West Seattle, Washington
03 Thursday
The city’s just out with its weekly update on road work that might affect you – and in addition to more Fauntleroy Expressway closures in the works, the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project will have some EASTBOUND closures (as opposed to the previous set of WESTBOUND shutdowns). From the city’s announcement:
– Jan 12, 16-20 and 23-27, the Fauntleroy Expressway will be closed each night. This is the portion of the West Seattle Freeway west of Delridge on/off-ramps and east of 35th Ave SW.– Jan 19, all eastbound lanes of the Spokane Street Viaduct will be closed overnight (9PM to 5AM), east of the 1st Ave S off-ramp. Traffic will be detoured to the lower roadway (S Spokane St).
– Jan 27-30, all eastbound lanes of the Spokane Street Viaduct will be closed through the weekend, east of the SR 99 off-ramp. Access to the 1st Ave S and 4th Ave S off-ramps will be closed.
And of course that also would mean you couldn’t get to I-5 or Beacon Hill from the West Seattle Bridge. These closures (and others around the city) should be listed soon on this city webpage, for later reference.
You know the otters in West Seattle waters are river otters, even if they’re in saltwater, right? Here’s one of them – by an actual river this time around. Seattle Public Utilities just shared that video, saying it’s from the Slip 4 cleanup site on the Duwamish River. That’s on the eastern shore, 3 miles south of Harbor Island; we covered an event there back in October as the cleanup began. According to the info-page for the cleanup work, habitat restoration should be complete in February.
MURDER SUSPECT IN COURT: On partner site White Center Now, we just added video to our courthouse coverage of this morning’s arraignment of Cu Van Truong, charged with murder in the shooting death of Jason Saechao at Seattle Roll Bakery last month. Truong pleaded not guilty and is scheudled to return to court in two weeks.
TWO READER REPORTS … for West Seattle Crime Watch this morning, both with photos. First, from Bill:
A sacred image was stolen from under the giant poplar at the end of my driveway at the west (21st Ave SW) entrance to the SW Graham Hill Climb sometime between about 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 10, and 7:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 11.
Big, old trees, especially, may be possessed of female tree spirits, which can be malevolent if not properly propitiated. Reward, no questions asked. Please contact Bill, 206.768.0170
And from Jamie:
I wanted to report a hit and run. Happened January 10th during the day sometime, on 21st ave SW.
(updated) In the 9400 block, Jamie adds.
Last but not least, as we were finishing this, we got word from Richard Miller of the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council that he has confirmed a guest speaker for next Tuesday’s meeting:
We have Officer William Witt from the Aggressive Driving Team. Officer Witt is unique in that he is also a DUI Officer as well as being part of the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Team.
Want to know how the ADRT – subject of so many WSB discussions! – works? Perfect opportunity. 7 pm Tuesday, Southwest Precinct meeting room (Webster/Delridge), all welcome.
Thanks to Mark Bader for the view of Mount Rainier during today’s sunrise. Will our area, too, soon be frosted in snow? The newest forecast still calls for the chance of snow showers beginning Saturday night; the snow level is expected around 400 feet, and some of West Seattle’s hills go higher than that. By Sunday night, that’s down to 200 feet. If you want more context, check out the latest “forecast discussion,” which concludes, “For now, uncertainty is way too high to get very excited yet.” (Also remember there’s still a burn ban in effect, with an “air stagnation advisory” covering the area as well as a “special weather statement” addressing the possibility of snow.)
(A regular visitor to photographer Melanie Dixon‘s feeder)
No rain, no snow – yet! (Saturday night is the earliest forecast mention) – so it should be a perfect night for the West Seattle Art Walk, if the forecast holds true. From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
‘KING TIDES’ AGAIN: Another round of ultra-high high tides (here’s the chart) – this morning, 12.7 feet as of minutes ago (7:17 am), next two mornings, a bit higher.
LITTLE PEPPERS: Two children under three in the family? 10 am today, it’s the first class in a new session of Little Peppers, meeting at West Seattle Bright Horizons, 4530 38th Ave SW – details here.
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK, JANUARY EDITION: For previews of specific venues and artists, check out the official Art Walk site – tonight’s highlights will include Twilight Artist Collective‘s 7th-anniversary celebration – 6-9 pm at dozens of venues around the peninsula.
WINE TASTING AND LIVE MUSIC: Second Thursday of the month, that’s what you’ll find at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW, 6 pm – 8 pm. You’re welcome to bring an appetizer to share! Tonight, Choro Tocando and the music of Brazil. $5 tasting fee, or wines by glass or bottle.
