West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Facing a self-described “passionate” crowd in North Delridge tonight, Downtown Emergency Service Center executive director Bill Hobson did not deny Delridge Neighborhoods District Council chair Mat McBride‘s assessment of the meeting’s intent:
“In one of your early comments, you said you came here to have a discussion, but it’s less of a discussion and more of an explanation,” observed McBride – an explanation from Hobson that if funding comes through, DESC intends to build a 75-apartment complex for mentally ill homeless people in North Delridge, whether area residents like it or not.
McBride’s assessment, stark as it was, came as the standing-room-only meeting, more than 50 packed into the Delridge Library‘s small public-gathering room, started to calm from a crescendo of shouting and accusations – more between participants of opposing views, than directed at the DESC leader, though Hobson too had to raise his voice at more than one point to get a word in edgewise.
He had begun with an explanation of his agency, and then of the project, while also saying, “This doesn’t have to be the last public meeting” about it. From sheltering, DESC moved into the housing business starting in 1995. He briefly touched on what is described on the DESC website as a “Housing First” philosophy – rather than expecting their clients to get their lives in order before becoming eligible for housing, they are put into housing first – then offered services to deal with their challenges, which might include mental illness and/or substance abuse.
The agency operates eight projects (unofficially Google-mapped above by McBride) and hopes to break ground soon on a ninth at 105th and Aurora in North Seattle; Delridge would be its tenth. DESC already had initiated the purchase of lots in the 5400 block of Delridge before going public with news of its plans, mainly by contacting representatives of community groups including the North Delridge Neighborhood Council; we covered the June 13th meeting of NDNC, and that’s where we heard about it for the first time, including information from chair Karrie Kohlhaas in our meeting report, then contacting DESC the next day for an in-depth followup. Here’s more of what Hobson said tonight about the project:
In our interview with him two weeks ago, Hobson had told WSB that DESC thought it might be able to help Delridge in its process of “stabilizing.” Tonight’s first question asked, how could this possibly help?
(Photos by Katie Meyer for WSB)
The last of four new businesses to open in the past two months in the southeast corner of the heart of The Junction is ALMOST open. Tonight was the invitation-only preview party for the much-anticipated West Seattle expansion of Renton-headquartered Irish restaurant/pub A Terrible Beauty. (As reported here a week ago, tomorrow is the official opening.) We have photos from WSB contributor Katie Meyer – starting above with the bar, topped by clocks showing the time in Seattle, Belfast, and New York. More photos after the jump:Read More
ALKI COMMUNITY CENTER: New summer hours started today, in the center’s first summer as a “limited-operations” community center. Details are in this update from Seattle Parks, as well as a link to the summer-program brochure (which features listings from all area community centers).
FREE SUMMER SCIENCE CLUB: 4th through 7th graders are welcome to join in a free summer science club at Neighborhood House‘s center in High Point, 6400 Sylvan Way SW. The announcement notes that students will get “a chance to be creative and make friends while conducting their own experiments.” Three 2-week, 2-day-a-week sessions are planned, with students invited to join in one, two, or all three – July 12/14/19/21, 3-5 pm; July 26/28/Aug. 2/4, 3-5 pm; and Aug.9/11/16/18, 10 am-noon. Creations will be shown off at an August 23rd science fair. They’re also looking for high-school or college-age mentors for the program; to volunteer as a mentor, to register a student for the program, or just to ask a question, call Shuby Narayanaswamy at 206-588-4900 ext. 613.
Till 7 pm, you can drop by the open house for The Grove/West Seattle Inn (36th/Alaska) and see the results – so far – of their makeover, firsthand. We’ve been chronicling it since it was announced in January by the new owners of what was Seattle West Inn and Suites, and before that, TraveLodge. They’re expecting their first guests this week, and showing off rooms for the first time, though they’re not all done yet.
The Grove will have 46 rooms, and ownership spokesperson Lynn Sweeney had told us during this sneak-peek tour last week that about half would be done for their reopening this week. Also on hand for tonight’s open house, manager Joey Disque:
The redo is all the way down to the rooms’ shell – new carpeting, window coverings, beds and other furniture, bathroom fixtures, kitchen fixtures (in the half dozen or so with kitchenettes), art, paint, even metal railings replacing what was plastic. More info’s on their website at grovewestseattle.com.
