West Seattle, Washington
28 Thursday
Six days after our District 1 City Council “First Look” candidates’ forum, a fifth candidate has officially declared herself in the race as of this morning: Brianna Thomas, who, like the other four to formally declare so far, lives in West Seattle.
Thomas’s official announcement describes her as a housing advocate and community organizer “in and around Seattle for the last decade,” quoting her as saying, “West Seattle has been known as a community where people can get to their jobs quickly, find affordable housing and know their neighbors while enjoying the benefits of a big city. I’m running because I’m worried that’s changing.”
She currently works as field director for the Washington Housing Alliance Action Fund and lists past work as campaign manager for the SeaTac $15 minimum wage measure as well as for No on Initiative 1185. She just joined the 34th District Democrats‘ board and is moderating (updated) coordinating a panel on housing at its meeting tonight. Thomas also volunteers at the Senior Center of West Seattle.
IN THE DISTRICT 1 RACE NOW: Brianna Thomas (declared 2/11/15), Phillip Tavel (declared 2/4/15), George Capestany (declared 11/11/14), Amanda Kay Helmick (declared 10/20/14), Chas Redmond (declared 12/20/13). Filing deadline is May 15th; primary election to cut the field to two candidates is August 4th. In addition to voting on D-1, West Seattleites also will vote in the two “at-large” races, Positions 8 and 9.
7:09 AM: So far, so good on the major roadways this morning.
7:38 AM: Travel-time check from the city map:
5th Ave SW @ SW Snoqualmie St to …
1st Ave offramp 8 min.
4th Ave offramp 10 min.
Ballard 32 min.
Crown Hill 37 min.
Green Lake via SR-99 32 min.
I-5 NB/SB 10 min.
Lower Queen Anne 27 min.
Shoreline via SR-99 40 min.
South Lake Union 25 min.
SR-99 Off Ramp 11 min.
Stadiums via 1st Ave 14 min.
Stadiums via 4th Ave 14 min.
Three local teams had postseason games on Tuesday night:
CHIEF SEALTH IHS BOYS: 70-46 loss to Lakeside.
CHIEF SEALTH IHS GIRLS: 69-39 loss to Seattle Prep.
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS: 68-53 win over O’Dea.
TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY): The #2-in-the-state-ranked WSHS girls play Holy Names at Nathan Hale HS, 7:30 pm. WSHS boys will play Lakeside at Garfield HS, 5:45 pm.
(Photo courtesy West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA)
Tonight at The Hall at Fauntleroy, the West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) annual-campaign kickoff featured more than 150 volunteers and staff gathered with two reasons to celebrate, per the Y’s announcement:
First reason to celebrate was the start of the 2015 Annual Campaign — goal $400,000 with $75,000 raised to date. Every year for the Y’s Annual Campaign, scores of community volunteers reach out to their friends to get kids what they need at the YMCA. These funds help youth whose families cannot afford YMCA before and after school programs in 7 local schools, YMCA childcare at two locations, youth sports programs, swimming lessons or summer day camp.
The second reason to celebrate was reaching the $3 million mark toward a $5.5 million goal to expand the West Seattle YMCA. The total project cost is $11 million, half to be provided by the YMCA of Greater Seattle and half raised locally.
“This project is designed to meet the needs of our changing West Seattle community,” according to Josh Sutton, YMCA Regional Executive. “We have made sure that the people who will benefit from this expansion project have a voice in its evolution. “ Sutton added, “While we still have some fund-raising benchmarks to reach, we are on track to be awarded our building permit in late spring. This will help us start construction this summer. “
The Y will be open during construction, which will take about a year and be accomplished in phases. Capital Campaign Co-Chair, J. Dino Vasquez is pleased with the progress, “We are honored that so many people in our community see the need for a larger YMCA and want to help. Many donors are making the largest gifts of their lives, and stretching their pledges over five years.”
The Y’s expansion was officially announced five months ago. Meantime, you can help local youth through the Y’s current programs by contributing to the just-launched annual campaign here (you’ll need to designate the West Seattle/Fauntleroy Y as the beneficiary).
