West Seattle, Washington
19 Monday
Valentine hearts grace Salty’s on Alki. Got special plans for tonight you care to share?
Just out of the WSB inbox, from Bree:
Last night someone broke into my neighbor’s car. The only thing they took was the $20 in her glove box and the change in her ashtray. They didn’t take anything else, not even CDs. I live (in the 3400 block of) California Ave SW, which is directly across from Swedish Physicians. Our cars are parked in a back alley, which is dimly lit. I would highly advise everyone to lock their cars and be on the lookout.
And we add, as always, be sure you report everything to the police as soon as possible – if it’s hours later, the non-emergency SPD number is 625-5011, always available on our Crime Watch page.
Finally got word of results from the bicycle-donation drive at PCC last Saturday (weekend coverage here) — 182 bikes donated (and a lot of bike parts), all going to help kids in Africa. WTG! One other weekend postscript — the cat-adoption event at Kitty Harbor (which was featured in this WSB report last fall) was a roaring success, according to KH’s Delyn Kosbab — new homes for all 60 of the cats and kittens that were available for adoption.
If you drove through The Junction between about 6 and 9 this morning, you probably saw that TV truck outside Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor). As mentioned earlier this week, KING 5 decided to send its morning feature reporter Tim Robinson down to hang out and talk about the Meet Your Sweetheart matchmaking that’s been going on at Hotwire (with the big party coming up Saturday night). As you probably know, Hotwire is a cozy space, and it was fun squeezing in to get a little video of, well, the other video crew doing its thing, talking to proprietor Lora Lewis and then moving on to check out the decorated bags on the wall where people are leaving Valentines for “sweeties” whose photos catch their fancy (see some of them online here):
Hotwire is one of the 20 hot spots tonight for the Valentine’s night Art Walk – biggest Art Walk yet. For the first time in a while, looks like good weather – venues, a map, and a list of “specials” are all on the flyer.
Just got word that the woman hit by a car near Westwood Village last Friday night has died. (We reported briefly on the crash in this post, with updated info in the comments – police believe it was truly an accident, someone in dark clothes crossing outside a crosswalk on a dark, rainy night; the driver apparently never saw her.) We don’t have her name at this point, though. By our accounts, this is the first fatal pedestrian accident in West Seattle since 85-year-old Oswald Clement was hit and killed at 35th/Othello last October.
That’s an architect rendering of Neighborhood House, the new social-services center to be built in High Point starting this fall. 80% of the money for it already has been raised – now the “Heart of High Point” campaign wants to get the word out about this major West Seattle project, and invites you to a gathering next Monday night. Here’s what Cathy Cooper e-mailed WSB about it:
This “Heart of High Point” Neighborhood Center will be a Gold LEED certified
Green building, with solar panels, water filtration systems, a deep-well based heating/cooling system … all set in the environmentally sensitive and award winning High Point community. This building will be a real-life example of how to create sustainable spaces for delivering social services, combating poverty, and building a stronger community.The HPNC will provide vital community services and support programs to more than 4,000 residents and their families annually. It will provide access to critical support services to 700 low-income families living in the redeveloped public housing in the High Point mixed income community.
The center will also demonstrate how cultures all over the world view environmental stewardship, and how immigrants from these cultures can teach us all lessons about caring for our shared planet.
To help spread the word about this exciting new development in our own backyard, a group of West Seattle-connected volunteers are meeting at Mission (2325 California Ave SW) at 5:45 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 18. We’re focused on how to raise awareness about the “Heart of High Point” campaignand let West Seattelites know what this new building is all about. We’d like to invite our neighbors to join us. For more information, contact me at cooper1513@comcast.net.
Valentine’s night may belong to restaurants – but Valentine’s morning is crunch time for flower shops. Thanks to the folks at Linda’s Flowers and Gifts in the Admiral District for letting us drop in this morning while they worked frenetically to prepare hundreds of bouquets. Owner Linda Harader reveals how many – plus who prefers which color of roses:
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS’ RESOLUTION: A comment under our report from last night mentioned the 34th DDs voted last night to support the Westwood Neighborhood Council and Denny/Sealth school staff in pursuing an “authentic” public process. We received a copy of the resolution this morning; you can see it here.