Three children between 8 and 15 reported being ‘flashed’ Sunday afternoon outside the home of relatives in the south Admiral area. Here’s what one of those relatives e-mailed us to report:
Yesterday, June 26th, at approximately 3:30 PM, a man exposed himself to three young children on the corner of 44th and Hanford [map]. Police were alerted and on the scene immediately. He is about 6 ft, very pale with a distinct mustache resembling two triangles and a goatee. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with white graphics and light blue jeans.
The relative says the children were very upset, and police stayed in the area quite a while. She provided the police-report number; reports are not available for days online, so we checked with Det. Mark Jamieson in the SPD media-response unit, who provided a few additional details from the report: The victims said the man walked by, exposed himself, then walked away eastbound on Hanford, at which time the victims ran into the house and called police. Officers rushed over, including one who was just a few blocks away, but could not find the man – there was a notation that he might have gotten on a Metro bus nearby. In addition to the description above, his age was estimated as between 30 and 49.
This is about a mile south of the luring attempt reported two weeks ago, in which an 11-year-old said a man tried to entice him into a car. The description in that incident has a few things in common with this one, albeit fairly common traits, but we are asking Southwest Precinct police if they have any reason to suspect a link.
For those who like marking their calendars way in advance, today’s postal mail brought word of a new 5K added to the Alki schedule this year: October 16th is the date for the first-ever Beat the Burn 5K run/walk and “kids’ dash.” It’s co-presented by Port of Seattle Fire Department Local 1257 Firefighters and the Northwest Burn Foundation, which the event’s proceeds will benefit. More info to come later this summer.
Yes, thieves will take ANYTHING. Last Wednesday, Megan writes, her car was gone through in the Belvidere area, and: “The only things missing seem to be about 20 CDs in a green zippered case. So….if you’re suddenly gifted with some Johnny Mathis, Mel Torme, CSN, and other oddities, they’re likely mine.” Then today, from a different part of West Seattle, the tale of a trash bag taken from an open car, with three things inside; James hopes you will look for one of them, a beloved old toy that the thieves may well have tossed aside:Read More
An announcement today from West Seattle-based Twelfth Night Productions:
Twelfth Night Productions (TNP) is pleased to open Oliver! by Lionel Bart in August at West Seattle High School. A beloved musical, Oliver! tells Charles Dickens’ story of the little orphan boy who would not be overlooked. The colorful characters he meets on his journey teach him about life and love as he struggles to make it on the streets. A few of the memorable songs include “Food Glorious Food,” “Consider Yourself,” “You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket, or Two,” and “As Long As He Needs Me.” This year’s cast and crew of more than 80 people includes children and adults from all over the Seattle area.
In keeping with TNP’s tradition of giving, this year’s beneficiary is Treehouse, and a portion of the proceeds from Oliver! will be donated to this remarkable organization. Treehouse has been around since 1988 and helps fill the gaps for kids in foster care by providing services overlooked by other agencies. Among other services, they provide money for extra-curricular activities and summer camps, professional educational support services, and clothing and supplies to help kids fit in at school. In addition to donating proceeds from Oliver!, TNP will also help facilitate a back-to-school drive for Treehouse, collecting school supplies, backpacks and new or gently used clothing items for kids in foster care.
Oliver! runs in a special limited engagement at West Seattle High School, August 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 at 7:30 PM and August 7, 14, and 21 at 3:00 PM. Tickets are available online at Brown Paper Tickets and at West Seattle High School, 3000 California Ave SW Seattle WA, on performance days. Prices are $18 for adults and $15 for students & seniors.