(WSB photos by Katie Meyer)
The city-owned triangle of land between 44th, Ferry, and Hill now holds the first structures to arrive for interim Fire Station 29.
They arrived early this morning, as per the city plan announced on Monday. Still to come, the temporary structure for Engine 29 itself. The interim site is expected to be in use for up to a year, while permanent Station 29 undergoes renovations and earthquake-safety upgrades.
With so much Seattle Parks land in West Seattle, it’s a city department of extra interest here. Now, we’re about to find out who Mayor Murray wants to have in charge of that department. Almost six months after he announced that Christopher Williams would end almost five years as acting superintendent, moving to the role of deputy superintendent, the mayor says he’ll announce his nominee tomorrow morning at 11. Williams, a former West Seattleite (Chief Sealth alum), took over after Tim Gallagher resigned in spring 2010.
(WSB photo by Katie Meyer)
The equipment has arrived, but the teardown hasn’t started just yet at the block of buildings about to be demolished – as announced last Friday – for the block-long 3210 California SW project. It’s now known as Admiral East Apartments, mixed use with 136 units and 152 off-street-parking spaces, part 4 stories high, part 5 stories. In case you missed our previous report, here’s the notice shared by contractor Exxel Pacific (see it here as a PDF, and embedded below):
It’s been ten months since the Intracorp-developed project received a final Southwest Design Review Board approval vote. Construction is expected to last a year and a half.
The White Center Food Bank, which also serves south West Seattle, is hoping you can help:
Can you lift 30 to 50 pounds? Are you free Tuesday(s) around noon to 3:30 pm? The White Center Food Bank could use your help to unload donations. Tuesday, February 17 is going to be a big work day but we can always use help. Contact Audrey Zemke, Operations Manager, at audrey@whitecenterfoodbank.org or (206) 762-2848.
West Seattle-residing Councilmember Tom Rasmussen thinks so. Here’s the announcement of what’s being proposed:
With improved bus service coming soon to Seattle, Councilmember Tom Rasmussen unveiled legislation before Council’s Transportation Committee today to create a Seattle Transit Advisory Board. Last fall Seattle voters approved Proposition 1, raising approximately $45 million per year to improve Metro bus service in Seattle.
The Advisory Board will serve as a public oversight committee.
(City-provided photo: From left, Macklemore, Jasmine Marwaha, CM Mike O’Brien, thank advocates Rein Attemann and James Rasmussen)
From Monday’s Seattle City Council meeting – a city boost for neighbors and groups affected by the ongoing Duwamish River cleanup. Here’s the announcement:
City Council unanimously approved a neighborhood-driven effort to enhance the community’s role in the Duwamish River cleanup process on Monday during a meeting of the Full Council. The adopted resolution creates an interdepartmental team (IDT) of City agencies to coordinate outreach efforts relating to the Duwamish cleanup, and identifies ongoing City projects that serve resident, tribal, and fishing communities in the Duwamish River Valley. The resolution also calls for engagement of communities of color, immigrants, refugees, limited-English proficiency communities, and people with low incomes in the design and implementation of the remaining cleanup.
(WSHS baseball team at Safeco Field in 2013; photo by Greg Slader)
Here’s a chance to see the Mariners this year while giving a boost to local high-school athletes! From Caryn Johnson:
The West Seattle Boosters are supporting a fundraising event for the West Seattle High School baseball team. The team is selling tickets for $12/each to an upcoming Seattle Mariners baseball game (Mon, June 22 vs. the Kansas City Royals at 7:10) to raise money for the team as well as to qualify to play at the annual High School Baseball Classic at Safeco Field in the spring of 2016.
If you would like to support the West Seattle High School Baseball team please e-mail wshsmarinerstickets@gmail.com. Someone will be in contact with you on how to purchase tickets. The fundraiser is due to end at the end of April, so purchase your tickets now. Last year the team was able to sell enough tickets during the same fundraiser to qualify to play at Safeco Field this spring. West Seattle High School will be playing Sedro Woolley on Saturday, March 28th at 12:30. Admission to this event is FREE!
