West Seattle, Washington
15 Sunday
“Stella and her pumpkin from Tony’s,” is how Justin captioned that before sending it in, as our pumpkin-photo-share-a-thon continues. (By the way, we asked Tony’s last weekend about the impending seasonal break – they told us they’ll be closing after Halloween, till reopening for Christmas trees.) Then we have Andrew‘s pumpkin, which looks a little spooked:
With a classic literature theme, the Mahrt family pumpkins – they note they have a child who’s dressing up as “Thing One” this year:
“The Nightmare Before Christmas” spawned Kimi‘s pumpkin:
Share yours – here’s how.
David Hutchinson shares that photo – taken from a distance with a telephoto lens, mind you – of a pup who turned out to be quite the success story. Read all about it on the Seal Sitters‘ “blubberblog.”
At Chief Sealth International High School today, Ugandan visitor James Okullu taught a lesson you just can’t get from a book. He and Robert Anywar visited the school today as part of Invisible Children, a nonprofit that has worked for peace in Uganda and education for the children who for years had been kidnapped and forced to fight. James is 19 and recently graduated from Anaka Secondary School, still a rare feat; he spoke to hundreds of Sealth students during the day at an assembly, but also delivered a more personal message to Leeann Olson‘s second-period class:
They also talked with the class, studying world affairs, about the root of the long-running war, and how northern Uganda has become more peaceful. Today’s visit came in conjunction with Sealth launching a club as part of Invisible Children’s Schools for Schools campaign, raising money to rebuild schools damaged or destroyed in the Ugandan war – including the one from which James graduated.
From our partners at the Seattle Times: Mayor McGinn’s staff has proposed a list of seven sites under consideration for a permanent homeless encampment. The two sites are described as 35th and Edmunds (map), in the Camp Long vicinity, and the Delridge substation site at 5601 SW 23rd (map). West Seattle has of course been the site of homeless encampments both large – Nickelsville – and small – informal encampments repeatedly cleared in a multitude of areas, including Camp Long. The list of proposed sites was given to a citizens’ panel for review; the encampment would be 100-150 people. The citizens’ panel was formed back in August; here’s who’s in the group. More to come…
WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE: We don’t have the document listing the exact sites yet but we do have two documents, thanks to the mayor’s office’s response to our request, including this one outlining what the encampment recommendations are all about. Once we have yet more information, hopefully later in the day, we’ll have a separate followup.
By the measure of Mural Apartments (WSB sponsor) and Fresh Bistro (on Mural’s street level), that’s the biggest pumpkin in West Seattle (imported from the champion-pumpkin-growing grounds of Puyallup) – more than 400 pounds. Instead of turning it into West Seattle’s biggest jack-o-lantern, they’re turning it into a tourist attraction for the Trick-or-Treat in The Junction event this Saturday. 1-3 pm, you can get a pro photo taken with the pumpkin (first 50 participants are free), and enjoy treats beyond candy – hot mulled cider, mini caramel apples, pumpkin soup, and Spooky Savory Snacks. And even before you join in Saturday’s Giant Pumpkin Celebration, you’re invited to visit Fresh Bistro‘s Facebook page and suggest a name for the super-size squash.
(October 12 photo courtesy Jon)
After the stuck-truck incident shown above closed a West Seattle road for hours, some suggested it’s time for signage warning drivers well in advance, since this wasn’t the first such incident along some of the tight turns in eastern West Seattle. Michelle took the concerns to the city and shares the reply she received from SDOT‘s Christopher Eaves.
Thank you for writing and expressing your concerns about the freight vehicle that recently became stuck on 16th Avenue SW. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) shares your concerns about this roadway and the desire to avoid a repeat of this event.
Freight vehicles normally remain on large arterials and established delivery routes, and signage exists at major intersections to direct unfamiliar drivers to the preferred routes. SDOT works to place the smallest number of signs or restrictions on the roadway to keep maintenance costs down and to provide the greatest network flexibility. During normal daily operation, the minimal arterial signage is appropriate.
However, in circumstances where primary routes are not available, drivers will attempt to locate alternate routes. Some locations, such as the turn on 16th Avenue SW, cannot reasonably support the largest types of freight vehicles, and additional steps should be taken to alert drivers to the roadway conditions.
Full truck restrictions are not possible at this location since the South Seattle Community College Campus is located on 16th Avenue SW, but it is important to provide drivers with the proper information to choose the best route for their needs. To this end, SDOT has dispatched crews to review both the Delridge Way SW/23rd Ave SW intersection and the 16th Ave SW/ Delmar Way SW intersection to determine the best locations for additional Truck Route and limitation signs to provide the best guidance for freight vehicles.