SPEAKING OF PUBLIC PROCESS: West Seattle’s school-board rep Steve Sundquist asked district staffers last night about reported discrepancies and omissions in the information that’s posted on the district website as answers to the public questions from last week’s meeting. District staff acknowledged some “confusion.” One point of ongoing dispute/confusion that was not addressed clearly last night — board member Harium Martin-Morris wanted clarification about the oft-repeated complaint that the language on the ballot did not mention the shared campus. He didn’t get a complete answer to that during the public meeting we observed last night (and it’s not fully answered in the district Q/A, either; see Question 14 under Pink Room on this page); fellow members Sherry Carr and Peter Maier talked again about the pamphlet mailed to all 45,000-ish households with Seattle Public Schools students, which did talk about the shared campus, but what was left out was the indisputable fact – whether or not you think it matters – that the actual text seen in the official King County Voters’ Pamphlet by voters casting ballots in the February 2007 election (direct link here) explaining what the money would go for, was this:
Section 2. Authorization of Construction and Modernization Improvements. The District shall modernize and expand its school facilities through the following programs:
(1) Middle /K-8 school improvements including full renovation of Hamilton, and replacement of South Shore and Denny.
(2) High School improvements including renovation of Chief Sealth and Nathan Hale, addition at Ingraham and modernization of Rainier Beach Career and Technology facilities.
(3) Infrastructure improvements for water piping, indoor air quality and synthetic sports turf, including contributions to Hiawatha Playfield with Seattle Parks for conversion to synthetic turf.
(4) Technology equipment and training.
On the ballot itself, before checking approve or reject, voters saw this:
The Board of Directors of Seattle School District No. 1 adopted Resolution No. 2006/07-3 concerning this proposition for bonds. This proposition approves a program to renovate or replace four high schools, two middle schools and one K-8 school and make other capital improvements, to issue $490,000,000 in general obligation bonds with a maximum term of seven years; and to levy excess property taxes to repay the bonds and to replace the expiring capital levy, not to exceed $81,666,667 annually for six years.
Just for the record, since this keeps coming up. There certainly was coverage, on our site and elsewhere, before the election, talking about the shared campus — but the official voters’ pamphlet and the actual ballot did not include that point, as project critics frequently note.
As mentioned yesterday, some interesting nuggets emerged from the transportation presentations at the monthly West Seattle Chamber of Commerce lunch: On the RapidRide bus route that will replace the 54 in three years, a Metro rep acknowledged opposition to possible re-routing along California through The Junction, saying the agency’s heard “loud and clear” from the “strong fan base” for the current routing. (One more meeting about RapidRide is coming up – next Tuesday night, Southwest Library.) City transportation director Grace Crunican suggested we haven’t heard enough about the major improvements coming to the Spokane Street Viaduct section of the bridge – which she describes as the city’s #1 priority – particularly the eastbound exit to be added at 4th (no westbound onramp at 4th though, and the long-closed one will finally go away). And while recapping the latest developments with the Elliott Bay Water Taxi — particularly the creation of the county Ferry District — West Seattle’s King County Councilmember Dow Constantine noted this year’s schedule should be announced relatively soon.
From the latest reports at the Southwest Precinct, we begin with yet another round of rock-throwers, this time on the south end of West Seattle: 
A man in his 80s who lives in the 9400 block of 9th SW called police around 8:30 last night, complaining that four or five boys have been throwing rocks at his house for the past week and a half, on non-rainy nights, always between 7:45 and 9 pm. Last night, he spotted them crouching behind a tree on the south side of Roxbury; he yelled to his wife to call the police, and the boys bolted. He told police he’s lived in the house 45 years and never had a problem like this. No description of the suspects, though. Next — another throwing incident, and a masher at the mini-mart:Read More
UPDATE #1: As has been the case for the past several meetings, the public-comment period at the start of the meeting was dominated by testimony from merged-campus opponents. The board’s in a brief break now, with what’s been described as a “presentation” and “discussion” yet to come on items including the formal introduction of the superintendent’s recommendation that the board approve Option 2. More to come; it’s live on cable channel 26. UPDATE #2, ADDED 9:55 PM: The Denny-Sealth presentation/discussion took more than an hour and a half. Read More
Thanks to David Hutchinson for e-mailing that video he says he got “with a telephoto lens at a respectable distance,” starring a young harbor seal resting on the rocks today near Don Armeni. Thanks also to Cleat for the photo below – the latest Washington State Ferry in a world o’hurt, photographed under tow off Luna/Anchor Park:
One week after our last update on fire repairs at the Charlestown Cafe, we went over to the restaurant to see if owner Larry Mellum had anything new to report – He does, and it’ll be disappointing news for CC fans: Kitchen repair work is a little more extensive than expected, and with the permits they need to get, and other aspects of the process, it will take at least two more weeks before they’ll be ready to reopen.