ASK-AN-EXPERT AT WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: 6-8 pm tonight, 4408 Delridge Way SW (east side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center), see our preview from last night.
WEST SEATTLE LITTLE LEAGUE SIGNUPS: First in-person registration session for West Seattle Little League, 6-8:30 pm at West Seattle High School (3000 California SW), more info here.
ADVISORY GROUP: Design Advisory Group for the Murray CSO project meets, Fauntleroy Church, 6:30 pm (more info here).
LIVE MUSIC: Alma Villegas performs at Shadowland, 4458 California SW, 8 pm-11 pm. No cover.
OVERNIGHT PARTIAL BRIDGE CLOSURE: 9 pm-5 am, another Fauntleroy Expressway closure is scheduled as the seismic-retrofit work continues.
GARAGE SALE FANS, MARK YOUR CALENDARS: West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day (sponsored by WSB for the fifth consecutive year) is exactly four months away – May 12th. Way too soon to register, but we’ll give you plenty of advance warning!
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“An exciting year” was recalled – and another one envisioned – as more than 60 people lunched at Neighborhood House’s High Point Neighborhood Center today for the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s annual meeting.
The excitement included membership growth as well as intensive advocacy on key issues.
Reviewing 2011 accomplishments, Chamber board chair Dave Montoure (proprietor of West 5 in The Junction) detailed advocacy issues included working for passage of the pro-tunnel ballot measure, supporting West Seattle transportation priorities brought to the awareness of the citywide committee known as CTAC-3 – “this group was the only neighborhood to (develop) a list of priorities” and present it to the group – and lobbying the City Council to commit “resources to improve The Triangle.”
The rate of new members joining the Chamber was up more than 150 percent from 2010, and 80 percent of current members renewed during the year. “We have a healthy Chamber and we’re going to continue to grow,” Montoure declared.
Earlier this week, we listed scheduled open houses/tours at local high schools. Now, here’s the info we have about what’s planned at local middle schools (6th-8th grades unless otherwise described):
DENNY INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL
Evening Open House for Prospective New Families: February 9, 6:30 p.m. F
Daytime Tours: January 31, February 8, and March 1 from 8:00 to 9:10 a.m. All are welcome – no appointment needed.
EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL (WSB sponsor)
Update from EWMS: “Although the 2012-13 Admissions season has concluded, ongoing admissions applications will be accepted and reviewed on a case-by-case basis. For more information about the Admissions Process, please visit: www.explorer-west.org or call 206-935-0495.”
HOLY ROSARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Open house: January 29; 10 am-1 pm
HOPE LUTHERAN SCHOOL
Open house: January 31, 7-8:30 pm (flyer here)
MADISON MIDDLE SCHOOL
Tours: 6-8:30 pm February 2nd, 8:30-10:30 am February 9th and 16th
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Open house: 9 am-1 pm January 29th
PATHFINDER K-8
Middle-school open house: 6-7:30 pm February 7
Middle-school tours: 8:30-9:45 am February 8, February 13, February 16
WEST SEATTLE MONTESSORI/WEST SEATTLE ACADEMY (WSB sponsor)
Open houses: 1-3 pm January 21, 6:30-8 pm February 2.
WESTSIDE SCHOOL (grades 5, 6, 7; WSB sponsor)
Drop-in tours on Wednesdays; more info on this page
If you’re affiliated with a local school and see something missing/incorrect, please let us know so we can add/fix it – for schools that hadn’t sent us announcements of their plans, the above info is gleaned from their websites.
(Photo courtesy Laura Elfline)
On the second Thursday every month, the West Seattle Tool Library invites do-it-yourselfers to not just come check out tools, but come get free expert advice on projects/ideas you might be pursuing or considering – now or in the future. And tomorrow’s the January edition. From the announcement:
Our coaches have expertise in a variety of areas, including solar power, water harvesting, green architecture & building, permaculture, and urban gardening. This month’s lineup includes experts from: Mighty House Construction, Urban Land Army, Solar Epiphany, LD Arch Design, Alki Bike and Board, as well as members of our community at large
These open and informal community meetups offer an opportunity to bounce project ideas off fellow DIYers and maybe receive some advice in the process, if you like. It’s also a great time to show off what you’ve been working on. You bring your inspiration and your inquiring minds. We’ll bring the experts and the pizza! See you there!
The Tool Library is on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW.
