West Seattle education leader makes history
Just got word that South Seattle Community College (which we hope you know by now is really in eastern West Seattle) will be looking for a president – because its current leader, Dr. Jill Wakefield, has just been chosen as the college system’s first-ever female chancellor. Here’s the announcement sent by Patricia Paquette of the Seattle Community Colleges:
The Board of Trustees of the Seattle Community Colleges voted today to name Dr. Jill Wakefield, President of South Seattle Community College in West Seattle, as the next chancellor of the multi-campus district.
Wakefield will assume responsibilities on January 1, 2009, upon the retirement of the current chancellor, Charles H. Mitchell. She will be the 17th chancellor and the first woman chancellor in the history of the District.
The chancellor is responsible for overall operations of the state’s largest two-year college district, educating more than 50,000 students at Seattle Central, North Seattle and South Seattle Community Colleges; the Seattle Vocational Institute; and five specialized training centers located across the city.
Wakefield has been at SSCC for 30 years, serving as its president since early 2003.
Followup: New timeline for city’s Junction parking review
We’ve been keeping you up to date on plans for the city’s “community-parking review” in The Junction — which ultimately will lead to a decision on whether changes are made in management of the parking spots managed by the city (pay stations? Residential Parking Zones on nearby streets? status quo?). We published our first report last February, when WSB went to the Municipal Tower downtown for the first media briefing on the plan; then in May, the city Transportation Department (SDOT) told us it expected to start the review in September — and in our May update, we included the West Seattle Junction Association‘s call for your comments on the parking situation. Now that it’s September, we checked with SDOT – and here’s what communications director Rick Sheridan told us about the parking review’s status, and how you’ll get to have a say:Read More
9/11, seven years later
We found those three neighboring homes on 26th SW near Westwood Village, displaying flags on today’s anniversary. No official West Seattle commemorations that we know of (please advise if you’ve heard of one) – we will be visiting the Alki Statue of Liberty later to see what’s happening there, given its informal role as a remembrance location, dating all the way to the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. On this date last year, the recast statue made its debut in a ceremony that was both an unveiling and a tribute (WSB coverage, including video, here); a year earlier, on September 11, 2006, the old pedestal stood empty, as the original statue (now at the Log House Museum gift shop) had been taken away so the recasting process could begin.
City Council to get West Seattle Junction development briefing
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(Updated version of WSB clickable Junction/Triangle development map)
Heard about this after last night’s 34th District Democrats meeting (full report on that is still in the works), and it’s just been confirmed by West Seattle-residing Councilmember Tom Rasmussen: Toward the widely voiced concern that the Junction and Triangle areas be looked at in a “big picture” sense while so much development roars forward, Rasmussen is asking Junction developers (here’s our report on their West Seattle Chamber of Commerce appearance yesterday) and leaders of the Chamber and the West Seattle Junction Association to be at the September 22nd City Council “briefing” session. Also invited: along Representatives of city agencies including SDOT (transportation) and DPD (planning). Rasmussen staffer Brian Hawksford explains, “The purpose would be to have the developers describe their projects to the Council in an informal setting and to explain how they hope the city can be helpful in the overall improvement to the streetscape.” Rasmussen himself elaborates:
I see all of the development that is being planned in the Junction area as a tremendous opportunity to create one of the greatest residential and commercial neighborhoods in the City. For that to happen it is important for the developers and the City to work together to insure that design of the buildings, landscaping, transit planning, traffic management, parking and pedestrian walkways are all coordinated and complementary. The City can play a major role to insure that the coordination occurs. Recently I met with representatives of the Fairmount Community Council and they too see this potential. I would like as many people who are interested to participate.
I know it may be difficult for the public to attend this meeting during a weekday here at City Hall. The meeting is planned to be held here … because I would like the Council to understand the importance of this effort. It will be televised and can be viewed online as well. If people would like more meetings to be held, we can do so in West Seattle.
The meeting’s at 9:30 am September 22nd at City Council chambers downtown. It will be shown live, as are all such council sessions, by the Seattle Channel — channel 21 on cable, or seattlechannel.org online.
