West Seattle, Washington
11 Wednesday
Just out of the WSB inbox, the latest newsletter from Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon. And this one’s full of news you can use – first, the latest burglary-method trends; second, if you still don’t believe us for all the times we’ve quoted police as saying “It’s OK to call 911 – please do! – when you see/hear something suspicious” – here it is, direct from the source. Plus: Advice on how to make sure someone who looks official (non-law-enforcement), and turns up on your doorstep, really IS official. Read on:Read More
If you were looking forward to holiday food shopping at the new West Seattle Trader Joe’s – sorry to report, that apparently isn’t going to be possible. When construction at the 4545 Fauntleroy Way SW site started more than three months ago, the company told us it expected to open the store in the fourth quarter of this year. With that time frame approaching, some asked for an official update – including the WSB Forums member who started this thread, with one commenter subsequently posting that the opening had been delayed till first quarter of 2012. We renewed our inquiry to Trader Joe’s, and after a bit of confusion, got the answer back today from corporate HQ: “We are set to open sometime in 2012. We have not confirmed a date.”
Back-to-school week is big for everyone involved, from families to students to school employees … but there are three people in the latter category for whom this is an especially big day: Three new principals for Seattle Public Schools in West Seattle. This morning, we stopped by Arbor Heights Elementary to say hi to new principal Christy Collins, whose appointment we reported here back in June. She’s keeping the Arbor Heights school community up to date with her own new website (see it here), complementing AH’s longtime site. Collins succeeds Dr. Carol Coram, who is now an assistant principal at the newly dedicated Denny International Middle School. We checked in with West Seattle’s other two new principals yesterday – Chris Kinsey at Chief Sealth International High School (during the Denny dedication) and Jo Lute-Ervin at Lafayette Elementary (during her school’s playground dedication).
The demolition work under way today at 5020 California SW, the future mixed-use development site known as “Spring Hill” (no relation to the popular restaurant), is a mixed blessing for at least some of its neighbors.
On one hand, the multiplexes on the site have been eyesores – plagued with squatters, tagging, and other vandalism – for the past few years. The project was once on a faster track, back when original developer BlueStar was also developing what’s now known as “The Hole” and even looking at developing what’s now being remodeled as the future West Seattle Trader Joe’s. If you don’t live nearby, you might not even have noticed how badly trashed the site had become, since from California SW, it’s hard to see – even now with demolition under way:
(The top view is from the alley on the site’s east side.) On the other hand, the neighbors fought hard, during the original round of design review 3 years ago, for development guidelines that might somewhat minimize the future apartment/retail building’s effects on nearby residents. Then the site went into foreclosure and was idle till the project was revived under new ownership earlier this summer (as first reported here and here), with an increased number of apartments – 101, instead of the original 91. The city did not require the reopening of design review for the change, but did offer neighbors reassurance that the increase would not result in any notable change to the building’s size or appearance. The developer, Burien-based F & M, has not responded to our requests for comment, so we don’t know their timeline, but we do know the city’s online files show some necessary permits are not yet finalized, and also show a recent complaint (demolition may be rendering it moot).
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“It’s the end of the world as we know it …”
In the West Seattle High School library last Friday morning, one of about four dozen students gathered for a special training session observed how appropriate that hook from REM’s classic 1987 song seemed.
Freshman year, which feels to so many 9th graders just like “the end of the world as (they) know it,” will never be the same at WSHS, thanks to a program called Link Crew.
The students we watched on Friday morning were getting ready to use it to accompany, mentor, reassure, entertain the 250 (or so) members of the WSHS Class of 2015 – on Day 1 today, and throughout the year – starting with a special freshmen-only assembly this morning (top photo).
This is the first time that WSHS has used Link Crew – a transition program that’s been deployed nationwide for more than a decade. (Read more about it here.) We were invited to sit in on the Friday morning coaching/training session, as the participating juniors and seniors got ready to roll:
As expected, City Councilmembers voted on Tuesday afternoon, quickly and with little discussion, to authorize the sale of West Seattle’s former Fire Station 37. The process of getting to this point – including collecting public comment – has taken months; the ex-station at 35th and Othello (map) has already been vacant for almost a year. So, we asked the city, what happens now? The reply is from Katherine Schubert-Knapp of the city’s Finance and Administrative Services department, which helps other departments with “property disposition” (among other things):
Now that the Council has authorized the sale of the property, our next step will be to select a real estate broker to help the City market it publicly. We are preparing a Request for Proposals … After the broker is under contract and we have developed a marketing plan, we’ll be going out to the public with a goal of casting a wide net for potential buyers. We’ll have a better idea of the timeline in a few weeks. Everyone who has previously expressed interest in this property will be kept up to date.
