day : 10/10/2008 14 results

West Seattle Weather Watch: Have that ice scraper handy

October 10, 2008 10:37 pm
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 |   West Seattle weather

On the offhand chance you haven’t already heard this (TV’s in Frost Freakout mode) — “frost advisory” in effect for tomorrow morning, first one of the season.

School-levy idea session tonight: Meeting? What meeting?

As we mentioned this morning, Seattle Public Schools reps have spent the week touring the city to invite members of the public to come offer ideas for projects to put in the next capital levy that’ll go before voters, likely February 2010. We got first word almost three weeks ago and mentioned it here; it was publicized many other ways, too. Certainly, Friday is a less-than-optimal night for a public meeting; even considering that, the turnout was absymal — just 4 people were on hand for the meeting: 2 members of the public (both teachers), the official SPS presenter, and the reporter we assigned to cover it. Here’s her story:Read More

Congrats (again) Wildcats: Football team 6-0

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Dropped by Southwest Athletic Complex just in time for the end of the game — West Seattle High School 54, Cleveland 7. WSHS is now 6-0 in ’08. We’ll add post-game-cheering video later. (Chief Sealth has the week off; Seattle Lutheran played Chief Leschi tonight and also had a lopsided win, 67-6!) ADDED 11:30 PM: Video of the cheerleaders’ celebratory routine at game’s end:

(video lost in blip.tv shutdown)

Harbor Properties: “Fully committed” despite article gloom

October 10, 2008 6:34 pm
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 |   Development | West Seattle news

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You may already have seen this linked from our More page (which includes two automated link feeds: citywide/regional media stories mentioning West Seattle, plus CL items mentioning West Seattle) – a story in today’s Puget Sound Business Journal (you’ll only see part of it unless you have a subscriber log-in) suggesting the economic doldrums may be threatening Harbor Properties projects scheduled to start construction next year, including Link (38th/Alaska; rendering above). We contacted Harbor’s Emi Baldowin (a West Seattleite) to follow up, and here’s the HP reaction:Read More

West Seattle Crime Watch: Westwood dognapping?

missingdog.jpgA Westwood resident who wants to remain anonymous believes someone stole her missing chocolate Labrador/pointer mix (shown at left), just 16 months old, and wants to ask you to be on the lookout. She says the thief or thieves removed “panels from a wooden fence” to get onto the property and “poorly patched up the fence in an attempt to hide their robbery.” They say they’ve reported this to Seattle Police as well as the Seattle Animal Shelter and they have reason to suspect the culprits might be in the neighborhood, so they are asking fellow West Seattleites to watch for their dog. She has a chip and was wearing its tags when taken. If you have any information, they have an e-mailbox set up via CL; click here to launch a mail window.

Satterlee House case goes to court next week

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Back in March and April, we brought you a series of reports about the city Hearing Examiner‘s consideration of an appeal filed by William Conner, owner of the city landmark Satterlee House on Beach Drive, challenging the city Landmarks Board‘s denial of his request to build three homes (averaging 3,000 square feet) on the house’s expansive front lawn. (The board has to review and approve changes proposed to official city landmarks.) After the Hearing Examiner ruled in April against his appeal, Conner filed a challenge in May in King County Superior Court. That case is finally coming before a judge, and we received word today that oral arguments are scheduled Monday afternoon. At the heart of the case is not whether Conner can build on the site, but what he can build on the site; he is asking the judge to rule that he has the right to go ahead with the original proposal. Meantime, online listings indicate the house remains on the market, listed for more than $2 million; listing agent AC Braddock had told us in May that Conner had approved one of the major repairs which he’d testified were needed, jacking up the house to fix major settling; the permit for that work was issued in July.

West Seattle Weekend Lineup: Fall fun

October 10, 2008 1:52 pm
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 |   Fun stuff to do | WS culture/arts | WS Weekend Lineup

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We introduced you last Saturday to the Westside Wildcats junior-football team (shown above during a recent practice at Madison Middle School); they play at home again today, with games all day starting at 9 am at West Seattle Stadium, so if the weather kept you from going out and cheering for them last Saturday, check ’em out today. Other highlights this weekend include the Thrill-O Pillowfest family overnight TONIGHT at Hiawatha, the Sunrise Heights Neighborhood Association dance, the SSCC Plant Sale, another Blessing of the Animals –. all part of the 41 West Seattle events on our handy list ahead (sponsored by Skylark Club and Cafe, with free live music six nights a week):Read More

Happening right now: Tibbetts UMC Fall Rummage Sale

October 10, 2008 1:11 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

While putting the finishing touches on the West Seattle Weekend Lineup (publishing within the hour), we realized we should issue this extra alert to bargain-hunters — the Tibbetts United Methodist Church fall rummage sale is happening RIGHT NOW, till 4 pm (and again tomorrow 9 am-3 pm). The church is at 3940 41st SW; directions on the Tibbetts website.

Welcoming a new WSB sponsor: Budget Cuts (with a special!)

