this; there’s a 5:30 pm walk in memory of Surinderpaul Basra, hit and killed last week at 1st and Findlay in Georgetown:

A family and community were torn apart by a horrific collision on Tuesday, May 14 as Surinderpaul Basra crossed at the intersection of First Avenue South and South Findlay Street right after she left after work at Essential Bakery. It’s the sort of tragedy we hear about all too often.

Please join us Tuesday, May 21st at 5:30 p.m. in front of Essential Bakery, 5601 1st Avenue South in Georgetown. We will walk where Surinderpaul Basra walked to pay our respects to her family and friends, and we will walk to send the message that we want safer streets for everyone in Seattle. These tragedies don’t need to keep happening.

More information here and here.

SEATTLE PARKS’ FUTURE – YOUR TURN TO SPEAK UP: 7 pm tonight in the renovated historic building at Dakota Place Park, it’s the biggest West Seattle meeting about the roadmap for Seattle Parks‘ future, the Legacy Plan. Have a favorite park? Something you’d like to see fixed up or changed? Or added to the system? That’s just some of what you’re welcome to talk about. (California and Dakota)

BURGLARY DETECTIVE @ CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: 7 pm at the Southwest Precinct meeting room, SPD burglary Det. Jill Vanskike talks with the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council. You’ll also hear about area crime trends, and get a chance to bring up neighborhood concerns. (SW Webster, just west of Delridge Way)

BELLY DANCING: The monthly Alauda freeform-belly-dancing showcase at Skylark Café and Club is tonight, 7:30 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday on the move

(Live view from the west-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
7:19 AM: After a rainy night, the most recent alert for this morning is no surprise – KING 5 traffic reporter Tracy Taylor tweets that there’s “one lane blocked each direction on Highway 99 near Battery Street Tunnel due to standing water.”

8:16 AM: Thanks to the person who texted that all lanes are back open by the tunnel.

8:41 AM: Thanks to Mary for e-mailing to report a tree blocking 18th SW just south of Holden, causing some abrupt braking on Holden. She says a tree service has arrived but looks like cleanup might take a while.

9:18 AM: At Morgan Junction, the bus sightings usually involve Metro. But this morning, there’s a head-turner, photographed by Ben:

So far, the only information we’ve tracked down is that Thai Me Up is here all the way from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and seems to be on tour for American Craft Beer Week.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Then, now, and tomorrow

First – before two reader reports – here’s something that likely would have topped West Seattle Crime Watch 52 years ago:

Anne Higuera from longtime WSB sponsor Ventana Construction was working on a project in Ballard when that West Seattle story from a 1961 edition of the Seattle P-I, stuffed in the walls, caught her eye. It tells the tale of how a West Seattle family nabbed a would-be burglar. Click here for a larger, readable version (you might have to click it to zoom in when it opens in your browser – that’s what happened with ours).

Ahead, the current cases:

Click to read the rest of West Seattle Crime Watch: Then, now, and tomorrow…

West Seattle businesses: Christopher’s Salon announces closure

Via the WSB Forums: Christopher’s Salon and Massage in south Morgan Junction has announced that it’s closed after 10 years in business. The announcement cites the owner’s health challenges. (Our archives show that four years ago, then-neighboring business owners announced a benefit on his behalf.) The salon was at 7009 California SW.

West Seattleites behind the scenes at NW Folklife Festival

(Photo courtesy Folklife: Programmers and WS residents Debbie Fant, Michelle Shaevitz, Kelli Faryar)
Going to Seattle Center for the Northwest Folklife Festival next weekend? Though it’s not happening in West Seattle, three West Seattleites are involved in making it happen, as we recently found out. One of them – Deputy Director Debbie Fant – explains:

West Seattle is really well represented at the 2013 Northwest Folklife Festival! First of all, the programming team — Kelli Faryar, Michelle Demers Shaevitz, and Debbie Fant — all live in West Seattle! And second, there are 34 groups from West Seattle performing throughout the weekend!! (Not that we’re biased — there’s just so much talent in West Seattle!)

If you’re among those Folklife performers from West Seattle (or White Center/South Park, since we cover those communities with our other two sites), please let us know (comment, or e-mail editor@westseattleblog.com) so we can include that in weekend mentions. Here’s the schedule – even if you’re not the performer, let us know if you recognize locals who are listed.

Know a future Chief Sealth ninth-grader? Special open house May 28

Everyone who’s going to be a Chief Sealth International High School ninth-grader next year is invited to an open house one week from tomorrow (Tuesday, May 28th). Athletic director Sam Reed says it’s a chance for incoming ninth-graders to find out about sports at Sealth – whether they’re already playing a sport, or “thinking about trying something” – read on for the official invitation:

Click to read the rest of Know a future Chief Sealth ninth-grader? Special open house May 28…