Talking this morning with West Seattle Coffee House proprietor Janel Loos, we observed that her about-to-open coffee stand is mocha-colored. “That’s what I was going for!” she laughed. We first told you back in January about plans for the drive-through coffee stand on the site of Hans VW Repair at 35th and Graham (map) in High Point. Now, it’s set to open this Friday. Read on for more from our conversation with Janel:Read More
That’s our video of the All-City Band at the end of last year’s West Seattle American Legion Post 160 Grand Parade, and you’ll see them again in this year’s parade, coming up Saturday, July 23rd. Two weeks after that, the famed band – led by West Seattle’s own Marcus Pimpleton – will celebrate its 60th anniversary. For the occasion, they’re planning a banquet/auction on August 5 – also here in West Seattle, with tickets are on sale now – and they’re looking for past participants to join an alumni band. From the Friends of All-City Band, this news release:
School’s out for summer, and the Seattle All-City Band begins rehearsals this week in preparation of a summer full of performances in Seafair parades and community celebrations throughout the region. This summer, however, is quite special to the band’s over 120 students, volunteer staff members, and supportive parent base; this marks the 60th edition of the All-City Band program.
Two reports of egging overnight – this one’s from Michelle:
I’m not sure if anyone else was an egging victim last night, but just wanted to put it out there in case it happened to anyone else. Last night I was in my vehicle and eggs were thrown at me from a passing vehicle in front of 5900 California Ave SW. They were driving a dark blue VW. I think it was a Jetta. I didn’t see the people in the car, but as they threw the eggs they yelled something, and it sounded like a male. I managed to get the egg off before it caused any damage, but it was a little saddening to me because I just moved to West Seattle from Philadelphia. I thought it was supposed to be a nicer and safer place here in Seattle.
And on the northwest edge of The Junction, from K:
Woke up to find that someone threw some eggs overnight; one landed on my walkway, and one was a direct smeary hit on my north-facing big living room window.
As has been discussed before in comments on previous such stories – though it’s been a while – this can cause property damage, and in the first case, throwing anything at a passing car can be a major safety risk. So it’s worth reporting to police; you can even do that online, by going here.
(Photo courtesy Brad Lovejoy – he believes it’s a bumblebee atop a sea holly bloom – click photo for larger view)
One week till the 4th of July! The holiday has its own WSB page now. That aside, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar for today/tonight:
LA LECHE LEAGUE OF WEST SEATTLE: LLL’s monthly meeting at 10:30 am, Westside Unitarian Universalist Church (7141 California SW). All breastfeeding mothers, and mothers-to-be interested in breastfeeding, are welcome, as are babies. We also welcome mom’s partner or support person to join her at the meeting. Park in the parking lot and follow the signs upstairs. Lost? Call 206 353 9334.
PIZZERIA 22 OPENING NIGHT: The wood-fired pizzeria officially opens for business at 4 pm, SW College east of California. Here’s our report from last Friday’s preview party. (P.S. Pizzeria 22 is all ages.)
MOTEL OPEN HOUSE: We’ve been reporting on the renovation plan since it was first announced last December. Now you can see the made-over 36th/Alaska motel, The Grove/West Seattle Inn, for yourself, during an open house 4-7 pm today. Treats by Husky Deli and Pagliacci Pizza. Here’s our sneak-peek story from last week.
DELRIDGE PROJECT MEETING: Information meeting about the DESC proposal for permanently housing 75 homeless people in a new Delridge apartment complex, 6 pm, Delridge Library. Here’s a preview from last night including a link to our original in-depth story 2 weeks ago.
FAMILY STORY TIME: At High Point Library (35th/Raymond) – songs, rhymes, games, stories with the children’s librarian.
KARAOKE: Sing it with Kelli at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), 9 pm.
What a way to spend a summer Thursday night … wine, food, forest, and song. The Nature Consortium has some tickets left for this Thursday’s “Wine in the Woods” fundraiser in West Seattle’s own West Duwamish Greenbelt, 7-9 pm, wine from 12th and Olive Wine Company, appetizers from Long Provincial Restaurant, live music from the Boys of Greenwood Glen. Proceeds benefit NC’s programs including forest restoration and the annual Arts in Nature Festival (coming up August 20-21). You can buy your ticket online (minimum $45 donation; must be at least 21) – just go here.
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