West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(From project team’s presentation at last Tuesday’s hearing)
Following up on Tuesday’s City Council Transportation Committee hearing (WSB as-it-happened coverage here) on the requested “alley vacation” for 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW, recently named The Whittaker, aka “the Whole Foods project” for the only tenant announced so far for the ~400-apartment, ~600-parking-space mixed-use building: The committee’s chair, Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, has made public the e-mail he is sending to those who’ve contacted him with concerns. Read it here or below:
As noted both in Rasmussen’s e-mail and our Tuesday coverage linked above, the next official step is the April 8th committee meeting. It will also have a public-comment period, but since it’s not the formal public hearing on the proposal, it won’t be as long as the hour last Tuesday. Along with Rasmussen, the committee includes vice chair Mike O’Brien and member Jean Godden. The final vote on the proposal would be up to the full council.
You might only have known Mary “Butch” Gribble from Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) or community benefits, but if you met her, you wouldn’t forget her. Her sister Sue Lindblom, Illusions proprietor, shares this remembrance:
Mary (Coghill) Gribble
It is with sadness we report the passing of the friendly face of Mary ‘Butch’ Gribble to many residents living in West Seattle. After 23 years, she retired in November 2013 from Illusions Hair Design and passed peacefully at home on March 4th.
She was born Mary Coghill in Montana but was raised in West Seattle with siblings David, Angus, Susan, and Bill. Her family lost Angus in 1994.
She always loved her Scottish heritage and loved playing by ear her piano, accordion and squeezebox. Her father had musical talent but unfortunately she was the only one that took up the ‘ear.’ She had always been a real caretaker to many in her life including family members and friends. She started her working career for many years at Sears. All remember her energy and sense of humor wherever she was. Many remember her face at one of the car washes or dinners held at the West Seattle Eagles for a Pencil Me In For Kids benefit.
She leaves behind her devoted husband and best friend Grant Gribble, sister Sue (Mike Lindblom), brothers Bill (Debbie) and Dave, many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great nephews, co-workers and past co-workers. There will be no services, as per her request. The family thanks all who have so kindly expressed their condolences.
Six quick biznotes:
ALKI BEACH TATTOO MOVING TO THE JUNCTION: Poking around to find out who’s taking over the former Edie’s Shoes space at 4310 SW Alaska, we heard it might be Alki Beach Tattoo … and now, they have confirmed it via their Facebook page. The name will change to Alaska Street Tattoo Parlour. Opening date TBA.
ATOMIC BOYS TURN 6: The toys/candy/more store at 4311 SW Admiral Way is celebrating its sixth anniversary tomorrow, and co-proprietor Kent Sadow says you’re invited to stop by to join the party – 10 am-6 pm, ice cream, balloons, “and drawings for fun prizes.”
MATADOR REOPENING: Matador in The Junction, approaching its 9th anniversary, is scheduled to reopen at 4 this afternoon after a weeklong remodel, including an interior described as having “reclaimed barn wood accents and new metalwork … There will be more seating added, including several new booths and an expansion of the fire-pit area, and a completely new floor.”
VENTIDUE EXPANSION UPDATE: Update from proprietor Cary Kemp about the Pizzeria 22 expansion project mentioned here last August:
The new room will accommodate up to 50 people for private events as well as space for overflow from our original dining room,which means no more waiting as well as reservations! We plan on completing the project in April.
DOGCITY WEST SEATTLE: We received some questions about the blue/green building in The Triangle, just south of the YMCA (WSB sponsor). It’s DogCity West Seattle, a day-care/boarding/grooming facility whose owner Jan Brown says they decided to start it after looking around for pet sitters for their own furry family members.
UPTOWN DELRIDGE ADDS GAMES: The game business is suddenly hot in West Seattle. In addition to Meeples Games getting ready to open, Uptown Espresso in Delridge has added retail sales of games. (Added: A “grand opening” is scheduled March 22nd.)