And even if you’re not formally on that list, you will too, as Schubert-Knapp promises media updates on the process. (We’ll be keeping watch between news releases, too.) The station is in a single-family-zoned area, and it’s expected someone will buy it for just that purpose. P.S. If you never got the chance to visit the 86-year-old landmark – there’s a video tour in this WSB story from last year.
From SDOT (and the WSB Traffic page), that’s a “live” look (refresh for the latest) at the east end of the Spokane Street Viaduct, aka the West Seattle Bridge between I-5 and Highway 99. It’ll be half-closed overnight for the next three nights, and that’s part of today’s preview, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
BACK TO SCHOOL! That’s today’s big news, and it’s likely to affect you even if you don’t have a family member who’s a student or school staffer. While many independent schools started classes yesterday, today’s the first day for several of the biggest ones – including Westside School (WSB sponsor), which is debuting middle school this year, Explorer West, and West Seattle Montessori (WSB sponsor) – as well as the first day for all but one local Seattle Public Schools campus (West Seattle Elementary started its new year yesterday). The district has changed its transportation plan again this year, with most buses serving more routes than before, by the way, so what you see on the roads, and when, will be different from last year (this means many schools’ starting/ending times have changed, too).
WESTSIDE PROFESSIONALS: Up early and got some time? This business-networking group welcomes visitors, 8 am, The Kenney (WSB sponsor), 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW. More info on the WSP Facebook page.
HIGH POINT MARKET FARM STAND: 4-7 pm, 32nd SW/SW Juneau. Buy seasonal fresh organically grown produce from a stand right next to the mini-farm where it’s grown.
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: Local community meetings are getting back to their regular schedules, starting with the Southwest District Council, 7 pm, South Seattle Community College board room (6000 16th SW – central building on the west side of campus) – agenda includes a project update on the Fauntleroy Expressway Seismic Retrofit (scheduled for this fall).
ARTSWEST’S NEW SEASON BEGINS: “Amy’s View” opens the new season at ArtsWest Playhouse in The Junction, 7:30 tonight, continuing Wednesday-Saturday nights and Sunday matinees through October 1st. (Here’s our preview from earlier today.)
OVERNIGHT TRAFFIC ALERT: Westbound Spokane Street Viaduct closed for construction work tonight, tomorrow night, and Friday night, 10 pm-5 am, details here – note that 1st Avenue South at Spokane St. is also closed the same nights, and that the westbound SSV closure means that you will not be able to get to the WS Bridge from I-5 or Beacon Hill.
6:06 AM: Just in case you heard the sirens and wondered – there’s been a big response in the past 15 minutes or so to a “pier fire” call at Vigor Shipyard (1801 16th SW) on Harbor Island. Scanner communication indicates it’s NOT a major call and that it’s already “tapped,” so all but a few of the responding units have been canceled. 6:12 AM: Also per scanner: The small fire was on or near a “Navy vessel” that’s at the shipyard and has its own “shipboard firefighters,” who are getting help from Seattle Fire crews in making sure it’s completely out.
(Photo courtesy ArtsWest)
Despite some changes in the off-season, the show must go on at ArtsWest, and tonight it does exactly that, with the first production of the 2011-2012 season, “Amy’s View” by David Hare. One review from back east describes it as “about the lure and pitfalls of materialistic society, about whether love and faith and perseverance will prevail over hedonism and greed…” and more. During the run, through October 1st, showtimes are 7:30 pm Wednesdays-Saturdays, 3 pm Sundays; you can buy tickets online here.
Right after the ribbon was cut and the doors were opened, a work crew was still handling details on a very important wallhanging inside the new Denny International Middle School – a banner with the slogan, “Expect the best.”
