West Seattle, Washington
28 Thursday
Still time to get over to Walt Hundley Playfield and add food donations to help Highline Premier FC “Fill the Goal”! It’s the soccer organization’s annual food drive and field day, with drills and games for kids:
The playfield is in High Point at 34th/Myrtle, and the event is on until 6.
Thanks to Thomas for the photo! The High Point branch of the Seattle Public Library is one of two SPL locations about to offer 24/7 lockers (Rainier Beach is the other). SPL says the lockers are still in “testing” mode, so they haven’t been announced yet. Once they officially open (awaiting word of the date), you’ll be able to choose them as a pickup option for your “hold” item(s), and you’ll be notified when the item(s) are available for pickup. Once that happens, you’ll have 72 hours to make your pickup.
From today’s city-circulated Land Use Information Bulletin, a longstanding proposal for the High Point site of True Living Church has reached the official application stage, three years after the first preliminary “site plan” was filed. The project with an official address of 2900 SW Myrtle [map] is described as “17, 3-story, single-family dwelling units with attached accessory dwelling units. Parking for 34 vehicles proposed.” Much of the site is open space now; project documents include these notes from a meeting with city planners:
…The site is 115793 SF+/- and includes (Environmental Critical Area) Steep Slope Areas and Salmon Watershed. The arborist has also identified numerous exceptional trees and groves present on the property.
It is proposed to proceed with a Clustered Housing Planned Development Administrative Conditional Use Process by eliminating any development within the steep slope area and buffer. It is also proposed to retain exceptional trees and groves.
The notice explains how to comment; deadline is August 4th.
Call this a summer of transition – some annual events returning this year, some not. Among those that are – Loop the ‘Lupe! Sign up through this Friday night and you’ll get the lowest registration prices. Here’s the announcement:
Loop the ‘Lupe, the only obstacle course race you’ll find in Seattle city limits, is back with in-person racing on August 29, 2021! With Washington state fully open, “The Loop” is an event for the entire family. “Outdoor events like this are just what the doctor ordered this summer when it comes to fun, safe, and healthy recreation,” says race organizer Brian Callanan. “Our race will be a breath of fresh air for anyone looking for a challenging course that’s family-friendly, too!”
Loop the ‘Lupe features seven exciting obstacles on a distance- certified 1K “loop” at Walt Hundley Playfield in West Seattle, which includes an agility course, a wall climb, a mud pit, and more. Participants finish five loops for the full 5K Obstacle Course race. A one-loop Youth Dash with obstacles is available for kids 8 and under (with adult supervision), and a no-obstacle 5K Run/Walk course has been provided for runners and walkers, too. For older participants (age 65+), Loop the ‘Lupe also features the “Senior Saunter,” a 100% flat, timed walk that is one of the most popular senior-focused races in Seattle. Loop the ‘Lupe will also have live music provided by the students of West Seattle School of Rock. Plus, participants can enjoy food, drinks, and a beer garden (age 21+) for additional purchase.
Proceeds raised from the event go toward the costs of social outreach work at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, which operates a safe parking lot for homeless neighbors, coordinates voter registration and racial justice education, holds an annual Day of Service benefitting various organizations in the region, and much more. Through their partnership with the St. Vincent de Paul Conference, OLG supports food distribution and assistance for rent and utilities for low-income families. “We’re reaching out to help everyone in our community, regardless of their faith background,” says Parish Administrator Michelle Scheving. “Payments for rent assistance funding alone have jumped 71% in the past year, so we’re grateful for all our participants coming to the Loop, having a good time, and supporting a good cause.”
Sign up through Friday night at loopthelupe.com to get the best prices – they go up Saturday!
Though Seattle Public Schools is operating some summer-meal sites, not all families/students can get to them. In High Point, volunteers are needed for summer meal delivery. The program is operated by United Way of King County, and they asked us to announce the volunteer opportunity. You can find details and an application by going here.