Community college isn’t just for 2-year degrees any more, so a new name is in the works for West Seattle-headquartered South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) – it will become South Seattle College. That’s part of a district-wide change, as this announcement explains:
At its meeting March 13, 2014, the Seattle Community Colleges District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to change the name of the District to Seattle Colleges and to change the names of the colleges to North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, and South Seattle College.
The decision came after a year-long exploration of national and statewide trends; opinion surveys of students, employees and community partners; and consultation with business and civic leaders and representatives from Seattle Public Schools.
All three of the District’s colleges offer bachelor’s degrees now.
Quirky finds are lurking throughout the two big church rummage sales under way right now in West Seattle. Above, a sighting at the Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) sale, under way until 4 pm today, 9 am-3 pm tomorrow (41st/Andover); below, an item we noticed at the sale at West Side Presbyterian Church, until 5 pm today, 9 am-2 pm tomorrow (3601 California SW):
Can’t guarantee what’s still available, but WSPC posted a 41-photo preview gallery here.
If you catch the West Seattle Water Taxi back home by walking to the downtown dock via Yesler Way – as we’ve done a few times while working at the courthouse this month – you’ll need to detour north to Columbia, starting today: The county just announced that the city’s seawall work is closing the Yesler/Alaskan Way crossing TFN.
Back in October, we reported on West Seattle Hi-Yu‘s historic decision to open applications to male candidates for their Junior and Senior Court. As Hi-Yu gets ready for its Senior Court coronation, the candidates include the first-ever boy. 17-year-old Hang Thao is pictured (at this month’s Hi-Yu meeting) with, at left, 17-year-old Lorelei McFadden and, at right, 19-year-old Nina Coluccio. Hang and Lorelei are seniors at the Arts and Academics Academy in White Center, while Nina is a student at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor). We’ll find out who becomes Hi-Yu Queen or King at the coronation on May 18th.
Last night, we reported that SDOT‘s weekly “lookahead” showed long-awaited pavement repair scheduled next week for Olson Place SW, at the east end of Roxbury. The official alert has arrived, and the work is now scheduled for next Tuesday-Thursday (March 18-20):
Crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation plan to repair pavement in the 9000 block of Olson Place Southwest from March 18 to March 20, weather permitting. They will work in the eastbound, curb lane from Second Avenue Southwest to point 160 feet eastward (downhill). Drivers headed for the Park and Ride, the senior housing facility or other businesses in this area will have access from Myers Way South.
(Photos courtesy Lauren Adams)
We’ve been asked a few times about work under way at 6007 California SW, home to Dr. Mark Bingham‘s dentistry practice until he retired after a quarter-century. We’ve learned that it’s the new home of the Bella Mente Early Learning Center preschool/day-care center – leaving its longtime Triangle-area location after facing the loss of its lease. And there’s a twist: Bella Mente has a crowdfunding campaign in progress.
After six years at 40th and Edmunds – on two 3-year leases – Bella Mente’s owner Lauren Adams was offered a one-year extension, with time beyond that “possible” but no guarantee; property managers told her the property will be sold with another Huling Properties-owned site immediately east. She says the price (the 2-parcel site’s assessed value alone is $2.7 million) was out of her range, so she bought the California SW location. That 68-year-old building requires extensive renovation work, however – estimated at around $278,000 – that Adams says wasn’t factored into her SBA loan because of appraisal confusion (“as-is” vs. “after construction”). She says that with time running out on her lease, she didn’t want to drop the plan:
So, we took the leap and are working hard 24/7 to find creative ways to come up with construction costs. My family has been extremely supportive and we are selling both our car and our house to use those funds for our project. My husband and I are offering our families date nights every Friday night with all proceeds going to this fund. Our teachers are spreading the word as well. We know the hard work that this will take and we are prepared to do anything we can to make this building the new home for Bella Mente. We have plans for the typical fundraising ideas of bake sales, garage sales, art auctions, and 5K’s. And we are keeping open minds to any other ideas that our community might have to help us work to reach our goal.
