West Seattle, Washington

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month : 11/2011 320 results

Admiral Neighborhood Association: Bus beef; Nakata tribute; elections; possible tree lighting
November 9, 2011 2:38 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | Transportation | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“We’re an urban village. Urban villages are supposed to have bus service.”

So said one attendee at Tuesday night’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, voicing opposition to the Metro restructuring proposal that could end Route 55 service in North Admiral.

Though there wasn’t a formal topic or presentation, the proposed Metro restructuring for next year, to be launched in conjunction with the debut of RapidRide, was a hot topic. Attendees were urged to speak up at Metro’s two West Seattle meetings about “restructuring” – the first of which is tonight (6:30 pm, Chief Sealth International High School). And ANA will draft a letter objecting to the prospective elimination of North Admiral service, while also extending an invitation for a Metro rep to speak at its December meeting.

“Can we make a trade for light rail?” somebody quipped.

“I’m a big fan of mass transit and I want to see it succeed,” said outgoing ANA secretary Jim Cavin. He, by the way, was the lone group leader not to be running in the election that also happened during last night’s meeting, along with a discussion of two potentially big events the group is planning before the year’s out – a tribute, and a tree lighting:Read More

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Election 2011, 1st-night results: Car-tab tax loses, privatized liquor wins, McLaren leading Sundquist for School Board
November 8, 2011 8:28 pm
|      39 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(UPDATED 11:07 PM WITH MORE REACTION)
Tonight’s first and only round of election results from King County is now published. Here are the toplines on major issues/races (including the latest statewide numbers):

SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT DIST. PROP 1 ($60 car-tab tax):
60% no
40% yes
Reaction from Councilmember Tom Rasmussen: ““It’s clear that voters support better transit and safer streets, but it’s also apparent that we need more progressive options for how cities fund building our transportation systems. That’s why despite tonight’s setback, this is just the beginning.”

SEATTLE PROP 1 (Families and Education Levy)
59% yes
41% no
From statement by Mayor Mike McGinn: “This Levy is focused on outcomes. We will design programs to achieve clear outcomes and hold service providers accountable, ensuring that the programs we fund are delivering measurable results. We will make our investments based on data, and we will adapt those investments if the data shows something is not working.”

STATE INITIATIVE 1183 (liquor privatization)
60% yes
40% no
Reaction from Gov. Gregoire: ““The voters have spoken. I remain concerned about Initiative 1183’s unintended consequences. This initiative expands the sale of liquor, which can present risks to our public safety. Additionally, we know that Washington has one of the nation’s highest ‘no sales to minors’ compliance rates at 95 percent – compared to the private sector, which has a 76 percent compliance rate. We must closely monitor the implementation of Initiative 1183 and work to avoid any unintended public safety risks.”

STATE INITIATIVE 1125 (tolling)
51% no
49% yes
Reaction from County Executive Dow Constantine (via WSB partner The Seattle Times): “It means that we have once again said to Tim Eyman and his wealthy backers, ‘We are not gonna take it from you any more’.”

STATE INITIATIVE 1163 (home care)
67% yes
33% no

See other statewide ballot measures’ results here

SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD:
Position 1 – Maier* 52%, Peaslee 48%
Position 2 – Carr* 55%, Martin 45%
Position 3 – Martin-Morris* 61%, Buetow 39%
Position 6 – McLaren 51%, Sundquist* 48%
Reaction from Marty McLaren (via WSB partner The Seattle Times): “I’m thrilled … It seems like the voters have heard the message.”

SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL:
Position 1 – Godden* 54%, Forch 46%
Position 3 – Harrell* 62%, Meacham 38%
Position 5 – Rasmussen* 73%, Pusey 27%
Position 7 – Burgess* 81%, Schraer 19%
Position 9 – Clark* 65%, Ferguson 34%

KING COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 8
McDermott* 67%
Toledo 33%

SEATTLE PORT COMMISSION
Position 2 – Tarleton* 56%, Pope 44%
Position 5 – Bryant* 63%, Willard 37%

(Asterisks denote incumbents.) Next King County results release: Around 4:30 pm Wednesday.