We’ve talked about “I (heart) West Seattle” bumper stickers here several times before – now there’s a brand-new way to get one – at the monthly West Seattle Chamber of Commerce lunch today, the Chamber unveiled the stickers you see above. You can buy ’em for $2.50 at the Chamber office (3614 California, east side of street just south of Spokane; map). Lots of other info to share from the event – transportation was the main topic, with more on the Viaduct info presented last night at Cooper; also extra details on city projects such as the new ramps coming to the Spokane Street Viaduct end of the West Seattle Bridge, plus a county update on the Water Taxi – updates ahead.
-Several incidents from the Monday West Seattle Crime Watch report have turned into citywide media reports today: the P-I wrote up the 16th/Myrtle flasher – note that one child reported seeing this guy a couple times – the headline suggests multiple victims but that wasn’t what was in the report we reviewed; KING 5 looked at the latest round of graffiti, including the car in the Admiral/42nd garage.
-Chocolate, anyone? Karen and Phyllis are West Seattle residents who run Alaska Silk Pie Company in Sodo and wondered if we’d mention a baking class they’re doing this Saturday. You can read about it in their newsletter.
–West Side Presbyterian Church is launching its free two-week “Alpha Course” tonight – tackling The Big Questions such as “Why are we here?, Does my life have meaning? Is there something more?” – 6:45 pm, casual meal and child care included; sign up by calling 935-4477. (Church events are welcome for our Events page and other occasional spotlights — just e-mail us!)
-Last but by no means least, if you have a son 6-8 years old, Kirsten is hoping you might be interested in a group she’s trying to organize. Here’s her e-mail:
Dear West Seattle parents of 6-8 year old boys,
I am trying to form a Camp Fire group of 5-7, 6-8 year old boys. If anyone is interested in working with me to make that happen, please let me know.
Camp Fire USA is a fantastic organization that I am proud to have participated in as the third generation in my family and now I’d really like for my son to be involved, but unfortunately there isn’t a group for him to join in our area. I am happy to take on the role of leader or to collaborate with another parent on this, but the first step is getting an interested group formed. If you’d like to learn more about the organization, check out their website.
You can reach Kirsten via e-mail; click here.
We told you last weekend about Harbor Properties — the company behind Mural, going in at the former Petco parking lot — applying to the city for a permit to build a mixed-use project east of The Junction, including former Huling parcels (photo above) and land now occupied by West Seattle Montessori School. We’ve since talked with Emi Baldowin at Harbor, who says there’s one big “if” here — “We have not formally acquired the property,” she says, explaining that they went ahead and filed for the permit anyway to get the ball rolling because the process takes so long. She wouldn’t comment on how much other Huling land Harbor Properties is hoping to buy, but says her firm should have word on its proposed purchase by the end of the month. She also says that if it does go through and they are indeed able to work with West Seattle Montessori, they’re looking at the school perhaps being “on the other end of the block,” which could alleviate a pickup/dropoff situation that has been less than ideal for parents (and sometimes for drivers going by on Fauntleroy).
This morning, we send out the traditional WSB sponsor welcome to Quid’•nunc (4522 California in The Junction), West Seattle’s best-known computer store. Here’s what the folks from Quid’•nunc want you to know: “Quid’•nunc has been serving West Seattle for 13 years with computer hardware, software, and accessories plus repair and networking services. Our goal is to provide you with quality products and service which will ensure reliable computer operations for you. We are always available to answer questions or offer advice. In the last year, we hired a great team of computer technicians. 
We are now offering on-site services for you and your business. If you need a part-time computer pro, please give us a call. We can set up a unique service contract to ensure your network runs safely and efficiently. Bill Hibler, owner of Quid’•nunc, [photo left] is a West Seattle local. He has lived here for 19 years. He is a member of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, the Westside Professionals – a BNI networking organization, a past president of the West Seattle Junction Association, a member of the board of trustees of ArtsWest, and a member of the board of Trusteed Properties, which owns and manages the free parking lots in the Junction. Bill is dedicated to the health and growth of our community. He lives, works and plays in West Seattle. He is an avid reader, cyclist and gardener. He regularly sponsors the West Seattle Garden Tour and hopes to have his own yard on the tour someday. Quid’•nunc has consistently supported the fundraising activities of local schools and churches and is a regular sponsor of West Seattle Girls Softball. A few years ago, Quid’•nunc was looking for a simple slogan to help people remember the store. We felt so strongly about ‘Quid’•nunc–Where PC means Personal Care®’ that we registered it as a Washington State trademark.” (Check the ad in the right sidebar for a special offer.) Thanks to Quid’•nunc and our other sponsors for supporting WSB; if you want to find out how to join them, here’s the place to start.
