West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Three ways to help the West Seattle Food Bank – and the first one doesn’t even involve food!
NEEDED – BOOKS FOR LITTLE KIDS: WSFB’s Judi Yazzolino tells us that “the Bookcase Program is in dire need of Children’s Picture Books. We are all out! We accept donations Monday – Friday 9 am – 3 pm on the corner of 35th & Morgan. Last year, the Bookcase Program distributed 14,000 free children and adult books to encourage healthy reading habits from a young age.”
Now, two food drives involving nine local businesses:
SPRINGLINE APARTMENTS: Through the end of November, there’s a bin in the lobby of Springline Apartments (3220 California SW; WSB sponsor) where you can drop off food for WSFB, which is hoping for enough donations to fill 100 bags. Bring in your donation(s) during office hours, Mondays-Friday 9 am-7 pm and Saturdays-Sundays 9 am-6 pm.
PT CHALLENGE FOOD DRIVE: 8 local physical-therapy clinics are in the annual competition to see who can collect the most food and money for WSFB:
Sound Physical Therapy – 3823 Delridge Way SW
Life in Balance Physical Therapy & Pilates, LLC – 5410 California Ave. SW
Biojunction Sports Therapy – 3727 California Ave. SW
Southwest Hand Therapy – 4621 35th Ave. SW
Highline Physical Therapy – Jefferson Square
Kinetic Physical Therapy and West Seattle Pediatric Therapies – 4828 California Ave. SW
Therapeutic Associates West Seattle Physical Therapy – 4545 41st Ave. SW
Through the end of October, drop off donation(s) in the West Seattle Food Bank barrel at any of those clinics. Last year, the WSFB tells us, they collected 1,149 pounds of food and $163, and hope to beat that total this year!
P.S. The WS Food Bank’s “wish lists” can be found here.
(WSB photo: Musicians from West Seattle Symphony Orchestra @ last year’s joint concert with Seattle Symphony)
Yes, the Seattle Symphony is returning to West Seattle again this fall to perform with local musicians! The West Seattle Symphony Orchestra, part of the WS Community Orchestras organization, will perform “Side by Side” with the Seattle Symphony on October 20th, one week from Thursday, 7 pm in the auditorium at Chief Sealth International High School. According to the Seattle Symphony’s webpage for the concert, “Symphony Associate Conductor Pablo Rus Broseta will conduct both orchestras in Saint-Saëns’ lively Danse macabre.” Admission is free, no tickets required – just show up! (CSIHS is at 2600 SW Thistle.)
On this Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the Duwamish Tribe remains without federal recognition.
The tribe hasn’t given up the fight, and recently circulated a March 2016 document that is interpreted as giving them the right to appeal last year’s decision rejecting their longstanding bid for recognition (a challenge that Duwamish chair Cecile Hansen took directly to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell in West Seattle a few months later).
The Duwamish also are getting new attention via a documentary chronicling both their campaign for recognition and that of another Washington state tribe, the Chinook. It’s called “Promised Land,” and its second Seattle-area screening is coming up one week from tonight. The trailer is above; the screening is at 8 pm Monday, October 17th, as part of the Social Justice Film Festival, at the University of Washington – details here, including how to get tickets.
Closer to home, you can learn more about our area’s First People by visiting the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center (4705 W. Marginal Way SW) Mondays-Saturdays, 10 am-5 pm, free admission, donations accepted.
Today we’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor, Kid Friendly Footwear @ Again & Again. Here’s the message they’re sharing with you:
For more than 20 years, Again & Again has been known as “the kids’ thrift shop in The Junction” … but now we’re also “the kids’ shoe store.”
Kid Friendly Footwear is our shoe department, and it’s become the best children’s boot and shoe store this side of downtown.
We expertly outfit kids with fabulous, functional new footwear and gear for all seasons — and we’re still the place to go for baby carriers, resale, maternity, and great deals. Why cross the bridge? Shop local and step into brand new:
*Sandals, shoes, boots, & booties
*Footwear & gear for sun, rain & snow
*Quality brands like KEEN & BOGS
*Sizes from pre-walker to preteen
*Raincoats & rain pants by Hatley & more
*Swimwear & SPF gear year-round
*Earth-friendly leather-free choices and curated consignment help families live green from playpen to playground
Ready for a baby carrier? Come find the perfect fit for your lifestyle and comfort. Try on proven carriers, slings, and wraps from our collection of new and used, including preferred brands like Ergo, Lillebaby, and Beco.
