West Seattle, Washington
11 Sunday
Late today, work crews were still on site at the West Seattle (Admiral) branch of the Seattle Public Library, but SPL spokesperson Andra Addison assured us the branch is still scheduled to reopen at 10 am Saturday, almost a month after it closed for roof work (with part of the closure coinciding with the weeklong systemwide budget-cut shutdown). Nothing fancy’s planned to mark the reopening – just “smiling faces ready to greet you and glad the library’s open again,” Addison promised. In response to a question we asked on behalf of Forest, whose note reminded us about the reopening – library materials you had on hold through the Southwest Branch during the WS closure will have to be picked up there – they won’t be transferred to Admiral – if you have any question about where to pick something up, just call (contact info for all branches is easy to find from the dropdown at spl.org).
(2nd Sealth touchdown, #24 Devante Meullion, so soon after the start of the 4th quarter we’d barely hit “record” – he scored the Seahawks’ 1st TD too)
9:27 PM: Two varsity football games tonight involving local high schools, and the first final is in: Chief Sealth International High School beat Ingraham HS at home, 12-6. Sealth had made it 12-0 by scoring its second TD just a few seconds into the 4th quarter (video added above); Ingraham scored its only TD with about 7:33 left in that same quarter, and that was the final scoring of the game. (Sealth beat Ingraham last September too.) West Seattle High School is still playing at Nathan Hale (we’re tweeting at @wsblive).
9:51 PM UPDATE: Final score just in from the WSHS game – Hale 56, West Seattle 26. (added 11:30 pm) The Wildcats’ final TD, with seconds left in the game:
That’s Isaiah Johnson, who scored three TD’s for WSHS – the other one happened in a memorable moment in the second quarter, when Isaac Johnson squibbed a punt that went straight up and came straight back down; when the ball hit the ground it bounced backward until it was behind the original line of scrimmage. At that point, it was ruled “live,” and Isaac picked it up and ran for a score.
NEXT: Sealth vs. Cleveland at Memorial Stadium downtown next Friday, 5 pm. WSHS vs. O’Dea at West Seattle Stadium next Friday, 7 pm.
ONE MORE NOTE: The pregame rally and barbecue at Chief Sealth included a 50-year reunion – the Class of 1960!
From Westside Symphonette founder Toni Reineke, as the community orchestra gets ready for its new season – the rehearsal site’s just been finalized, plus there’s even bigger news:
We will be rehearsing at the newly remodeled Chief Sealth High School (2600 S.W. Thistle) this coming Tuesday, Sept. 14. The beginning strings and junior orchestra will rehearse from 5:30-6:30 and the senior/community orchestra from 6:45-8:15. Both groups will meet in the music wing at the west side of the building.
The big news: On Sept. 2, we incorporated and also registered as a nonprofit with the State of Washington. (We do not yet have federal 501(c)(3) status but that’s coming soon.)
The name of this new business entity is “West Seattle Community Orchestras.” This year, we will again operate three orchestras under that umbrella name.
You’ll see that new name on the website – along with more info – here.
First — Longtime WSB sponsor Ventana Construction is about to present its next free monthly “Building a Better Home” workshop for people looking at remodeling or custom homebuilding; they’ll also explain this year’s new EPA lead-paint rules affecting work done on homes built before 1978, as well as energy tax credits. Next Wednesday, 6 pm, at their offices at 5458 California SW – just call 206-932-3009 to RSVP.
Second — We just got word of a workshop the next night – Thursday, Sept. 16, 6-8 pm (with a repeat edition on October 14) – “Ask an Expert: For the Do-It-Yourselfer,” at the West Seattle Tool Library (north side of South Seattle Community College on West Seattle’s Puget Ridge). Read on for the full details on that:Read More
The Junction’s biggest event between West Seattle Summer Fest and the West Seattle Tree Lighting is just nine days away – the West Seattle Junction Car Show (with WSB among the sponsors) on Sunday, September 19th, 8 am-4 pm. As of midweek, more than 100 cars were already registered, according to organizer Michael Hoffman of Liberty Bell Printing, where you can still pre-register an entry for one more week – next Friday’s the pre-registration deadline (you can also mail the form, which you’ll find here). That will guarantee you a spot; day-of registration (with gates opening at 7 am) will be first-come, first-serve, for whatever room’s left. Besides the cars – which will be displayed along closed-for-the-show California SW in The Junction – Michael says you’ll see the Alien Jet Car and at least two hydroplanes (Miss Oberto and the UL-9 Miss Go Army). During the show, there’ll be a raffle and 50/50 drawing, with proceeds benefiting West Seattle Helpline, and they’re still looking for raffle donations – gifts or services – since they’re hoping to beat last year’s total of $1,674 raised for Helpline in the raffle and drawing. Car-show admission, by the way, is free.
