Lafayette Elementary playground construction this summer
When West Seattle’s most populous elementary school begins the 2011-2012 year, the projected 550+ students will have an upgraded playground. Tonight the Lafayette Elementary Playground Committee laid out the plan for how the project will unfold this summer: After the last day of school on June 22nd, fences will go up around the construction site on the playground. Then the first of two volunteer work parties is planned, June 25-26, to remove the existing playground bark (which will be saved for future use). Sometime after the 4th of July, a Seattle Public Schools crew will go in and tear out what’s there now, and prep the area for construction – the job hasn’t gone out to bid yet, so that part of the schedule isn’t finalized. Once that phase of the work is done, the “big toy” (above) that was chosen in a vote involving the entire school community (including the students) will be built on August 27-28.
The Playground Committee needs volunteer help for both those work parties – if you have a student at Lafayette, look for the brightly colored flyer with a form you can return to the project’s mail slot at the school office. Or, anyone and everyone interested in volunteering is welcome to e-mail Holly at rhgrambihler@msn.com.
Intercontinental bicycle rider makes a stop in West Seattle
A bicyclist on the ride of a lifetime made a stopover in West Seattle this week. Glen Boyd shares the story of playing host to Juan Tuñon Martinez – photographed Monday morning in Glen’s Admiral District backyard – who is from Spain and currently bicycling to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, on a journey that began at the southern tip of Argentina in November 2009. Glen says, “He has many stories, including being woken up at 3 AM on the beach during the Chilean earthquake just in time to run to higher ground before his bike and all his gear got swept out to sea.” Juan’s story can be followed on his website, panamerikana.org (if you don’t read Spanish, we recommend Google Translator), where he explains that he lost his job in 2009 and started planning this journey. So how did Juan wind up staying at Glen’s house? we asked. Glen says a friend of his met Juan at a Northern California campground last month and called to ask if they could host him during his Seattle stop: “Of course! was our reply, because we were treated with great generosity on our own international long-distance travel experiences and wanted to give back.” According to Glen, Juan is hoping to bike home via Asia after he makes it to Alaska, but is looking for a bicycle company or group to sponsor him. (P.S. For bicyclists wondering about his gear – we found this.)
West Seattle Crime Prevention Council, report #1: Burglaries down
First of two reports from tonight’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting at the Southwest Precinct: The burglary “spike” reported last month by Capt. Steve Paulsen is over, according to operations Lt. Pierre Davis. He presented one specific statistic as evidence: The second full week in April, this area had 23 burglaries. Second full week in May, there were five. (We doublechecked the online police-reports map, which shows even fewer, if you configure it for 5/8-5/14.) Lt. Davis attributes the drop to more arrests: “We went out and corralled a bunch of our bad guys – we really knocked ’em dead.” But don’t let your guard down, he said (and while he didn’t mention them specifically, yesterday’s Arbor Heights incidents underscored that) – keep an eye out in your neighborhood, particularly as vacation season kicks in next month and more people are away, and when you see someone or something, get as much descriptive information as you can – car descriptions, suspect descriptions.
Speaking of keeping an eye out, Karen Berge from the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network announced at meeting’s end that their next meeting is next Tuesday, 6:30 pm, also at SW Precinct. Coming up later: Current drug-abuse trends, from tonight’s guest speaker, a regional expert who spoke to the group 2 1/2 years ago (WSB coverage here).
Happening now: Fauntleroy Fall Festival fundraiser @ Endolyne Joe’s
From left, Fauntleroy Church pastor Rev. David Kratz, Kim Petram, and Phil Sweetland are among the Fauntleroy community supporters we found at Endolyne Joe’s in the early going of tonight’s dine-out fundraiser: Eat at Joe’s (as its famous sign exhorts) before midnight, and half the proceeds go to the Fauntleroy Fall Festival (set for October 16th this year). This is a major fundraiser for the festival, which has grown each year but is still free – and FFF organizers want to keep it that way. The pastor’s in shades and holding a mike because he’s emceeing tonight, by the way – and the basket? Part of a raffle (2 tickets for $5). Endolyne Joe’s is at 9261 45th SW, a few blocks southeast of the Fauntleroy ferry terminal.