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Dates set for West Seattle Junction’s Hometown Holidays 2011
November 8, 2011 6:34 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Starting to fill up your holiday calendar? More dates to add – courtesy of the West Seattle Junction Association. WSJA director Susan Melrose (in a comment on the Junction trick-or-treat-street discussion) announced this afternoon that the schedule’s now published – see it here. Highlights include the Junction Tree Lighting event, 5 pm on Saturday, December 3rd; Santa photos on three Sundays; mule-drawn-carriage rides on two Sundays; and something new – a nighttime Farmers’ Market, 5-8 pm on Thursday, December 22nd, in Junction Plaza Park. Also watch for your chance to enter The Junction’s $3,000 holiday raffle.

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Fresh Bistro: Welcoming a new West Seattle Blog sponsor
November 8, 2011 4:50 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

We’re welcoming one of our newest WSB sponsors today – Fresh Bistro in The Junction, on the ground floor at Mural (4725 42nd SW).

As always, new sponsors are offered the chance to share information about their business. Here’s some of what Fresh Bistro is proudest of:

Relaxed, Comfortable, Fresh
Diners can escape to an intimate environment influenced by artistic farm murals and an open floor plan and kitchen. Fresh Bistro delivers the true essence of a bistro experience with indoor and seasonal, outdoor seating, personable service and welcoming atmosphere. Our menus showcase a variety of flavorful selections for every palate, including seafood, vegetarian offerings, meat, and salads. On-the-go diners can enjoy gourmet takeout, while parties can take advantage of our private space for up to 16 guests. Each menu creation is inspired by our passion for bringing sustainable and eco-friendly ideals to the table through an innovative and savvy use of the season’s best from local food producers.

Service, Sustainability, Stewardship
Fresh Bistro staff strives to deliver the highest level of service to every guest and is equally committed to the serving the environment and community. Along with sourcing ingredients from local producers and farmers, we continuously seek new ways to use area suppliers, assisting the economy and agriculture community. We are dedicated to reducing our environmental footprint with sustainable business practices, including recycling, composting, and reuse of products.

Right now, diners can get an exclusive “25% off brunch” code by
“liking” Fresh Bistro on Facebook – facebook.com/freshbistro. Fresh Bistro also is participating in Dine Around Seattle, Sundays through Thursdays, three courses for $30 – see the menu options here. (Make reservations online by going here.) And it’s all-night Happy Hour in the bar, Mondays-Thursdays.

We thank Fresh Bistro 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.

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West Seattle business: Viking Bank shareholders OK merger
November 8, 2011 4:13 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle business: Viking Bank shareholders OK merger
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

As reported here two months ago, Spokane-based AmericanWest Bank is seeking to buy Viking Bank (WSB sponsor), which has a West Seattle branch in The Junction – and the deal’s just cleared a hurdle. Viking announced today that its shareholders have “approved the plan of merger and acquisition,” with “yes” votes representing more than 88 percent of Viking’s shares. The bank’s announcement says, “The transaction is expected to close before year end and is subject to customary closing conditions including the approval of Viking Bank’s regulatory agencies.” Once everything’s finalized, Viking is expected to become part of AmericanWest, including a name change, according to this FAQ.

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Heads up for tomorrow: Emergency Alert System test
November 8, 2011 1:21 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

At 11 am tomorrow, the first-ever nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System will be seen and heard on a variety of media – over-the-air/cable/satellite TV, radio, etc. The test is scheduled to last about (updated) thirty seconds. Authorities are worried people will call 911 to find out what’s going on – so in a word, DON’T. According to the official federal info about the test, here’s what you will hear and see:

During the test, listeners will hear a message indicating that “This is a test.” Although the EAS Test may resemble the periodic, monthly EAS tests that most Americans are already familiar with, there will be some differences in what viewers will see and hear. The audio message will be the same for all EAS Participants; however, due to limitations in the EAS, the video test message scroll may not be the same or indicate that “This is a test.” This is due to the use of the live EAN code – the same code that would be used in an actual emergency. The text at the top of the television screen may indicate that an “Emergency Action Notification has been issued.” This notification is used to disseminate a national alert and in this case, the test. In addition, the background image that appears on video screens during an alert may indicate that “This is a test,” but in some instances there might not be an image at all.