That’s what was on display during what Denny principal Jeff Clark called “a thrilling day” – including his best suit, renowned for its shade of bright blue:
The weather couldn’t have been better – the sun shone bright as Denny/Sealth construction-project manager Robert Evans got help from two students to raise the flags:
(Photo by MIKE SIEGEL/The Seattle Times, used with permission)
Also worth of “best” status – the national-anthem performance by Janelle Maroney:
Janelle is both a Denny alum and Chief Sealth International High School student – perfect symbolism for the fact the two schools are now the first middle/high-school combo in Seattle Public Schools to share a campus. It hasn’t been a universally popular idea along the way; School Board president Steve Sundquist acknowledged the “robust discussion” dating back four-plus years (such as this meeting we covered in June 2007), to the passage of the levy that raised the money for the project.
But it moved ahead, and the new 130,000-square-foot school now prepares to welcome students on Wednesday. With so many involved along the way, the list of those who helped cut the ribbon was long – here are all the sets of scissors set out for them:
Sheree Fantz-Gut from the Denny PTSA and Nadene Paltep, student-body president, led the “call to the ribbon” – summoning the participants – and then, everyone counted down, to the strategic snips:
As the school has been readied for opening this summer (here’s our story on an August tour), the old Denny has been demolished a few blocks away (after one last sentimental journey), and the site has been cleared, to make way for fields, tennis courts, play equipment, and maybe someday an elementary school. But the history embodied by the school’s name remains – and the celebration included Andy Harris, a descendant of the school’s namesake, pioneering Seattle settler David Thomas Denny:
(Denny’s life is detailed here – including reasons for renown beyond being a settler; he even helped Washington women win the right to vote.) After that bow to the past, it was time to look ahead. After going through the co-location-planning process with Sealth’s now-former principal John Boyd, Denny principal Clark has a new partner, Sealth’s interim principal Chris Kinsey, and they’re about to make Seattle Public Schools history:
Give them a few weeks to settle into it, then check out the campus for yourself during Denny’s community open house at 10 am on Saturday, September 24th.
As mentioned briefly earlier, on the eve of the first day of school for Seattle Public Schools, the district’s interim superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield invited media to a briefing/Q & A session – and held it here in West Seattle, at the new Denny International Middle School, just before the dedication celebration.
It wasn’t a case of speech-and-a-few questions, but more like a wide-open 35-minute Q & A; we asked about the elementary-overcrowding issue at some West Seattle schools, and Dr. Enfield acknowledged that remains a problem in several areas around the city, including here. She said she’s hopeful that, even as district and school staff work to deal with short-term issues (with measures such as the portables in place at Lafayette, Schmitz Park, and Gatewood), long-term proposals will come out within a few months. As in, which school/s might reopen? we asked. She wouldn’t get into specifics, though it’s widely expected that Fairmount Park Elementary is first on the list; School Board member Steve Sundquist discussed it at a community Q & A session we covered in June. He has two of those community Q & A’s coming up this month, by the way – 11 am September 10th at High Point Library, and 11 am September 21st at Delridge Library.
P.S. For more coverage of the superintendent’s session today, here’s the roundup from the Save Seattle Schools site, whose Melissa Westbrook was there and asking about many hot topics; here’s a story by Katherine Long of the Seattle Times (WSB partner).
Just received a door-to-door alert that, as its sender notes, could be legitimate, but the hour and the subject seemed odd to her; we also have had one in queue about a magazine seller. Read on for both:
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We got the tip from Lita, and made it over for a quick pic before sunset: Just in time for tomorrow’s first day of school, Roxhill Elementary has some fresh paint, thanks to donations including work by West Seattle contractor Al Keim, per both Lita’s note and the big “thank you” sign in front of the school. The overhauled “R” is perhaps the most notable result; it was one year ago that Westwood neighborhood leader Donn Devore worked to organize some rehab for the “R,” but ran into some red tape. (Our story from back then shows the R’s former state of disrepair.)
Thanks to the WSB’er (sorry, we didn’t recognize the number!) who messaged us (206-293-6302 any time) with the sunset photo – vivid orange, in no small part because of the smoke from the still-burning “Big Hump” fire in the Olympic National Forest. Here’s the latest, from the Kitsap Sun; the most recent estimated size remains at 150 acres, and firefighters are having a tough time with it. It was just three acres when the smoke became noticeable all over this side of the Sound (here’s our story from last Sunday). Authorities say an abandoned campfire sparked it. 8:36 PM NOTE: Mystery solved – the photo is from Debra Herbst (thanks!).
