If there’s a house for sale near yours – keep an extra-close watch, advises B, who reports a break-in:
Thought other folks might want a heads up to keep an eye out on vacant homes for sale in Highland Park. We are selling our property and were called (Tuesday) after someone threw a rock through the window and climbed through. As we were fixing the window two kids, around 20, both stopped by, coming in from the alley.
Our neighborhood block watch is very active and folks have been keeping an eye out on the property. However, even with all of these eyes keeping watch, these punks were still around somewhere.
Hate for someone else to have the same experience. Thanks to SPD SW folks for their professionalism and effort. Whole new level of respect for their work and effort to keep us safe. Just wish folks like those we encountered yesterday didn’t make it so hard.
(Photo from 2012 West Seattle Garden Tour, by Nick Adams for WSB)
Before hundreds of people spend next July 21st wandering beautiful West Seattle gardens – the West Seattle Garden Tour will again celebrate “The Art of Gardening” with its second annual poster-art contest! With less than a month till the deadline, the WSGT is recirculating its call for artists. Not only will the winner’s work be seen by thousands – there’s a prize: $500. There’s also a list of rules/guidelines for entries, so if you’re interested, check out the contest details here (the entry form is linked on that page too).
That’s what Chris W wrote in his note to us accompanying this photo. He took it in front of the Mason Wiggins Realty office at California and Andover (map). So if you lost something there – now you know who to call! (P.S. If you lose or find something, you’re also welcome to post about it in the WSB Forums – except for lost/found pets, which have a page of their own.)
The ongoing demonstrations of opposition to the Seattle Public Schools-utilized testing known as MAP (Measures of Acamdemic Progress) surged into a day of protest today, including this rally outside Chief Sealth International High School with about 20 MAP opponents. Roberta Lindeman spoke to us and the two TV stations who also showed up to cover the rally, explaining the teachers’ position:
ADDED 11:04 PM: Another group of local teachers is expressing support for MAP boycotters – we received this letter sent to the superintendent on behalf of Pathfinder K-8 teachers:
Dear Superintendent Banda,
By unanimous agreement, Pathfinder K-8 teachers would like to express our full and unequivocal support for our colleagues across the district who have boycotted the MAP test. While it is true that there are certain uses for the MAP, and that some teachers find ways to make it useful, its costs far outweigh its benefits. We share the criticisms our colleagues have so thoughtfully conveyed to you. To provide one specific example, at Pathfinder students lose access to our computer lab for nearly 4 months of the school year. For many students, this is the only opportunity they have to use technology to support their learning. As educators, we must prioritize learning over testing and we sincerely hope that you share this philosophy.
We appreciate your decision to convene a taskforce on assessment. In the meantime, we ask that you respect the decision your teachers have made to waste no more precious instructional time on a test that does not serve the needs of our students. Your teachers want the very best for students and that includes meaningful assessment tools. You have the opportunity to demonstrate inspired leadership and to send a message that, as the AAUP-UW contended, teachers in your district are regarded as educated professionals fully qualified to advise the school district with regards to assessment of student learning. As Superintendent, you have the chance to restore integrity and compassion to our district. Perhaps most importantly, you have the ability to show you are listening, really listening, to the voices of teachers in Seattle and across the entire country.
(UPDATED WEDNESDAY NIGHT with more photos – scroll down)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 3:33 PM: That photo is from the last item in acting Seattle Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams‘ scheduled briefing at tomorrow morning’s Seattle City Council Parks and Neighborhoods Committee meeting. It’s a sculpture that was privately funded but now stands on Parks-owned land in West Seattle, accessible and visible only from the water. It’s called “Illusion Dweller” and is a stainless-steel work by Gerry Tsutakawa (whose website shows a better view – choose “commissions”). Late last year, Williams’ briefing explains, it was dedicated on the shoreline of the Arroyos Green Space. It was commissioned by Tina Bullitt, widow of Seattle business mogul and philanthropist Stimson Bullitt, who, Williams notes, “donated the 5.7-acre Arroyos Greenspace on which it is situated” and so far is the largest single donor to Seattle Parks and Rec in its history, having also made donations including a 1.6-acre property on Capitol Hill.
ADDED 9:31 PM: After seeing this story, Bob Weeks shared photos of the sculpture from a kayaking trip:
And here’s the inscription – a quote from Mr. Bullitt – at its base:
If you check out the artist’s website, you’ll probably recognize more than a few of the commissioned artworks – including the big mitt outside the gates of Safeco Field.
(White House photo added, 5:40 pm) FIRST REPORT, 12:34 PM:President Obama‘s nomination today of REI president/CEO Sally Jewell to be the next Secretary of the Interior has a double West Seattle link – she has a residence here (thanks to all the WSB’ers who e-mailed to point that out), and REI was founded here. Here are details on the nomination from our partners at The Seattle Times; if confirmed, Jewell – who also has worked in banking and the oil industry – would succeed Ken Salazar, who had announced he would leave Interior next month. Another prominent West Seattleite, King County Executive Dow Constantine, has issued a congratulatory statement:
President Obama has made a wise decision in looking to our deep pool of talent in the Pacific Northwest, and nominating Sally Jewell as our next Secretary of the Interior.