Highway 99 squeeze: Metro bus, Water Taxi trends so far
On this day 2 of lane-reduced Highway 99 north of the West Seattle Bridge, we’re hearing some stories about bigger crowds on buses and the West Seattle Water Taxi, so we asked King County Department of Transportation what they’re seeing. With the caveat: “Right now, most of our information is based on field observations. We won’t have actual ridership data until later, and then it will be more of a sampling,” KCDOT’s Linda Thielke nonetheless offers this information:
* We are already seeing ups-and-downs with traffic, ridership and travel times based on time of day, location, route…so, we’ll need to give it a few weeks to measure impact of the lane reductions;
* We have some extra buses on standby in case the buses get so packed that they have to pass up passengers. The extra buses were not used on Monday, but we did have to use two Tuesday morning on one trip each of the routes 120 and 125;
* We know there are many bus trips with standing loads, and are assigning someone to start monitoring those both in the morning and afternoon commute;
* So far, with two AM and one PM commute completed, the worst choke point is the Columbia ramp and approach during the afternoon commute, particularly after 5 p.m. SPD is assisting Metro by placing a traffic officer at 2nd & Columbia to help WB buses get on the ramp. Cars going from SB Second to WB Columbia are not stopping on the red light, and just continuing to stream through the intersection. That blocks the traffic coming downhill on Columbia, which backs up buses turning right from Third to Columbia (most of the West Seattle service does this). So, we really want to stay on top of that problem.
* We are also asking SPD & WSP to monitor to the bus-only lanes on the West Seattle Bridge and NB SR 99 for cheaters, so that the buses can keep moving.
As for the Water Taxi, Thielke says it’s also too early for numbers there but the crew has noticed a “significant” bump – estimating 25 to 40 percent above previous levels, at least through this morning.
Cigar lounges? West Seattle’s state senator voices concern
Potentially of interest, since there’s at least one tobacco shop open in West Seattle and one on the way – a bill allowing such establishments to apply for cigar-lounge licenses is halfway through the State Legislature. Sen. Sharon Nelson (D-34th District), who represents an area including West Seattle/White Center, is upset about SB 5542, according to a news release we received – read on:Read More
West Seattle businesses: Moxie announces its WS store will close
Thanks to Pete for sharing the e-mail sent today by Moxie Papergoods and Gifts, which will close its West Seattle store (3916 California SW) this weekend:
It’s always sad to say adieu, but this chapter in our lives has come to an end. After five great years, we will be closing our doors at our West Seattle store on May 21st.
We’d like to give you some time to soak it in and offer you some pretty special store discounts (to make the impact a little softer). You’ve been some of the best customers a store can even ask for and for three days, Thursday, May 19th – Saturday, May 21st we’re giving you *30% off EVERYTHING in the West Seattle store.
Don’t be sad for us, because a new chapter is just around the corner! You can still come visit us in our Bellevue Square store. We also will be focusing on a brand new and UPDATED website due to come out in late June. We’re super excited for this new launch and hope you will be too…
Thank you for loving and believing in us and making the past five years in West Seattle such a wonderful experience!
Yours Truly,
Jodie and Kimberly
West Seattle history: SS Dix wreckage found off Alki Point?
(Photo courtesy Scott Boyd/OceanGate, used with permission)
A low-tide day like today makes you wonder what lies deep beneath Puget Sound. Perfect time for news of a recent discovery: A local team of underwater explorers thinks it’s found the wreckage of the SS Dix off Alki Point. They’ve written extensively about it here; hat tip to the Log House Museum for sharing the link, which we also had received but hadn’t yet followed up on. Historians say the sinking of the Dix more than a century ago – after it collided with another steamship – is the worst maritime disaster in local history, killing 39 people; HistoryLink.org tells the story here. You can see more of the current exploration’s photos here.
CoHo Team: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor
(From left, Cara Mohammadian, Jessica Lynn, Peter Wolf, Tonya Hennen, Tara Wickham)
Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, The CoHo Team of Windermere Agents. Here’s what they would like you to know: As Realtors®, the CoHo Team members are part of the Windermere Real Estate office in The Junction, where they are full-service Brokers serving West Seattle and the greater Seattle metro area. Whether you’re buying or selling your first home or you’ve bought and sold many times before, the CoHo Team’s goal is to earn your trust for life as they provide the support and expertise you need to help you achieve your short- and long-term real estate goals.
Although their name has Northwest connotations, “CoHo” actually comes from the words “Community” and “Housing.” The CoHo Team believes that home – a place of shelter, a vibrant neighborhood and community, a sense of safety and belonging – should be attainable by all. To that end, they support non-profits committed to affordable housing and community development. Local organizations that they have recently supported through donating money and volunteering their time include WestSide Baby, the West Seattle Food Bank, and Rebuilding Together Seattle.
The CoHo Team of Windermere Agents is thrilled to celebrate more than 10 years of giving with a new website and new members! To find out more and engage their services as real estate brokers, visit them online at www.cohorealty.com or drop by the Alaska Junction Windermere office (4526 California SW) to say hi!