Just announced by the Seattle Public Library – it’s reopening more branches next week, including Delridge (5423 Delridge Way SW) and High Point (3411 SW Raymond), as well as the Central Library downtown. Here’s the announcement we received:
On Tuesday, June 22, the glass and steel walls of The Seattle Public Library’s Central Library will fill with visitors for the first time in 15 months when three levels of the internationally acclaimed building reopen to patrons. Nine other Library branches will also reopen the week of June 21.
The Columbia, Delridge, Greenwood, High Point, International District/Chinatown, Magnolia, Queen Anne, South Park, and University branches all join the Library’s growing list of reopened locations.
Patrons can browse books, pick up available holds, use computers or Wi-Fi, speak to Library staff, charge devices and more at these locations beginning the week of June 21. A complete list of reopening dates and operating hours is provided below. Meeting rooms, study rooms and in-person programs are not yet available at these locations.
At the Central Library, Levels 1, 3 and 5 will be publicly accessible and will include access to the Children’s Area, Adult Fiction and World Languages, as well as computers, Wi-Fi, self-checkout, reference assistance, Library card sign-ups, device charging, courtesy phones, the FriendShop, restroom access and more. Other levels of the Central Library are not yet available to the public, but will reopen in coming weeks.
The Library is making other changes: Reopened locations will no longer close for a one-hour midday cleaning break, as routine cleaning will occur during open hours. This will allow for uninterrupted service throughout the day and more open hours. All open libraries will continue to operate under Gov. Inslee’s currently mandated Phase 3 guidance for Washington state libraries until at least June 30. Physical distancing and mask requirements remain in place until further notice.
With this latest expansion, 17 of 27 Seattle libraries are reopened in advance of the governor’s anticipated statewide reopening on July 1. In addition to providing In-Building Services at these 17 reopened libraries, The Seattle Public Library will continue to provide Curbside Services at the Northeast, Northgate and West Seattle branches; material return service at the Green Lake Branch; and returns service and public restroom access at the Capitol Hill Branch until these libraries are able to reopen. Five libraries – the Fremont, Madrona-Sally Goldmark, Montlake, NewHolly and Wallingford branches – have not been able to provide services during the pandemic due to either staffing constraints or spatial limitations that cannot accommodate physical distancing.
Several more libraries are expected to reopen the week of July 5. The Library will announce those locations the week prior to reopening.
The Library will continue to reopen additional locations as staffing levels allow. The schedule of newly reopened libraries will vary depending on staffing. Open hours for Library locations are expected to increase throughout the summer.
Delridge and High Point will open on Wednesday, June 23rd. Right now the Southwest Branch (9010 35th SW) is the only one in West Seattle with in-building services.
Another pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic is coming up in West Seattle: The mobile nurse-practitioner service Pliable invites you to get vaccinated – first or second dose of Pfizer, or the one-dose J&J – at Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way SW) this Saturday (June 5th), 8 am-11:30 am. You can make an appointment online now by going here.
No formal ceremony again this Memorial Day at Forest Lawn Cemetery (WSB sponsor) in High Point, but the Unknown Soldier memorial that’w usually the centerpiece of the ceremony is under a canopy, easy to visit. Veterans’ graves across the cemetery are marked with American flags:
Piper John Dally had just arrived:
No formal Memorial Day ceremony at Forest Lawn again this year, but they hired a roaming piper. pic.twitter.com/yomd8oMZgn
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 31, 2021
If going to the city-run West Seattle site doesn’t work for you but you’re still looking for a vaccination appointment on the peninsula, we’ve received another announcement:
Neighborcare Health at High Point is offering COVID-19 vaccines by appointment only to anyone 18 and older at the clinic on Saturday, May 1 between 10 am and 4 pm. You don’t have to be a current Neighborcare Health patient. To make an appointment, call 206-461-6950. The clinic is located at 6020 35th Avenue SW.
Neighborcare tells us they’ll be giving the Moderna vaccine, and these are first-dose appointments.
