West Seattle Blog…

Next generation of Puget Sound salmon: Fauntleroy Creek hatch

The announcement posted by the Fauntleroy Creek overlook (across the street and up the embankment from the ferry dock) trumpets the happy news: Home hatch! Creek steward Judy Pickens mentioned this the other day and now we have details – volunteers who recently surveyed the creek spotted up to 200 coho fry resulting from last fall’s spawning (18 spawners were seen). As the flyer notes, they’ll have company soon: Local schoolchildren will release about 2,000 more baby coho into the creek this spring. This is a good time of year to visit the overlook, before all the bushes and trees grow their leaves back:

Big event in Fauntleroy next week, by the way – area residents are invited to the annual Fauntleroy Community Association Membership Meeting and Food Fest, during which they can either join FCA or renew their membership (all memberships expire at this same time each year). 6-8 pm Tuesday at The Hall at Fauntleroy; more details at fauntleroy.net.

Naturally, a hit: Nature Consortium’s jampacked benefit brunch

12:54 PM: The Nature Consortium’s celebrating its success and looking to its future right now at The Hall at Fauntleroy, during its second annual Benefit Brunch (co-sponsored by WSB). In the capacity crowd, we spotted King County Executive Dow Constantine, State Sen. Joe McDermott, and Seattle School Board rep Steve Sundquist. The Nature Consortium is a West Seattle-based nonprofit, headquartered at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in North Delridge, and its main work involves restoring the West Duwamish Greenbelt – with lots of volunteer help! Their work parties are listed on greenseattle.org – lots of chances to help (including the upcoming Duwamish Alive! events in honor of Earth Day, April 17). 1:54 PM: Added photos – including, at right, NC board member Becca Fong.

Fauntleroy Schoolhouse purchase finally a done deal

Two years in the making, the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse purchase is complete, confirms the Fauntleroy Children’s Center, whom we’d contacted after getting this city news release at day’s end. As we’ve reported previously, it became a two-part purchase – first the schoolhouse and part of the site, then more of the site (as OK’d by Seattle Public Schools last month). Lauri from FCC tells WSB, “We will be toasting at our annual auction next weekend” – that’s the FCC annual auction on March 6 – and adds there’ll be a celebration scheduled at a later date. As the city news release notes, the money used for the purchase includes almost $2 million from the state and $1 million from the city; now the Fauntleroy Community Services Agency will have to raise millions more to fix up the building, which the school district had declared “surplus,” leading to it being put up for sale.

Fauntleroy e-recycling results: 4 truckloads!

When we stopped by the Fauntleroy Church electronics/appliances recycling event at midday Sunday, the crew from Issaquah-based 1 Green Planet already had filled one truck with recyclables. We checked with Judy Pickens to see if they had received a grand-total report; here it is – four truckloads (24-foot, two 16-footers, and a 14-footer), totaling between 15 and 20 TONS of recyclables. Judy says they’re talking about doing it again this fall; in the meantime, you can use E-Cycle Washington to find out how to recycle these types of items.

Happening now: Electronics recycling at Fauntleroy Church

An hour and a half into the five-hour recycling event at Fauntleroy Church, the 1 Green Planet crew already had filled a truck! We caught them during a brief lull before a couple more cars pulled up:

They are a relatively new, nonprofit operation, based on the Eastside. They recycle electronics and appliances for free – while some other recyclers still charge fees. They tell us that some aspects of the operation (taking apart old computers, which have myriad recyclable components) subsidize the others. If you miss this event, they say you can take recyclables to their facility in Issaquah – full info on what they take and where they are is on their website. But in the meantime, they’re scheduled to be at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW) till 2 pm – and they had big props for West Seattleites’ obvious recycling zeal.

Electronics, appliances to recycle? Here’s a date to save

Thanks to Fauntleroy’s Judy Pickens for sharing word of this big recycling event coming up in two weeks:

The Green Committee at Fauntleroy Church is partnering with 1 Green Planet for convenient recycling on Sunday, Feb. 21, 9 AM-2 PM in the church parking lot. Bring washers, dryers, & other appliances; TVs & other electronics; computer equipment of all kinds; batteries & scrap metal of all kinds. Free; details at www.fauntleroyucc.org

Fauntleroy Church is at 9140 California SW: if you haven’t been there before, be sure to check the map, because it’s a stub of California SW that’s NOT connected to the multi-mile straightaway (so vividly visible in this photo).

