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Latest development proposal for 35th/Graham scrapped
June 30, 2011 4:41 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Development | High Point | West Seattle news

The future of the vacant, recently cleaned-up High Point site at 35th and Graham (map) is again a question mark.

Last December, High Point-area residents were caught off guard to hear that the original plans for a mixed-use development on the northeast corner of 35th and Graham had been scrapped (WSB coverage here), and that a 90-townhome development (described in this story) was on the way instead. Seattle Housing Authority executive director Tom Tierney even came to High Point for a meeting at which he apologized for not letting homeowners know about it.

But this afternoon, we’ve confirmed that plan is dead. After getting a tip from Matt, we e-mailed SHA spokesperson Virginia Felton to ask about its status, and she replied: “The would-be buyer, Intracorp, decided that the project (90 townhomes) was not feasible for them at this time. Consequently, we are once again entertaining proposals for the site. Developers interested in the site may contact Frank Bosl at CB Richard Ellis.”

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Drive-through West Seattle Coffee House opens this Friday
June 27, 2011 12:53 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | WS beverages

Talking this morning with West Seattle Coffee House proprietor Janel Loos, we observed that her about-to-open coffee stand is mocha-colored. “That’s what I was going for!” she laughed. We first told you back in January about plans for the drive-through coffee stand on the site of Hans VW Repair at 35th and Graham (map) in High Point. Now, it’s set to open this Friday. Read on for more from our conversation with Janel:Read More

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‘Bite at the Point’: Unique West Seattle summer party tomorrow
June 21, 2011 3:19 pm
|    Comments Off on ‘Bite at the Point’: Unique West Seattle summer party tomorrow
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

High Point Community Center is hoping you’ll be part of its start-of-summer celebration tomorrow, “Bite at the Point” – a multicultural potluck and family-fun event (jumpy toys too!). We published this announcement about it earlier, with full details. If you haven’t been to HPCC before, here’s a map; it has a great city-skyline view and expansive playfield grounds, plus, of course, the center. “Bite at the Point” is set for 6-7:30 pm tomorrow.

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Video: Seattle Public Schools’ new leader in High Point
May 24, 2011 9:02 am
|    Comments Off on Video: Seattle Public Schools’ new leader in High Point
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Top Seattle Public Schools leaders including interim superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield and school board president Steve Sundquist led a forum last night at Neighborhood Center in High Point. It was not an official district event, but was co-sponsored by private organizations Neighborhood House and the Alliance for Education. Though an invitation was extended to anyone in West Seattle with public-school questions and concerns, the bulk of the discussion involved issues unique to High Point, including transportation to Denny International Middle School, whose principal Jeff Clark was also among those on hand. Though Denny students in HP are technically inside the walk zone, it was noted that they will be provided with transit passes. We recorded the nearly-two-hour meeting, which included translation for Somali community members, in its entirety from the point where Dr. Enfield began speaking (first hour atop the story, second hour below):

Our video was recorded by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand, who estimates the attendance at about 50. The translator was Aynna Aden.

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Seattle Public Schools’ superintendent headed this way
May 11, 2011 3:51 pm
|    Comments Off on Seattle Public Schools’ superintendent headed this way
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Seattle Public Schools‘ interim superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield is coming to West Seattle for a community forum. The Alliance for Education and Neighborhood House are co-sponsoring the event on May 23rd – one week from Monday – 6-8 pm at High Point’s Neighborhood Center, 6400 Sylvan Way. Along with Dr. Enfield, school board president Steve Sundquist and several other district officials will be on hand, and there will be free child care available, along with dinner.

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West Seattle food trucks: Parfait’ll be alongside Marination Mobile
May 4, 2011 9:10 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news

Just announced tonight, another food truck is joining Marination Mobile on the Hans VW lot at 35th and Graham starting this Saturday – Parfait, which proclaims itself “Seattle’s only from-scratch, organic ice cream maker.” The truck launched two years ago, according to tonight’s announcement, which says owner Adria Shimada, a pastry chef, makes a 100 percent organic custard base and that her ingredients from “dairy, eggs, and produce are all sourced directly from small local farms within 150 miles of Seattle.” Oh, and hand-rolled waffle cones. And compostable cups, spoons and napkins, with “the truck’s dipping freezer (running) on a green system that requires no generators during operation.” The ice cream also will be sold by the pint as well as cup or cone. Hours on Saturdays will be the same as Marination’s – 11 am-2 pm. (Photo courtesy Parfait)