Two chances to get answers about The Kenney’s big project
Last month, we brought you in-depth details of the $150 million redevelopment project on the drawing board for The Kenney, the longtime retirement community in Fauntleroy. (Read our story here.) Today, we get word from The Kenney’s CEO Kevin McFeely that two meetings are set next week to discuss the project with, and answer questions from, neighbors and other area residents/community leaders: 6 pm Wednesday at Fauntleroy Church (with official invitations going out to everyone within a half-mile radius), 6 pm next Thursday (9/18) at The Kenney (targeting local neighborhood associations and business groups). The project also is tentatively scheduled for its first Design Review Board hearing — which is a public meeting too — at 8 pm October 23rd (location TBA); here’s the city’s project page.
Another preview: Saturday highlights
WEST SEATTLE GATEWAY CLEANUP: Even if you’re not one of the hundreds of volunteers joining in this huge cleanup effort, you should know that it will shut down a lane on the Fauntleroy end of the The Bridge, so that participants will be safe – the cleanup is happening from Walking on Logs till 35th/Fauntleroy, but the lane closure will start before there. Hours are approximately 9 am-3:30 pm. (Here’s our most recent preview.)
NEIGHBORHOOD MATCHING FUND CELEBRATION: A whole lot of projects around our part of the city (and elsewhere) wouldn’t have happened without the city chipping in NMF money. The program is celebrating its 20th anniversary and throwing parties around town including one Saturday, open-house style, 10 am-2 pm at Youngstown Arts Center.
BARBECUE CHAMPIONSHIPS: Once again this year, the Evergreen State Barbecue Championships are happening on Alki this weekend. Saturday-Sunday are the official days but you are likely to see setup happening (and a lot of RVs) starting Friday night. Last year when we covered this, a big question was “does anyone SELL food?” We have word of at least two vendors – one of which is a sponsor, Tom Douglas Restaurants, which says it’ll be selling “Rub with Love BBQ Salmon Sandwiches with Arugula and Fennel Mayo.” We don’t have precise hours for vendors but on Saturday we’ll report what we find out at the scene.
ANOTHER BARBECUE: Village Green Perennial Nursery (WSB sponsor) is having its annual halibut barbecue, with live music, noon-3 pm Saturday; we wrote about it in this White Center Now post about the fishing trip that brought in the halibut!
PLAYGROUND PROJECT: Supporters of a “playscape” in Admiral’s California Place mini-park plan a neighborhood ice-cream social starting at 3 pm (the park’s at California/Hill; here’s our most recent coverage of the proposal).
FUNDRAISING CAR WASH: Just got word the West Seattle High School girls’ volleyball team has one in the parking lot, 10 am-2 pm Saturday. Lots more events, and you’ll see them in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup tomorrow.
Happening tonight: Art Walk; “Sawtooths”; Design Review; more
ART WALK NIGHT! It’s the second Thursday of the month, which means tonight’s the night for the West Seattle Art Walk — more than 30 venues all over West Seattle, all listed here (including these WSB sponsors: Click! Design That Fits, Hotwire Coffee, M3 Bodyworks, Dream Dinners, Seattle Wellness Programs). 6-9 tonight. You can even enjoy the first hour and a half or so, then move on to:
SECOND WEEKEND FOR “IN THE SAWTOOTHS”: Burnt Studio Productions (WSB sponsor) starts its second of three weekends for “In the Sawtooths,” tonight and Saturday night at Youngstown Arts Center. Read more about the production here, including a special discount offer for WSB’ers. (And after you see it, Burnt Studio would love to hear your thoughts here!)
DESIGN REVIEW FOR 5020 CALIFORNIA: If board members don’t have serious concerns, this may be the last public design review for the mixed-use project at California/Dawson (see the planned presentation here). 6:30 pm, Hiawatha Community Center.
HIGH POINT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION QUARTERLY MEETING: Should be a beautiful night to gather at Commons Park Amphitheater to learn about Somali/East African culture 6-7 pm, then discuss other neighborhood issues after 7.