Fauntleroy YMCA drop-in child-care program to reopen sooner

Last November, with Fauntleroy Church construction looming, the Kids Corner drop-in child-care program at Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) closed on short notice. At the time, the Y told families they’d reassess “in the spring” before deciding when to reopen. That plan accelerated – and there’s word tonight that Kids Corner will reopen a week from tomorrow. The Y’s Josh Sutton shares the news that as of February 2, Drop-In Kids’ Corner will be offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9:30-11:30 am, and Saturdays, 9-11:30 am. In a memo to families, he said, “We will keep this level of operations through the remainder of the remodel, talk about space with the church, and make longer term decisions later in spring.” The remodeling work’s still under way, so there’ll be a few changes, like entering through the back door.

Fauntleroy Community Association: Park; pump; pamphlet

Busy night for neighborhood-group meetings. First of three reports we’ll have for you from meetings tonight: Fauntleroy Community Association. Among the topics at tonight’s board meeting: They’re supporting Gordon Wiehler’s pursuit of an Opportunity Fund grant to extend the park at 46th SW and Brace Point (map); he’s looking at an adjacent parcel once used by City Light. Next step, he’ll write a letter to beat the process’s Feb. 1 deadline. Also at tonight’s meeting at The Hall at Fauntleroy, another update on the King County Wastewater Treatment Division’s work in the area, including pump-station upgrades; Lynn Olson has been working with KCWT’s Martha Tuttle to plan a spring meeting to talk about the projects, and the FCA board is strategizing what format might be best, and how to boost turnout. And final topline – FCA is working on an upgrade to its membership pamphlet; look for it if you live in the area.

Fauntleroy Community Association’s board meets the second Tuesday of the month; the group has lots of updated community information online at fauntleroy.net.

Next week: Learn about early literacy in Fauntleroy

An announcement to share tonight from Fauntleroy Children’s Center at the old schoolhouse:

There will be a parent meeting on Early Literacy at the Fauntleroy Children’s Center on Wednesday, January 13th from 6-7 pm. This meeting is open to the public and free of charge.

Librarian and Early Childhood Specialist, Robin Rousu will be the guest speaker. The Fauntleroy Children’s Center is located in the north wing of the (former) Fauntleroy Elementary School building at 9131 California Avenue SW. The meeting will be held in the Satellite classroom (#12). Child care is available with advance registration. Call 932-9590 or e-mail fauntleroychildrenscenter@yahoo.com

Future Fauntleroy fish: Special delivery for West Seattle schools

(West Seattle Elementary fifth-grader Precious Manning pours coho eggs into an iodine bath to disinfect them before putting them in the school’s aquarium)
By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog

Youngsters at eight West Seattle elementary schools, plus the Fauntleroy Children’s Center, will soon be the proud parents of 1,850 baby salmon destined for Fauntleroy Creek.

Volunteers Phil Sweetland and Judy Pickens delivered that many eggs on Jan. 6 to students eager to start the process. The state’s Soos Creek Hatchery provided the coho eggs for the Salmon in the Classroom program, which enables students to learn about the development and habitat needs of our Northwest’s iconic fish. The eyed eggs will hatch in just a few days and, if all goes well, robust fry will be ready for release in May.

These fry will join 500 additional ones being raised by volunteer Jack Lawless for preschoolers and others who don’t have their own fish to release (allotted on a first-come basis). Also, monitoring will start soon in the lower creek to see how many “home hatch” resulted from eggs left in November by 18 spawners.

Editor’s note: You can peek at Fauntleroy Creek any time by visiting the overlook across the street (and upslope) from Fauntleroy ferry terminal (map).

Fire followup: At Fauntleroy Church, “the show must go on”

Thanks to Tom Dirks for sharing that photo – and headline – via Facebook. Less than four hours after a small fire in the Fauntleroy Church (WSB sponsor) sanctuary, the church’s Christmas concert is under way as promised, moved to the Fellowship Hall. Here’s our previous report on the fire; while we won’t likely have final official word on its cause till tomorrow, it was believed to be accidental, and investigators were examining both candles and a lighting display. Nobody was hurt, and while the sanctuary needs some repair and airing out, people were allowed back into the co-housed Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) within an hour, so everything’s OK there. As we noted in an update on the previous story earlier this hour, sprinkler-system installation is part of the major renovation work that’s just getting under way at the church.