Tonight, Seattle School Board members will officially be presented with Superintendent Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson‘s recommendation that they approve Option 2 for the Denny Middle School rebuilding/Chief Sealth High School renovation process, with the final vote in 2 weeks. Last night, at a public panel-discussion meeting organized by the Westwood Neighborhood Council, West Seattle’s school board rep Steve Sundquist announced which way he’s leaning, while also revealing what it’s been like to walk right into this turbulent controversy as a newly elected board member:Read More
Tonight at Cooper Elementary in Pigeon Point, state, city, and county transportation leaders — along with more than 50 members of the public — took the next step toward deciding the future of the critical central section of the Alaskan Way Viaduct – the section that Governor Gregoire has said will come down in 2012, period:Read More
Just back from both of tonight’s major meetings in West Seattle. Full separate articles coming for both. But in the short run, the headlines:
DENNY-SEALTH: West Seattle’s school board rep Steve Sundquist announced he’s “leaning toward Option 2,” the “go ahead with the shared campus but add $10 million for a few more Sealth renovations” option that district staff is officially recommending the board approve. However, Sundquist reiterated that it’s the board’s decision, and he invites EVERYONE to spend the next two weeks letting him and other board members (three of whom were at the meeting) know what they think. 10:30 PM ADDITION: Just in from Steve Fischer, president of the Westwood Neighborhood Council, which presented tonight’s meeting – results of the unofficial, voluntary straw poll they took (via secret ballot) after the meeting: Zero for Option 1, 16 for Option 2, 52 for Option 3. (100-plus people were there tonight.)
VIADUCT: This open-house-with-open-mike was part of the process leading up to a decision in about a year regarding what will replace the “Central Waterfront” section of The Viaduct. Some of those who offered open-mike comments urged reconsideration of the notion of NOT tearing it down, but retrofitting it instead.
Again, much more to come, including some video, from both meetings.
That’s how Mark Neuman titled this e-mail and it’s a perfect headline:
To the person driving the reddish four-door VW Gti on California Avenue this morning (February 12, 2008):
Your left turn at 9:56 am PST (westbound onto Alaska Street from northbound on California Avenue) was illegal (no left turns 7 am to 7 pm except transit, as the sign in front of you clearly stated).
Though I was able to make it through the (yellow) light and no drivers had to wait for the next traffic light cycle to go through the intersection, the move you made oftentimes DOES result in law abiding drivers having to wait, in addition to the fact that many drivers will quickly move around to get beyond the offending driver.
Ask any auto insurance company: such sudden moves do not reduce the overall probability of collisions on the road, not to mention the possible impact on inattentive pedestrians.
OK, just thought I’d share. Have a nice day.
By the way, to the nice lady in the grayish sweater who, just a few minutes later, let the elderly gentleman go ahead of her in line at Bartell’s: that was very thoughtful of you.
We’ve all discussed the crosswalk situation at that intersection before. Thoughts on the turn ban?
After this morning’s report updating the plan by the design/development company that just bought the Shoremont @ 57th & Alki, Tom J posted a comment on yesterday’s report and subsequently sent us the photo he mentioned (thank you!). It’s his uncle and dad outside the Shoremont in 1946. Tom says his dad recently celebrated his 90th birthday. The Shoremont is a few years younger than Tom’s dad – county property records say it was built in 1923.
Spotting this Seattle City Light crew at work in Fairmount Springs a little while ago reminded us we want to share an update from Scott Thomsen at SCL, who says feedback at the open house a few weeks ago (WSB coverage here) has led to an addition to the plan:
Several of our customers who attended that meeting were served by a 4 kilovolt conversation bank on feeder 2744 out of the Delridge Substation. Their biggest concern was the two block stretch that was in the unimproved alley between 37th Avenue SW and Fairmount Park. Before the meeting that area was not on the schedule for trimming.
We’ve taken a look at our work plan for the year and have decided to add that entire feeder to the mix. It’s a short feeder coming up the hill from the Delridge Substation and going directly over to the Fairmount Park neighborhood. We’ll begin work there after we do the Alki feeder (2746) and the North Admiral feeder (2740) that you saw on our maps at the meeting.
We’d like to thank everyone who came to the meeting for their comments, ideas and interest. As you can see, we were listening and appreciate what our customers tell us.
By the way, if anyone still wants to see a digital copy of the map shown at that meeting – the one in the photograph shown with our meeting report – we’re having a little bit of trouble uploading it but can e-mail it to you; send us a note.
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