West Seattle Blog…

Friday night fever: Dancing in West Seattle and White Center

Beautiful night for dancing, indoors and outdoors … that first video is from The Kenney, which had a “Senior-Senior Prom” tonight, with high-school seniors mingling with Kenney residents. The Las Vegas sign in front of the band is in honor of the “Rat Pack” theme. (Note in the video, that’s Kenney CEO Kevin McFeely taking a turn on the dance floor, off to the left at one point.) Completely different dance style a few miles southeast, for the Devil’s Dance Parade in White Center — an Afro-Peruvian costumed dance troupe started at 15th/Roxbury, wound its way through the business district, south, then west, then north, and wrapped up at Cafe Rozella:

We’ve got another clip on partner site White Center Now as the dancers paused to perform by the taco truck south of White Center Plaza. A concert followed at the coffeehouse.

Alki pump station project: Final months of work

We recently got a note from Jeff wondering about progress on the Alki pump station project, which has now been under construction for almost a year and a half. So we checked with the King County Wastewater Treatment Division folks, and Heidi Sowell sent an update – note the chance to ask your questions in person during Sunday’s “Celebrate Seattle Summer Streets” event (closing Alki to most traffic 9 am-5 pm that day). Here’s what Heidi sent:

Crews are completing the construction of the pump station. Much of the current work on the project is occurring below ground and improvements may not be as noticeable to those living, working and visiting the area.

… 53rd Avenue Pump Station Upgrade
In February 2008, construction began on upgrades to King County’s 53rd Avenue Pump Station in West Seattle. This underground wastewater facility, located on the west side of Alki Avenue Southwest at 53rd Avenue Southwest, is more than 50 years old and in need of repairs, new equipment and more underground space.

The 53rd Avenue Pump Station will remain underground but will be about three times as large. Current improvements to the Pump Station will bring the facility into compliance with current code and design requirements while also increasing reliability. The pump station will help manage combined stormwater and wastewater flows from nearby neighborhoods and will reduce overflows into Puget Sound.

Construction Milestones

* Utility and storm drain relocation – Spring 2008
* Force main installation – July 2008
* Sheet pile driving – August 2008
* Pump station excavation – Fall 2008
* Pump station construction – Winter 2008 through Summer 2009
* Testing of upgraded facility and property restoration – Fall 2009

Learn more at http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wtd/projects/westseattle/53rdAvePS/ or visit us
at the Alki Seattle Summer Streets event this Sunday from 9 am – 2 pm (near the pump
station). Thank you for your continued patience through the 53rd Avenue Pump Station
construction!

Delridge Day tomorrow: Full (packed!) schedule now online

It’s the next big festival of the pre-summer – and it’s happening tomorrow at Youngstown Arts Center: Delridge Day, 11 am-5 pm. We’ll have a table there, and we’re inviting kids and teens to write short messages to share online with the WSB world – we’ll also be reporting “live” on the events throughout the day. But we’re just a tiny part of the event – there’s food, live music, dancing, gardening, mural-making, skateboarding, a plant sale to raise $ for the new Delridge Community Center playground, and one thing we’re particularly looking forward to finally seeing in person – the work of Mandy Greer, who is crocheting a fiber river that’ll be installed at Camp Long this summer. Indoor AND outdoor fun at Youngstown for Delridge Day tomorrow – we look forward to seeing you there! (Here’s a map to Youngstown, if you’ve never been there.)

More road-project updates: 16th SW paving, 30th SW sidewalk

First, new information on the upcoming 16th SW paving project near South Seattle Community College, from Rick Sheridan at the city Transportation Department – he says the schedule is now pushed back about a month:

An update on the paving work that will occur on 16th Avenue SW this summer. The project, previously scheduled for June, will now instead begin in late July. This is being done to accelerate our work on 4th Avenue S between Royal Brougham and Airport Way, and lessen its impact on the traveling public and nearby businesses.

We will still be able to repave 16th Avenue SW during the summer session at South Seattle Community College, when student traffic through the area is lower. The work will last approximately six weeks and require a detour.

