day : 13/07/2010 14 results

From Alki photographer David Hutchinson – Venus, the crescent moon, and the Olympics, on what might be the last crystal-clear night for a while.

West Seattle Crime Watch: That midday search, and more

After several notes scattered over the course of the afternoon/evening, we finally have information on the big police presence that several people noticed in Highland Park and south White Center at midday today: Southwest Precinct Lt. Ron Smith tells us tonight that it started with a report of a “domestic-violence disturbance” in the parking lot of Walgreens at 15th/16th/Roxbury. The suspect, a man in his late 20s, ran; he eventually was found hiding in bushes two blocks away, but matters were complicated by the fact the victim was uncooperative, says Lt. Smith, and tried to keep officers from finding the suspect. Once he was found, he was booked into King County Jail in connection with an outstanding warrant. Also tonight, two reader reports – a stolen car, and a car prowl – read on:Read More

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West Seattle scene: Farewell to a Fauntleroy fixture

July 13, 2010 10:25 pm

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| Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

(From left, Jack Block, Vicki Schmitz-Block, David Haggerty, Dicki Crumm)
Before tonight’s Fauntleroy Community Association board meeting (toplines in a separate report), FCA board members and friends had a special mission down the hill at Endolyne Joe’s – paying tribute to Dicki Crumm, who’s been Joe’s general manager since it opened in 2003. Dicki’s leaving Joe’s, “to take some time away from the business.” FCA president Bruce Butterfield (not pictured) presented her with a certificate of appreciation and carried the tribute on to the start of the board meeting, reminiscing about Dicki’s community involvement and how much it’s meant to FCA over the years. (Wednesday morning P.S.: The certificate actually proclaims Dicki an honorary Fauntleroy resident, “with all the privileges and responsibilities pertaining thereto”!)

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North Delridge Neighborhood Council: New name needed?

July 13, 2010 7:48 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Delridge | West Seattle news

Communication issues – from names to outreach to online presence – are among the toplines from Monday night’s North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting: Read More

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Happening now: Admiral Way ‘rechannelization’ open house

July 13, 2010 6:10 pm

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| Transportation | West Seattle news

In a basement meeting room at the West Seattle (Admiral) Library, it’s about as low-key as public meetings get – several SDOT employees are here at two tables with simple drawings of Admiral Way as it will look if the new “rechannelization” proposal is approved – you can see those drawings here. (If you’re missing this meeting, SDOT says another open house is likely.) There’s some spirited discussion under way as well as basic Q/A – one man is challenging an SDOT employee about why bicycles should get what he considers a lot of accommodation, resulting in what he expects will be a lot of motorized-vehicle congestion.

This plan does include bike lanes uphill and downhill, and after staring at the drawings, it’s easier to summarize what’s being proposed: For vehicles, on the “downhill” side, Admiral Way would be one lane, with the outside southeastbound lane becoming a required right turn onto SW Olga before it ends; then, a right-turn-only lane returns most of the way down the hill, channeling people to the under-bridge connector to SW Avalon Way (which WILL remain open). There is a “buffered” bike lane in both directions, downhill and uphill; the uphill bike lane is separated from vehicle traffic not only by that buffer, but also by a parking lane (for the top half of the uphill section – some parking is being removed south of City View). Vehicles have two lanes uphill. Another key point: With traffic narrowed from the current four lanes, SDOT is proposing restoring the crosswalk at SW City View (map) that was removed in 2007. No signals, though.

Cost? An estimated $75,000. How much time to restripe? About a week. Decision? Not till public comments are received, which is part of what’s going on here tonight (you can fill out a hard-copy survey), as well as via e-mail or phone (walkandbike@seattle.gov or 206-684-7583). The plan also is on the agenda at the Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, starting less than a mile away at Admiral Congregational Church, right when this one ends, at 7 pm. ADDED EARLY WEDNESDAY: Notes from that discussion, ahead:Read More

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Mayor unveiling ‘Nightlife Initiative’ tonight – read it now

July 13, 2010 5:15 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Tonight, Mayor McGinn will officially announce what’s being called the Seattle Nightlife Initiative. According to advance word from the mayor’s office, it has eight key points:

1. Code compliance enforcement
2. Flexible liquor service hours
3. Noise ordinance enforcement
4. Security training requirements
5. Precinct community outreach
6. Professional development
7. Late-night transportation alternatives
8. Targeting public nuisances

In advance of the announcement, the mayor’s office has put the details online – read them here. And the city plans to take comments through mid-September, including via an online survey you can access here.

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Tuesday notes: Highland Park Market; Locol; truck test; Red Cross

July 13, 2010 5:05 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

HIGHLAND PARK SUNDAY MARKET: That’s where we found Jolie Blue with comfrey and herbal creations last Sunday. Got word this afternoon from organizer Tiffany Brace-Silver that she’s canceling this Sunday’s edition because many vendors will be at White Center Jubilee Days. And when it resumes on Sunday, July 25, the hours will be 11 am-3 pm. More vendors welcome, says Tiffany – e-mail her at highlandparksundaymarket@gmail.com.