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Golden Apple Award for Denny/Sealth music’s Marcus Pimpleton
November 8, 2011 11:12 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

(Marcus Pimpleton directing CSIHS/WSHS musicians during last month’s Huling Bowl)
He is perhaps the most visible school-music leader in West Seattle – and he’s just won a big honor: KCTS has announced its latest list of “Golden Apple Awards,” and on the list of individual winners is Marcus Pimpleton, music director at Denny International Middle School and band director at adjacent Chief Sealth International High School, who also directs Seattle’s All-City Band. He’s the only West Seattle winner in this year’s awards, which will be presented at a ceremony next year; winners also receive a cash prize and will be profiled by Channel 9. Congratulations, Mr. Pimpleton!

ADDED 11:38 AM: We asked for his reaction, and here it is!

I am thankful to the parents who nominated me for this award and to KCTS and Pemco for the honor. It goes without saying that I am very proud of the work we are doing in the Denny and Sealth Music Programs as well as with the Seattle Schools All-City Band. I am excited about the opportunity that the KCTS Golden Apple Program provides to shine some light on our programs and students. None of the work we have engaged in would be possible if it were not for the high level of community support we have received, the parents who have volunteered and caught on to the vision of ensuring high level musical experiences and access to all students, the leadership of principals Jeff Clark and John Boyd who bought in to the vision for a 6-12 music pathway and had the conviction to lay the foundation for it, and most importantly the “buy in” of student leaders who commit themselves to participating in our student leadership programming and to mentoring peers and incoming students through our spring and midwinter break camps, our Junior All-City Band program, and in various other capacities too lengthy to mention here. It is with a great community of supporters that this award is shared. Thank you all.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Election; road work; Admiral; Fauntleroy
November 8, 2011 10:31 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Delayed by breaking news, here’s our abbreviated daily preview, with 5 items worth noting before it’s too late:

ELECTION DAY: If you’re using a dropbox (downtown is the closest), your ballot needs to be in it by 8 pm. If you’re mailing your ballot, it has to be postmarked today. More info here. (P.S. USPS says as long as you get your ballot into a collection box before its last scheduled pickup time for today, it’ll have today’s postmark.)

TRAFFIC ALERT #1: SDOT crews are scheduled to start 2 weeks of work replacing concrete panels on 16th Avenue SW at SW Myrtle; details (including traffic logistics) here.

TRAFFIC ALERT #2: Overnight closures of the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct are expected to continue all week – 10 pm to 5 am again tonight; more details here.

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Monthly meeting at 7 pm, Admiral Congregational Church (California/Hill), with officer elections on the association‘s agenda.

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Monthly board meeting tonight for the Fauntleroy Community Association, all welcome, 7 pm at the schoolhouse (9131 California SW).

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Update: School bus & car collide; 2 to hospital including baby
November 8, 2011 9:16 am
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

ORIGINAL 9:16 AM REPORT: What was a major “heavy rescue” response to 18th/Elmgrove (map) has just been downgraded to a “motor vehicle accident with multiple patients,” per the scanner. We have a crew on the way to the scene.

9:29 AM UPDATE: The patients are described as a 30-year-old man with shoulder pain and a 10-month-old baby who was in the back seat of the car that was involved. Both are being taken to the hospital but neither is described as seriously hurt, per the scanner. Our crew at the scene says a school bus also was involved, with about six kids on board, reported to be from Roxhill Elementary, but none of them are reported hurt, and another bus is arriving to take them to school.

9:56 AM UPDATE: Police tell us they are still sorting out the circumstances of the crash. As the photo above shows, both the school bus and the car involved wound up on the sidewalk/lawn of property at the intersection. SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore has spoken to media at the scene and confirms that the school bus’s seven students and driver were all checked out and are OK:

A tow truck has already arrived.

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Got an unused bike (or parts)? Donate at ‘Wine and Bikes’
November 8, 2011 5:30 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS beverages

No, it’s not about pedaling under the influence. Bicycles for Humanity Seattle and the Northwest Wine Academy are teaming up on November 19th to collect donated bikes/parts at an event also featuring the fall release of four new student-created wines: 2009 Cabernet Franc, 2009 Merlot, 2010 Chardonnay and 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon. Set your reminder for noon-5 pm on the 19th, South Seattle Community College, 6000 16th SW. The bikes go to South Africa, for villagers to use for work-related transportation in an area where 1 in 2 are unemployed; all types of bikes are welcome – mountain and road bikes, adult bikes, kids’ bikes.