Here’s the official city page about the project. Meantime, a report from Marco in High Point, regarding the 30th SW sidewalk work between High Point and Delridge, right after this photo he just sent:

After weeks of construction on 30th Ave SW they removed the ‘road closed’ sign at the bottom of the hill, but not yet at the top (Juneau).

The city’s most recent update, published online earlier this month, said the project was on schedule to be done “in early June.”

Summer science score: UW robotics trailblazer, Gatewood girls

Editor’s note: Back in February, we took that photo when the Robotics Team from Gatewood Elementary visited Yoky Matsuoka, director of the Neurobotics program at the University of Washington. Now, two members of the team will get to work more closely with Matsuoka and her colleagues – here’s the story:

By Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Chatting with Sophia Gut (left) and Emma Atkinson about bio-robotics and ultra-sonic sensors, it is easy to forget that the two Gatewood Elementary School students are just 10 years old.

The girls share a passion for building robots.

Both have been invited to spend a week this summer at the University of Washington laboratory of Yoky Matsuoka, an associate professor of neurobotics who is developing a lifelike robotic arm connected to the human brain.

Click to read the rest of Summer science score: UW robotics trailblazer, Gatewood girls…

Got a car to show off? Steer into a show at The Mount

That’s a photo from last year’s Father’s Day Car Show at The Mount. If you’ve got a car to show off, they’d love to have you be part of this year’s show – here’s the announcement we just received:

A Father’s Day tradition at Providence Mount St. Vincent is to host a Classic and Antique Car Show for our residents and for the community. We’re looking for owners of such vehicles to display their cars and chat with folks on Sunday, June 21st from about 11 am until 3:30 pm. It’s always a good time. There’s a small competition for best entry in several categories. And it’s rewarding to see the great pleasure that this brings to our residents, most of whom are in their 80′s and 90′s. If you are interested, please call Eileen at (206) 937-3701, ext 28674 or e-mail eileen.mccloskey@providence.org and let her know that you’ll be coming.

(And let us know too, so we can stop by for a pic or interview while we’re covering the show!)

West Seattle Crime Watch: “Desperate College Student” needs help

Along with that photo came this story, headed “Car Prowl, 6900 block 40th SW (up the hill from Thriftway)” [map]:

My car was broken into last night and my backpack was stolen along with all my textbooks, notes, binders, and pens, etc. Please, if anyone finds the following items contact me and I will be happy to come pick them up. I only have two more weeks left in my quarter at school and I desperately need to get my work back and textbooks. Items taken: 1) Textbook: Sol y Viento (Spanish Textbook/Hard Back) 2) Textbook: A Concise History of the Middle East (Soft Back) 3) Pink&Green polka-dot binder with a ton of Spanish homework inside 4) Spiral Notebook with Middle Eastern History notes & English Notes 5) REI Backpack (Olive Green and Light Olive Green) has two pockets and 1 small pocket for pens.

Thank you so much for any help you can provide! My phone number is 206-290-7489 for anyone that finds these items.

Sincerely,
Desperate College Student

West Seattle Weekend Lineup: A gem of a weekend

We say that for so many reasons – the West Seattle Rock Club (WSB sponsor) has its (free!) annual Rock and Gem Show this weekend, Delridge Day tomorrow at Youngstown Arts Center (we’ll be reporting live – hope to see you there!), the first-ever West Seattle 5K (WSB sponsor) will hit the street during “Celebrate Summer Streets” on Sunday… It will also be a magical Sunday afternoon at The Admiral, and tonight you can play Rainbow Bingo at the Senior Center or catch the “Devil’s Dance Parade” in White Center … lots of live music tonight too … help mulch tomorrow on behalf of the Alki Community Wildlife Habitat … more than FIFTY events ahead in the full West Seattle Weekend Lineup, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club: Click to read the rest of West Seattle Weekend Lineup: A gem of a weekend…

Half an hour with the mayor: What would YOU ask him?

We get half an hour to interview Mayor Nickels tomorrow morning. We’ve got questions galore, of course. But it wouldn’t be a truly two-way news service if we didn’t ask you what YOU would ask him. (And if you don’t want to post it in a comment, editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!)