We look forward to a great season this spring and will keep everyone posted on game dates, times and locations. Thank you for your support. Go, Wildcats!
(Sunday on the shore – photo by Lynn Hall)
Welcome to Tuesday! Some of what’s happening today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
PRESCHOOL TOUR: 1-2:15 pm, you’re invited to stop by Alki Community Center and tour its Adventures in Learning Preschool – details in our calendar listing. (5817 SW Stevens)
DUKE’S ’13TH MAN’ FLAG: 1 pm at Duke’s Chowder House on Alki, proprietor Duke Moscrip plans to raise a “13th Man Flag.” He says he hatched the idea of the 13th Man as support for the players explained in this video. You’re welcome to come cheer him – and them – on. (2516 Alki SW)
CHIEF SEALTH IHS TOUR FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS/FAMILIES: 6 pm, come find out all about Chief Sealth International High School – details here. (2600 SW Thistle)
CAMP VICTORY FUNDRAISER: 6:30-8:30 pm, help support Camp Victory during the Tuesday Tuneup at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor). Live music with VJ Duo, pianist Victor Janusz, and Robertson Witmer on accordion and clarinet. Benefit raffle, too. (1936 Harbor SW)
COUCH-TO-5K CLASSES BEGIN: 6:30 pm, four-week series of classes with Coach Beth starts at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) tonight. (California/Charlestown)
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm at The Sanctuary at Admiral, come talk about crime and safety with Community Police Team Officer Jon Flores, as part of the February meeting of the Admiral Neighborhood Association (as previewed here last weekend) – all welcome. (42nd/Lander)
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, the FCA board meets; all welcome. (9131 California SW)
HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Postseason games tonight include West Seattle HS boys at home vs. O’Dea, 7 pm; Chief Sealth IHS boys at Lakeside.
BLUES TO DO: Heather Jones and The Groove Masters headline tonight at 8 at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) in the weekly Blues To Do showcase. (6451 California SW)
WHAT ELSE IS UP? Check the calendar here.
(WSB photo from 2014 West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day)
Even Spider-Man shops West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day! This year’s edition is now officially less than three months away – coming up ****May 9th****. We’re starting to get our first “when is it happening?” questions of the year, and that’s a sure sign the end of winter is in sight. In case you’re new to West Seattle, or haven’t participated before, WSCGSD is not one big sale but rather one big day of hundreds of sales around the peninsula with thousands of shoppers – we promote it regionally and people come from all over (we’ve even heard of people driving from Eastern Washington), but ultimately, at the heart of WSCGSD is an opportunity to meet your neighbors and “recycle” some things you no longer need. We’ll open registration in early April as usual, so you still have lots of time to decide whether you’ll be a seller or shopper this time.
BACKSTORY: West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day is now in its second decade, launched in 2005 by a group of community connectors who called themselves Megawatt (they also created the Gathering of Neighbors). In late 2007, they decided to close up and move on; we didn’t want to see WSCGSD go away and proposed taking it over – they agreed, and so this year will be the 11th annual WSCGSD, eighth one coordinated by WSB. You can look at past years’ coverage and information at westseattlegaragesale.com. Watch for more updates here as it gets closer!
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:54 AM: Nothing unusual on West Seattle’s main/outbound routes so far this morning.
7:54 AM CHECK-IN: Slow but still incident-free. Spot check of travel times from the SDOT map (same system that feeds the overhead signs):
35th Ave SW @ SW Snoqualmie St to …
1st Ave Off Ramp 11 min.
4th Ave Off Ramp 12 min.
Ballard 40 min.
Crown Hill 47 min.
Green Lake via SR-99 37 min.
I-5 NB/SB 16 min.
Lower Queen Anne 33 min.
Shoreline via SR-99 44 min.
South Lake Union 29 min.
Stadiums via 1st Ave 20 min.