LOCOL UPDATE: In a comment on Monday’s biznotes, Sage wondered what’s up with Locol, the future wine/beer bar in Sunrise Heights. We checked with Locol’s Kyle Duce, who responded to us and also updated the Locol page on Facebook. Their project is more complicated than some because it’s a “change of use” – as was Spring Hill in The Junction, which you may recall took a year and a half – and they’re now looking at “late summer/early fall.”

FOOD TRUCK HEADS-UP: If you’re at Don Armeni this Friday night, you will see the new burger truck Buns on Wheels. They asked us to let you know that it will NOT actually be open – they’re taking photos as part of a “friends-and-family” soft-open event. There was a momentary stir last night when a citywide website said the truck would be giving away food to anyone who RSVP’d – we even had that link in the WSB Forums for a short time – but Buns on Wheels says not so.

RED CROSS BOARD MEMBERS: Congratulations to West Seattle residents Colleen Murphy and Angelynn Talcott, who are among 10 new board members for the American Red Cross chapter that serves King and Kitsap Counties, according to an announcement we received today – and Deborah Haug, also a West Seattleite, is the new chair of the board, after eight years as a member.

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Sale process beginning for West Seattle’s historic Fire Station 37

July 13, 2010 2:43 pm

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| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

That video’s from a tour of West Seattle’s historic Fire Station 37, part of a WSB story first published last February. We’re bringing it out again because word just arrived via e-mail that the process of selling the city-landmark facility has begun – as its replacement a few blocks south gets closer to completion. According to the informational note from the city, it’s a 5,300-square-foot building on a 9,400-square foot lot:

(February 2010 photo by Nicholas Trost)

* Fire Station No. 37 was constructed in the 1930’s and designated a landmark January 2005.
* The architectural style is considered Mission / Colonial Revival with Neo-Classical elements.
* Reuse of the building would need to comply with DPD requirements, L-1 zoning and preservation controls
* The disposition process may take in excess of eighteen months to complete
* Value of the property has not yet been determined but will be based on an independent appraisal.

The county assessor put the value at $295,000 most recently, the note says. First word of the impending sale process is going out to neighbors as well as those who’ve expressed interest before, and the city is asking for comments before making a recommendation to the City Council regarding the building’s future:

Comments are requested by August 13, 2010. You may write or send a fax with your comments to the Fleets and Facilities Department, Attn: Louis Webster, PO Box 94689, Seattle, WA 98124-4689; FAX number (206) 684-0525. You may call and speak with Louis Webster at (206) 684-0357, or reach him by e-mail at the following: Louis.Webster@seattle.gov.

You can also see the official flyer here.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Catalytic-converter thieves at it again

July 13, 2010 2:11 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

If you see somebody under a car/truck – that might not be roadside repairs – read A’s report, after the jump:Read More

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West Seattle scene: Lowman Beach, during the year’s last -3 tide

July 13, 2010 1:48 pm

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| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

That’s the view southwest to Vashon Island, from Lowman Beach about an hour ago, during the last -3 tide of the year – not quite as low as yesterday, but low enough to expose a wide stretch of this rocky beach just north of Lincoln Park. As this cool state infopage reminds us, please take care while you’re out at low tide – leave the beach the way you found it. (Maybe even bring a small bag for trash; we encountered a plastic bottle and tennis ball that are now both in the shoreside trash container, rather than awaiting high tide to carry them to the mid-Pacific garbage patch.)

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Westside School about to start moving into its new home

July 13, 2010 12:37 pm

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| Sunrise Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Three and a half months after first word that Westside School had found a new home – leasing the former EC Hughes Elementary in Sunrise Heights from Seattle Public Schools – the sprucing-up is heating up, and some major moving is ahead this week. Westside’s David Bergler shares the above photo with this update:

Westside School parents and staff have been busy preparing to move to the new campus located in the former E.C. Hughes building on 34th Ave SW. The inside of the building is getting painted and polished, the playground is being upgraded and the landscaping is receiving the “spa” treatment. A real community effort is afoot with parents taking on a variety of tasks. Recently a crew of parent volunteers began work on the front gardens of the school. All of the upgrades should be completed by Labor Day. Westside School administrative offices are being moved on the 14th of July and the full campus move is planned for the first week of August

Westside had been headquartered on Highline Public Schools property just west of the West Seattle line; as noted here last month, the school with which it had shared that site, Explorer West Middle School, is planning to sublease the now-empty space so it has room to grow.