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West Seattle traffic: ‘Slow Down’ rally planned for ‘I-35’
May 2, 2011 4:47 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | Safety | West Seattle news

(WSB video from October 2008 rally on 35th SW)
Concerned about safety on 35th SW, a rekindled topic here after the deadly motorcycle-car collision last month, and speeder-targeting police patrols? One of the High Point-area neighborhood advocates who has been working on the issue for years, Denise Sharify, just sent word of a “Traffic Slow Down Rally” planned for Wednesday, May 11th, 4-5:30 pm (weather permitting) – 2 1/2 years after the last one, which followed a crash that sent a student to the hospital. All are welcome to participate in this one; we’re checking on the exact gathering place.

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ProjectProm at High Point: Fancy-dress giveaway for girls
April 30, 2011 12:43 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   High Point | West Seattle news

Story and photos by Wendy Hughes-Jelen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Girls were giggling and having fun Friday night trying on fancy dresses, dreaming about prom and other events where a formal gown is needed.

Neighborhood House High Point Center‘s YELS program (Youth Empowerment Leadership Strengths) held a prom dress donation drive this last month in an effort to gather together dresses for girls middle and high school age living in the High Point neighborhood. A donation solicitation here on WSB helped bring in a total of more than 100 dresses in West Seattle.

A dressing room was set up in the corner using rolling white boards. Dresses were pre-sorted for appropriateness, and some have been set aside to donate to the Ruby Room, which holds boutique days for girls to come in and work with a Personal Shopper to get ready for a special event, like prom. This is a chance for girls getting ready for prom to pick up a free dress and some accessories.  

Aparna Rae, the YELS coordinator, said it started with just a couple of dresses being donated by someone. Somehow it then flowered into this huge room being filled with silk and taffeta and lace. Since many of the youth in High Point lack transportation, the YELS program essentially brought a dress boutique to them. 

Anything leftover from the giveaway will be given to the nonprofit Ruby Room for its collection. And don’t worry, ladies, there’s still a chance for you to find something fancy for yourself! Ruby Room is holding a Dresses for Divas (D4D) $10 dress sale at Cherry Consignment as part of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day. Dresses that were too mature or too casual for prom-age girls are available, first come first served, 9 am to 3 pm May 14th, cash or check only. (It’ll be on the map, which will be available in a week – giving you seven days lead time to plan shopping!)

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Walt Hundley Playfield turf: Youth soccer, lacrosse too?
April 27, 2011 10:16 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Can the new synthetic turf at Walt Hundley Playfield, next to High Point Community Center, be marked for youth soccer as well as adult soccer? That was one question brought up tonight at Southwest Library, during Seattle Parks‘ only scheduled community meeting for the $1 million Parks and Green Spaces Levy project (though this field wasn’t originally on the levy list, its new turf will be paid for with savings from four others – including Delridge – that were). Project manager Ted Holden said it would cost $28,000 more to set up the field for youth soccer; West Seattle Soccer Club reps were there and said their demand is growing, so they need all the field space they can get. (That led to a side discussion about field-scheduling issues; Parks reps said that would have to be discussed separately.) Otherwise, there wasn’t much controversy – no lighting issues, as existing lighting will be kept; along with soccer interests, there was some advocacy for lacrosse as well. When someone asked about baseball, Holden said that’s not feasible, since the field is too small, and there are two grass/dirt lots nearby already. Construction is expected to start sometime this summer and be done by fall; though this was the only scheduled meeting, your comments are still welcomed by e-mail and phone – you can reach project manager Holden at 206-684-7021 or ted.holden@seattle.gov.

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In case you wondered about the High Point fire response
April 17, 2011 7:54 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   High Point | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

It was a big, but short-lived, Seattle Fire Department response in the 5900 block of High Point Drive SW (map) about an hour and a half ago – the last unit was rolling away barely 20 minutes after arrival – and that’s because it turned out to be not just a “food on the stove” call, but one without “extension” (meaning, the fire did not spread beyond the stovetop problem). Thanks to Mike Daigle for the photo!

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Update: Motorcyclist killed in 35th/Juneau collision
April 13, 2011 9:49 pm
|      120 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news

(THURSDAY MORNING UPDATE, 7:16 AM: Seattle Police says the motorcyclist did not survive)

9:49 PM: Traffic is blocked right now in at least one direction on 35th SW in the Findlay/Juneau area (map) for a medic response at a crash scene. Initial scanner reports said a car and motorcycle were involved. More shortly.