Stadiums via 4th Ave 17 min.
The high-school-basketball postseason is on. Chief Sealth International High School‘s boys-varsity team played a loser-out game against Ingraham tonight – a team they had handily defeated in the regular season, and beat again tonight, 74-49. L.J. Burns led Sealth scoring with 18 points, followed by Hafid Yassin with 15. Tomorrow night, coach Colin Slingsby‘s Seahawk boys play at Lakeside, 7 pm.
With that letter to neighbors of the triangle at SW Hill/44th/Ferry (map), the city has announced that two halves of a trailer for interim Fire Station 29 will arrive tomorrow morning. Two trucks will bring the two 14-by-66 halves to the site by 6 am, according to the letter. It’s been just a month since neighbors were suddenly notified that the interim station was moving onto this site during its upcoming renovations and earthquake-safety upgrades, instead of using the long-planned Harbor Avenue site that had been home to Station 36 during its renovations. The city said the change was needed because the response time from the Harbor Avenue site would have been too long. Neighbors will be watching warily to see if their safety concerns are handled, since the site will be a tight fit. The work at permanent Station 29, barely a block south, is expected to take much of the rest of the year. Meantime, the city also is getting ready to move Station 32 out of its Triangle home at 37th/Alaska for a full rebuild; we had timetable details in our most recent update on the 32 and 29 projects.
That’s poet/author Lawrence (Larry) Matsuda, reading his work at the Wing Luke Museum in 2011. This Thursday, he will keynote a special event at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) – and the announcement includes an invitation for you:
On Thursday, Feb. 12, South Seattle College will host a Japanese American Day of Remembrance event featuring keynote speaker Lawrence Matsuda.
A noted author, Matsuda will hold two speaking sessions in the Olympic Hall Auditorium (OLY 120) at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
This annual event commemorates the anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorizing the evacuation and incarceration of 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry living on the West Coast; most of whom were U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. The order, known as Executive Order 9066, was signed on Feb. 19, 1942. In Washington State alone, nearly 13,000 people of Japanese descent were sent to detention centers, including Seattleites who were sent to Camp Minidoka near Hunt, Idaho.
Matsuda was born in an Idaho internment camp and spent the first three years of his life there. His latest book, “Glimpses of a Forever Foreigner,” is a collection of poetry that was inspired by the experience of those 120,000.
During both sessions, Matsuda – who earned a Ph.D. in education from the University of Washington – will share personal narratives from Minidoka survivors and pilgrims, and perform excerpts from “Glimpses of a Forever Foreigner.” Additionally, signed copies of the book will be available for purchase.
This event is free and open to the community.
Olympic Hall is at the south end of the SSC campus, which is at 6000 16th SW.
(Photo courtesy SPU)
Update from Seattle Public Utilities: Repair work has finished early for the culvert that carries Pelly Creek and storm drainage to the outfall in the north section of the Lowman Beach Park seawall. The work started last Wednesday, was projected to last up to 10 working days, but was complete by this morning, according to Elaine Leung of SPU. Engineers will continue to survey the seawall weekly for the next few months.
(King County photo)
Can you help Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) upsize? Proprietor Frank Gross explains, “We are busting at the seams in our current location, looking for a larger storefront in West Seattle and are having a tough time finding something that suites our needs. We currently have 800 square foot and ideally would like double the size.” Maybe even a trade, Frank says: “If someone with a larger space is looking to downsize, we would be open to swapping.” Thunder Road Guitars opened at 3916 California SW more than two years ago after being online-only for its first year. If you have a suggestion (or offer!) for Frank, e-mail him at frank@thunderroadguitars.com.
(Photo by Ryan O’Keven)
Brand-new week! Some of what’s up today/tonight:
HIGHWAY 99 TUNNEL BRIEFING: The City Council is about to get briefed on the tunnel project (scheduled to start 10:50 am but the current meeting’s running late). Watch live at seattlechannel.org.
ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP: Are you caring for someone with Alzheimer’s/dementia? Support group meets 1:30 pm today, Providence Mount St. Vincent – details here. (4531 35th SW)
NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: Live in North Delridge? 6:30 pm, you’re invited to come to this month’s North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting and help make a difference in your neighborhood. Bring your ideas, concerns, etc. Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
FREE COMMUNITY ESL CLASSES: Need to work on your skills? Or, know someone who does? This free class happens 6:30-8 pm at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center – details here. (6400 Sylvan Way)
PIGEON POINT NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 7 pm in the Pathfinder K-8 School cafeteria, it’s the next Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council meeting. (1901 SW Genesee)
DENNY INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL PTSA: 7 pm meeting tonight, all welcome! Special location: Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. (6400 Sylvan Way)
We’re welcoming one of our newest WSB sponsors, VAIN, a “one-stop style shop” in The Junction. New local sponsors get the chance to let you know what they’re all about, and here’s what VAIN wants you to know:
VAIN is a locally-owned hair salon and boutique located in the heart of the Junction. We opened our West Seattle doors in late 2011. Several of our employees are West Seattle residents, some born and raised! We love this neighborhood. We have two other locations- one in Ballard and one downtown. We have been a Seattle style-exploration destination since 1996.
If you’re looking for a great hair salon where style exploration is encouraged, VAIN is the place to go. We want every client to feel comfortable trying whatever look they want, whether it’s a basic, easy-to-manage haircut, new highlights, or having bright pink hair for the first time at 50 (it happens!). We love helping our clients love their hair and feel like it truly expresses their sense of personal style. We also carry great accessories, hair products, locally made items, fun jewelry and more. We’re a one-stop style shop!
Clients seek out VAIN for a lot of reasons – our talented and highly skilled staff of hairdressers, our reputation for being a creative environment, our active community involvement, and our boutique full of great jewelry, accessories, hair products and locally made items. All of that is also what keeps clients coming back; plus, our hairstylists create meaningful relationships with their clients. It’s wonderful to see people’s looks evolve over the years in the same stylist’s chair.
We hope that our clients’ interaction changes their lives by helping them feel great about their hair, safe to explore new styles if they want to, and good about supporting a local business that is active in its neighborhood and community. VAIN supports many local organizations, including Planned Parenthood Northwest and YouthCare (read here about VAIN’s “Week for YouthCare“). VAIN is open in West Seattle seven days a week at 4513 California SW, 206.535.2595.
We thank VAIN 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.
The big local sports story over the weekend was the West Seattle High School girls-varsity basketball team ending the regular season with a perfect record in their conference and head coach Sonya Elliott being named Metro League coach of the year for the second time in three years (WSB coverage here). Coach Elliott says their first playoff game is Wednesday night (February 11), 7:30 pm at Nathan Hale HS, against the winner of tonight’s Holy Names/Ballard game. P.S. Our partners at The Seattle Times have published the full Metro brackets for girls and boys.
ADDED: The Times’ latest rankings have WSHS at #2 statewide for girls’ 3A.
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
The week is off to a showery start. Some notes while we watch the roads:
METRO SERVICE CHANGE NEXT SATURDAY: Two West Seattle routes have non-WS changes taking effect when Metro’s next “service change” happens on Saturday (February 14th). Full details in the story we published over the weekend. (Clarification: While the “service change” announcement includes the new fares – 25-cent increase for most, plus launch of the new ORCA LIFT fare – they don’t take effect until March 1st.)
HIGHWAY 99 PROJECT UPDATE: WSDOT will brief the City Council again this morning on the Highway 99 project, during the council’s 9:30 am session. Here’s the WSDOT slide deck that’s linked from the agenda, with some general updates, but perhaps of more interest is another slide deck, this one from SDOT, with information on how the city is independently monitoring the settlement situation, and toplines on plans in place in case the Viaduct has to be shut down at any point.
9:10 AM: Some breakdown woes on 99 this morning, per commenters (thank you!). These don’t always turn up on the 911 log or traffic tweets, so – when you can report safely/legally – tips are always appreciated.
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