day : 17/10/2009 9 results

Followup: Newly apparent result of the Whole Foods site work

Last Tuesday, we checked on some work at the idled Fauntleroy/39th/Alaska construction site. WSB contributing journalist Christopher Boffoli was told “routine maintenance”; he checked back on the site while in the area today after a few days of rain and photographed the moat you see in the photo above:

As I passed the Whole Foods hole I did notice something that was not immediately obvious when I went over there the other day. It seems they dug a moat around the perimeter of the site to collect rainwater. And the pumps they have installed are draining the water from these drainage moats. No one was digging at the time I was there but there was a tractor on the eastern side of the site that is no longer there. So they must have done the work after I left.

While checking out the work from earlier in the week, we did talk to DPD, which does not have any current investigations open regarding the site. Interesting side note – If and when construction resumes at some point, the city does not have to be notified until there is something for which a city inspection is required, say, a foundation; the permits are open and construction could just resume without notice.

Election 2009: Dow Constantine-Susan Hutchison TV debate

(added 11:30 pm, video of entire debate)
Live on channel 4 – the King County Executive candidates debate each other. It just started at 9 pm; each is making an opening statement, Dow Constantine first, Susan Hutchison second. 10 PM UPDATE: Debate’s over; tomorrow (Sunday) night, it’s the first live TV debate in the Seattle Mayor race – Joe Mallahan vs. Mike McGinn on channel 7, 6 pm.

Happening now: White Center Food Bank Harvest Dinner/Auction

October 17, 2009 7:28 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: White Center Food Bank Harvest Dinner/Auction
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

Caption that, The Harpist and The Harvest. Susan McLain played at Brockey Center tonight as the White Center Food Bank‘s annual Harvest Dinner and Auction began with eventgoers browsing the auction items:

Among the items donated for the auction, glass produce from Avalon Glassworks, highlighted on the food bank’s website recently, and artist-decorated chairs (here’s the one made by WSB’er Barb). While visiting for photos, we caught up with the food bank’s Audrey Zemke and tonight’s emcee, North Highline Fire Chief Scott LaVielle:

Local media personality Cindi Rinehart (a West Seattleite) is tonight’s auctioneer. It’s been a busy year for the food bank, one of two that serve West Seattle (along with the WS Food Bank) – and the unmet need in our state is sizable, according to this info published by the WC Food Bank last summer.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Be on the lookout – car, & thieves

We’ve had stretches of several days without Crime Watch reports – you can see this by checking the list on the Crime Watch page – but today we’ve had a couple reports since the ones we published this morning, so here’s a second update: A car theft, and produce theft, both with descriptions shared so that you can help be on the lookout. Read on for both:Read More

West Seattle Weather Watch: Help keep the street drains clear

October 17, 2009 4:45 pm
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 |   Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

drain.jpg

(2008 photo from Nancy in North Delridge, showing a drain in need of clearing)
With our sunbreak/downpour/breeze/repeat cycle of weather today, it’s the perfect public-service announcement of sorts: The city just sent out a reminder about keeping storm drains clear, and a project in which you can participate to make sure you have what you need to do it:

Fall has arrived and the rainy season is upon us … and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) needs your help preventing flooding by keeping neighborhood street drains clear of debris.

Fall Clean is a part of SPU’s popular Adopt-A-Drain program, in which volunteers help keep storm drains free of debris. During the coming months, a combination of changing weather and falling leaves creates a perfect opportunity for flooding. Unfortunately, the utilities’ full-time drainage crews cannot keep up with all of the thousands of storm drains that need extra maintenance this time of year.

We’ll lend you free cleanup supplies – rakes, bags, gloves, shovels, brooms and dustpans. Pick them up at the following times and locations:

* October 24 and 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Seattle Public Utilities’ warehouse at 3633 East Marginal Way South.

* October 28 and 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Seattle Municipal Tower between Columbia Street and Cherry Street on 6th Avenue in downtown Seattle.

Please call or e-mail us in advance at (206) 233-7187 or adoptadrain@seattle.gov to reserve your supplies.

For more on the Adopt-a-Drain program, check out this city webpage.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Car prowlers not deterred by rain

That’s apparent from the deluge of car break-in reports we’ve received today – one from north West Seattle, two from south – and one WSB’er says even the police were surprised by what was taken – read on:Read More

Getting to 350: A request for letters, and a chance for a bike ride

October 17, 2009 11:53 am
|    Comments Off on Getting to 350: A request for letters, and a chance for a bike ride
 |   Environment | How to help | Sustainable West Seattle | West Seattle news

One week from today, West Seattle environmental advocates will be part of the 350.org demonstration to call attention to climate change. Two notes about that this morning, regarding ways you can be part of it. First, CoolMom’s Terri Glaberson is about to head to Washington, D.C., to lobby our state’s U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell:

My goal is to get face to face time with both Senators to chat with them about the importance of passing a strong Climate bill THIS year. I am also hoping to take with me 350 letters in honor of that all important number 350, the safe upper limit of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

There’s more information about the letter-writing campaign on the CoolMom site. Terri says letters of support also can be directly e-mailed to admin@coolmom.org. Meantime, part of the awareness-raising campaign includes gathering a crowd at Seattle Center next Saturday afternoon to spell out “350” (simulation above) – Sustainable West Seattle is organizing a bike ride from West Seattle to Seattle Center for the event and sends this announcement:

Please join Sustainable West Seattle as we make our voice heard demanding climate action from Washington DC on October 24 at the 350.org International Day of Climate Action at the Seattle Center and in West Seattle. 350.org is trying to bring attention to 350 ppm being the safe limit of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.

Please be at the Seattle Center Fountain at 3:00 pm …. there will be booths and information as well as speakers for this event that culminates with a “human 350” aerial group photo from the top of the Space Needle. The participants will form the 3 and 5 and the fountain will become the 0.

Stu Hennessey of Alki Bike and Board will be leading a bike ride over to Seattle Center at 12:30pm. Our participation goal will be to bring at least 350 spokes to the event at the Seattle Center (about 6 bikes worth) or 350 tires (you do the math!).

The ride leaves from Alki Kayak Tours at Seacrest Marina, 1660 Harbor Ave SW, and end up at the 350.org rally against global warming at the Seattle Center International Fountain.

Ride pace will be a moderate 10-15 mph average using more interesting “alternative routes” from West Seattle to the Seattle Center. We’ll be returning at 4:30 pm. Maps will be provided but it is preferred that we ride together. Helmets and lights are required, locks recommended.

Today/tonight: Performing pigs, Duwamish Alive!, more …

The West Seattle Weekend Lineup is stuffed with possibilities for today/tonight. Among them: See Valentine’s Performing Pigs (featured in the above clip produced a few months ago by our partners at seattletimes.com) at High Point Community Center at 10:30 am … Go dig in to help at the semiannual Duwamish Alive! cleanup/restoration event – your choice of sites, 10 am … Go support local artists/craftspeople by shopping the Homemade Brigade at Freshy’s Coffee, all day (starting @ 10) …. Get fed and help others get fed by attending tonight’s White Center Food Bank Harvest Dinner/Auction, 5:30 pm. Lots more here!

West Seattle traffic-alert reminders: Bridge & Beach Drive

First, a reminder about work on The Bridge (eastbound) today and tomorrow, starting at 7 am (detailed here). Second, a schedule update for the paving on Beach Drive between Oregon and Snoqualmie – it will be down to one lane, with a flagger, tomorrow from 7 am till “early afternoon” as crews do the actual paving. Sidewalks will stay open, says SDOT.