9:56 PM: 35th SW is currently blocked both ways at the scene, and SW Juneau is being blocked as well. And the scanner indicates the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad is responding, which means both that someone is apparently seriously hurt and that the road will be at least partly closed for some time.

10 PM: We are at the scene. A wrecked motorcycle and vehicle are in view. The scanner indicates one person is receiving CPR while being rushed to Harborview Medical Center. Some traffic is getting through southbound, but northbound 35th and westbound Juneau are being taped off. Avoid the area TFN.

10:08 PM: Authorities at the scene confirm the person taken to the hospital is the motorcycle rider. The driver of the car (photo just added, above) was not hurt seriously, if at all. Given the hour, we may not have significant updates on the crash’s cause/victim’s status before morning, but we’ll be checking, and we’ll also check back on the road-closure status.

11:56 PM: Adding that clip from the scene, before the investigation team arrived – a little bit of perspective to where the motorcycle and car ended up. We drove through the area about 15 minutes ago; the northbound lanes remain blocked while investigators work, as does westbound Juneau east of 35th, and 35th traffic is being allowed through the southbound lanes, with northbound and southbound alternating.

1:34 AM: Police just announced (relayed via scanner) that 35th SW is fully open again at the scene.

7:16 AM: Seattle Police have just confirmed what a WSB commenter has posted – the motorcyclist died. Det. Mark Jamieson says he does not know the man’s age, nor that of the woman driving the car with which the motorcycle collided. He says the motorcycle was traveling northbound and the car traveling southbound, turning left (eastbound) onto Juneau, when the two collided.

7:33 AM: Det. Jamieson has published the police summary to SPD Blotter; it adds that witnesses told police the motorcyclist was traveling “at a high rate of speed.” Meantime, we are checking WSB archives for the last deadly crash in West Seattle; so far, we aren’t finding one more recent than this March 2010 incident at 37th/Admiral.

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Community meeting set for Walt Hundley Playfield turf project
April 13, 2011 3:23 pm
|    Comments Off on Community meeting set for Walt Hundley Playfield turf project
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Two days after the City Council finalized $1 million for synthetic turf at High Point’s Walt Hundley Playfield, the date’s been announced for a community meeting: April 27, 6:30 pm, Southwest Library (35th/Henderson). The project now has its own webpage, too.

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City Council finalizes $1 million for turf at Walt Hundley Playfield
April 11, 2011 8:06 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Seven months after the High Point playfield was named in honor of the late Walt Hundley, the first African-American Seattle Parks Superintendent, something else new is officially on the way: Synthetic turf. As reported here back in December, the Parks and Green Spaces Levy Oversight Committee (currently chaired by West Seattleite Pete Spalding) decided to allot $1 million for the project. That allocation won final City Council approval this afternoon. We’ll be checking with Parks on the project timetable.

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See The Board of Education at High Point CC on March 19th!
March 9, 2011 8:58 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fun stuff to do | High Point | West Seattle news

That’s kid-geared band The Board of Education in concert on Alki last August, with video by Christopher Boffoli for WSB. You don’t have to wait till summer to see them again – they’ll be performing at High Point Community Center a week from Saturday, 10:30 am on March 19th. This is just one of many big springtime events coming up at your West Seattle city-run community centers (including the egg hunts the day before Easter Sunday) – you’ll find them all in the new spring brochure, which is available as a PDF here. Back to the concert – advance tickets through HPCC are $3/person; it’ll be $5 at the door.

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West Seattle Elementary essay winner: ‘I never gave up’
March 7, 2011 10:09 am
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Photos and video by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
As West Seattle Elementary School fifth-grader Allamagan Anod returns to school today, he has an extra reason to be proud.

He wrote an essay that won a school contest!

West Seattle Elementary, you might recall, is in the first year of an intensive improvement plan. One year after landing on a list no school wants to be on, the school is “soaring,” as new principal Vicki Sacco recently told WSB. That’s not the result of her work alone – her staff is generating innovative ideas as well as emphasizing stepped-up academics.

This is where WSES school counselor Laura Bermes comes in. She suggested an essay contest to help inspire better attendance – fewer absences, fewer tardies. After all, the more you are at school, the more you will get out of school.

The theme: Attendance Matters. It’s not just an emphasis for high schools, as they work intensely to keep students from dropping out. It’s a value that elementary schools work to instill as well.