Updates: Small fire at Fauntleroy Church; road now open again

(photo added 3:07 pm)
2:25 PM: It started as an “auto fire alarm” but has just upgraded to a “fire in building” call and the road’s blocked off at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California; map) and more units are on the way. We’re headed down to find out more. 2:29 PM: Scanner says the fire is “tapped” – so it was small – and they’re canceling some of the units – but avoid the area TFN. 2:36 PM: We’re on scene. Some smoke visible on the roof, and firefighters are up there too. Don’t know yet where/how it started or how much damage but the church has just embarked on a renovation/remodeling project. It also was scheduled to have the Christmas concert tonight – we will be checking on its status. At the scene, firefighters are telling us that people ARE being allowed back into the YMCA portion of the building now. 2:51 PM: We don’t know the cause yet but we are told the fire was in the sanctuary, and that a window broke, or was broken – we hope to speak to church officials shortly – they’re said to be out getting plywood. Also, the roadblocks resulting from the fire call have just been removed, and traffic is going through again. ]

3:07 PM: Photojournalist Matt Durham from mattdurhamphotography.com is at the scene too and he and WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand have gathered this information from firefighters and church staff: The main damage is to the altar and to a “standard” window in the sanctuary. Investigators are looking at a lighting display and candles as possible causes. Fauntleroy Church pastor Rev. David Kratz says the main focus for them will be clearing the smoke smell out of the sanctuary in time for Christmas Eve services Thursday; as for tonight’s scheduled concert, it’s still on, and will likely move into the Fellowship Hall.

ADDED 6:07 PM: In that photo by Matt Durham, Rev. Kratz and Lyn Kratz were talking with Engine 26’s Lt. Bennet about how to secure the sanctuary right after the fire. Meantime, church volunteer Judy Pickens has reminded us since then about one key component of the church’s remodeling project that will be even more welcome now – a sprinkler system.

Fauntleroy YMCA drop-in child-care program closing TFN

Two West Seattle parents contacted us to share this news: Parents who use the Kids Corner drop-in child-care program at the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor), which is based at Fauntleroy Church, got word today that the program is closing after this Wednesday. A letter from West Seattle YMCA branch executive Josh Sutton explains, in part:

You may know the church will be going through a significant remodel beginning in December and lasting through May. During this time some YMCA program spaces and access will be limited, and we expect overall use of the facility will likely decrease.

To promote child and staff safety, the Seattle Y has a 2-staff requirement at all times for children’s programs. While our staff and volunteers have done much work to improve the draw of the Fauntleroy Y’s Kids Corner, it does not sustain the number of visits per day that would keep it viable through the remodel. … Programs will remain closed for the duration of the remodel, and we will assess long-term decisions in the spring.

The letter also notes that for the duration of this, the West Seattle Y location in The Triangle “will be open to all Fauntleroy Local members at no additional cost,” and that the Triangle location offers 50+ hours of drop-in family programs. Sutton was at the Fauntleroy location much of today and plans to be there again tomorrow morning to answer questions. He told us the Y “weighed a lot of options, and came to this.”

West Seattle wildlife: Fauntleroy Creek intruder

While salmon-watchers along Fauntleroy Creek watch for the next arrival of live fish – the ones who’ve visited so far are doing what come naturally – including dying. But while visiting the creek this morning, we learned from Dave McCoy of Emerald Water Anglers that the one you see above wasn’t a coho after all – but a blackmouth chinook. “Hatchery fish trying to get up here and mix it up with the wild ones,” he explained. We caught up with him, Denny Hinton and Judy Pickens while a class from the Providence Mount St. Vincent Intergenerational Center was getting a lesson about salmon – including the chinook carcass – and then a presentation from Judy (in the background):

Denny and Dave then headed off to check out a report of fish near the creek mouth on Fauntleroy Cove.
(Added Judy in e-mail after we first published this story: “Fauntleroy is a coho creek, so having this type of chinook (king) come in is a first. Instead of migrating to the ocean, blackmouth stay in Puget Sound all year and their black gum line is the reason for their name. This fish was under five pounds – small for the species – and it had no adipose fin, indicating that it originated in a hatchery.” She says the carcass “was returned to the creek where its nutrients will benefit the next generation” and adds an update on this year’s watch: “After several days of no fish, this year’s salmon watchers went home, having documented a total of 18 fish. But more were spotted this morning near the mouth and, with especially high tides through the weekend, spawning season may not be over!”) Great day to be out by the creek, despite the fairly heavy rain – and nearby streets are resembling creeks, like upper Fauntleroy Way north of the salmon overlook:

By the way, the wind advisory is still up, till midnight, and the forecast suggests it may kick up again before then.

