Two reader reports tonight – one a stolen truck to keep an eye out for, the other, another encounter that left someone “creeped out” – read on for both:Read More
(Walker Rock Garden photo courtesy Lita Gill)
Five months ago, the home whose site includes the Walker Rock Garden – a quirky labor of love – was put up for sale. Rather quickly, its listing showed a pending deal … but so far, there is no indication that has closed (the notation remains “pending feasibility“), and for those who have wanted advance notice of chances to see the rock garden, in case its days are numbered, here it is: From time to time we have checked its website, and just happened to find it has two tour dates listed: July 1st (this Friday), 10 am-noon, and July 16th, 9:30-10:30 am. The website also promises “more times to be announced.” (Our previous inquiries asking its owners and realtor for a status update have gone unanswered so far, but we keep trying.) The Walker Rock Garden is at 5407 37th SW; read its backstory here.
(New photo substituted July 7th)
Eleven months after its groundbreaking last August (WSB coverage here), Avalon Place will officially open on July 13th. The announcement came today from Transitional Resources, the nonprofit organization offering housing and other services to mentally ill people, headquartered on the west side of Avalon Way, south of the Luna Park business district; Avalon Place at 2988 Avalon Way will be its southernmost building. Transitional Resources says this is its first venture into the “Housing First” philosophy; it will offer 16 apartments to homeless people with mental illness “and co-occurring disorders” without requiring them to be stabilized first. (This is the same approach followed by Downtown Emergency Service Center, in the news in West Seattle right now for its plan to build a 75-apartment building in the 5400 block of Delridge Way). Read on for the Transitional Resources announcement:Read More
One week from Friday, West Seattle Summer Fest begins its three-day run – the peninsula’s biggest party of the year. WSB is a co-sponsor again this year, and as we count down to the festival, we’ll bring you daily infobits, like these:
FESTIVAL MAP ONLINE: There’s more being added to the Summer Fest website just about every day. We’ve already told you about the music schedule and the vendor/exhibitor list; today, there’s a map. (The vendor/exhibitor page also includes this zoomable PDF on which you will be able to cross-reference, by number, whose booth is where – handy for plotting your course ahead of time if there are particular vendors/groups you don’t want to miss.)
DO YOU TWEET? HERE’S THE HASHTAG: If you use Twitter, the Summer Fest-presenting West Seattle Junction Association hopes you’ll share Summer Fest tweets via the hashtag #wssummerfest – which you’ll see prominently displayed around the festival; it’s now on the website, too. (Hashtags provide a way to collect messages around a single topic.)
PARENTS’ REST STOP: Donna Ryan from City Mouse Studio and Store is providing a “parents’ rest stop” again this year in her storefront at 4218 SW Alaska, right in the heart of Summer Fest territory. Donna says, “We welcome families with babies and young children to drop in to the studio space to feed, change or get a little break from the heat (wishful thinking here).”
If you’re a participating organization/business/performer/etc., we welcome your Summer Fest preview info too, to include in our countdown – here’s how to share the news.
As of halfway through the city open house for the West Seattle Triangledraft proposals – which would rezone much of the area, including sites to the west, and put “streetscape” concepts on the record – about 40 people had stopped by. The lead planners on the project, Susan McLain and Robert Scully, are here, as are other city reps including Brian Hawksford from Councilmember Tom Rasmussen‘s office. It’s informal, with refreshments, and easels put up on two sides of the room for you to review, and to comment on if you choose – which some are doing with Post-It notes:
The open house continues until 8 pm. Your comments here count – as do comments sent by e-mail, postal mail, and phone; this Friday is the first deadline for comments on the proposals, and then, we’re told, there will be a second round. In the months ahead, the proposed Triangle plans will go to the City Council for review and votes, so if there’s something for which you want to express support or opposition, now’s the time. You can look at the plan online; major points include zoning changes that would allow higher buildings (85 feet) along the western side of the “planning area” and that would rezone what’s now “commercial” in much of the Triangle itself to “neighborhood commercial,” which means a future – if current businesses closed – that would look very different as it does now.
Once again this morning, notes and tweets reported that police were back out on the West Seattle Bridge. Here are the results, as reported on SPD Blotter – including a 74 mph citation and 46 more bus-lane-violation tickets.