Laura asked if WSB would be interested in publishing the winning essay. (Of course!) So the essay’s appearance here is part of the prize package, along with a pizza party for the winner’s whole family. The winner (and two runners-up) received certificates too.

Participation wasn’t mandatory, but Laura reports it was sizable. Essays were evaluated for criteria including thoughtfulness and – most important – what life could be like with an education. We were there as Allamagan read his essay to classmates Friday afternoon:

Here’s what he wrote:

“When I first came to America, I lived in San Diego for about two years. I went to a school called Porter Elementary School. I was nervous about the first day of school because it was my first time going to school in my life. I never went to school when I was in Africa. When the teacher was talking, I didn’t understand what she was talking about. Then, when I wanted to use the restroom, I didn’t even know how to say it. But now, I am starting to learn how to speak English, because I never gave up. Now, I see myself driving a beautiful car, coming from my important job as a lawyer, and donating money to build a park for children to enjoy. To keep that dream, I must go to school every day and never be late!”

Laura also is tackling attendance problems by working with parents/guardians. When a student has an unexcused absence, a letter is sent home requesting “a meeting mandated by the school,” she explains. At that meeting, the importance of regular attendance is explained, and a school magnet is given , with information including how to contact the school. The family is also offered the chance to discuss any issues affecting attendance, and how they might be resolved. Laura says these meetings are working well, with a dramatic reduction in the number of second-time unexcused absences.

She’s optimistic that, once everyone is clear about the necessity for good attendance, it will improve exponentially. If the students’ enthusiasm regarding the essay contest is any indication, she is on the right track.

P.S. Here’s a look at Allamagan’s essay, with the drawing that accompanied it:

P.P.S. A “best picture” winner was chosen too – here it is, by Ashley:

Congratulations to the students and staff of West Seattle Elementary!

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West Seattle Elementary ‘soaring’ – but needs books! Can you help?
February 18, 2011 2:03 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

West Seattle Elementary School is in the middle of the first year of its mandated improvement plan – and new principal Vicki Sacco tells WSB there are encouraging signs, but they need a bit of help. First, her update on the progress:

The winter MAP assessment results came back and our school is soaring! Data in both math and reading have exceeded expectations and typical student growth for every grade level.

We recently visited WSES and will be reporting on some of the ways they’re evolving. But one thing they desperately need for those inspired young learners – more books:

We’ve spent over $20,000 of Title I funds to purchase classroom libraries this year and our students are devouring the books. To maintain this momentum we need more books for our students.

What kind? “Any and all appropriate books for elementary aged students would be welcomed. In particular we need biographies, chapter books and early learning books. Our older students (4th and 5th grades) enjoy non-fiction books as well.” If you have books to donate, call the school literacy coach, Brenda Ball, at 206-252-9450. Or drop them off (next week is midwinter break, so you’d likely have to wait till a week from Monday) at the front office (6760 34th SW).

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‘To inspire and open your eyes’: Junction breezeway art dedicated
February 1, 2011 11:37 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photos by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
It wasn’t a ribboncutting or “speechifying” occasion – just a casual gathering in the breezeway between Northwest Art and Frame and Puerto Vallarta in The Junction on Monday afternoon, to dedicate the three-panel art installation now gracing the breezeway, with the placement of a plaque:

Among those on hand for the occasion: Maureen O’Neill and Ron Davis from Parks, Roxanne Brown, Brian Judd, and Rebecca Hall from High Point Community Center, which partnered on the project, with a Seattle Housing Authority grant. It all started last summer, when we covered two milestones along the way: In August, we showed you the panels being created, and then the three panels being installed. 40 local youths between 10 and 17 took part along the way, choosing to tell the story of their “Past, Present, and Future”:

Here’s what the dedication plaque says:

As youth, we envision a diverse world that accepts everyone without judgment and allows us to explore our options. Our work is open to interpretation – we hope to inspire and open your eyes to the diversity and aspirations of the youth living in the West Seattle community.

So don’t just breeze through the breezeway – stop and take a look:

According to Liz Schroeder (above) from the West Seattle Junction Association, also involved with the project, the next step for beautifying the breezeway – which is privately owned (yes, the owner gave permission for the murals) – is new surfacing for the walkway.

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High Point showdown: Housing Authority boss apologizes
January 28, 2011 11:44 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

High Point homeowners got a high-level apology last night.

Tom Tierney, executive director of the Seattle Housing Authority, faced a meeting of the HP Homeowners’ Association “with some apology and a little embarrassment that I let stress grow in this community to a point where you all feel like you need to come out on a Thursday night.”