Welcoming a new WSB sponsor: Keystone Windows and Doors

Today, we’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor: Keystone Windows and Doors of Seattle, owned by Michan Rhodes, a West Seattle resident. This weekend Michan and her staff will be offering a free Milgard Smart Home Workshop on Saturday (May 30), 10 am-12 pm, at their showroom located just south of Safeco Field at 2215 4th Avenue South (map). Michan and crew will answer questions about how new windows and doors can save you money on your energy bill. Also, they’ll explain how to qualify for the new $1500 tax credit and Milgard’s energy rebate of up to $750. Keystone is family-owned and operated and has been in business for 20 years. Michan says the business started out with her going out and meeting each customer one-on-one, personally hiring the installers, and taking direct responsibility for each project. She says that process led to a steady stream of referrals, and she was able to open a showroom. She adds that all job estimates are free; Keystone is licensed, bonded and insured and in compliance with all Washington state laws. Also, Keystone is registered as a woman-owned business under the state of Washington’s Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) program. Find Keystone Windows and Doors online at keystonewindows.com, or call 206.860.8686.

Thanks to Keystone Windows and Doors for supporting 24/7 community news, information and discussion by sponsoring West Seattle Blog; our full list of sponsors is here, where you also can find out how to join them!

Coreena Wolford crash followup: Family looking for witnesses

Another update today on Coreena Wolford, the 16-year-old Chief Sealth High School student who suffered major injuries in a crash by Highway 509 three weeks ago, as she drove from West Seattle to South Park to help tutor students in the READ program at Concord Elementary. Coreena’s aunt Danica e-mailed to say that her niece is now in a Burien rehabilitation facility: “She is recovering, but has a long, hard road ahead of her.” She adds that the family is looking for witnesses to the May 6th crash: “We are looking for any witnesses who may have seen the accident take place, not the aftermath. We need to get information for insurance purposes. Please e-mail me at danicacandy@hotmail.com with any information.” Family and friends also are continuing to update this website with news on Coreena’s recovery.

Update: “Ivar’s house is going down”

Thanks to Cathy Woo, who just sent a cameraphone photo with that subject line on the e-mail. We reported last night that, a month after training fires started the demolition process, the appearance of a backhoe indicated the end was near for the 59th SW house where Ivar Haglund once lived; this morning, the backhoe’s digging in. ADDED FRIDAY NIGHT: Video as the backhoe finished up with the debris:

West Seattle Crime Watch: Nighttime noise, daytime evidence

Sent by Stephanie:

Last night I heard a sound like someone smashing a window. I got up right away and went outside in my front yard and looked around, but I didn’t see anything. I saw a car, but it promptly pulled over to park about a half a block up at about 5440 46th ave sw so I figured they lived there and were just coming home. This morning I saw 2 full windows broken lying on the corner at Findlay & 46th [map]. I couldn’t see where they came from.

Update: Power trouble at Westwood Village

Thanks to the tipster who called us about this; last night, after a “transformer fire” call nearby, we heard from one person who was without power for a while, but they got it back by 9:15 pm and we heard no further reports. However, this morning Starbucks is closed (expecting to open 10-ish, per a note on the door), the QFC is open under generator power, and some other businesses are closed. Checking with City Light to see what’s going on. Checking at WV, it only appears to be the building with QFC etc. – Target and McDonald’s are unaffected. 9:29 AM UPDATE: Peter Clarke from City Light tells WSB the power should be back any time now, adding:

The problem was a transformer outage. The crew worked through the night to replace the transformer which originally was reported out at 7:38 p.m. The boundaries of the initial outage were on the north: SW Trenton St; on the south SW Barton St; on the east 25 Ave SW and on the west 27 Ave SW. Initially City Light estimates there were 133 customers without power, however, 80 % were restored power by 9 p.m.

Happening today/tonight: They throw, you (get ready to) run

The lion’s share of tonight’s activities – plus Saturday and Sunday – will be in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup later this morning. But we wanted to mention a few things early on: First, two local high-school softball teams are in state tournament play starting today – Seattle Lutheran High School vs. La Salle in Yakima, West Seattle High School vs. Columbia River in Tacoma. (See coach Carrie Burr‘s extensive report in the WSB Forums.) Second, it’s the last day for online registration for Sunday’s West Seattle 5K (WSB sponsor), which kicks off “Celebrate Summer Streets” on Alki (aka “car-free day”) on Sunday – you can sign up online till 6 tonight, or register in person Saturday or Sunday – full details on both options here. 1:09 PM UPDATE: West Seattle lost to Columbia River this morning, 4-2, but is playing Sedro-Woolley right now (1 pm start). 7:07 PM UPDATE: As rockergirl points out in comments, SLHS won the first game, and is playing a second game right now. WSHS lost its second game.