The second the ribbon was cut – kids swarmed the new play structures at Lafayette Elementary in the Admiral District, the culmination of many long months of fundraising and other hard work. Here’s a wider view, tweeted by @alexpietsch:
The party continues till 7, including a free barbecue courtesy of the Junction QFC:
The Toucans are playing steel-drum music, perfect on this almost-tropical late-summer night. Words of acknowledgement and celebration were offered by Deborah Hazlegrove and Holly Grambihler, co-chairs of the Play It Forward Project, which matched a $100,000 city grant with money, labor, and materials:
The playground isn’t all that’s new about Lafayette when school starts tomorrow – there’s a brand-new principal, Jo Lute-Ervin:
We’ve just spotted previous principal Virginia Turner, here to celebrate as well – “I worked hard on this for years!” she told someone who came over to say hi – as are School Board members Steve Sundquist, Harium Martin-Morris, and Peter Maier, as well as West Seattle’s executive director of schools, Aurora Lora. And Zach Scott from Seattle Sounders FC is signing autographs.
And there was homegrown entertainment – the Lafayette Popcorns jump-ropers!
This was phase 2 of the longrunning playground makeover … and yes, somewhere down the road, there is a phase 3 (“the back forty,” it was described tonight) … but first, time to enjoy. And to play.
(Photo courtesy Cori Roed)
Since our late-arriving summer shows no sign of letting up – people with dogs will want to know about this: Cori sends word that the Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club (11003 31st SW) is opening its pool for the second annual water-polo team fundraiser “Dog Days at the Arb.” 5-7 pm next Monday-Friday (Sept. 12-16) and noon-2 pm next Saturday (Sept. 17), you are welcome to bring your dog for a swim. No people in the pool – this comes after it’s been closed for the year – just dogs (but owners have to be there to keep an eye on them). Suggested donation $10/dog; money raised goes to buying new caps for the AH water-polo team. There are other caveats, too – all listed on the official flyer.
At the Denny International Middle School dedication (more coverage to come), we caught up with the new interim principal of Chief Sealth International High School next door, Chris Kinsey. It’s been only a month since he was announced as successor to longtime Sealth principal John Boyd, who is now working as an executive director in Highline Public Schools to the south. Kinsey’s work is cut out for him: He tells WSB that as of today, Chief Sealth is expecting 1,286 students tomorrow, up more than 200 from the start of last year, and the 9th-grade wait list, second longest in the district, is at 87, close to where it’s been all summer. He hopes to shake the hand of each and every one of them as they arrive at school tomorrow morning, and then, he says, he and his administrative team plan to visit each and every classroom before the week is over. P.S. Sealth community members are invited to hear more from the new principal at the first PTSA meeting of the year, 7 pm September 27.
For the second consecutive year, West Seattle is in the Seattle Public Schools spotlight on the day before the new school year. At left, that’s interim superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield, presenting a citywide back-to-school briefing to the media right now at the new Denny International Middle School, which she will help dedicate next hour. (Last year, her predecessor was here on the same day to help dedicate the renovated Chief Sealth International High School next door.) We’ll have coverage of both events later, including video of Dr. Enfield’s briefing in its entirety.
ADDED 2:18 PM: The big moment, as the ribbon was cut – that’s Denny principal Jeff Clark in his famous bright-blue suit:
Full story to come, separately – including an appearance by a descendant of the school’s namesake, David T. Denny, the first member of the Denny Party to arrive in what is now Seattle.
(Click for larger image)
Monday happened to be the Port of Seattle‘s 100th birthday. With port operations along eastern West Seattle, from the Duwamish to Elliott Bay, it’s easy to get to the point where you seldom give cargo ships a second look. But this view of an outbound ship, the dry-bulk carrier Diamond Harbour, caught West Seattle photographer Bill Bacon‘s eye:
I was on my way home yesterday evening, Labor Day – 2011, and had to stop at the swing bridge to witness this container ship coming down the river near the entrance to Elliott Bay. I think this is the tightest squeeze I’ve seen here as the ship is maneuvered through and between the BNSF railroad’s river crossing bridge. Of course there were tugs fore and aft ferrying the ship along downstream. Of course these ships go up and down the Duwamish River all the time. It’s the 1st time I’ve seen one, though, so close. I had to take the photo.
According to MarineTraffic.com – with ship info here, including its current track – it’s headed for Longview, on the Columbia River.