That stress had spawned a list of concerns that frustrated homeowners wanted to see addressed. It also clearly had sparked some changes already, with new faces in on-site management, such as property manager Terry Hirata, who took over a few months ago.

Top of last night’s list was a change in plan for a prominently vacant High Point corner, a change first made public in a story here on WSB exactly one month ago: The new plan for about 90 townhouse units at 35th and Graham instead of the mixed-use apartment/retail building that had been under review in 2008.

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Child-care reminder from High Point Community Center
January 28, 2011 5:31 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

On this day when many kids aren’t in school, a reminder about a before- and after-school program at one of West Seattle’s city-run community centers. From Brian Judd at High Point Community Center:

Through a partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Associated Recreation Council, High Point Community Center provides a licensed School Age Care Program for our neighborhood children. The program offers a caring and creative learning environment for children ages 5-12. We provide care in the morning from 7:00 am-9:00 am and from 3:00-6:00 pm in the afternoon. During the Breaks and Holidays we also provide camps as well as a summer program! Our daily schedule offers various projects and activities that range from cooking to jewelry making, homework time, games and snacks. The staff is energetic, encouraging and are looking forward to working with your children!

Before School Care: $175
After School Care: $275
(Addition child Discount: $10)

Please contact us at: highpoint.childcare@seattle.gov to learn more about our program.

High Point Community Center
6920 34th Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98126
(206) 684-7422

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New details on the latest plan for 35th/Graham in High Point
January 26, 2011 4:31 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Development | High Point | West Seattle news

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One month ago, we broke the news of a new development plan for the northeast corner of 35th/Graham (map), site of a recent cleanup/excavation project. Seattle Housing Authority confirmed they were pursuing a townhome/live-work development rather than the large mixed-use building, with apartments and ground-level retail, proposed back in 2008. At the time, SHA told us they would have more information this month – and that additional information has just beenmade public. It’s in a news release on the SHA website, which overall addresses two different High Point developers. The portion explaining 35th/Graham identifies the prospective buyer:

… Intracorp is in the final stages of negotiating an agreement with Seattle Housing to purchase the vacant lot at 35th Ave. and (SW) Graham St. Over the next three years, Intracorp expects to build up to 90 townhomes along with some neighborhood retail.

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Caspar Babypants charms High Point Community Center crowd
January 15, 2011 6:35 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | High Point | West Seattle news

What a way to start the weekend: West Seattle-based kinder-rockin’ Caspar Babypants drew hundreds to High Point Community Center this morning. Our video shows this morning’s show-opening song, “Baby Bear.” There was at least one “Baby Seahawk” there too:

That photo was shared by Nicole via Facebook; she dubbed the most eager young concertgoers as “the baby mosh pit.” (added) Here’s a different view, shared by Tony:

Whether they moshed or bounced or boogied, the young concertgoers were offered treats by the PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) Kid Picks crew, Clauda and Andrea:

The Caspar Babypants concert was part of High Point CC’s Fabulous Family Fun series, which has two more special presentations this quarter, both also at 10:30 am on Saturdays – a magic show on February 19th, and more music with The Board of Education on March 19th.

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West Seattle coffee: Stand in the works at High Point’s Hans VW
January 13, 2011 11:48 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | WS beverages

The folks at Hans VW Repair (6302 35th SW) confirm something we happened onto while browsing city records: They’ve applied for permits to open a coffee stand on their site. They expect going through the permit process to take a few months, so they don’t have all the details worked out just yet, but the process has begun. Their corner is becoming quite the hive of activity – it’s also where High Point Mini Market opened two months ago, and it’s hosted Marination Mobile since the other side of Graham turned into a cleanup site (and potential future home to 90 townhomes and live-work units, as reported here last month).

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West Seattle coyotes: Another High Point sighting
January 9, 2011 4:39 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | High Point | West Seattle news | Wildlife

High Point seems to be a coyote hot spot these days. Sara sent news of the latest sighting less than an hour ago:

I was driving down 36th Ave SW (headed north) about 10 min ago and spotted what appeared to be a small coyote (heading south in the middle of the street) at Graham. Just checked the blog and didn’t see any other spottings. It was a tad scary, as 1) it was broad daylight and 2) we walk our dogs in that area frequently. Curious to see if anyone else spotted the lost coyote.

Wondering how to deal with coyotes – both when you see one, and in hopes you won’t? Here’s some advice.

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