West Seattle, Washington
29 Friday
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Last Thursday night, in a four-and-a-half-hour meeting, the Southwest Design Review Board looked at two projects, and declined to recommend final approval for either one, meaning each needs at least one more review. We published short updates that night, promising full coverage to follow; this is the first of 2 long-form reports.)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Following the third Southwest Design Review Board meeting for the mixed-use 3210 California SW project, with at least one more ahead, the site’s neighbors are gathering petition signatures to do what two other West Seattle neighborhoods have done this year – demand a separate city hearing on the project’s potential effects.
The petition at moveon.org was started after Thursday night’s meeting, which drew more than 50 people. (That is also the minimum number of signatures needed to request a hearing outside the Design Review process.)
3210 California SW in its current proposed form would bring ~140 apartments, ~170 parking spaces, and more than 3,000 square feet of retail to much of the east side of the block-plus on California upzoned by City Council approval in 2010, three years after the proposal to change its zoning to NC2-40 was initiated.
Typhoon survivors in the Philippines have a long recovery ahead – and your help can make a big difference. Young West Seattleites are helping too, including students at Gatewood Elementary, whose message to us – which is a message to you, too – was shared (along with the photo) by teacher Darren Radu:
We are 4th and 5th grade students of Team Mt. Si at Gatewood Elementary. We know that a lot of people in West Seattle are already helping people displaced in the Philippines, and we wanted to do something to help too. We held a drive for first aid kits, personal hygiene products, and nonperishable food, and were able to deliver a couple hundred items to the Filipino Center of Seattle on Saturday.
When our teacher dropped off our items, the rep there said that they’re still in need of more donations in order to completely fill a shipping container before they can send it (there’s currently enough for about half the container). We’re hoping you can help us get the word out to West Seattle families who haven’t had a chance to contribute yet. There’s a link below for how to donate, and what kind of items will help.
Thank you!
Team Mt. SiFrom the Filipino Community of Seattle:
Immediate need for personal hygiene products, nonperishable food items, and first-aid kits.
· Cash donations can be mailed or dropped off at the center: 5740 MLK Way, Seattle 98118
· At Wells Fargo – Account #5612975465 RTN#125008547
· Click here to donate online
· FCS will arrange for a 20’ container to ship collected relief goods
Dead/Dying seastars in West Seattle from Laura James on Vimeo.
You have probably heard of the die-off of sea stars – aka starfish – all along the West Coast, and in some East Coast spots too. Regional and national news organizations are paying attention – the Washington Post covered the die-off just this week. But nothing brings it home like seeing what “Diver Laura” James observed in West Seattle waters this weekend. She recorded video off Seacrest on Saturday and uploaded the clip (go here if you can’t see/play the embedded version above) early today, two weeks after she documented dead stars on the beach (as reported here). Discussing her video early today via e-mail, she told us, “I knew it was bad, but I hadn’t seen it in a couple weeks, and it was crushing to see bodies piled on top of bodies and the pilings bare.”
This epidemic is fast-growing; this KING 5 report from a month ago features Seattle Aquarium investigators saying only sunflower stars were affected, yet now it’s moved to other species, as Laura’s video shows so vividly. Researchers continue to say they haven’t figured it out, except for the fact that it’s happening in many places – we found this tracking map as well as media coverage including Sonoma County north of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay south of San Francisco, Southern California, and the earliest reports this fall, from British Columbia.
1:19 PM: Getting multiple reports that the electricity is out in the Upper Alki area, just after a loud noise. Some of the reports mention 53rd SW. Nothing official from Seattle City Light yet – be sure to call them if you’re out, at 206-684-7400; they might not know otherwise.
1:43 PM UPDATE: The outage is now on the SCL map (screengrab above), which says 187 customers (one residence or business is considered a “customer”) are affected. One of them, Michael, tells us SCL told him by phone that a crew’s on the way and they’re estimating two to four hours for restoration (keep in mind early estimates can be wildly wrong since the official cause isn’t even known yet).
2:38 PM UPDATE: The cause is now described on the outage map as “bird/animal.”
4:25 PM UPDATE: The outage no longer shows on the SCL map. Let us know if you DON’T have your power back!
You’ve probably noticed, maybe even felt the effects of, the stagnant, murky air. It’s just led the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency to announce a Stage 1 burn ban for King County as of 2 pm today. Here’s how the agency explains that type of burn ban:
*No burning is allowed in fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves. Residents should rely instead on their home’s other, cleaner source of heat (such as their furnace or electric baseboard heaters) for a few days until air quality improves, the public health risk diminishes and the ban is cancelled. The only exception is if a wood stove is a home’s only adequate source of heat.
*No outdoor fires are allowed. This includes recreational fires such as bonfires, campfires, and the use of fire pits and chimineas.
*Burn ban violations are subject to a $1,000 penalty.
It is OK to use natural gas, propane, pellet and EPA-certified wood stoves or inserts during a Stage 1 burn ban.
Want to know more? Go here. As for the weather – the long-range forecast doesn’t include rain until POSSIBLY Friday night.
A one-of-a-kind holiday-gift sale is under way right now in the Our Lady of Guadalupe gym – devoted entirely to fair-trade items (as explained in our West Seattle Sunday preview) – and there’s a benefit bake sale, too. Above, Daphney is there with scarves; below, Kaitlyn, Hudson, and Andrew, with the 3rd-graders’ bake sale:
The bake-sale beneficiary is WestSide Baby. You can check this all out at the OLG gym – northeast corner of 35th/Myrtle – until 1:30 this afternoon.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports to share. The first one was just published on SPD Blotter:
A store clerk chased away would-be robbers last night in West Seattle. On 11/23/13, at approximately 10:00 pm, two unknown masked males went into a store in the 8800 block of 9th Av. SW and pointed a gun at the clerk, demanding money.