(Knit cactus sold by BriAnna at last year’s Southwest CC holiday bazaar)
Two more holiday bazaars are now putting out the call for vendors: First, Southwest Community Center‘s bazaar is set for 10 am-4 pm on Saturday, November 13th. Table space is $15 if you sign up in advance; call 206-684-7438. Second, a holiday bazaar is planned for November 27th at the Highland Park Improvement Club. The table/booth fee for this one is $20; save a spot by e-mailing Tiffany at highlandparksundaymarket@gmail.com. (As for planning your shopping – we’re adding the bazaar dates to the WSB West Seattle Events calendar page as we get them.)
FIRST REPORT, 11:02 AM: Getting multiple notes about a helicopter over the Schmitz Park/Genesee Hill area. Checking right now.
11:16 AM UPDATE: It was definitely Guardian One, the King County Sheriff’s Office helicopter that assists with other agencies when needed/available, but KCSO spokesperson Sgt. John Urquhart says it’s NOT an active crime scene: He says it was looking for a car involved in an “earlier incident in Burien.”
They’re the unsung heroes who make our community the wonderful place it is – and now it’s time to sing their praises. Twice a year, WSB teams up with the Southwest District Council and Delridge Neighborhoods District Council to present the West Seattle Volunteer Recognition Awards. The nomination period for the next round opened today and will continue through November 15. There are four categories: 3 individual volunteers in community, environment, or youth work; the fourth is a group award; winners will be honored December 5th during the Hometown Holidays festivities in The Junction. Here’s the quick ‘n’ easy form you can use:
(If for any reason that form didn’t work for you, you can go here to send a nomination. Keep in mind that the judging – which is done by volunteers from the two district councils – is based entirely on what’s written in the nomination, so be sure you fully represent the activities/attributes that make your nominee so terrific! (And if you’ve nominated someone in the past who hasn’t won, you’re welcome to nominate them again!)
Thanks to Cheryl for catching the Monday rainbow on camera, mixed with a bit of fall colors. By this morning, the windiest and rainiest weather of this storm system is supposed to be behind us, but it’ll still be showery and breezy for much of the day, according to the current outlook. (If this first bout of semi-storminess has put you in the mood to make sure you’re ready for whatever the winter will bring, check out the info on the Take Winter By Storm site.)
(L-R: SW Precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen and Blockwatch Captains Network leaders Deb Greer, Deanie Schwarz, Karen Berge at Oct. 14th awards ceremony)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: 2 weeks after receiving a Community Builder Award from the Seattle Neighborhood Group, the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network meets again – Community Police Team Officer Jon Kiehn will be the guest; agenda highlights here. Check WSBCN out on Facebook here, on the Web here, and at the Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster) at 6:30 pm … Toddler Open Gym is a new Tuesday morning feature (9 am-11 am) at Limber Yoga in The Junction … Classic-film fan? Merrill Gardens at West Seattle (WSB sponsor; 4611 35th SW) screens “The Maltese Falcon” in the on-site theater at 1 pm, free … Sweet Pea Cottage Preschool for the Arts has its grand-opening celebration tonight, as previewed here last weekend, 5:30-7 pm at the new WSUU church (7141 California SW) … Still Life Painting at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm, bring your own materials, all skill levels welcome … Rock trivia at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) has a bonus tonight (the calendar explains) … Want to tell the City Council something in person regarding the city budget? Tonight’s your last chance – the public hearing’s at City Hall downtown, 5:30 pm (signups at 5) … And even more, on the calendar!
Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Maria Goodloe Johnson brought her “community coffee” conversation tour to West Seattle Elementary School Monday night. The number of community members who attended was almost matched by the number of district staffers on hand, but those who came brought up some challenging issues – primarily class size and closed schools. Most of the discussion centered on elementary-level class sizes; if classes hold 28 or more, Dr. Goodloe-Johnson said, it’s up to the school’s principal to work with teachers and find solutions. School population in general is an issue as well; crowded elementary schools in West Seattle were mentioned, particularly Schmitz Park Elementary, which is now over 400 students – some parents asked when the district would open closed schools to relieve some of the crowding. The superintendent said her staff is currently reviewing the latest enrollment numbers (keep in mind, this is the first year of the new Student Assignment Plan). While schools have been reopened in other parts of the city, Dr. Goodloe-Johnson didn’t commit to doing that in West Seattle (which currently has two closed and not-in-use elementary buildings, Fairmount Park and Genesee Hill). Other topics included the school levy that’s on next week’s ballot and the district’s response to criticisms contained in a state-conducted audit (she noted they’re addressed on the district website). The superintendent has two more “coffee chats” elsewhere in the city (full list here), but if you want to discuss West Seattle SPS issues sooner, local school board rep Steve Sundquist has his next community chat 11 am Wednesday at Delridge Library.
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