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Opinion: ‘… Most of the people in the room were afraid of ME’
November 8, 2011 1:45 am
|      76 COMMENTS
 |   Opinion | West Seattle news

EDITOR’S NOTE: In the ongoing discussion over the Downtown Emergency Service Center plan for a 75-apartment building in Delridge to house homeless people living with mental illness, we have heard many voices – concerned neighbors, supportive neighbors, neighbors remaining neutral to try to coordinate discussion/information, neighborhood-group leaders, DESC executives, government funders. Not long after last month’s Delridge Community Forum about the project, we happened onto a Facebook note by a Delridge resident/community activist who was viewing the discussion through another prism: That of a person living with mental illness, who has experienced homelessness. She gave us permission to publish it as an opinion essay.

By Galena White
Special to West Seattle Blog

I attended the community meeting about the DESC project on October 11th. It was intended to serve as a bridge between the residents of my neighborhood and an organization that wants to build an assisted-living community in my neighborhood.

I understand that at the first public meeting for this project, there was significant resistance to the idea, mainly because residents were worried about the character of the residents-to-be. At the meeting I attended, there were some mentions of concern over whether the new residents would have sufficient access to health care and groceries, since our neighborhood is mostly residential and has few amenities. Unfortunately, I believe those concerns to have been weak justification for the anger, fear, and prejudice that was palpable in the room. I think that most of the people who attended were afraid that crazy homeless criminals were going to invade their community. The two women who sat at my table seemed extremely upset, saying that the project was unacceptable because it would be within a block of their homes and children.

One official mentioned that the other residents who live in DESC housing have an overall lower crime rate than the general populace, and also said that the crimes those residents had committed were mostly related to loitering, because they had been homeless. I’ve been homeless. I spent most of the time from 1998 to 2003 with nothing but a backpack (with no income for a lot of the time) or living in a van because I couldn’t afford an apartment.

I was eventually lucky enough to find housing in a similar project to this one, and then to graduate to a regular apartment which is funded in part by a national low-income-housing program. Many others are not as fortunate, because there are not currently enough buildings and not enough funding to provide help to those who desperately need it. Since I found housing, I’ve been attending college, going to therapy, volunteering in my community and trying to overcome my disability. My hope is to eventually have a good job, a garden, and the ability to travel. If organizations like the DESC had not been able to find cheap land to build housing, I might now only be dreaming of spending the day in the library to stay warm.

When the meeting had already gone over-time, the facilitator was scrambling to find a representative from the City of Seattle to answer a question about what it would be like to have mentally ill people living in the neighborhood. I wanted to stand up and speak, but she had specifically asked for replies from invited speakers – no doubt because she didn’t think that any of the community members had anything positive to say about the mentally ill. I would have stood, despite my crippling anxiety (and probably embarrassed myself by stuttering), to tell everyone in the room that I am mentally ill.

Read More

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‘The West’: A new West Seattle posse gets ready to ride
November 7, 2011 11:46 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

We could carry the Wild Western metaphor to extremes when writing about a particular West Seattle event tonight … starting with Brent Amaker in his trademark hat, which of course he sported while making an impromptu speech to the gathering of West Seattle movers-and-shakers who filled the loft at Mission tonight. But … we’ll try not to be too unbridled.

“We are ‘The West’,” Amaker proclaimed — a West Seattle social/networking/activism alliance that’s taken shape over the past few weeks, with a mostly word-of-mouth network drawing interested parties to The West’s first major mixer tonight.

Founders of The West – Amaker, Lora Swift of Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) and Swift Media Solutions, and Lane Bueche of Motherlode – are confident the posse/coalition/group/network can do big things for a good cause – and to further maximize West Seattle’s community-coolness factor.

In the early going, they’re expecting to plot an event that’ll do something for charity. Something involving art, and/or music, particularly relevant since, as everybody around the room introduced her/himself, there were more than a few self-identified musicians and artists, as well as entrepreneurs whose businesses support art and music – proprietors from Skylark Café and Club, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), West 5, Shadowland, host venue Mission, The Workshop, Harbor Properties, and others (we couldn’t hear all the introductions from our spot in the corner). Many have already been involved in West Seattle-wide coolness-for-causes (think West Seattle for Japan, Lowman Brau, West Seattle Outdoor Movies, just a small sample).

Whatever happens, “It’s gonna be f***in’ cool,” promised Amaker, as loud whoops of approval erupted.