Bye-bye, Blayne: West Seattle barista booted off “Runway”
It was fun while it lasted, but now it’s over: Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) barista Blayne got kicked off “Project Runway” tonight (along with Terri), after a design that judges called “a joke.” However: “No one is sorrier to see you go than I am,” PR regular Tim Gunn told him. “You can’t second-guess yourself,” Blayne said cheerily and circumspectly, referring to himself. We’ve got someone at the Ginomai viewing party, so we’ll add reaction from there when we get it. ADDED EARLY THURSDAY MORNING: Here’s what Blayne’s Hotwire boss Lora Lewis told the WSB video crew afterward:Read More
West Seattle Transportation Tangle: A linear look
Click that image for a larger look at the helpful chart drawn up by Morgan Community Association’s Cindi Barker after last night’s West Seattle Chamber of Commerce-sponsored transportation forum: She drew lines for each of the major projects likely to affect West Seattle drivers – BEFORE the Alaskan Way Viaduct‘s Central Waterfront Project starts in 2012 – so you can see where they overlap, at least under current plans. (Remember, the next big thing to kick in is the closure of lower eastbound Spokane Street, starting Tuesday 9/16, for water-main work preparing for the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project – that means if you get off the eastbound SSV on 1st Avenue South, you will have to turn left; if you are on eastbound Spokane Street from points further west, you will be able to turn right on 1st – no one will be allowed to go straight ahead on eastbound Spokane from there except truly “local” traffic, such as deliveries.
Preview of coming attractions
Those signs outside The Hall at Fauntleroy are a hint at what’s happening inside tonight … the 34th District Democrats‘ second-to-last meeting before the general election. We’re here to find out what the area’s largest political organization is up to – one promised presentation will include the Democrats’ presidential-campaign strategy “precinct by precinct,” according to a gentleman putting together a projected presentation – that should be interesting, given how things are playing out on a national level right now. Any major news that emerges, we’ll post as/when it happens; otherwise, look for a roundup later. Meantime, we’re also still working on a story that emerged from today’s monthly West Seattle Chamber of Commerce luncheon meeting — the four developers responsible for eight major projects in the Junction area all presented updates — with some info you may not have heard before — that’s coming up later tonight.
Design Review set for teardowns-to-townhomes next to Cactus
Just added to the Design Review calendar, a second project for the 10/9 meeting, which previously had only the 35th/Graham mixed-use building on the agenda: 3008 63rd SW (map), described in the city files as three single-family homes slated for demolition, to be replaced by seven units. The lots are immediately south of the Cactus end of the ex-Alki Market building, east side of 63rd just south of Alki SW. No meeting site listed yet, but the Alki project presentation is scheduled for 6:30 pm 10/9, the High Point project for 8 pm.
Reminders for tonight: Thrills, designs, Dems
THRILLS: Not too late to get in on Thrill the World-West Seattle, the group that’s going to dance as part of the world-record attempt (different locations, don’t worry, you won’t have to fly or drive somewhere distant) – tonight’s the second practice, 8 pm, Ginomai (42nd/Genesee), more on the official WS website.
DESIGNS: Right after that, Ginomai’s also the spot to join the weekly crowd cheering Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) barista Blayne in “Project Runway” — show’s at 9 pm on the big screen (bring dessert to share!).
DEMS: Less than two months till The Election – and that means West Seattle’s biggest political group has only two more monthly meetings till then – more potential endorsements are on the agenda tonight for the 34th District Democrats, among other things, 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy.
Traffic alert: WS Bridge ramp to SB I-5 briefly closed
From WSDOT: “The on-ramp from Spokane Street to southbound I-5 is closed due to an oil spill from an earlier collision that involving a semi truck. The ramp will be closed while crews apply absorbent material to the roadway. WSDOT maintenance and incident response are on-scene.” We’ll let you know when we get word it’s reopened. 2:30 PM UPDATE: Open again.
West Seattle Chamber’s transportation forum: The Q and A
That’s the scene from the first half of last night’s transportation forum presented by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce — the first hour was open-house format, so attendees could get information on virtually every major transportation project that’s about to affect West Seattleites; the second was Q/A moderated by CR Douglas. WSB contributor Evan Baumgardner covered the Q/A session — we thought that you might like to know exactly what was asked, and exactly how it was answered — Evan’s transcription follows:Read More
Southwest Youth and Family Services in youth-violence plan
As promised when this was previewed yesterday, we’re sharing the info issued by the mayor’s office at his Garfield High School appearance this morning to announce a “youth-violence-prevention initiative.” Here’s a document with the overview – which includes “southwest Seattle” as an area of emphasis and lists West Seattle-based Southwest Youth and Family Services as one of the agencies that will help develop plans for this part of the program:
We will establish three youth-focused neighborhood networks in central, southeast and southwest Seattle to identify the children at-risk for violence, and surround them with services tailored to their specific needs.