Look what we found on the city Traffic Cameras list – an actual Alaskan Way Viaduct traffic camera. It’s since been added to the WSB Traffic page (tidied that up a bit this weekend – fixed some broken links, enlarged the “live” images, added a few other new, relevant ones too). The Viaduct is actually on the preview list today, too:
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM REOPENS: The week-plus budget-cut-plus-holiday closure is over as of today.
BACK TO SCHOOL: Many of West Seattle’s independent schools start the new year today – and one public school; full list here.
DEDICATING THE NEW DENNY: Ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for new Denny International Middle School building, north side of the now-shared Denny/Sealth campus, with guests including Seattle Public Schools‘ interim superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield, 1 pm (details here).
PLAYGROUND PARTY: Lafayette Elementary playground celebration/dedication, community party with entertainment, free barbecue and more, 5-7 pm (details here)
ROTARY GETS VIADUCT UPDATE: Rotary Club of West Seattle weekly luncheon meeting features Seattle Times (WSB partner) transportation reporter Mike Lindblom discussing the Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct/tunnel project, noon at Salty’s on Alki.
CITY COUNCIL GETS VIADUCT UPDATE: City Council’s Alaskan Way Viaduct committee gets briefed on where things stand, 2:30 pm (agenda here)
FIRST TUESDAY TUNE-UP: Salty’s on Alki launches the “First Tuesday Tune-Up” series — a cocktail fundraiser to benefit a local nonprofit, hosted by Victor Janusz, no cover, raffle prizes, tonight featuring ArtsWest Playhouse, on the eve of its new season, which opens with “Amy’s View.” 4:30-7:30 pm.
OPEN MIKE AT SKYLARK: Skylark Café and Club is adding a second open mike night on Tuesdays! (Wednesdays have been packed full of acts for months now.) It’s slightly different … hosted by Tekla & Brian of local band Blvd Park and will be acoustic-only. Poetry and comedy are encouraged, as well as all types of acoustic music, all ages 7-9 pm, then 21+ after 9 pm as usual.
TRY IT FOR $2: Seattle Parks and Recreation‘s “Try It for $2” Program (WSB sponsor) starts its September 2011 run today: Attend a program or class session once for $2 at one of the city’s many community centers. If you like it, register for the remainder of the class for a prorated amount. If you’re new to a water-fitness program, try one session for $2. Current participants get in FREE if they bring a new participant More info at tryitfor2.com.
As school revs up, so does the quest for after-school activities. Here’s one coming up this fall, called to your attention by Carol at Southwest Teen Life Center – creative and free: The ACT Theater playwriting class, October 11-December 8, 3-4:30 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the TLC, 2801 SW Thistle. It’s described this way:
The Young Playwrights Program is a professional playwright/teaching program that teaches the basics of playwriting. Each student playwright completes a 10- to 45-minute original play by the end of the session. Students will have the opportunity to learn the art and craft of theater and be introduced to the basic knowledge and elements of how to write dialogue, create characters, and use action to create an entertaining, theatrical piece. Following the class, selected plays may be showcased through staged readings at the ACT Theater. Earn Community Service Learning hours for school. Receive free tickets to plays at the Langston Hughes Performing Art Center and the ACT Theater by enrolling.
You can find out more, and/or register, by calling 206-684-4115.
You know Lincoln Park is home to owls (wonderful past proof includes this). You know owls sometimes dive-bomb humans (past anecdotes include this). Tonight, just out of the WSB inbox … an owl-attack report from Lincoln Park, courtesy of “Fauntlee Hill Bill“:
Had the head phones on and was enjoying a beautiful Labor Day eve twilight jog along the Lincoln Park bluff trail in the NW corner of the park. Encountered a few dog walkers and runners along the way but was momentarily alone when all of a sudden out of nowhere I felt a scrape along the top of my head.
Bill’s story continues ahead:Read More
Just hours till the new school year starts for many of West Seattle’s major independent/private/parochial schools, including Holy Rosary, Hope Lutheran, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Seattle Lutheran, and Tilden. One public school starts tomorrow too – West Seattle Elementary; the others start Wednesday, as do more of the independent schools, including Westside School and West Seattle Montessori (both WSB sponsors), as well as Explorer West. (Some students already have started, like those in the Highline Public Schools district serving White Center and points south, and Holy Family [WSB sponsor].) Remember that among other things, this means school zones are back in effect on the road – please slow down!
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