We had to gallop into the night shortly thereafter, while the revelry and strategizing continued behind Mission’s facade:

If you’re interested in connecting with “The West,” best place to do that, we’re told, is by “liking” its Facebook page – but be ready for a wild ride.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Pilfered package; 3 car break-ins
November 7, 2011 9:41 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Four brief West Seattle Crime Watch reports to share tonight – a package taken from a porch, and three car break-ins, including one that might have had a witness, since it was in a busy parking lot:Read More

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Caffe Fiore: West Seattle’s newest coffeehouse opens Tuesday
November 7, 2011 8:44 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS beverages

That’s part of the loft at Caffe Fiore – opening tomorrow in a new North Admiral live/work building at 2206 California SW. Right next to West Seattle Fabric Company (WSB sponsor), whose proprietor Monica Skov was among those who dropped in for a peek at the shop tonight. They weren’t selling coffee, just opening the doors to anyone who wanted to drop by and have a look around. With the loft, it’s West Seattle’s only two-story coffeehouse. Caffe Fiore is what you might call a “micro-chain,” to take the phrase from a businessperson with whom we were talking at another event tonight; this is its fourth all-organic coffeehouse, with the other three in North Seattle Though the building is brand-new, the interior is designed to look historic upstairs – brick walls, recycled wood flooring, ironwork – and the lighting is so warm, our photos of people had to be converted to black/white, like proprietor Deming Maclise and general manager Katrine Callahan at right. You have to see it in person to appreciate it – and you can do that starting at 6 tomorrow morning (hours are listed here).

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West Seattle preschools: ‘Small Scholars’ at High Point CC
November 7, 2011 5:29 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

As noted in the city’s ongoing budget process, Seattle’s city-run community centers offer a lot more than you might realize. If you think they are just places to go play basketball or hang out – you’re missing some of their well-kept secrets. At High Point Community Center (which has a city-organized public meeting tonight), the Small Scholars preschool program is under new leadership. We talked on Friday with Marquita Mosby, who took over Small Scholars this fall. The program (run by the Associated Recreation Council) is for ages 3-5, 9:30 am-1 pm on weekdays, with options for 2-, 3-, or 5-day participation. Marquita says she and her team pack a lot into those hours, from preschool traditions like circle time and play time, to language-learning (they’ve been working on Spanish).

With the expansive park and field grounds right out the door, the preschoolers take nature walks, too. When they show a particular interest, the curriculum responds, she explains – lately there’s been a lot of talk about volcanoes, so they’ve been talking about real-life volcanoes and checking out the ever-popular science-fair staple, the baking-soda-and-vinegar variety. There are openings in the program right now; find out more by calling 206-684-7422 (you can also reach Marquita directly at 206-321-7952).

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Hood Web Management: Welcome, new West Seattle Blog sponsor
November 7, 2011 4:28 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online

Today we welcome a new sponsor, Hood Web Management, an Arbor Heights-based business that specializes in website design, website management, site maintenance for existing websites, search-engine optimization, and online marketing services. Owner Kane Jamison says he’s committed to helping local businesses: “We offer effective online marketing solutions for local businesses, and we’re great at what we do! We have years of experience in building and managing websites and that experience is what makes us such a great value to our clients. We offer a full spectrum of web solutions for business owners including website design, website management and maintenance for existing websites, search engine optimization, online marketing services, and more. We support our community and do our best to support local businesses and keep our dollars in the community.”

Kane says there’s some real advantages of having someone manage your website. “The majority of our clients come to Hood Web Management because they recognize that we can save them time, money, and headaches. Instead of spending four hours trying to figure out how to make a change to their site, we can do it in an hour or less, and more importantly, we know the best way to complete the task. Our clients are frequently delighted to find out that we can take their existing website and improve it by making it faster, by reducing website errors and other issues that cause visitors to leave the site, making small site changes that increase their search traffic, and a number of other similarly beneficial changes. We have yet to run across a client site that couldn’t be improved, and it’s typically something the website owner just isn’t aware of.”

Hood Web Management has done pro-bono work for such community organizations as the Environmental Science Center, Sustainable Burien, and Ballard-based SeaChar. He’s also a member of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

DEAL: For a limited time, West Seattle Blog readers can get 25% off their first invoice with Hood Web Management! Start here.

We thank Hood Web Management 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.