The clerk recognized that the gun the suspects were using was a fake, so he reached down and brought his own gun up, telling the would-be robbers that his gun was “bigger.” The suspects ran out of the store, and quickly left in their getaway car. An area check for the suspects was negative.
And this reader report is from Jay:
Car prowls … in the 6100 block of Admiral. Two hardtops stolen from convertibles. Both were Mazda Miatas … Windows (were) busted to get in, but no attempt to take the cars themselves.
He says it happened overnight Thursday into Friday. We checked police reports and Tweets by Beat for other car-prowl reports in the past week:
*2 reported yesterday in Arbor Heights, one in the 10000 block of California SW, another in the 10000 block of 41st SW
*One Friday in the 9000 block of Fauntleroy Way SW
*One Tuesday in the 5400 block of 23rd SW
*One Monday in the 6900 block of Delridge Way SW
*One Monday at Fauntleroy/Cloverdale
*One last Sunday in the 7200 block of 12th SW.
If someone breaks into your vehicle – or tries – be sure to report it, even if nothing is taken. (Here’s how to file online reports about car prowls and certain other types of crime.)
ADDED 2:43 PM: One more car prowl to add – Dustin reported via Facebook message: “Car prowl 46th and SW Raymond St last night. Nothing in car to steal, but some damage.”
(The brant are back! Photo by Danny McMillin, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Looking ahead to your West Seattle (and a bit beyond) Sunday, we start with two traffic notes:
JUNCTION TRAFFIC ALERT: Again today, one block of SW Alaska is scheduled to be closed to vehicle traffic, 7 am-10 pm, for utility work related to the construction project between California and 42nd. The sidewalk on the north side of the street remains open.
PRESIDENTIAL SCHEDULE: If you are headed eastward this afternoon/evening, take note of President Obama‘s visit. This time, he is scheduled to fly into Sea-Tac instead of Boeing Field, arriving after 4 pm, going to fundraisers in North Seattle and Medina, staying downtown overnight, then flying out Monday morning after 8 am. We’ll keep watch on traffic during those arrival/departure windows. Added: SPD has tweeted details of specific downtown traffic effects during the President’s overnight stay.
Now, events from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and our regular year-round calendar:
OLG FAIR-TRADE SALE: Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade Sale in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Gym, 9:30 am-1:30 pm:
This Christmas season, intentionally use your purchasing power to support Fair Trade efforts around the globe. (Today) OLG will be hosting a Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade Sale in the stage area of the gym from 9:30 am-1:30 pm. You’ll find fabulous Fair Trade gift items, including chocolate, Advent calendars, jewelry, holiday and home décor, silk scarves, bags, ornaments, instruments, and baskets. By buying Fair Trade, you support the efforts of skilled farmers and artisans who are working to break the cycle of poverty and build stronger communities. CRS and SERRV develop relationships with producers and assist them in becoming self-sufficient through training, fair wages, and market access. The 3rd grade will also be holding a Bake Sale to benefit WestSide Baby, their service project site for the year. WestSide Baby serves low-income families with clothing, diapers and supplies for children up to age 12. Finally, you can buy your holiday cards to support Noel House, a Catholic Community Services shelter for homeless women.
(OLG is at 35th/Myrtle)
OPEN HOUSE: Holiday Open House continues at JF Henry Cooking and Dining (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. 10 am-5 pm. Deals, demonstrations, treats, more – details here. (4445 California SW)
VOLUNTEER AT CAMP LONG: Your big chance to pitch in today – volunteer work at Camp Long, 9 am to 3 pm each day, to help with an Eagle Project, described as “restoring a staircase along the Glacier Climbing wall by removing the existing deteriorating stairs, grading the ground, and setting in new granite slabs. Additionally, we will clear vegetation to the right of the staircase for a trail to reduce the grade.” It’s day 2 of this work – Suzanne, who shares the announcement, sent this photo from Day 1:
Volunteers get food after the work party. (5200 35th SW)
NATIVES RISING STORYTELLING TOUR: At the Duwamish Longhouse, 1:30-3:30 pm, hear “stories that have not been told in public in more than a century,” featuring traditional storytellers Solana Rose Booth and Ravenspeaker. More info in our calendar listing. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Coffeehouse-concert veterans David Grixoni & Paul Luczak play C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)
OPEN MIKE AT SKYLARK: 4 pm at Skylark Café and Club, all ages (signups start at 3). We have word a new youth band plans to debut:
India Spence has performed at Skylark multiple times, and now brings her brand-new band. See who else takes the stage. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Lots of winners in the 15th annual Beer Church Turkey Bowl, one of our area’s most boisterous benefits, Saturday night at West Seattle Bowl. We got there just in time to hear Beer Church director Kendall Jones announce that the Mission team (above, with Kendall at left) won the bowling part of the night, and that the “Battle of the Brewers” trophy would go to Elliott Bay Brewing Co. (team below with Kendall and, at left, Kim Sharpe Jones):
Also winners: The clients of the West Seattle Food Bank, the beneficiary of Turkey Bowl proceeds – as well as cash and food donations, which this WSFB team was on hand to handle:
The night’s festivities also included raffle items donated by local businesses and breweries (see the list on the Turkey Bowl page). As Kendall is quoted on the Beer Church home page as saying, “We encourage beer lovers everywhere to get involved in their communities and work to make the world a better place. Donate, volunteer, participate.” (P.S. He also runs the Washington Beer Blog, where you can tap into beer news from all over the state.)
10:42 AM UPDATE: New info from Kim, in comments – more than $4,400 raised for the WS Food Bank, in addition to the donated food itself.
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