Save money while saving the earth when you join us as a consignor. Trade in your freshly cleaned, useful things and shop gently used children’s clothing, shoes and toys, plus choice gear and maternity wear. Join us in supporting WestSide Baby and other services that help make our community friendlier for all families.
Open every day, come rain or come shine. Visit for fitting expertise, better brands, discounts and a kid-friendly atmosphere. Come see what’s new at Kid Friendly Footwear @ Again & Again, where fun meets function in The Junction. Hours are Mondays-Saturdays 9 am-7 pm, Sundays 10 am-5 pm, 4832 California Ave. SW.
We thank Kid Friendly Footwear @ Again & Again for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
No, it wasn’t another state-ferry breakdown – Washington State Ferries has had some trouble recently, but the M/V Kaleetan‘s tow was NOT part of it. WSF tells WSB that the 49-year-old Kaleetan was towed to Vigor on Harbor Island for maintenance work that’s scheduled to last about a month. (It’s been on the fleet schedule for a while, too.) Thanks to Gary Jones (whose photo is above) and Lynn Hall for sending pics – we’re always up for checking into unusual sightings at sea, editor@westseattleblog.com or (if on your phone) text 206-293-6302.
High Point Pond – the size of a small lake – is more like a wetland, temporarily, after its first draining in two years.
A concerned reader tipped us via e-mail, worried about the fish in the pond, so we went over to check it out, and then sought out information via the High Point Open Spaces Association, which maintains the pond as part of an agreement with Seattle Public Utilities. Community Association Manager Janell Gonyea explained:
The OSA grounds crew drains the pond periodically to inspect all of the components in the pond to determine if any maintenance is necessary. We check the inlet and outlet lines to make sure they are clear and we check the pond liner to see if it is exposed or not. We also check to see if there are invasive plant species that could alter or damage the pond liner. We check the emergency risers to make sure they are operating correctly and we inspect for sediment build up in the pond. We also inspect the re-circulation pump and will conduct routine maintenance on that.
The last time we drained the pond was in 2014 and at that time, everything was in good condition. We do not anticipate any problems with the pond at this time because it has been performing normally, but we do want to be proactive about examining the pond and its components to make sure that there is no maintenance needed. The fish will not be affected because there will be enough water left in the pond for the fish. The pond will begin refilling naturally. The weather report is calling for rain later this week, so the pond will begin filling with that rainfall and storm water.
Thanks also to the OSA’s Deborah Vandermar for pointing us to this info. The pond is part of the Natural Drainage Systems built into the High Point redevelopment a decade ago.
P.S. For a wider look at the drained pond, here’s our Instagram clip from this morning:
P.S. If you’re not familiar with the pond’s location – here’s a map.
11:28 AM: While much of the City Council-focused talk right now deals with the proposal regarding where unsheltered people can camp (WSB coverage here), that’s mostly outside the scope of the biggest task with which councilmembers are dealing right now: Reviewing, and potentially changing, the mayor’s proposed 2017-2018 budget.
Today, two of the departments we cover most often, Police and Transportation, are bringing their overviews before the council’s Budget Committee. As we publish this at 11:15 am, SPD is up (watch live here). Here’s the overview document SPD provided the council:
Besides adding 72 officers in the next two years, the overview document also points out that SPD proposing something that will make a difference in our area – a fulltime Crime Prevention Coordinator for each precinct; right now, Southwest CPC Mark Solomon also serves the South Precinct, and he is one of two doing double duty.
At 2:30 pm today, the review includes SDOT. Here’s their overview, including the proposal to expand the controversial bike-share program:
You should also be able to view the afternoon meeting live via seattlechannel.org.