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Change in plan for Roxhill Playground, Skatespot design reviews
November 7, 2011 3:05 pm
|    Comments Off on Change in plan for Roxhill Playground, Skatespot design reviews
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | Westwood

If you’re following the progress of the two-part project to renovate the Roxhill Playground and build a Roxhill Skatespot: The city has just changed its plan for the final public reviews of the two design proposals, adding a new meeting to the calendar.

The process had started with an August meeting about both, continued with separate October meetings about each one (skatespot here, playground here), and then was supposed to conclude with a November 14th meeting about both. But according to a postcard just mailed by the Parks Department, they’re now going to have that meeting next Monday focus only on the skatespot design, while a November 30th meeting has been added, to focus only on the playground design.

Both meetings will be at 6 pm on their respective dates, at Southwest Library (35th/Henderson), same time/location as previous meetings.

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New location for West Seattle Produce: Moving across the street
November 7, 2011 1:14 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Photo added 2:39 pm; looking from the NW corner of WSP’s current lot, across to where it’s moving)
Just shared by Christa Anderson – an announcement from West Seattle Produce:

West Seattle Produce Moving to New Location… Across the Street

Earlier this fall, we contradicted rumors that West Seattle Produce was moving because, at that point, it wasn’t. However, plans evolve and West Seattle Produce is now moving to a beautiful new home at 4722 Fauntleroy, directly across the street from the current location. The new location will be open for business on December 1, but we will be open for business at the original location until that date.

(And yes, the Beloved Mexico food truck will be coming too.)

This is exciting: we’ve got more room for current and new projects, lots of great parking, and we’re protected from the weather. We can’t wait to show off the new space!

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Election 2011: Deadline’s tomorrow; don’t go uncounted!
November 7, 2011 11:57 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

If you’re like us, and still in mourning for in-person voting – or, if you’re a classic procrastinator OR extremely busy person – you might still have your ballot sitting around, waiting to be marked/mailed. If so, here’s our reminder: TOMORROW is the deadline to get it postmarked. If you’d rather get it directly into a county dropbox, the only one anywhere near here is downtown (500 4th Avenue, county photo at right); the full list (with maps for each one) is on this county webpage. Your ballot must be in a dropbox by 8 pm tomorrow or else it won’t count. Though this is an “off-year” election, there still is plenty to be decided, including Seattle Transportation Benefit District Prop 1 raising car-tab fees for transportation projects, Seattle Prop 1 aka the “Families and Education Levy,” three statewide initiatives including I-1183 (liquor privatization), I-1125 (tolling), and I-1163 (home health care), five Seattle City Council positions, four Seattle School Board positions, two Seattle Port Commission positions, one King County Council position, and a few more issues/races (see your full sample ballot by filling in the fields on the right side of the County Elections home page – that “sample ballot” will have direct links to all the candidates and measures, if you need to read up on any before voting). The first round of results will go public shortly after 8 tomorrow night, with daily updates after that, till everything’s counted.

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City responds to West Seattle bicyclist’s safety/signage concern
November 7, 2011 10:59 am
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

The recent “Viadoom” week put bicycle/pedestrian commuting in a brighter spotlight than it had had for a while – including one hazard along the way between West Seattle and downtown – a spot where non-motorized traffic is supposed to use a “roundabout,” which means they wouldn’t have to cross the road. You can see it at :57 into Seattle Times (WSB partner) reporter Mike Lindblom‘s helmet-cam video of his bicycle commute that week – his narration calls attention to it:

This is apparently the same vicinity in which West Seattle resident Tim Nelson was hit by a truck two weeks ago while running to work. West Seattle bicyclist Eric Shalit, who publishes Tubulocity, e-mailed us about it, saying the safe path is not well-marked; we suggested he contact City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who chairs the council’s Transportation Committee and commutes by bicycle on occasion. Eric’s letter has yielded positive responses from both Councilmember Rasmussen and SDOT leadership – read on to see the letter, and the replies:Read More

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West Seattle Monday: Partial bridge closure; community center’s future; family law; online safety; more
November 7, 2011 8:03 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Heron at Constellation Park, photographed by Melanie Dixon on Sunday morning)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

WESTBOUND SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT CLOSURE, OVERNIGHT: SDOT plans to close the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct – the West Seattle Bridge between I-5 and Highway 99 – every night this week, as construction work to widen it continues. 10 pm-5 am, and during the closure, you will not be able to get onto the bridge from I-5 or Beacon Hill. Here’s the official announcement.