We thank the CoHo Team of Windermere Agents for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
Weekend lookahead: Westwood Village festival; Kids’ Fishing Pond
Two events on Saturday that you might want an early heads-up on:
WESTWOOD VILLAGE STREET FAIR: We’ve mentioned it once before, but just in case you missed it – street-festival season begins Saturday, with the annual celebration at Westwood Village. Same place as usual, the lot between Bed Bath Beyond and Pier 1, 11 am-7 am. Other WV fair staples that are expected include bouncy toys for kids, fashion show, dog show.
Also Saturday, an even longer-running West Seattle tradition, part of Hi-Yu:
FISHING POND: Get up early if you want to take the kid/s to check out the West Seattle Sportsmen’s Club Kids’ Fishing Pond at Seacrest (1660 Harbor SW) on Saturday morning, 8 am-11 am. It’s for kids 14 and younger. Questions? E-mail greg@wssportsmen.org.
West Seattle Crime Watch: Double truck theft in Genesee
First time we’ve heard of one household suffering a double auto-theft hit in a single day/night. Michael says, “You can imagine the shell-shock we’re feeling,” as he reports:
Sometime after 9:30 PM on Monday night, 2 of our trucks were stolen from our street parking. A 1993 Red Nissan King Cab and a 1991 White Ford F-250. We’re on 48th Ave SW between Andover and Dakota.
The ONLY reason we know about this so early was that at 3:48 AM (today), we were woken up by SPD knocking to inquire if we owned the F-250. It’d been involved in a collision in Auburn, and connected with a burglary in that area.
When we started to give them the info on the F-250, my wife looked out and saw that the Nissan was missing also.
We just checked, and so far, no other auto-theft incidents are listed in West Seattle in the past 24 hours of reports noted on the time-delayed police-response map. One other note: As mentioned in the daily preview, the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meets tonight at the Southwest Precinct, 7 pm – it’s a chance to talk to police leadership about neighborhood crime concerns and to hear firsthand about the latest trends.
Second 99/Viaduct morning commute, post-lane-reduction
(Scroll down for updates – and send us yours!)
(Refresh for latest pic from WS Bridge & 1st Av. S. cams, more on the WSB Traffic page)
As promised, just in case Day 1 was an aberration, we’re also watching Day 2 of the morning commute with a lane-reduced, speed-reduced stretch of Highway 99 north of the West Seattle Bridge. Fog has been a factor in the early going. We’ll update here if any major problems (or interesting observations) ensue.
8:02 AM: In addition to comments here, we have this report from Natalie via the WSB FB page: “Much slower than yesterday at this same time. I caught a 7:35 bus yesterday and still got to work at 8. Still trying to get on the bridge on same bus today.”
Meantime, recycled from yesterday, here’s our map of potential commute alternatives beyond the standard “drive a regular route to the bridge” – click one to see details:
View Commute alternatives, heading to downtown in a larger map
West Seattle Tuesday: Low tide; playground; crime prevention…
(Low-tide sights photographed by Lisa Stencel)
Very-low tides are part of what’s in our preview from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
LOW/HIGH TIDES OF NOTE: Just before 11:30 this morning, there’s a major minus tide, -3 feet, with a fairly high tide of 12 feet following at 6:46 pm (here’s the chart)
BABY STORY TIME: Today at the Southwest Branch of the Seattle Public Library, 11:30-noon.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: Get the latest local crime-trend info, plus a special presentation by a drug expert, tonight at the monthly meeting of the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council, Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster), 7 pm.
LAFAYETTE PLAYGROUND UPDATE: The Lafayette Elementary Playground Committee is holding its final community meeting tonight, 7-8 pm, school library, with an update on the building schedule and summer volunteer opportunities (work parties are planned for June 25-28 to prep the area and August 27-28 to build the big toy). Service groups and high-schoolers seeking service credit are welcome too! Questions?
lafayette.playground@gmail.com.
REMODELING WORKSHOP: Free 1 1/2-hour workshop at Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor)’s West Seattle offices at 5458 California Ave SW, 6 pm (as previewed here); call 206-932-3009 to RSVP.
How late is too late to start/end, school? Sanislo challenges plan
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Saving money on school buses may seem like a way to save money without affecting what happens inside school buildings, but Sanislo Elementary parents and staffers beg to differ.
Monday night they managed to snag an hour-plus of Seattle School Board president Steve Sundquist‘s time to make their case against a planned transportation schedule that would have Sanislo students start school at 9:35 am.
They’re not the only school facing changes (as reported here week before last) – Roxhill, Lafayette, and Concord also are on the list for bus-arrival times that would push the starting bell back to 9:30 or later.
Sundquist, who agreed to the meeting earlier in the day, squeezing it into what he described as an already meeting-laden schedule, stressed that he wasn’t coming with answers. In fact, he opened with, “I want to make sure I understand the problem.”
Some of the 50 or so people packed into Sanislo’s library did their best to help with that.
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