Video: First Fauntleroy Creek coho sighting of the season

(Video added 5:15 pm)
Exactly two weeks after more than 60 people gathered at Fauntleroy Creek to drum and sing in the annual ceremony calling the coho home, creek steward Judy Pickens says the first one’s shown up: “The first pair were sighted at about 1:00 this afternoon and we thought we heard another one coming.” Volunteers are watching the creek in the hours after high tide daily, and were scheduled to do so till late November. Whenever coho are known to be in the creek, the “salmon sock” shown in the photo below will be up on its pole at the creek overlook across Fauntleroy Way (and up the embankment) from the ferry dock.

(WSB photo from Fauntleroy Creek overlook, 10/25/09)
ADDED 9:58 PM: The official account from Dennis Hinton:

The first coho spawners to return to Fauntleroy Creek were spotted at 1 pm Sunday by Steve Zarnick and family.

Between 3 and 4 pm Judy, Phil, Patrick and I counted six coho in the creek. All fish were estimated between two and five pounds. The largest was a bright red-sided hooked-nosed male, about five pounds.

Usual window for the coho return over the past 10 years has been between Halloween and Thanksgiving. Recent rains and high tides have probably given the fish the push they need to get up the creek.

Wind-power milestone in the making at a West Seattle home

Amy Beaudoin of West Seattle Natural Energy says it’s the future of renewable energy – a way to save power and money. Today, her company is installing West Seattle’s first grid-tied vertical access wind turbine at a Fauntleroy home. She says they’re excited this is finally happening – permits have been in the works for months. We’ll be back later for an update once the turbine’s up and running.

Happening now: Fauntleroy Fall Festival 2009

Curious about Segways? Ride one at the Fauntleroy Fall Festival, continuing till 6 tonight outside Fauntleroy Church/YMCA and Fauntleroy Schoolhouse across the street (here’s a map). Another adventure – kids can climb one of those portable walls:

Crafts too:

It’s not all fun and games – you can find out more about what’s happening in Fauntleroy these days – like the deal to purchase the schoolhouse and part of its site, which Fauntleroy Community Services Agency’s Kevin Wooley will be happy to discuss with you at his table:

And if you live in Fauntleroy, the Fauntleroy Community Association would love to have you in its membership ranks – look for the balloons, where we found Gary Dawson and Marty Westerman nearby:

Even if you can’t get there till the last hour or so, there are music and dance performances on tap too, plus bratwurst for dinner. Although we’re not sure if the dancing stilt-walker will appear again – we did get some video:

Today: Fauntleroy Fall Festival; native-plant sale; Farmers’ Market

(WSB photo from 2008 Fauntleroy Fall Festival)
FESTIVAL TIME! Pumpkin-painting is a Fauntleroy Fall Festival tradition – one of the activities you’ll find during the FFF 2-6 pm today. A schedule of other highlights is here, including musical performances and the Seattle Civic Dance Theatre.

NATIVE PLANT SALE: Fall is the perfect time to plant – and natives are the perfect choice. You can buy some 10 am-4 pm today at a plant sale that the West Seattle Wildlife Habitat Project is helping to host, with a portion of the proceeds going toward the group’s purchase of plants for the wildlife garden at Seacrest. The sale site is near West Seattle PCC (WSB sponsor), at 3223 47th SW (map).

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, today and every Sunday, 44th/Alaska. Here’s the latest Ripe ‘n’ Ready fresh sheet, featuring kiwis!