Biggest events of the weekend include Alki Family Fun Day (dog parade! kids’ talent show! bluegrass! authors!) on Sunday at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza, Delridge Night Market on Saturday, Holy Family’s Community Street Fair Saturday and Sunday, Fauntleroy’s big sale on Saturday-Sunday plus 1 Green Planet recycling on Sunday, and it’s the final weekend of the year (already?) for Colman Pool at Lincoln Park; the annual Holy Rosary Golf Tournament is Saturday … and lots more … 50+ West Seattle (etc.) events/activities! Just click ahead for this week’s West Seattle Weekend Lineup, brought to you by Skylark Café and Club (with weekend delights including brunch both days, live music both nights)!Read More
Quite the story behind a brief lockdown this past hour at Holy Family School (WSB sponsor) on Roxbury. WSB scanner ace Katie tipped us to the lockdown report, linked to a call about someone reportedly seen with a rifle. It was already ending as we arrived, and here’s what we found out from Holy Family principal Frank Cantwell and staff: A nearby resident was loading a pellet gun to try to get rid of a rat. The resident somehow managed to do this in full view of second-graders who were outside and who subsequently told their teacher they’d better call the police because they saw a man with a gun. Police responded and figured out what was going on pretty quick, but gave the kids major props for their instincts – better to call when you think there’s trouble, than to hesitate. So it’s all over now, no one hurt, all’s well. (By the way, Holy Family is getting ready for its second annual Community Street Fair – both days this weekend; lots of info here.)
One of West Seattle’s newest residents will have quite the story to tell when she grows up! She’s the 7-pound, 15.7-ounce newborn daughter of Kelly Faherty and husband Mike – born at 3:30 yesterday afternoon in the parking area of the Swedish Medical Clinic at 3400 California SW. No, they don’t routinely deliver babies there, but this is Kelly and Mike’s second child, and their new daughter just wasn’t going to wait long enough for a trip to the hospital downtown. Swedish’s Ed Boyle got permission to share that much with us; we also checked in with the Seattle Fire Department, since firefighters responded too. SFD’s Dana Vander Houwen says one of the firefighters who responded (Engine 29 and Medic 32 were sent out) told her that a clinic doctor came out and delivered the baby on a gurney in the parking area, with firefighter and firefighter/paramedic help! From there, mom and baby were taken to Swedish Medical Center on First Hill, and by all accounts are doing well.
ORIGINAL 9:54 AM REPORT: City crews are in The Junction right now, cleaning up a mess that started when a delivery truck took at least one big branch off a tree by Easy Street Records and West Seattle Optix – the branch, in turn, took out part of Easy Street’s famous neon sign (the north part; we’ll add another photo in a bit). No injuries reported – Easy Street staff tells us it was during breakfast early this morning, when they suddenly heard the loud crashing sound of the branch hitting the awning. There was some concern the branch loss may lead to the whole tree having to be taken down; city staff on the scene tells WSB that decision has to be made by someone else who will come out to evaluate it.
11:59 AM UPDATE: Added our photo of the neon – not too much was lost, as you can see. We also went back to check on the tree – no crews in sight and cars are being allowed to park by it, so we have to conclude that so far it’s not considered to be a safety hazard. Will keep checking.
2:56 PM NOTE: Via Twitter, Easy Street proprietor Matt Vaughan says the timing was unfortunate – it was just yesterday, he messaged, that Western Neon fixed the damage from last time a truck caused trouble with the sign.