As the leader of an iconic outdoor recreation business, Sally has worked to preserve our natural lands as a board member for the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust and the National Parks Conservation Association.
Her proven business success, and respect for the natural world, give her the background to successfully meet the many challenges of managing our public lands. My congratulations to Sally.
ADDED 9:12 PM: The White House’s video of today’s announcement is now available:
The first person who e-mailed us about the announcement suggested we should pursue an interview; we put in a request with REI, which told us it’s referring all requests to the White House.
Two weeks ago, Mat McBrideoffered in this WSB comment to help the Westwood/Roxhill neighborhood re-establish a community council – a vital step, he suggested, to banding together on issues including safety and crime prevention, top of mind following word of the Roxhill Park robberies.
Last night, McBride, who chairs the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council, shepherded more than 30 interested neighbors onto the path toward making a new council reality.
By the time the meeting convened at the Southwest Branch Library, Arbor Heights neighbors – also without a community council – had been invited too.
The formal Metro announcement is coming up later today, but thanks to a tweet from our north-end neighborhood-news friends at Ravenna Blog, we’ve learned that the key points of the next “service change” are now available online. You’ll find them here – be sure to click through the tabs and expandable text boxes to explore the whole thing. For West Seattle, changes are mentioned for two routes – here’s the exact verbiage for 21:
All afternoon and evening southbound trips to Westwood Village will continue from the terminal at SW Barton St & 29th Ave SW via 26th Ave SW, SW Roxbury St, 35th Ave SW and SW Barton St before returning to Westwood Village.
And for 55:
On weekdays, two morning peak period trips to downtown Seattle have been added leaving California Ave SW & SW Atlantic St at 6:34 and 8:17 am. Also, two afternoon peak period trips to the Admiral District have been added leaving 6th Ave & Blanchard St at 4:54 and 5:11 pm. These trips were added during the fall service change.
Some existing trips will also be revised to improve service frequency, including a new partial northbound trip to the Admiral District leaving 35th Ave SW & SW Oregon St at 7:22 am.
While there’s no mention of Route 50, Metro’s Jeff Switzer re-confirmed to WSB via e-mail that the previously announced plan to switch to its originally mapped route WILL take effect with this service change. Watch for more details later today; when Metro’s official announcement is out, we’ll add it here.
ANTI-MAP RALLY: Opponents of the testing program known as MAP have declared this a national day of solidarity, and rallies planned around the area include one outside Chief Sealth International High School (where some of the teachers have gone on record against MAP) at 3:20 pm.
SOUTH PORTAL WORKING GROUP: The advisory committee (including West Seattle reps) that’s periodically briefed on Highway 99 and surrounding projects in the South End will meet at 4 pm in the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program offices, 23rd floor of 999 Third Avenue downtown.
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: Reps from community councils and other organizations around western West Seattle meet at their new time/location, 6:30 pm at the Southwest Teen Life Center (2801 SW Thistle). Special guest: City Councilmember Tim Burgess. Here’s the agenda.
MORE NIGHTLIFE:Jim Page performs at C & P Coffee, 6-8 pm; the evening also includes trivia at Skylark and Talarico’s, plus more on the nightlife slate – see the listings on the calendar.
MAILED YOUR BALLOT YET? Six days till Election Day for the two Seattle Public Schools levies – get your ballot in the mail by next Tuesday (February 12th).
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
Above and below, a look at our two key commuter paths – the bridge and Highway 99 …
… and within West Seattle, there’s one traffic alert for today, and beyond, sent late Tuesday by SDOT:
Due to the high degree of maintenance needed by the rubberized speed cushions on SW Dawson near 18th Ave SW (map), SDOT will reconstruct these speed cushions in asphalt. The speed cushions were constructed with three other sets some time ago through a Neighborhood Street Fund grant. The community had documented relatively high speeds; 15% of the vehicles were traveling over 35 mph. Speeds slowed significantly as a result of this project.
SDOT will remove the rubber speed cushions on SW Dawson and cover the warning signs. The speed cushions will then be rebuilt in asphalt and the signs uncovered. The rubber speed cushions may be removed as early as this week. As asphalt is somewhat weather dependent, there may be some lag before the cushions are rebuilt.
And in case you missed this when we published it late Tuesday – here’s the detour map/plan for this weekend’s total shutdown of the Delridge/Henderson intersection.
(WSB photo: Wildcats shown are Lydia Giomi, Gabby Sarver with the ball, and Lexi Ioane)
Though the West Seattle High School girls lost big in their first game of the basketball playoffs – at Cleveland, the home team beat WSHS 76 to 36 – they won big in another arena: The Metro League all-league honors. As published by our partners at The Seattle Times, the Wildcats had five all-League reps: Lexi Ioane was voted to all-league Second Team, and honorable mentions went to Charli Elliott, Lydia Giomi, and Gabby Sarver – then, biggest of all, the Metro League Coach of the Year is WSHS head coach Sonya Elliott!
(WSHS #10, Charli Elliott)
WSHS will play Thursday night at Holy Names, which lost its first game of the postseason to Seattle Prep.
Thought other folks might want a heads up to keep an eye out on vacant homes for sale in Highland Park. We are selling our property and were called (Tuesday) after someone threw a rock through the window and climbed through. As we were fixing the window two kids, around 20, both stopped by, coming in from the alley. 
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