BINGO! Weekly bingo at Alki UCC Church (62nd/Hinds), doors open at 5:30 pm, games at 6:30 pm, usually running until about 8:30 pm, $7 buy-in. Hotline for information is [206] 935-5950.

NEW COFFEEHOUSE’S OPEN HOUSE: As reported here last week, the new Caffe Fiore in the Admiral District opens tomorrow, and invites you to a pre-opening open house tonight, 6-9 pm (2206 California SW).

‘WE ARE FAMILY’: The next event in the Community Lecture Series at Admiral Congregational Church is tonight at 7 (4320 SW Hill) Admiral resident Laura Sutkus will talk about family law: Appointing guardians, power of attorney, health care directives (living wills). $5 fee, cookies, coffee, and child care provided

KIDS’ ONLINE SAFETY: At 7 pm, you’re invited to Shorewood Christian School to hear from Stephanie Thomas of the Seattle Police Department, speaking about Internet Crimes Against Children and educating parents about inappropriate online behavior and what to watch out for when online and networking. (10300 28th SW)

HIGH POINT COMMUNITY CENTER’S FUTURE: Under the mayor’s budget proposal, High Point Community Center becomes a sort of hub of community-center services in West Seattle. How will that work? What would you like to see? Bring your ideas to a meeting tonight at 7 pm ((more details here)

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Close Junction streets for trick-or-treating? Mom’s campaign
November 6, 2011 10:12 pm
|      126 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

One week ago, the heart of the West Seattle Junction again brimmed with trick-or-treaters for the wildly popular two-hour event in which businesses welcomed kids to stop by for treats. Lots of smiles, lots of fun. No problems reported. But every year, some have wondered afterward, can’t the street be closed for this event as it is for other successful Junction events, like West Seattle Summer Fest and the West Seattle Junction Car Show (among others)? One local mom is doing more than wondering – she has started a dialogue with the West Seattle Junction Association, and is asking now for your thoughts. Here’s the open letter she asked us to publish:

Dear West Seattle Residents:

We are a family of 4, with two young children living in Belvidere. We are longtime residents of West Seattle and love it here mainly for the sense of community. Each year we look forward to the various Junction events where we can visit with our neighbors, patronize local businesses and roam the streets at Summer Fest, the Hi Yu Parade, WS Junction Car Show and even the Mobile Chowdown food-truck festival. The other big event we truly love is the Junction Trick or Treating, but there is one major drawback to this event.

Each year hundreds of parents, children, relatives, strollers & dogs flock to the Junction in full Halloween costume to trick-or-treat the Junction shops for only 2 hours. The streets are NOT blocked off and everyone is left crowding the sidewalks. Inevitably, there’s a logjam which leads people to step off the sidewalk either in the way of a parking car or right into the street. While I’m thankful there have been no accidents to date, it’s simply a matter of time. There has to be a better, safer way to celebrate the day.

If the Junction can close the streets for all the wonderful events I list above, then they can certainly close the streets for the safety and enjoyment of families. Understanding there are permitting costs (around $3800, I believe) and time and energy in coordinating with the City and Metro (which I’m willing to take on), there is also the benefit of bringing additional business to the Junction shops and bringing our community closer together.

Here’s what I propose…..we rally as a community, raise the money for permits, close the streets and delight in a day of trick-or-treating from 10 am to 3 pm (to capture the kids who nap early, the ones who nap late and folks who want to grab lunch at a Junction eatery!)

Here’s what I need now…..I know WSBlogers are great at commenting and speaking their minds. I’m counting on you to voice your support for closing down the streets for Trick or Treating in the Junction 2012. That’s all I’m asking…for now. Once I’ve garnered enough community support from residents and businesses, I’ll be back again for fundraising!

I’m committed to seeing this process through and count on your support!! Let’s make Halloween 2012 spooky and safe!!

Your neighbor, Behnaz Nelson

So – what do YOU think?

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Door-to-door concern: Legitimate ‘wreath-maker’?
November 6, 2011 9:39 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | Door-to-door alert | West Seattle news

Not a solicitor, but somebody going door-to-door – and just maybe, publishing a worried WSB’er’s tale will lead to reassurance that this was legit. Or not. Read on:Read More

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