From Deniece:
I would like to report an incident that occurred today about 2:30 pm. My daughter was crossing the street, heading north on Lanham PL SW & Sylvan Way, when a Caucasian woman in a light blue 4-door car, heading west, hit her with her car. She didn’t hit her hard, but it was enough to knock her down. Apparently, this woman stopped in the middle of the intersection because traffic was backed up. The light changed red and she proceeded through the intersection. My daughter said something to her as she began crossing the street and the woman kept going and hit her. Did anyone see this? If so, I would appreciate any help trying to find this woman. The medics checked my daughter out and she is ok. I will be taking her into the doctor tomorrow morning. Police incident #21-94295.
11:11 AM: If you are eligible and looking for vaccine, a pop-up clinic tomorrow (Saturday, April 3rd) in West Seattle has openings. The clinic is run by health-care organization Pliable and will be at Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way). Organizers say the BIPOC community is the priority but the overarching goal is to make sure the appointments get filled, so they’re open to all. Register here. Note that they will be administering the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
2:42 PM: Organizers called to tell us this is fully booked.
7:23 PM: Thanks for the tips. Police are investigating gunfire around 6 pm at 30th and Graham in High Point. No injuries reported, but police confirmed to us at the scene that they found several casings at that intersection. One nearby resident told us by email that she heard several shots and then “two vehicles sped off” – described by her husband as a Mercedes and Mustang that “came back after a few minutes, but no more shots were fired, and they sped off again.” Police had the intersection taped off for a while so they could check for evidence, but have since removed the tape, and the street’s back open.
8:49 PM: Additional information from police – bullets hit a parked car, an occupied car, and a home, where one “round penetrated the walls, narrowly missing an infant and two adults.” No one was hurt; no suspect/vehicle descriptions.
Just three and a half weeks until spring. Two gardening/growing notes:
HPAC TALKS GARDENING/COMPOSTING TONIGHT: As previewed here, HPAC is focusing on gardening/composting during its 7 pm monthly meeting online tonight. Viewing/participation/call-in info is on the HPAC website.
HIGH POINT NEEDS FRUIT-TREE HELP: From community builder Ella McRae:
City Fruit is bringing more Fruit Trees to High Point in partnership with SHA/HOA/OSA and Neighborhood House. Are you interested in joining the High Point orchard planting? If yes, see the opportunities below:
We have two opportunities for volunteers to support!
1. The first opportunity will involve planting bare-root fruit trees. Bare-root trees are not stored in soil; instead, their roots are kept in damp wood chips or sawdust. The benefit of bare-root trees is that once planted, they establish themselves quickly and grow prolifically. However, the drawback is that these trees have to be planted earlier in the season. So, the planting of these trees will actually take place in early March — either Tuesday, March 2nd, or Tuesday March 9th.
2. The second opportunity falls on Earth Day, April 22nd. Although most of the trees for the orchard will be bare-root (and thus will be planted in early March), we will still have some volunteer opportunities related to installing signage and a few potted-tree plantings.
Interested? Contact Tiare, tiare@cityfruit.org, or email Ella @ Ella.McRae@seattlehousing.org.
(Photos courtesy West Seattle Bee Garden)
The West Seattle Bee Garden – which took shape from an idea voiced here nine years ago – is hoping for helpers to carry on its essential task – education. Founder Lauren explains:
During this time of uncertainty, the West Seattle Bee Garden is also in a period of transition. Our volunteers who previously hosted field trips with local students are no longer available, and we’re seeking new recruits! The garden was created with the goal of educating Seattle residents about our ecosystems and importance of pollination, and we hope to keep our educational reach as strong as possible!
The WSBG hosted VERY limited groups in 2020 during the pandemic, and we foresee continued limited gathering in 2021. With information to guide safe decision making, we think hosting some groups outdoors is possible. Of course masks and social distancing will be required.
