West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Got a calendar? Plenty of dates worth noting, in the toplines from tonight’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting – plus discussions about business and crimefighting – read on!Read More
(WSB photo from 2010 West Seattle 5K)
Organizers of the third annual West Seattle 5K tell WSB tonight that almost 1,000 people are signed up for Sunday’s walk/run, with a few hundred more expected in the typical last-minute surge. Two-thirds female, one-third male so far, and while the vast majority are from Washington, there are also two from California, two from Hawaii, and even two from … Wisconsin (!?). Online registration closes at 6 pm tomorrow (Thursday) – here’s where to do that – and if you miss that deadline, you’re invited to last-minute signup at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor as well as, like us, a race co-sponsor) 1-4 pm Saturday, which is ALSO when you can pick up your packet, no matter how you registered. Then there’s one last chance, at Alki Bathhouse starting at 8 am on race day. But why procrastinate? Sign up now. (Kids 6 and under are free, incidentally.)
You’re also urged to walk, bike, or take transit, since it’ll be car-free day along Alki (Seattle Summer Streets – with a shorter day-long closure route than last year, as reported here Monday). If you have friends coming from the other side of the bay, they can take the 8:30 Water Taxi run, and then catch the Route 775 shuttle bus from Seacrest.
(Photo by Kevin McClintic, taken Monday evening)
Five days have now passed since the homeless encampment that calls itself “Nickelsville” returned to the eastern West Seattle site where it began almost three years ago, at West Marginal Way SW/Highland Park Way (as reported here Friday afternoon). Its first stay there in 2008 ended with city leaders sending in Seattle Police to evict the campers, but that’s not going to happen this time, according to Mayor McGinn‘s office. We had asked his spokesperson Aaron Pickus yesterday about whether the mayor would seek to remove the camp as his predecessor had done, and the answer came back a little while ago: No. Pickus’s reply in its entirety:
We will not seek their eviction. By way of context, this site was originally a candidate for a new City Jail. We recently made a long-term agreement with King County that ensures we don’t have a to build a jail, though.
Last year, we proposed a plan for a safe, city-sanctioned place for an encampment to the City Council. While the Council has decided to not act on that plan, they have committed to weigh in on an alternative location by July. And we remain open to their ideas.
The camp had been at a former fire station in Lake City prior to its somewhat-surprise move last Friday. We’re checking with Nickelsville’s media liaison for their reaction; the newest statement on their website gives no indication that they had heard this previously, as it includes the entreaty: “Please let us stay. Let us create a community Seattle can be proud of. Attached is our plan for our home. All we ask from City Government is this land, and access to nearby utilities. We respectfully ask you and your able Deputy to negotiate with us.”
10:15 PM UPDATE: Through Nickelsville’s media liaison, their official reaction to the mayor’s decision to “not seek their eviction”:
It’s a relief that we can stay. Mayor McGinn’s administration recognizes the value of an organization like Nickelsville. It’s also particularly gratifying that, after 16 moves we can stay put for awhile and people can feel some security. And now we can have the dream of Nickelsville come to reality: a safe, organized eco-village that will ultimately shelter up to a thousand people.
P.S. A WSB Forums member asked tonight about what sort of donations the camp would accept. Two other members who have been there offered detailed answers – you can see the Forums thread here.
5:06 PM: Thanks to Adam and Courtney for the tips on a car/pedestrian crash at 35th/Morgan about half an hour ago. We got there fairly quickly, but the scene was already cleared – Adam says the northbound lanes were blocked at one point – and the police cars in our photo were the only evidence left. Police confirm one person was hit by a car and injured. The victim was taken to a hospital by private ambulance, indicating the injuries weren’t major, but that’s all we know at this point – they were still talking to people to try to figure out what happened; we’ll check back later. 5:40 PM: A few more details from Bill, who says word is that the car was headed westbound on Morgan, turning onto southbound 35th, when the pedestrian was hit.
ADDED EARLY THURSDAY: According to Lt. Alan Williams from the Southwest Precinct, the driver, a 63-year-old man, was cited for “right of way at a crosswalk.” The person he hit is a 38-year-old woman who suffered “non-life-threatening injuries.”
