West Seattle, Washington
26 Friday
That’s what project co-chair Libby Carr told WSB by phone tonight, at the group’s deadline for wrapping up active fundraising. Co-chair Paul Carr followed up with this e-mail:
We dropped off a letter to the Mayor’s Office late today informing them that we have more than met the goal. Counting the money from the City ($50,000) and what NPA says they can throw in the pot ($10,550), we have almost $175,000. We’ve raised about $115,000 in the last four months. The benches and landscape plaques are all sold or spoken for, and we are going to continue the brick sale (including the “specials”) until the brick company calls for the brick order; we estimate that will be two weeks to a month. We’re doing that partly because people asked for it, and partly because all construction estimates are just that-estimates. Someone has already suggested adding some bench backs-those are not currently in the design. There may be other changes by the City. It would be terrific to have a cushion.
We will have a more formal report to put up on the Sealady website in a
couple of days …
You can find that site here. And to catch up on how this has all developed since last summer, check the WSB Alki Statue of Liberty coverage archive here.
From tonight’s meeting at The Kenney to get the status of the park to be built at the site above, former monorail property north of the new Beveridge Place Pub: More than 40 people; more than two hours; three proposed design options, discussed in small breakaway groups. No name yet; the Parks Department says it’s holding off till the design is firmed up. The proposed designs were presented under the names “pianoforte,” “terrazze,” and “affodante.” Major differences include how much grass, what kind of seating, etc. Parks is supposed to send us digital files tomorrow so we can show them to you here. Next step – feedback from tonight’s meeting, e-mail, etc., will be taken under advisement as a final proposed design is developed next month, and then it will be presented at another public meeting, expected in March; construction would start this fall.
We reported earlier that the Dillard/Coxwell trial has begun. Per the P-I, the Ephraim Schwartz (47th/Admiral crash that killed Tatsuo Nakata in 11/06) trial also is under way.
One of the headlines from tonight’s West Seattle Community Safety Partnership meeting — the Southwest Precinct is working on security for a high-profile funeral that will be held in West Seattle next week. Lt. Steve Paulsen told the WSCSP tonight that the funeral for Deche Morrison, the 14-year-old found shot dead in South Seattle last Friday, is set for Tuesday at Freedom Church (35th SW & Roxbury), and Lt. Paulsen says you can expect to see a sizable police presence in the area. There are security concerns because police have not arrested anyone yet in this killing, nor in the killing of another teenage boy; the gang unit reportedly is looking into both. (More of the WSCSP meeting toplines tomorrow.) ADDED 12:30 PM WEDNESDAY: For those who had asked what time this will be happening next Tuesday — 11 am.
From the files at the Southwest Precinct (and no, it’s not that there’s been a lot of crime lately, this is just our first run through the reports since last Thursday): 
We start with someone who went to great lengths AND great heights to commit a crime. Sometime between Thursday night and Monday morning, at the megaproject construction site on 42nd north of Alaska, someone stole two mobile radio/phones worth $750 from a crane cab — meaning, according to the police report, that they had to climb a chain link fence, go down a 30-foot wooden ladder into the big construction hole, then up a 20-foot mud hill to reach the crane, and after that, up 150 feet to the cab (and of course back down again). Next, followups on a few incidents that readers reported here in the past few days, including a drive-by shooting and the alleged Starbucks groper:Read More
According to the daily calendar for King County Superior Court, the much-delayed trial is finally under way for Adrian Dillard and Ted Coxwell – the two former Huling Bros. salesmen accused of the most serious charges in the scandal that came to light almost exactly one year ago. A week and a half ago, their ex-co-worker Paul Rimbey was sentenced to nine months in jail for his role in what happened.
The clouds have moved in over the top of the Olympics now, so we’re glad to have snagged this video view just for fun while out and about this morning.
This afternoon, we’re extending the traditional WSB welcome to three new sponsors who joined us today:
First, the West Seattle Family YMCA, which has been building strong communities through both the West Seattle (east of The Junction) and Fauntleroy locations since the 1920s. Josh Sutton from the Y picks it up from here: “Whether it’s families coming for child care, teens in leadership programs, or adults looking for a healthier lifestyle, the Y continues to be a place where people come together. That¹s why we love the West Seattle Blog. Over the past two years many Y staff, volunteers and members have become avid readers (and some posters). The WSB is the online gathering place, for news, opinions, community in West Seattle. We¹re happy to join WSB as a business sponsor. For those interested in Health & Wellness in the Y, January is a busy time. Lots of people resolve to take better care of themselves as they start the new year. With two Health & Wellness locations in West Seattle, we¹re open all year long to help you work towards your healthy balanced lifestyle.” The West Seattle Y is online here, with location and rate info here.