West Seattle Democratic Women: Tribute & candidates’ forum

In the hat, it’s West Seattle writer and former “Rosie the Riveter” Georgie Bright Kunkel, who spoke briefly at Thursday’s West Seattle Democratic Women luncheon as the group paid tribute to her husband Norman Kunkel, who died earlier this year (as noted here). (Georgie revealed she’s doing open-mike comedy at Comedy Underground on June 8th, by the way.) The group also presented a check to an organization for which Mr. Kunkel did a lot of work, the Sightline Institute (whose Alan Durning is shown above with Georgie) in his honor. The centerpiece of the luncheon at the West Seattle Golf Course clubhouse, however, was a candidates’ forum – one of several in West Seattle in the coming weeks. The field won’t be set till after the filing deadline a week from today, but three candidates each for two City Council seats – the open Position 4 (which Jan Drago is leaving to run for mayor) and Position 6 (with candidates including incumbent Nick Licata) spoke to the group – read on for video highlights and a few other notes: Click to read the rest of West Seattle Democratic Women: Tribute & candidates’ forum…

West Seattle scene: Turning road work into art

The digging-up of the old, about-to-be-replaced pavement on Fauntleroy Way has started in earnest, we noticed today. But that’s not all that’s happening on the road. Brianna sent the photo within the past hour, explaining:

just thought i would pass these pics along of a local artist making the most of the fauntleroy street closure.

andy smith has been out on the street painting for the past hour or so working on some pollock inspired pieces.

looks great!!

We have a followup question out to ask exactly where this is happening – the construction zone currently stretches from Edmunds to Findlay.

Fewer trash cans in parks: A student’s perspective

That’s the BigBelly solar-powered trash compactor west of the Alki Bathhouse, a demonstration project of sorts for the city, which is reducing the number of trash cans in local parks (as reported this week by the Times). When the trash-can-reduction campaign came up in the WSB Forums, member Que mentioned that her 8-year-old daughter had an opinion on the matter, after deciding to practice her reading by perusing the aforementioned article. We invited Que to offer her daughter the chance to practice writing by elaborating and sharing it with us (and you). Here’s the result!

I read the newspaper and there was an article about how they were taking the trashcans away from the parks. I don’t believe that they should take the trash cans away because then people will litter. Everyone uses the parks. People use them for playing and having fun and having picnics. We need to have trashcans because people will leave all their trash in the parks. This will make the parks disgusting. Then the parks will be full of trash and bags of poop. That will make the parks not fun anymore and the Moms will not want to take their kids there for picnics because they will be gross. I don’t think that the city is going to save enough money to make it worth having yucky parks. How much money would we all give to have nice parks? The city should find a different place to save that money.

- Rosemary A.
age 8

Health care for all? Fauntleroy gathering airs, shares concerns

By Jonathan Stumpf
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

In advance of this Saturday’s Seattle march and rally for health-care reform, members of the Health Care for All – Washington (HCFA-WA) organization presented a community screening of the PBS documentary “Sick Around the World” Wednesday night at Fauntleroy Church (WSB sponsor).

The hour-long Frontline documentary, hosted by former Washington Post and NPR correspondent T.R. Reid, examines the successes and problems of health care systems in five countries, looking for alternatives to what many see as a failing health-care system in America.

Twenty West Seattle residents attended the event. The discussion afterward hosted by HCFA-WA board member Chuck Rogers and committee chairs Paul and Mary Margaret Pruitt (photo above) stirred up myriad issues and concerns among attendees, ranging from emergency rooms serving as clinics for the uninsured to some residents being disgusted with insurance company’s control over America’s health-care system.

Click to read the rest of Health care for all? Fauntleroy gathering airs, shares concerns…