Fauntleroy Community Association: Big weekend ahead

From tonight’s Fauntleroy Community Association meeting: Two big events coming up this weekend – Saturday morning, 9-noon, the Cove Park cleanup, volunteers welcome (it’s the little beach park on the north side of the Fauntleroy ferry dock). Sunday afternoon, the FCA is among those involved in the Fauntleroy Fall Festival (schedule details here), 2-6 pm at multiple venues in the heart of Fauntleroy (Church/Y, Schoolhouse). FCA also is looking all the way ahead to next year, discussion this year’s membership event/Food Fest and who to invite next year. FCA president Bruce Butterfield recapped last week’s meetings on the Combined Sewer Overflow projects (our reports are here and here); Vlad Oustimovitch reported back on last week’s Southwest District Council meeting (our coverage, here). P.S. Remember FCA is on Facebook – with detailed listings of upcoming events – you can “fan” them by going here. (Then be sure you’re connected with WSB on FB here!)

Update: Fauntleroy ferries’ downtown detour is ending

(Live Fauntleroy dock camera)
Washington State Ferries says a “power problem” is detouring Fauntleroy ferries to downtown TFN. (Thanks to Christine for the original tip on this.) More shortly. 10:12 AM UPDATE: WSF just announced the power problem has been fixed and service will be back to normal starting with the 10:20 am run – but they’re warning of some delays while the ferries get back into position.

Almost time for Fauntleroy Creek salmon watch – 2 ways to help

It’s hard to see the creek for the trees – but it’s there – that’s the view from the Fauntleroy Creek overlook across from the ferry terminal, looking down toward the water. We have two updates to share from Fauntleroy’s Judy Pickens – first, the spawners may be getting closer, and that means they need people to sign up to keep watch on the creek:

2009 SALMON WATCH INVITES VOLUNTEERS

Reports of large coho being caught off of Bellingham are encouraging that our coho may have survived warm ocean conditions to return to Puget Sound and Fauntleroy Creek. We’ll know more in a few weeks when fishers off of Colman Pool report what they’re catching.

In anticipation, we’re starting to organize the annual salmon watch, whereby volunteers tally spawners and record their condition. Watchers schedule half-hour shifts immediately after high tide. You’ll be trained during your first shift and can come as little or as much as your calendar permits. The watch will start Oct. 26 and go until Thanksgiving.

For questions or to get on the list, contact Judy Pickens at 938-4203 or judy_pickens@msn.com.

Judy also sends word of the drum event that will precede the creek watch – here’s one of our photos from last year, showing Jamie Shilling, who Judy writes will help lead again this year:

CALLING ALL DRUMMERS!

The annual drumming to call in spawners to Fauntleroy Creek will be at the fish-ladder viewpoint (SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way SW) on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 5 PM. Jamie Shilling will lead the singing and drumming, and Randy Sleight will lend his storytelling skills. Bring any kind of drum you have or can devise and join your neighbors in this spirited event for all ages.

Here’s a map to the creek overlook. P.S. One week before Salmon Watch and drumming, it’s the Fauntleroy Fall Festival – 2-6 pm October 18th – with activities including pony rides, arts and crafts, performances, games, dunk tanks, food, on both sides of the “bend in the road” where you’ll find Fauntleroy Church, YMCA, The Hall at Fauntleroy.

West Seattle Crime Watch: “On the lookout” after hit-and-run

From David at 36th/Henderson (map):

We heard a loud bang around 1:20 pm Sunday 9/20 and ran out just in time to see a woman with curly brown hair (on her cell phone!!) back up and take off after she rear-ended our car. She was in a 2004 or so white king cab GMC Denali. We ran after but she turned right on red on 35th Sw and we couldn’t catch her. We talked to others at “Bird On The Wire” coffee shop soon after, and at least one other person there said they also had their car parked on the street and was hit by a white pickup about a month ago. We are on the lookout.

West Seattle door-to-door alert: Clipped by a hedge-trim offer

A warning just in from Molly – read on: Click to read the rest of West Seattle door-to-door alert: Clipped by a hedge-trim offer…

Today: Zucchini 500; PCC 20; free yoga; Cones 4 Kids; s’mores

They’re the fastest vegetables in the West – today, anyway – the zucchini you’ll find converted into racing machines today at West Seattle Farmers’ Market (where we recorded that clip during this event two years ago). Starting at 10 this morning at the market (44th/Alaska), “kids of all ages” (as the announcement puts it) can make their racers out of produce and parts supplied for free. Shopping, too? Here’s today’s Ripe and Ready list.