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Need repair help, can’t afford it? Try Rebuilding Together Seattle

July 13, 2010 11:26 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news

That photo is from a sunny day in April, when volunteers from Rebuilding Together Seattle swarmed an Admiral District home to provide its owner with much-needed but unaffordable repairs. That’s what RTS does. And it’s putting out this call to see if anyone else in West Seattle could use their help:

Rebuilding Together Seattle, a nonprofit organization, is currently accepting applications from homeowners in need. Rebuilding Together Seattle (RTS) provides donated repair services for low-income homeowners, through the support of sponsors and community volunteers.

To qualify for the program, homeowners must be low-income and unable to complete the work independently. We assist those who are elderly, disabled, veterans, and/or families with children. RTS also assists non-profit or community organizations in need of facility repairs.

RTS is connecting with health facilities, government agencies, shelters, senior centers, and community centers to inform others about our program. RTS is need of community leaders to share the word about our program to those in need, with a goal to assist more clients each year.

RTS recently began a Veterans Program, in an effort to bring veteran community members together to help low-income veteran homeowners and their families. RTS also launched an Annual Repair Program that will focus on helping qualified homeowners with quick safety fixes around the house. These fixes include installing grab bars, handrails, skid strips, and updating to energy efficient light bulbs.

Interested parties can call our office to request an application, or view and print our application online at: www.rtseattle.org/forms.php. For more information, check out our blog at rebuildingtogetherseattle.blogspot.com!

You can also call 206-682-1231 or e-mail info@rtseattle.org.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Admiral Way changes; councils; concert …

July 13, 2010 6:43 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Hummingbird photographed Saturday night by Mark on Marine View Drive)
Highlights today/tonight: Just one week ago, SDOT announced it’s proposing rechannelization – also known as a “road diet” – for the stretch of Admiral Way between The Bridge and the viewpoint. Tonight, your chance to find out more about it, and tell SDOT what you think about the idea, comes with an open house at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 5-7 pm. Immediately afterward, it’s the monthly Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, 7 pm, Admiral UCC Church. Two other neighborhood groups meet tonight: Junction Neighborhood Organization, 6:30 pm at Ginomai (42nd/Genesee), has Real Change vending and Triangle planning on its agenda (here’s our Monday preview), and the Fauntleroy Community Association has issues to discuss including its ongoing concerns about RapidRide, 7 pm at the schoolhouse. Also tonight:

CONCERT AT ALKI PLAYFIELD: First of 3 free Alki outdoor concerts in the next month and a half. Anzanga Marimba Ensemble, 6 pm. Bring nonperishable food as a food-bank donation.

WONDER OF WELLNESS HEALTH FAIR: Hosted by Merrill Gardens at West Seattle (WSB sponsor) 4611 35th Ave. SW, 3-6 pm, including food and freebies.

‘A DRINK FOR THE KIDS’ AT WEST 5: This traveling benefit for the Vera Project youth-arts venue stops at West Seattle’s West 5 tonight.

BLOOD DRIVE WITH REWARDS – besides the life-saving satisfaction: Check out the Pint for Pint Blood Drive & Spaghetti Dinner that the White Center Eagles are hosting this afternoon/evening, 2-7 pm (more info here)

VOTE FOR WEST SEATTLE’S MISS SEAFAIR REP: The year after each West Seattle Hi-Yu Queen serves, she represents WS in the Miss Seafair program. This year, that rep is Margo Femiano, and you’re invited to join in a unique part of the program tonight: The candidates’ Community Service and Creative Expression presentations are happening 6:30 pm-8:30 pm at the Museum of Flight, and it’s a $1-per-vote fundraiser (explained here).

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Race for the 34th: Candidate conversation – Joe Fitzgibbon

July 13, 2010 5:40 am

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| 34th District State House 2 | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(EDITOR’S NOTE: With two weeks till ballots are mailed for the August 17th primary, we’re taking a closer look daily at the candidates in two contested local races. This week, we are bringing you stories about WSB conversations with the four contenders for 34th District State House, Position 2. We begin with Joe Fitzgibbon.)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Joe Fitzgibbon is running for the State House of Representatives seat that his recent boss, Rep. Sharon Nelson, is leaving to seek a State Senate spot, and he has her endorsement.

Sound like a shoo-in? Nope. This year, for the first time in 18 years, the 34th District (map) has an open seat and a spirited race, with Fitzgibbon running against two other Democrats – one of whom has the official party nomination and district endorsement – plus an Independent.

So what’s Fitzgibbon, a 23-year-old Burien resident, doing to set himself apart in the race to succeed Rep. Nelson in State House Position 2?

First, as we sat down in a White Center coffee shop to talk for an hour (the same time we allotted each candidate conversation), we asked what he had been up to earlier that day.

Another media interview, a news release about endorsements, and the “daily grind of doorbelling and taking phone calls,” Fitzgibbon replied. As of this past weekend, when we talked with him at West Seattle Summer Fest (photo below), he estimated he had knocked on about 5,000 doors – more than half the 9,000 he hopes to hit before the August 17 primary.

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