One month ago, on behalf of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, we asked for your thoughts on priorities for West Seattle’s transportation future – what’s the #1 problem to solve here? Some have since asked, where do the resulting 70+ answers go next? Here’s one place: The Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee is coming to West Seattle for a public workshop next Monday (May 23; one of three citywide), with the City Council’s Transportation Committee chair Tom Rasmussen on hand . 5:30-7:30 pm at Southwest Library‘s meeting room (35th/Henderson) – the first half-hour is an open house, followed by half an hour of presentations with SDOT director Peter Hahn participating, and then an hour of small-group discussions. If you can’t go, here’s an online survey you can take. (P.S. The committee got results of a phone survey at its meeting last week. “Southwest Seattle” participants said our biggest problem is potholes/bad roads. We found that in its document library, which you can browse here.)
If you missed it at the Admiral Theater two months ago – or if you want to see it again – here’s your next chance to see the education-system documentary “Race to Nowhere“: The Arbor Heights Elementary PTSA is sponsoring a screening one week from tonight at the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium Little Theater. AHPTSA is inviting the entire community to come watch the film and discuss the issues it raises. Ticket details are here and organizers are offering a $5 faculty/student ticket with valid ID. AHPTSA coordinator Elise Olson explains, “The film is 85 minutes and we’ll be having a post-film discussion: How can we best prepare our youth to become healthy, bright, and contributing citizens? How do we define achievement? How can we make choices that support the healthy development of young people? How can we end the race to nowhere? We are hoping to get as many West Seattle families, students and educators there as possible to join in this important community discussion.” 6 pm Wednesday, May 25th, 2600 SW Thistle.
(4/30/11 photo by Katie Meyer from the Admiral Way Viewpoint drug-takeback dropoff)
The drug-takeback events on April 30th netted 256 pounds of prescription drugs in West Seattle alone, according to the local DEA office. But if you doubt that matters – check out the toplines from last night’s presentation to the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council. While drug-abuse expert Steve Freng talked about all categories of drug abuse, over and over again, he reiterated that it’s legal drugs, not illegal drugs, causing the most problems these days.
Freng is with the team focused on the Northwest HIDTA – high-intensity drug-trafficking area. He also spoke to the WSCPC at the Southwest Precinct two and a half years ago (here’s our report from that meeting), at which time he warned that prescription-drug abuse was on the upswing. His information is not West Seattle-specific, but it’s regional and likely a good indicator of what’s happening here:Read More
We’re not putting these under the Crime Watch label because there’s no proof either person was a criminal or intending to commit a crime. But the two people who sent these reports felt concerned enough to want to share them – a man who approached a child in Lincoln Park last night, and a man who turned up in a stranger’s back yard – read on:Read More
You have probably passed its huge North Delridge facility myriad times, but unless you work at Nucor, chances are you’ve never been inside. Want a firsthand look? Here’s a chance to go behind the scenes while contributing to a cause:
For the past 3 years Nucor Seattle has participated in the West Seattle Relay for Life, raising funds for cancer research in the quest to find a cure. Last year Nucor donated $7,500 to this worthwhile cause and is currently fundraising with hopes of beating that donation.
Team Nucor would like to host a “Tour for the Cure” event on Saturday, June 4th. Nucor employees will be available to take up to 50 people on a tour of the Seattle Steel Plant in return for a suggested monetary donation of $10 (although we will happily accept larger donations). All donations received will be matched by Nucor in hopes of meeting our overall fundraising goal of $10,000. We will have 3 tours – 10 am, 10:30 am, and 1 pm.
If you are interested in participating, please contact Tricia Sweat at 206-933-2316 or tricia.sweat@nucor.com. Again, the tour is limited to the first 50 responses and will be available on a first contact, first signed up basis. Please keep in mind you must be at least 18 years of age, be capable of climbing stairs, and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes with socks.
The Relay for Life-West Seattle event is taking place on June 10th – 11th at the West Seattle Stadium. Please see its website for more information.
(WSB has joined the R4LWS sponsor lineup this year for the first time. If you would like to participate in the overnight relay itself, it’s not too late – find out more here.)