Hit the Farmers’ Market early, then meander up California to PCC Natural Market (WSB sponsor) for the West Seattle store’s 20th birthday bash – free burgers, macaroni salad and birthday cake, cooking demonstrations, plus samples of other items (even chocolate), plus the ever-fun PCC Kid Picks van … the schedule’s here; party starts at 11 am, 2749 California (map).

That’s also when you can get an hour and a quarter of free yoga at SoundYoga (WSB sponsor), 5639 California SW (map). From there – to the beach! where Cones For Kids will get you Husky Deli ice cream 1-4 pm, presented by the Eternally Joyful Guild supporting Children’s Hospital. This year, you’ll find them by Picnic Shelter #1, west of the bathhouse.

Just as Cones For Kids wraps up, the neighbors of North Delridge will be firing up S’mores in the Park at Delridge Community Center/Playfield (4501 Delridge; map), 4-6 pm. Hot on the heels of the well-attended Ice Cream Social, they’re hoping to draw neighbors from all over the area to meet and share treats.

Then the night wraps up at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW; map), with nationally renowned singer/songwriter Susan Werner in concert at 7 pm – ticket info’s on the FC website.

These are just the highlights – see more on the West Seattle Weekend Lineup list – click here to hop directly to the Sunday section.

Day of Service: Fauntleroy Schoolhouse grounds get love & care

All over the country, volunteers are working this Friday on projects that are part of the National Day of Service and Remembrance proclaimed for September 11th. Among them – Microsoft workers sprucing up various spots around Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (map) including the playground and the greenery surrounding the grounds, even along the north-side street:

Thanks to Kim Sheridan at Fauntleroy Children’s Center for mentioning the Day of Service project when we spoke yesterday about schoolhouse-purchase news (here’s our story on that, if you haven’t seen it already). Where else in West Seattle got some Day of Service love? Let us know!

Is everything better the 2nd time around? Fauntleroy says “yes”

That room full of stuff is almost ready for you to browse and buy at the Fauntleroy Church Second Time Sale, 9 am-3 pm tomorrow. Volunteers have been busy all week pricing everything in those mounds of merchandise. It’s one of the church’s biggest fundraisers of the year; they’re at 9140 California SW (map). Also at Fauntleroy Church this weekend – nationally renowned singer/songwriter Susan Werner in concert Sunday night, 7 pm (ticket info on the church website). And if you’re looking for more sales this weekend – several are listed in the WSB Forums’ Freebies/Deals/Sales section (where you can list freebies, deals, sales for free).

Fauntleroy Schoolhouse deal updates: Close to closing; more land

(2008 WSB photo of Fauntleroy Schoolhouse)
The future of one of West Seattle’s long-closed schools is not a done deal yet but it’s very close. The Fauntleroy Community Service Agency’s purchase of the old Fauntleroy Schoolhouse has been more than a year in the making, and FCSA’s Kevin Wooley tells WSB today that the deal should finally close within a month or two – the legal challenge that had posed a problem earlier in the year has ended, and some of the public financing that’s helping with the deal is close to finalization. The schoolhouse is used right now for a mix of community and business activities, from Fauntleroy Children’s Center to Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering, and while its usage is not expected to change post-purchase, Wooley says they are still planning to explore the possibility of a capital campaign to raise what’s needed for repairs and upgrades, adding that FCSA is currenly “modifying the organization to run the building … It’s pretty exciting that we’re finally getting close to the finish.” They’ll soon be recruiting members for a “building advisory board,” too, and Wooley promises there’ll be a celebration once the purchase officially closes. FCSA and Seattle Public Schools reached agreement on terms of the $1.8 million deal last October.

4:45 PM UPDATE: And in fact there’s more news about the schoolhouse deal today – Kim Sheridan called with word that $1.1 million in additional state funding has been “set aside for purchase of additional playground space,” according to a community e-mail update she just said, adding, “This means that we can purchase all of the climber area on the lower playground, as well as the hill and a bit more!” That’s part of the rear section of the site that had not originally been in the deal.

Fauntleroy Community Association: Meet South Brace Point

From tonight’s Fauntleroy Community Association meeting:

SOUTH BRACE POINT COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Spokesperson Mark Johnson told FCA leaders this new group formed last month; 7 members came to FCA tonight to get acquainted. While they acknowledge that Brace Point (map) is part of the greater Fauntleroy area, they want to advocate for certain neighborhood-specific issues, such as traffic safety along 50th SW and the part-private/part-public pedestrian trail connecting 50th and Fauntleroy. They’re researching whether to make the path more uniformly accessible, and also looking into possible improvements to some of the neighborhood staircases.