After SDOT, it moves to the Office of Planning and Community Development, whose overview you can download here (PDF). Its focus is on planning, like the Seattle 2035 Comprehensive Plan, and possible community-planning projects, including, the document mentions, a possible project for “Westwood-Highland Park and the North Highline potential annexation area.” The document also asks a question that is related to the city’s apparent initiative to reduce use of the term “neighborhood,” asking, “Is the Council comfortable with a shift away from ‘neighborhood planning’ toward ‘community planning’?”
If there is anything you want to tell the council about adding to or taking out of the budget, let them know ASAP – according to the budget timeline that our area’s Councilmember Lisa Herbold shared, tomorrow (Tuesday) is the deadline for councilmembers to propose changes “for the first round of budget deliberations.” Her contact info, and that of the other eight councilmembers, can be found here.
12:20 PM UPDATE: The SPD review is over and it’s public-comment time.
2:57 PM UPDATE: The council just finished a short business meeting and will resume Budget Committee business with SDOT and OPCD shortly.
3:34 PM UPDATE: SDOT is up now.
(Great blue heron, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Here’s what you need to know about what’s happening (and NOT happening) today/tonight in West Seattle:
HOLIDAY: The federal holiday Columbus Day is observed today – no postal mail; most if not all banks are closed. Local government facilities and schools are open.
VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Last day to register online in time for the November election – after this, you’ll have to sign up in person. So do it the easy way – go here!
ROXHILL PTSA TALKS (LIKELY) EC HUGHES MOVE: 6 pm at Roxhill Elementary, the PTSA meeting includes West Seattle’s school board rep Leslie Harris, to talk about the (not-yet-finalized) plan to move Roxhill to EC Hughes. Also note our report published last night on the work that’s planned for EC Hughes, in preparation for this. (30th SW/SW Roxbury)
HOW TO START A BUSINESS IN YOUR KITCHEN: Six-week workshop series at Delridge Library starts at 6 tonight – registration required, so check ASAP to see if there’s still room! (5423 Delridge Way SW)
NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL MEETING CANCELED: If you live/work in North Delridge and want to keep this community council from having to call it quits, get involved now! Here’s the announcement, in case you missed it.
PIGEON POINT NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 7 pm in the library at Pathfinder K-8, with school, safety, and transportation issues on the agenda, as previewed here. (1901 SW Genesee)
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY VOLUNTEER NIGHT & BARBECUE: 6:30-8 pm, West Seattle Tool Library volunteers past/present/future are invited – details here. WSTL is on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
EVENING BOOK GROUP: 6:45 pm, all welcome at West Seattle (Admiral) Library. This month’s book is “The Moonstone” by Wilkie Collins. (2306 42nd SW)
NIGHTLIFE: Two quiz venues and two music venues have events tonight – see them on the complete WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, frequently updated, and easily browsable 24/7.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
7:06 AM: Good morning. We have a report that the light at 35th/Fauntleroy is broken – on the way to look.
Also: If you take 4th Avenue into downtown, be aware of a crash at 4th/James. Otherwise, no incidents on the major outbound routes from here.
Road work alerts:
ADMIRAL WAY: The rechannelization of SW Admiral Way west of California continues into this week. Last week, crews finished removing the old striping, but hadn’t started with the new. This means parking restrictions continue, too.
SPOKANE STREET: The project east of the low bridge continues – this week’s plan is described here, including closures/detours next weekend.
7:09 AM: SDOT says 4th/James has cleared.
7:15 AM: The SDOT live-video webcam accessible here (via lower-right “West Seattle” menu) confirms that 35th/Fauntleroy is in flashing-red mode both ways. SDOT says via Twitter that a repair crew is on the way as is SPD to help direct traffic.
7:31 AM: Still flashing at 35th/Fauntleroy. Camera now shows – for those heading westbound, into West Seattle, from the Fauntleroy end of the bridge – that the turn lane onto southbound 35th is coned off.
7:37 AM: SDOT says the signal has been fixed. By the way, if you encounter a malfunctioning signal, 206-684-ROAD is the best way to report it.
7:59 AM: Some fog out there as you head east:
Foggy on low bridge and crest of high bridge per @seattledot live cams pic.twitter.com/yltoUcgPIX
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) October 10, 2016
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