Less than a year after its gala grand opening, the Hooters that described its location as South Park – though it was more like almost-Boulevard-Park – has closed, blaming the South Park Bridge shutdown. An e-mail tip from Bob sent us over this morning for a look; first we noted the casino doors had signs announcing gaming had been suspended more than two months ago, but then, we found what looks like a new note on the restaurant door: “”We Have Moved The Party … to Lake Union, Renton, Tacoma. Due to the economic stresses caused by the South Park Bridge Closure, we have been forced to close our doors. Thank you for all your business.” We have messages out to see if we can find out more; not sure exactly when the closure notice went up, but we have searched exhaustively and it does not appear to have been reported anywhere else. We did notice, while searching, that last month, the location became a side note to a bit of controversy involving a regular stunt-motorcycle promotion and a state trooper.
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: It’s a furlough day for staffers at community centers and pools including Southwest Pool … After nonconference games last weekend, the varsity football teams for Chief Sealth International and West Seattle High Schools are both in action tonight – Sealth hosts Ingraham, WSHS visits Nathan Hale, both at 7 pm … The White Center Community Development Association celebrates at its annual fundraising dinner and auction tonight, South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center, 6 pm … “reasons to be pretty” continues its first week at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm … Also in The Junction, the Discovery Shop, which raises money for the American Cancer Society, is having a “half off everything in the store” sale through Sunday … More on the calendar!
ORIGINAL 2:13 AM REPORT: They played their hearts out for hundreds of people during Tuesday’s ribboncutting/reopening celebration – and now, the Chief Sealth International High School Band has a request – a couch for the band room. (Maybe two!) We shared that request before the end of last school year, but according to band member Syd Sattler, who e-mailed WSB this week, they couldn’t take immediate possession of the ones offered to them then, so it didn’t work out. Now they’re ready to accept one (or two!) – e-mail sydy68@gmail.com if you can help. Syd explains, “The purpose for our band couch is not only to have a comfortable place to sit and rest before and after performances but also to build (camaraderie) between bandmates … We are looking for a large couch, any color, any fabric will suffice.”
ADDED 9:43 AM: Another band need we learned about this morning – director Marcus Pimpleton says that four students have no instruments, so he’s asking for donations – either old instruments they can play, or money to sponsor instrument rental for one or more of the kids for the whole school year ($20-$80/month, he says). They especially need trombones for two students, and saxophones – he notes, “The two students we have play baritone sax, but we could switch them to a tenor or alto if those were to become available.” E-mail him at mjpimpleton@seattleschools.org if you can help!
ORIGINAL 1:44 AM REPORT: Just before the long holiday weekend, we reported on the city Hearing Examiner‘s decisions regarding the “upzoning” proposed for a block-plus stretch of California SW south of the Admiral District: Examiner Sue Tanner recommends the City Council approve the proposal to change the zoning from NC1-30 to NC2-40, meaning larger commercial spaces and taller buildings allowed. She also ruled against a community activist’s appeal of the city’s determination that the zoning change would be environmentally “nonsignificant.” We received the decisions via postal mail; we immediately requested electronic copies – and they’ve finally arrived in e-mail, so we have uploaded them to our site for you to read in their entirety if you’re interested: The decision recommending City Council approval of the rezone is here; the decision affirming the “determination of (environmental) nonsignificance” – denying community activist Dennis Ross‘s appeal – is here. As noted in our story a week ago, September 16th is the deadline for people “substantially affected” by the rezone approval recommendation to appeal; we are checking to see if the council’s Built Environment committee has a date yet for its vote on the rezone proposal.
ADDED 9:36 AM: Just talked with Michael Jenkins from the council’s Central Staff. He says the council has 90 days to get the proposal before the committee – and it’s not likely to happen any time soon, since the council will be busy with the budget for the next few months. If the Hearing Examiner’s recommendation is appealed, he says – noting that a few people have inquired about that process, though no formal appeal has come in yet – that ups the time line to 120 days. He has one other note: By law, council members cannot be contacted directly about matters like this; if you want to find out how to comment, or have other questions about the process, Jenkins says he’d be happy to help – e-mail him at michael.jenkins@seattle.gov.
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