Adams’s friend Jason, who first told us about the situation, says Adams has raised about half of it so far.” The preschool owner tells us, “We have a long way to go but are excited for the challenge and this opportunity to continue our vision for our current children and the future children in our community that we will be able to reach because of this new building.” Her crowdfunding page is here.
That’s Jan Hogan, soon to retire from Southwest Branch Library in Westwood (35th/Henderson) after more than a quarter-century! Her library colleague Jane Gibson shared the photo and this note:
Congratulations to Children’s Librarian Jan Hogan on her retirement. Stop by this month and thank Jan for her nearly 26 years of wonderful stories and many happy memories she created at the Southwest Branch Library.
Jane says Jan is leaving in early April.
(WSB photo from 2013 Fairmount Ravine cleanup)
One more advance shoutout for a community cleanup tomorrow (Saturday, March 15th) that REALLY needs you. Every year for more than two decades, Fairmount Ravine neighbors have joined forces to get out and not just pick up some of what’s been left behind, tossed out, dumped in the ravine, but also to pull invasives. You might know the area better for the road that runs from Harbor Avenue uphill/south almost all the way to Hiawatha, under the eastern Admiral Way Bridge. The road and bridge are used by far more than just the area residents, so consider pitching in. The basics:
*Saturday, March 15th, 8:30 am (stay as little or as long as you can)
*Meet at the top of the hill at Fairmount and Forest – directly east of Hiawatha (map)
*Refreshments provided (donated by Metropolitan Market and Zatz A Better Bagel)
*Please wear gloves, boots and old clothes as we remove garbage and invasive plants
*All ages welcome
*Rain or shine
Neighbor Sarah Schieron says they’d also like to thank SPD Community Police Team Officer Jon Flores “for participating with us this year and helping us haul out our garbage in an expedited manner through a noon pick-up.” Whatever time you can spare, the intrepid neighbors of Fairmount Ravine hope to see you Saturday.
This week’s sunshine gave Gatewood photographer/pilot Long B. Nguyen a chance for more West Seattle aerial imagery – and here’s one photo he shared with WSB: Duwamish Head and beyond. Great stage-setter for our preview of some of what’s happening on our beautiful peninsula today and tonight:
TIBBETTS SALE: The almost-spring edition of the twice-annual rummage sale at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) starts today, 9 am-4 pm – details in our calendar listing. (41st/Andover)
WEST SIDE PRESBYTERIAN SALE: It’s also the start of the “gigantic garage sale” (as declared via banner!) at West Side Presbyterian Church, also starting today, 9 am-5 pm – details in our calendar listing. (3601 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE GEAR SWAP DROPOFF: If you are selling gear in this weekend’s West Seattle Gear Swap, drop it off 10 am-7 pm at Mountain to Sound Outfitters. (3602 SW Alaska)
PI DAY PARTY AT THE LIBRARY: As previewed here earlier this week, right after school, at 3:14 pm, a Pi Day party kicks off at West Seattle (Admiral) Library – including, of course, pie. (2306 42nd SW)
LOCAL ACTOR’S MOVIE OPENS: West Seattle actor Lisa Coronado e-mailed to let us know she’s in the movie “Different Drummers,” and it’s opening at AMC Southcenter today – here’s the trailer:
The movie is described as being set “on the north side of Spokane in the 1960s, and focuses on the unlikely friendship between two fourth-graders: a hyperactive Lyle and his best friend David, who is in a wheelchair with Muscular Dystrophy. When David accurately predicts the death of their fourth-grade teacher, and says God told him, Lyle decides to test the existence of God by trying to get David to run again.” Read more about it at differentdrummersmovie.com; check showtimes here.
(added) ROXHILL DINNER: From comments:
2nd Annual Roxhill Family Dinner
White Center Community Center is having their 2nd Annual Family Dinner Fundraising Event for Roxhill Elementary. Come and have some fun! Catch up with old friends and make some new ones, get your picture taken at the photo booth with your family and friends. All proceeds will help support programs for Roxhill students. Everyone is welcome!