Read on for the full text of the city news release with toplines:Read More
1st-ever Junction Car Show: More cars, more highlights
Another update on the first-ever West Seattle Junction Car Show coming up September 21st (one week from Sunday!), co-sponsored by WSB — Michael Hoffman of Liberty Bell Printing says more than 140 cars are now registered, and they’re expecting about 300 (preregistration is closed so you’ll need to show up on show day, first-come first-served – call June @ 206/334-6606 with questions); as previously mentioned, California SW will be closed in The Junction for the car show, Edmunds to Alaska, Alaska to Oregon, Oregon to the post office. What you see at left is the cool design for T-shirts that will be sold (first-ever show! collector’s item?) – price starts at $10 (XL and up will be a bit more; sizes run to 6XL). The day’s highlights also will include a pancake breakfast at the West Seattle Eagles, starting at 7 am; Puerto Vallarta will open at 7 am with a special breakfast menu; the West Seattle Farmers’ Market‘s annual Zucchini 500 races (kids get to make zucchini vehicles!) will be happening 10 am-1 pm. Now, about those cars – all are pre-1975, no 4x4s, says Michael – and at least one dates back to 1920! There also will be a raffle and 50/50 drawing to raise money for the Maple Valley Street Rats Scholarship Fund – available to students studying to work in the automotive field – the MVSR is organizing the show along with the West Seattle Junction Association.
4 West Seattle “Small and Simple” recipients honored
A city celebration last night honored groups citywide who successfully sought “Small and Simple” grants from the Neighborhood Matching Fund; among them, four in West Seattle. Three, we’ve mentioned before — the play-area projects in North Delridge (Cottage Grove “tot lot”) and Admiral (California Place) got $15,000 each; the Pigeon Point neighborhood celebration (coming up 9/20) got $2,100. The fourth is $15,000 for the ongoing restoration of the West Duwamish Greenbelt, this time going to the “Genesee Ravine Action Committee.” All of these projects involve matching funds – the city doesn’t just hand out $ without the groups showing a commitment of their own, money and volunteer labor. Here’s the full list of 24 “Small and Simple” recipients citywide; the city accepts applications four times a year, and the next deadline is October 6 – here’s more about the program. Meantime, the Neighborhood Matching Fund program itself is marking its 20th anniversary with events around the city, including an open house (free food!) this Saturday, 10 am-2 pm, at Youngstown Arts Center.
Welcoming a new WSB sponsor: Pet-friendly Bridge Park
One of our newest sponsors is throwing a party this weekend, and as we welcome them to WSB sponsorship, they’re welcoming you to a party: Sunday marks the grand-opening celebration for Bridge Park, the new retirement community offering “gracious retirement living” in High Point, at 3204 SW Morgan (map). Here’s what Bridge Park‘s management wants you to know: Bridge Park is a new 156-unit independent living retirement community managed by Holiday Retirement of Salem, OR, the nation’s leading provider of independent senior housing. “We are very excited about providing outstanding senior housing in West Seattle’s newly redeveloped High Point community,” says Ray Harris; he and wife Kathy make up one of two on-site management teams. “Bridge Park will be a major part of the senior community by providing a vast array of social events and activities for all seniors to enjoy.” One of Bridge Park‘s special features is that it’s pet-friendly — pets are very much welcome, and NO deposits are required for residents who have pets. We talked on video with one of Bridge Park‘s first residents, Claudia Enlow, who has two dogs and a cat:
Bridge Park says its other community amenities — besides pet-friendliness — include live-in management teams, three meals chef-prepared for scratch daily, weekly housecleaning and linen service, scheduled local transportation and diverse activities, special events, and volunteer opportunities. One more note: Suites are available on a month-to-month rental basis, with no long-term leases involved. You can get an up-close look during the grand-opening event on Sunday — guided tours will be offered, along with door-prize drawings, refreshments, and live entertainment; festivities are scheduled to run from 11 am to 5 pm Sunday, with the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1:30 pm. Bridge Park‘s phone number is 206/938-6394. You can see the full lineup of current WSB sponsors here, along with information on how to join them!
Bored with your ringtone? West Seattle legend and fish-n-chips mogul Ivar Haglund can be on your phone instead. As part of its 70th-anniversary festivities, 
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