In case you weren’t there, leaders of the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network are sharing tips on how to have a successful “Night Out” block party this August 2nd, as discussed at their meeting last night. One of those tips – you can apply for a city grant to help cover some of your expenses – but tomorrow’s the deadline! Find all the info in this update on the WSBWCN site. (And be sure to register your “Night Out” party ASAP, too – do that here.)
We’re on our way out of downtown, after a very brief King County Jail courtroom hearing in the case of 40-year-old John C. Siegel, arrested (as reported here last night) for investigation of arson in connection with the fire yesterday at the Gatewood home for which county records list him as co-owner. Siegel did not appear; lawyers told the judge he was “too sick” to come to court today, so the bail hearing is delayed until tomorrow, but they did need to ask the judge if she found “probable cause” to hold him till then. She reviewed documents containing the police report in the case, and said she did. According to those documents, he was found at the burning home, and told investigators he was asleep and woke up to find the house on fire. (His “last known address” is listed on the police report as Mercer Island.) The report says investigators determined the fire was “intentionally set with a hand-held flame to available combustibles,” started in the northwest corner of the house (shown above in our post-fire photo from last night). More details from the report after the jump:Read More
As popular as the Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series (presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, with co-sponsors including WSB) has been, many have wished for dinner options, so you don’t have to haul in your picnic for the outdoor series. Today, there’s word there will be something new this year – the Beloved Mexico food truck, which has been a fixture at the West Seattle Produce lot along Fauntleroy Way, will be there, according to ANA president Katy Walum. Definitely for the five shows that will be at Hiawatha, and they’ll also try to be at the one show set for Alki (August 11), she says. Also booked again this year: The Full Tilt Ice Cream bicycle-pulled cart with ice-cream bars, for all shows. Missed the announcement of the Admiral concert lineup? Check it out here; six Thursday nights, starting July 28th, free, all ages welcome, BYO chairs/blankets!
West Seattleite Anne Levinson is at the White House today, and shared that photo with WSB – she’s second from left, and you probably recognize many of the others. She is there for President Obamahonors the Seattle Storm for its WNBA championship; Levinson is a former co-owner of the Storm, as well as a former judge and deputy Seattle mayor (among other roles and ventures) – as you can see in the photo, those also at the White House today include the current mayor. (We’re watching the White House website for photos/video of the Storm celebration and will add when available.)
(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
A celebration of tradition and history last night at Fauntleroy Church, as West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival royalty present and past gathered for the White Rose Reception. The highlights included a candle-lighting ceremony; above, Danette Carufel from the 1984 court, with 2010 Senior Court Queen Georgia Mitchell. More of WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen‘s photos ahead:Read More
No SDOT alert yet, but with the memory of the KeyArena-event-traffic-nightmare day still fresh, we thought you might want early warning (and if you’re off, you might even want to go watch): Next Tuesday, what’s described as the biggest parade in Seattle’s history is set for downtown, 10,000 people parading as part of the Lions Clubs International convention. It starts from Seattle Center at 10 am, proceeding along 5th Avenue, and includes other road closures. It’s complicated, so go here for the full breakdown; the source page is here, including this map of the parade route.
ADDED 4:41 PM: SDOT is now out with its official advisory – read it after the jump:Read More
CHANGES FOR WEST SEATTLE TRIANGLE AND BEYOND? Take a closer look at proposed changes in zoning, recommendations for the “streetscape,” and other aspects of how the West Seattle Triangle area – and some of the sites immediately west – might look in the future, before they go to the City Council in the months ahead. Open house tonight starting at 6, Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon – details here including the specifics of the proposals.
RESOURCE FAIR: Also at the Senior Center of West Seattle : The resource fair offers an array of information on options for “where to live or get assistance as you or loved ones age,” 10 am to 12:30 pm.
REMODELING/CUSTOM HOME WORKSHOP: Learn from experienced professionals about how to get started, what to expect, and the steps you can take to make your project successful. This 1½-hour event is free at Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) HQ, 5458 California SW, 6 pm. RSVP to 206.932.3009.
In case you weren’t there, leaders of the 
We’re on our way out of downtown, after a very brief King County Jail courtroom hearing in the case of 40-year-old John C. Siegel, arrested (
As popular as the 
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