When: Friday, March 14, 2014
Time: 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Where: Seola Gardens
11215 5th Ave SW
ARBOR HEIGHTS AUCTION/GALA: 6:30 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, it’s the Arbor Heights Elementary PTA‘s biggest fundraiser of the year – and this is a big year, since the school’s moving out of its old building and will be at Boren for 2 years before moving back into a brand-new building. Check here for ticket info, to see if there’s still room. (9131 California SW)
INTRODUCTION TO VEDIC CHANT: Workshop at Sound Yoga (WSB sponsor) – explained here. 6:30 pm. (5639 California SW)
FLAT 5 AT FEEDBACK: Classic soul/funk gets the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) grooving tonight, 9:30 pm. (6451 California SW)
COOKIE SALES CONCLUDE: It’s the last weekend if you want Girl Scout Cookies!
Thanks to Myrtle for the photo of two Troop 40890 scouts (including her daughter) selling cookies this week. You can check the times, locations, and troops via the online Cookie Locator.
(Protocetus; image provided by The Whale Trail)
How did whales get to be whales? That’s the next installment in what we can safely say is West Seattle’s most popular lecture series – though it’s never just a lecture! – organized by The Whale Trail. And you’ll want to get your ticket now for “Biology & Evolution of Whales: The Historic Return of Mammals to the Sea,” presented by Jim Kenagy, Curator of Mammals, Emeritus, Burke Museum, and Professor of Biology, Emeritus, University of Washington. He’ll speak at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm Thursday, March 27th:
Why do whales and dolphins have finger bones in their flippers? Did you know that today’s cetaceans are descended from ancestors who once lived on shore, and then returned to the sea?
Join us on March 27 to hear more about this amazing chapter in evolution.
This is the third in a series of Orca Talks 2014 hosted by The Whale Trail in West Seattle. The program also features updates from “Diver Laura” James (tox-ick.org) and Seal Sitters. Buy tickets ahead of time and we’ll save you a seat!
You can do that by going to this brownpapertickets.com page. (Kids are free!)
Two photos from Perry, who explains: “It was sunny out (Thursday), so we decided to have a little fun with some mirrors and the side of the OutWest bar.” That’s Perry’s friend and her ferret, above, and here’s Perry:
Perry adds, “A few strangers stopped by and helped, too. It was really fun!”
(Latest bridge and Viaduct views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:56 AM: The rain’s back, in time for the Friday morning commute. No problems reported so far.
7:39 AM: Via scanner – a vehicle stalled/broken down, blocking a lane on the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct at Seneca. Police en route to check. (Update – nothing found)
7:57 AM: Comment and text report stalled pickup truck in bus lane on eastbound bridge, near crest.
8:07 AM: SDOT has moved a camera to show the truck – a photo is in their tweet:
There's a stalled vehicle in the center right lane on EB West Seattle Bridge. pic.twitter.com/NddopabMq5
— seattledot (@seattledot) March 14, 2014
8:17 AM UPDATE: SDOT now reports the truck has been cleared.
Advisories:
HIGHWAY 99 NOTES FOR THIS WEEKEND: Lane and ramp work in the stadium zone – here’s the rundown on the WSDOT website. If you’re going to the Sounders game on Saturday, take note of a break in the work planned to lessen the potential traffic effects.
SPOKANE OVERCROSSING: WSDOT’s project page for the former “Timber Bridge” south of the West Seattle Bridge says closures might be needed again next week to finish striping; we’re checking on that this morning.
JUNCTION CONSTRUCTION: Also checking on this – but if weather was deemed suitable, a major concrete pour was scheduled for today affecting traffic on California SW between Alaska and Edmunds, as noted here.
**Update – It’s indeed on; northbound California is detoured at Edmunds, southbound is still going through. This should continue until early afternoon.**
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