Since its opening in 2013, the garden has historically hosted 20-40 field trips per year, with primarily elementary-school-aged groups – typically on weekday mornings between 10 am and noon (timing is flexible). Field trips usually start with a 15-minute talk, followed by looking at the bees – although all ideas for creating educational experiences are welcome. Opening the hives has historically been included during field trips (and is admittedly a highlight), but this step is not required. Spare beehive components, large photos of bees, and information to learn the presentation material are also available. The adjacent pollination garden and P-Patch create wonderful opportunities to learn about plants, as well as their symbiotic relationship with bees. The WSBG is part of Commons Park in the High Point Neighborhood – the park provides a playground and large green space for students to play and eat lunch.
I am personally saddened by my inability to host field trips any more, due to a change in my work schedule. Witnessing the excitement and awe of children learning routinely brought joy to my days. On occasion I had the pleasure of witnessing local children return to the garden, and enthusiastically teach their parents what they had learned during a recent field trip. It is truly a rewarding experience.
We’re hoping to recruit volunteers who can meet with groups interested in coming to learn. I will continue to field email requests from teachers and group leaders, and help facilitate. The WSBG does not charge for field trips because we want to make access to education available to all. We do encourage donations from those able to donate. It is important for volunteers to reliably meet with groups at the coordinated times, as much effort and expense (buses) are utilized to organize and transport students.
More information is available on our website: westseattlebeegarden.com. Please reach out to me at westseattlebeegarden@gmail.com with any interest or questions.
Thanks to Alicia from the Louisa Boren STEM K-8 PTA for the photos. As previewed here, the PTA organized a demonstration this afternoon wrapping up Black Lives Matter at School Week.
Alicia reports that more than 50 students, family members, and staff participated. Delridge is torn up in front of their school, so they gathered along Sylvan Way, outside High Point Neighborhood House.
Alicia adds, “We enjoyed the honking horns and waves from passing cars!”
Yes, Seattle Police do still issue traffic citations. Sylvan Way neighbor Sam, who often shares news of traffic situations, sent the photo, reporting that motorcycle officers have been out on Sylvan twice so far today, pulling over drivers – by Sam’s count, at least six in the past half-hour.
This is Black Lives Matter At School Week, and the first event announcement we’ve received is from the Louisa Boren STEM K-8 PTA, which invites you to join this distanced demonstration:
PTA-sponsored Black Lives Matter Demonstration
The STEM PTA is excited to sponsor a Black Lives Matter demonstration organized by the Black Student Union. STEM BSU would love for families to join us in the conclusion of our BLM week of action. We will be meeting at the High Point Neighborhood House between 2:30-4:00 Friday to lift an affirmative voice for Black lives. Come with uplifting signs or posters and join us as we celebrate the Black Lives Matter movement. Be sure to wear a mask and socially distance during this event. Parents are to remain with their children for the whole of the demonstration.
High Point Neighborhood House is at 6400 Sylvan Way SW [map].
Any other Black Lives Matter At School events in West Seattle? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
11:24 PM: The Guardian One helicopter is helping Seattle Police search for a missing child. There’s no official bulletin out about him but what we heard on police radio was that he’s 9 years old, Black, about 4’5″, in a pink shirt. No other info about description or circumstances, so far.
11:49 PM: No word of the child’s whereabouts yet, nor have police issued a bulletin asking for the public’s help. Listening back to police-radio discussion from before the helicopter dispatch caught our attention, they are looking into the possibility he’s with a family member other than the one who reported him missing.
12:04 AM: Police have just now tweeted the child’s photo and name.
12:23 AM: Per scanner, the aforementioned family member has told police she has the child and he’s safe.
12:47 AM: Police have confirmed in person that he’s OK.
As noted in today’s morning traffic watch, one of West Seattle’s major east-west routes, Sylvan Way, will be closed much of this weekend, without major advance notice aside from sparse signage. Today SDOT was finally able to tell us this is a Seattle Public Utilities project, and we have obtained more information through SPU spokesperson Sabrina Register:
This is SPU drainage crew work. They are responding to some localized flooding issues that were reported by the community last year. SPU is installing one inlet and one catch basin and needs to trench across the street to connect to them to the drainage mainline.