(WSB file photo of Hiawatha’s wading pool)
One brilliantly sunny day like today, and it’s hard not to think ahead to the heart of summer. We just checked the Seattle Parks wading-pools page to see if this year’s pool schedule is out – and yes, it is. The pools don’t open for another month, but in case you’re outlining summer plans, here’s the schedule (PDF). It looks a lot like last year – Lincoln Park remains the only West Seattle wading pool that will be open 7 days a week; Delridge will be open Thursdays-Fridays-Saturdays, EC Hughes will be open Wednesdays-Thursdays-Fridays, and Hiawatha will be open Mondays-Tuesdays-Wednesdays. Highland Park remains closed, with spray-park construction planned for next year (the community meeting for that project is coming up one week from tonight). As for West Seattle’s other city-run outdoor swimming facility: Colman Pool opens May 28th (for the first of 3 pre-season weekends), and its schedule is available now too.
It’s not happening in West Seattle, but lots of West Seattleites are involved – and organizers are hoping for more. We’ve heard from Heather and Jo, West Seattle volunteers, about the upcoming Girls on the Run of Puget Sound 5K this Saturday at Seward Park. GOTR is a coaching program for girls and has 5K’s twice a year as a “graduation” of sorts. It’s not just for program participants – Heather explains that it’s a fun run for everyone, keyword, FUN! “You can run or walk with leashed dogs, kids, strollers. It’s non-competitive, and it’s not timed – just a great way to spend a Saturday in the beautiful outdoors supporting a program that makes a difference in the lives of girls. If you have kids, it’s a great way to expose them to healthy living and positive reinforcement. PLEASE come and support this amazing organization! I hope you’ll consider running, jogging, and/or walking with us at Seward Park on May 21st. You can sign up here – girlsrun.org – you, your friends, your kids – anyone. The more the merrier, and it’s for a great cause. We also really encourage guys to come out too and support the girls. Dads, brothers – it’s not just for girls and moms. If running or walking a 5k isn’t in the cards for you, please consider participating as a volunteer. We need to recruit more than 80 volunteers to do everything from cheering along the route to photographing the event. Interested in learning more? Click the link.”
As reported this morning by our partners at the Seattle Times: The teenager who beat an Alki woman unconscious in Tukwila, while she was working as a Metro bus driver, is back in jail. Thirteen months ago, we were at Juvenile Court on Capitol Hill (story here) to cover the sentencing of the then-14-year-old boy, who wrote a letter of apology that described what he did as “touching,” and who was described by his mother as a “good kid” while she also attempted to blame the victim for not preventing what happened. We didn’t identify Solinuu Leae by name at that time, as he was charged as a juvenile; now 15, he has been arrested again, charged as an adult for a violent robbery that, like the attack on the driver from Alki, also rendered its victim – robbed while waiting for a bus in Renton – unconscious. According to the King County Jail Register, Leae’s bail is set at $200,000; he’s been jailed since May 10th. The bus driver he attacked in January of last year told WSB back in March that she was returning to work as a driver. Court documents in the new case against Leae say his sentence for attacking her was completed in January.
(Photo by Bill Bacon, who says it’s an anemone photographed during Tuesday’s low tide)
Besides today’s low tide – lowest of the month at 12:10 pm – here are other highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
EARLY DISMISSAL: Seattle Public Schools classes end two hours early today (professional-development time).
DELRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL: 7 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).
DIVERSITY DISCUSSION: Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon Street) presents the next “One World: Discussions on Diversity and Inclusion” facilitated-discussion session, looking at sexual orientation. 10:45-noon, all welcome.
CAMPAIGN KICKOFFS: West Seattleite Diana Toledo launches her King County Council campaign, 6:30-9 pm at Admiral Theater (2343 California SW), appetizers and refreshments, all ages welcome … West Seattleite Tom Rasmussen launches his Seattle City Council re-election campaign, 5:30-7 pm at the Swedish Cultural Center, 1920 Dexter Av. N.
THEATER: “Shipwrecked! An Entertainment …” begins its final week (through Saturday) at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm … West Seattle High School Drama Club and Music Department present “Oklahoma!” at the WSHS Theater (3000 California Ave SW) at 7:30 pm.
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