Back in July, we told you Budget Cuts was one of two tenants signed for Charlestown Center, which is now open at the California/Charlestown (map) ex-Schuck’s site. Budget Cuts just celebrated its grand opening last week, and today, we’re welcoming them as one of the newest WSB sponsors. As always, we offer new sponsors the chance to share information about their business, so here’s what Budget Cuts wants you to know: Co-owner Michael Zillinger, who is also a manager at BMW of Seattle, lives downtown but realized he was always coming to West Seattle to get his hair cut by Tram Luu (photo left), who was managing Supercuts in Jefferson Square but is now managing Budget Cuts at Charlestown Center. When Michael and his business partner Mauricio Gonzales got the idea to start a haircut store, they knew they wanted Tram to manage it – and she told them she was interested as long as it was located in West Seattle. So they settled on West Seattle and built the business around her. Michael says the location makes sense because they saw a need for this type of service along the higher-density northern half of California SW – lots of families, and Budget Cuts wants to be considered a family-friendly business. They are also working to support West Seattle’s business community by relying on WS sources for all their “business services” so far – they want to keep their money in the neighborhood, and will be a major sponsor of the Lafayette Elementary School Walk-A-Thon coming up October 17th (you’ll see them on the T-shirt!). Right now, they’re offering a special price in honor of their Grand Opening — all cuts are $10 until October 31st, after which it’ll be $13.95 (women, men, or kids). No appointment necessary. Budget Cuts is on the east side of Charlestown Center, which is on the northwest corner of California/Charlestown, 206/932-5954. Thanks to Budget Cuts and all our WSB sponsors, listed here along with info on how to join them.

Want $ to help encourage walking/biking to school?

October 10, 2008 11:16 am
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 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

walksmall.jpgCoinciding with International Walk to School Month – celebrated with events like this week’s walk from Bar-S to Alki Elementary (photo left; full WSB coverage, with video, here) – we get word from Brian Dougherty, Safe Routes to School coordinator for SDOT, that applications are being accepted for “the Seattle Safe Routes to School Mini Grant program. Any group of two or more people qualifies to apply for a grant of up to $1,000. Projects should improve pedestrian and bicycle safety near schools and encourage walking and biking to school.” The deadline’s about a month away; the application form is fairly simple, and you can get it – along with more details on who can apply and what the program’s for – by clicking here.

West Seattle traffic alert: SDOT work on California SW too


View Larger Map

We told you yesterday about the extensive no-parking zone along Alki and Harbor Aves 5 am-3 pm Sunday for striping work; now another alert from SDOT about 3 other areas of West Seattle (map above) where work is planned tomorrow:

SDOT paving crews will make street repairs at three locations on California Avenue Southwest on Saturday, October 11. Traffic will be able to get through, but drivers should expect congestion and may want to consider an alternate route.

The work will take place in the northbound lanes of the following blocks: the 5900 block (between SW Juneau and SW Raymond), the 4500 block (between SW Oregon and SW Alaska) and the 3200 block (between SW Hanford and SW Hinds) from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

The work is required to restore the pavement after repair of underground water lines.

Destruction concerns at Delridge-area deconstruction site

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Two months ago, we mentioned this post on the Delridge Grassroots Leadership blog about two city-owned properties at 26th/Juneau (map) where old houses were being “deconstructed” to turn the sites into “open space.” Late last night, Betsy Hoffmeister of the North Delridge Neighborhood Council sent word that it might be getting TOO open: Neighbors suddenly discovered “some guy on a bulldozer (was) tearing out the huge mature rhododendrons and other trees” on the property, which is believed to have had a history as an orchard and nursery and is near Longfellow Creek. Many calls ensued but Betsy says, “No one seems to know why or what for.” So far this morning, the bulldozer hasn’t returned, but neighbors are still trying to find out why the land-clearing was happening (there’s no obvious explanation on the DPD page for the property), and have posted signs there asking that it stop; we also are inquiring with Seattle Public Utilities, the site’s owner, to look into what’s happening. Betsy says they “want the destruction of trees STOPPED until the SPU has had a conversation with (the NDNC) about the future of the property. If we want to, we can make any appropriate proposal we want for the property, including P-Patch, park, drainage basin … but we can’t do that without the conversation.” 2:18 PM UPDATE: We’re still awaiting official word but Betsy sent an update – earlier she had reached someone who mentioned “detention pond” work at the site but that’s apparently not the case:

There’s a whole team from the City down at the site right now. Apparently some wires got crossed and some trees that were supposed to have been saved were not, but tree destruction is now halted. They are only supposed to be pulling out the foundation of the old houses. The current plan for the site is NOT a wastewater detention pond, but it was purchased with stormwater control funding. The current idea is for native trees and plantings. But, if we neighbors have another idea like a p-patch or playground or open space or whatever … we can start the conversation with SPU.

ADDED 5:54 PM: Official SPU response from Cornell Amaya, who reiterates there are NO plans for a pond:

In an effort to restore properties along the creek at 26th and Juno, Seattle Public Utilities regrets that trees and shrubs were removed without proper notification to the community. It is our policy that community members should be notified. No further work will occur without proper notification. Longterm plans call for the property to be open space. We intend to plant new trees and work closely with the neighborhood. We appreciate your understanding.

Tonight: Seattle Public Schools seeking levy thoughts

October 10, 2008 6:07 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Public meetings on Friday nights are fairly rare. Tonight, though, there’s one in West Seattle: Seattle Public Schools reps have gone around the city this week asking for opinions on what might belong in the next “capital levy,” February 2010; tonight you’re invited to show up and chime in, 6:30 pm at West Seattle High School library – here’s the official flyer.

West Seattle greenery, steps from blacktop, needs helping hands

October 10, 2008 1:51 am
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 |   Delridge | Environment | How to help | West Seattle video

That video zooms in on a well-gnawed tree that we learned about while talking to volunteer forest steward Mike Arizona near one of the beaver ponds in Delridge Natural Area. Mike agreed to meet us there to preview two major work parties he’s organizing, one for tomorrow (Saturday 10/11), one for next month (Saturday 11/8) – steps away from busy Delridge Way, but a world away – read on to find out more about them, and about those beavers:Read More