This work will occur Saturday and Sunday, 8 am to 5 pm, and a detour will be in place. Outside of working hours, the crew will be able to reopen the roadway and allow traffic on Sylvan.
The work will be focused in the 6900 block of Sylvan Way [map]. It also means a reroute for Metro Route 128 – here are those details.
(Added: Photo tweeted by @deviantollam)
Big police response scaling down in High Point. Police have just arrested a suspect in what was originally described over radio as a robbery or robbery attempt, involving a knife, at the 35th/Morgan Walgreens. The suspect wound up on a roof at Stewart Manor across the alley. Police called in reinforcements, even negotiators – then the suspect came down and officers arrested him.
Tomorrow Nos Nos Coffee House (35th/Graham) in High Point is celebrating its first anniversary. They’re marking the occasion with a giveaway. The announcement:
It’s been a crazy year, so to thank you all for sticking with us, we’re having a little giveaway: 1 Nos Nos Coffee House t-shirt, mug, and gift card for the coffee or tea beverage of your choice.
Two ways to enter: You can drop your name and contact info in a jar at the shop tomorrow (it’s open 7 am-2 pm), or you can enter via Instagram (as explained here). The winner will be notified on Friday.
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand unless otherwise credited)
It’s a special delivery that the West Seattle Food Bank welcomes every holiday season, and it happened today despite the pandemic. Employees at West Seattle’s Nucor steel mill donate food and cash. Today was delivery day.
This year’s food donations totaled 4,380 pounds – more than two tons!
US Army National Guard members Nicholas Delvaux and Shelina Lal helped food bank and Nucor staffers with the unloading.
Nucor employees also donated more than $22,000 in cash this year.
P.S. Nucor thanks Tacoma Hydraulics for its help transporting the donations every year:
WSFB has more need than ever this season, not just because of the pandemic, but because it merged earlier this year with the West Seattle Helpline, which means it’s helping prevent homelessness as well as hunger. You can help too – here’s how. (If you have nonperishable food to donate, a local student is sponsoring a drive-thru food drive this Saturday – details in our calendar listing.)
Four West Seattle Crime Watch reports today:
ATTACK CHARGE: A convicted killer is back in jail, charged with attacking a 73-year-old man in West Seattle. We didn’t hear about this incident when it happened, but learned of the charge: Court documents say the victim was walking with his wife near 35th and Morgan last Wednesday morning when 42-year-old Lonnie W. Jones punched him, unprovoked, knocking him down and sending him to the hospital. Police found Jones nearby, and learned he had been in the area a while, kicked out of the West Seattle Food Bank earlier in the morning. Charging documents say Jones was convicted of murder for killing a man during a home-invasion robbery in Federal Way in 1996. Court records show he was released in 2013, and found guilty the next year of assaulting his wife during a fight at her sister’s Highland Park apartment. His bail is set at $100.000.
Three reader reports:
VANDALISM: Senior Center of West Seattle executive director Amy Lee Derenthal tells WSB that a second-floor window was broken by someone overnight. “Looks like maybe a wine bottle was used because there’s a broken one on the sidewalk below the window,” she added.
PACKAGE THIEF ON VIDEO: Soren sent the clip and report:
Just reaching out regarding a package theft (in the 4800 block of) 26th Ave SW. Got a phone call from a neighbor right after it happened, camera footage is super clear; unfortunately, no license plate number is visible.
MAIL THEFT: From Philippe:
I wanted to report that our & the neighbors’ mailbox at Delridge & Trenton was broken into sometime Saturday afternoon to Sunday early afternoon. All of the mailboxes for us and neighbors were opened. Not sure if the thieves got away with anything. One neighbor reported also Monday that some of those same boxes were re-opened.
Everyone should, if they can, remove their mail ASAP after it is delivered, to be safe.
| Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Highline Premier FC’s ‘Fill the Goal’ food drive