Another brand-new WSB sponsor is SoundYoga, at 5639 California, celebrating 10 years in West Seattle. Pictured at right is owner/director Chris Dormeier, who wants you to know: “SoundYoga offers small group classes (11 max), to support personal growth and fitness, in a beautiful studio with heated bamboo floors. All our teachers are Certified Yoga Teachers. Our classes range from beginning to the more challenging sessions using the breath to maximize the benefits of each posture. People who come to SoundYoga are of all ages, walks of life, and levels of fitness. In addition to regularly scheduled sessions, SoundYoga can provide classes for corporate settings, personal celebrations, and weekend workshops on special topics of your choice. I also provide individual sessions in yoga therapy and establishing an individual practice. We offer Certified Teacher Training for those wishing to become teachers or to deepen your personal practice. SoundYoga also has produced a video that incorporates yoga and light weights — Strong Bones Yoga® (available at Amazon.com). Chris says SoundYoga has several special events coming up — Intro to Ayurveda at 1 pm Jan. 27, Free Sunday Yoga at 4 pm Feb. 3, Intro to Yoga at 11 am Feb. 10, and the return of Prenatal Yoga on Thursdays at 5 pm.
And our third new sponsor is Jan’s Beauty Supply at 4517 California SW in The Junction. Jan’s is owned and operated by licensed professionals and is open to the public, serving the greater Seattle area for more than 24 years. Here’s what else the folks at Jan’s want you to know: “With more than 28 lines of professional hair-care products such as Pureology, Alterna, MOP, and Redken, choosing the right product is easy. Trusted brand-name appliances such as CHI, GHD, and Babyliss are always available. For the finishing touch, choose from a stunning array of designer jewelry. The much-sought-after ‘Liquid Silver’ jewelry is a must-have item. Indulge yourself with a French hair accessory or handmade soap or body butter. The comfortable atmosphere and reliable service make Jan’s a great place to shop. Immediate shipping is always available.” You can call Jan’s at 937-9224 or check out the shop’s new website here, with contact info here.
Thanks to the West Seattle Family YMCA, SoundYoga, and Jan’s Beauty Supply for supporting WSB, along with our other sponsors, all of whom are showcased right now in the right sidebar. If you’re interested in joining them, check out our Advertise page.
Thanks to Dawson for pointing out changes to this area along the southbound lanes of south Beach Drive — the sinking sidewalk is now marked as “closed,” and yellow barriers are up enabling walkers/runners to use part of what would have been the parking lane. We’ve walked that stretch before, always trepidationally, considering there’s a steep slope on the other side of the hedge bordering the now-closed sidewalk.
If there’s not a student in your family right now, you might not realize how much schools run on volunteer power and donations. Right now we have requests regarding two West Seattle elementaries. First one, posted in the WSB Forums, is about Roxhill Elementary; read it here. Second one came as an official news release about West Seattle Elementary (formerly High Point), focusing on “Day of Service” volunteer projects happening on MLK Day next Monday — and beyond:Read More
2 of the 11 West Seattle events for today/tonight that you’ll find (along with dozens of other events for the rest of the month and way beyond) on the WSB Events page:
MORGAN JUNCTION PARK: 7 pm tonight at The Kenney. It’s the first public meeting in almost a year on the park-to-be that’s going in next to the new Beveridge Place Pub (former Video Vault). According to the official city news release, this will be a chance for you “to review preliminary site plans and to provide feedback to the design team.” Notes from the last public meeting in March ’07 are on the Morgan Community Association website.
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP: 7 pm, Southwest Precinct. If you have crime/safety concerns in your neighborhood, or don’t have them yet and want to keep it that way, the WSCSP meeting is a great one to attend. Not only do Seattle Police reps (including members of the SW Precinct’s Community Police Team) attend and present updates on what they’re seeing and hearing, community organizers such as the group’s Seattle Neighborhood Group staff liaison Lois Grammon-Simpson present information on topics such as what to do about “nuisance properties” and what’s being done about some already reported. (As you’ll see in the notes from the last meeting in November.)
Major ice on the car, so if you don’t have a garage to park in, you’re likely to need some scraping time. Looks like all the school delays are to the east and north. Same with the Metro changes. Forecast: Clear, cold day. Check traffic cams here.
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