ROAD/SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS? FCA’s Vlad Oustimovitch is working on a proposal for SDOT regarding some areas that need to be fixed up, in the Endolyne vicinity, including the commercial “triangle” area and sidewalks near Canine Casa.

FAUNTLEROY FALL FESTIVAL: Everything’s on schedule as festival preparations continue; the big day is Sunday, October 18th. Watch the FCA website and Facebook page for more info as it gets closer.

Fauntleroy Community Association’s meetings are usually the 2nd Tuesday, 7 pm, in the old schoolhouse.

Return of “the stench”: Advice from Fauntleroy

The notorious “Fauntleroy stench” is back today – blamed on sea lettuce in Fauntleroy Cove generating hydrogen sulfide, according to Judy Pickens from the Fauntleroy Community Association, who offers this advice:

While we were able to secure funding from the 2009 legislative session for research and emergency response, the process of determining how to spend it has barely begun. Consequently, affected residents of Fauntleroy and other shoreline areas on the west side of the peninsula should exercise standard “stench protocol”:

- Note when low tide is, which is when sea lettuce on the beach decomposes and sends off the gas.
- Close all windows and skylights when you first notice the acrid smell.
- Stay indoors until the air seems fresh.
- Use a fan to blow out your bedroom before sleeping; the gas is heavy and needs a push.
- Leave home for awhile if the smell is especially strong.

Remember: It’s not just the smell of saltwater. It’s a noxious gas that can make you sick. Symptoms include eye irritation, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

Happening today/tonight: Court, campuses, Porterhouse, politics

COURT CASE: South Park murder suspect Isaiah Kalebu is expected in King County Superior Court at 8:30 this morning to answer charges including aggravated murder (which could bring the death penalty) in the July xx attack on two women who were asleep in their home when he allegedly broke in.

CLOSED SCHOOLS’ FUTURE: Also happening downtown this morning (9 am), the city Hearing Examiner is scheduled to hear an appeal of the June city decision determining that closed school campuses around the city – including Fairmount Park, Genesee Hill and EC Hughes in West Seattle – could be repurposed for various new uses without convening a School Use Advisory Committee.

PORTERHOUSE OPENING: The new restaurant/pub in the Admiral District (2329 California SW, just north of Admiral Theater) opens mid-afternoon. Lots of new food and beverage details in the West Seattle-headquartered Washington Beer Blog’s review from the “soft opening” party Monday.

REP. MCDERMOTT TALKS HEALTH-CARE REFORM: Tonight, the long-hot topic gets its highest-profile West Seattle discussion yet, as the 34th District Democrats bring in Seattle’s Congressmember Jim McDermott in addition to other expert panelists. The agenda’s here, but also note the disclaimer on the group’s home page – this is NOT a “town hall meeting” and while everyone’s welcome to attend and listen, “only members may speak and participate,” per the group’s bylaws. The meeting starts at 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy.

From land-use land: 33 homes to go up; 13 trees to come down

Two West Seattle items from recent Land Use Information Bulletin and Daily Permit Issuance lists:

“DETERMINATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE” FOR 33 HOMES NORTHEAST OF PUGET PARK: The street address is listed as 4741 15th SW, which isn’t on Google Maps‘ radar, so the closest we can link you is the same block of 16th, immediately west. The notice of this decision says the project comment period was originally open in 2006, but there’s an appeal window now that the DNS decision is in, deadline August 24th. You can see the notice, and how to appeal, here; the project page is here but doesn’t list any other permit applications so far. Now to the other side of West Seattle:

APPLICATION TO REMOVE 13 EVERGREENS (AND OTHER VEGETATION): The city has opened a public-comment period for that proposal in the neighborhood pictured above, at 8746 Fauntlee Crest Way in Fauntleroy (map). The online notice doesn’t specify the exact location of the 13 trees/2,800+ square feet of vegetation “to be removed in an environmentally critical area,” but does mention a steep slope and a “re-vegetation management plan.” We have a request for comment out to the landscape architect listed as the contact. The notice says comments will be taken through August 19th. The project page is here; no other permit applications are listed.

(Tip: Want to know what development activity is pending in your neighborhood? This DPD map is one way to keep tabs.)