(Photo courtesy Fritz Araya)
Early registration is now open for the Spring 2012 PONY Baseball season with West Seattle Baseball, which sent an announcement explaining that it’s “a brand-new youth-sports organization in West Seattle created from the merger of West Seattle Pee Wee Baseball for players 5 to 10 years old and Southwest Pony Baseball, for players from ages 11-19.” Full details ahead:Read More
Aside from “when will the West Seattle Trader Joe’s open?” a top question landing in the WSB inbox at least once a week has been: “What’s the old Bohemian turning into?” 
Thirteen months after it closed, and 4 1/2 months after it was sold, we’ve continued trying to find out. Our reporter on the case has left messages, business cards, etc. No reply. We’ve received recent reports that work crews have been sighted at the 3405 California SW storefront, but there are no permits on the DPD log – might just mean they’re not doing enough work to need them. However, intrepid reader Jodee has discovered a name for the enterprise: West City Sardine Kitchen, according to state records (there’s a city business license in that name too). The names include the same person whose name eventually turned up on the deed, the owner of Bick’s Broadview Grill in the north end. Could just be a working title. But for the tidbit-hungry, that’s the latest, for now.
THURSDAY UPDATE: Just made the daily check of liquor-license applications – and even as we were publishing this story yesterday, the owners were applying for a liquor license as West City Sardine Kitchen, it turns out.
Though The Kenney (WSB sponsor) scaled back its redevelopment plans, one element that remained was a specific center for people with Alzheimer’s/dementia. That center, the Memory Care Community, is now about to welcome its first resident, according to an announcement today from The Kenney, which also invites you to an upcoming open house – read on:Read More
The City of Seattle’s online map lineup has a new addition. Not only can you find development projects, traffic times, and 911 calls on city maps, you can now look up street trees. For example, if you zoom to 35th SW, you can click on the dark-green tree cluster and find out about the famous European Hornbeams (the trees, shown in our 2009 photo above, just before getting special attention a couple years back from a group of professional arborists who donated their time and talents). The new map (explained here) comes just as the city gets ready to consider a new street-tree ordinance (find it here), as we reported here and here.
Tomorrow night is West Seattle Art Walk (6-9 pm, all over WS). That’s not the only time you can enjoy art around the peninsula; new work is put up in local businesses all the time. Like images by young photographer Audrey Strevey, at Red Cup Espresso in The Junction, with part of the proceeds from any sales going to charity. Her proud mom Beth Bakeman sent us news of the show – as well as the photo above, and this bio that Audrey wrote:
Audrey Strevey is 9 years old. Taking photos has been her passion her whole life, and she recently acquired a Nikon D70.
Her new dog, Stirling, pushed her to go to the Westcrest dog park and discover her true talent, animal photography.
Audrey is pleased Red Cup Espresso is displaying her photos and hopes there will be more opportunities in the future.
She is donating 50% of her profit to PAWS, the animal shelter where her two 4-year old cats came from, to give thanks and show her appreciation.
PAWS is a champion for animals—rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife, sheltering and adopting homeless cats and dogs, and educating people to make a better world for animals and people.
First bit of news from the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s annual membership meeting, just wrapped up in High Point (full meeting report later): Senior Center of WS director Karen Sisson (at left, with Chamber board chair Dave Montoure) stood up and requested support for a bill that 34th District State Senator Sharon Nelson is co-sponsoring on behalf of the center and others like it. SB 6076 would create a new type of liquor license for senior centers. Sisson says her center started the year $86,000 in the red and could make more money at its fundraisers if it had a liquor license – particularly evening events such as dances and the popular Rainbow Bingo. They’re not looking to open a bar, she stressed, though she said that if this goes through, the board might consider selling beer/wine at their upstairs café. Alcohol sales at fundraisers, however, would be the main goal. The full text of the bill is here; it just had its “first reading” today and goes next to the Senate’s Labor, Commerce, and Consumer Protection Committee (If you would like to contact that committee’s members with an opinion on this bill, they’re listed here.)
(WSB photo by Tracy Record)
It’s nowhere near the scale of “The Hole,” but this once-stalled West Seattle development project now has new ownership and has finally been completed. It’s “Harbor Work Live,” designed by Junction-based Nicholson Kovalchick Architects, built in the 2400 block of Harbor Avenue SW (between Salty’s and 7-11). The permits were granted back in 2006; exteriors appeared mostly complete when the project suddenly idled a ways back; there they sat, obviously missing some final touches, for many months. Now they’ve been purchased and completed, and instead of being sold, they’re available for lease, and immediate occupancy, according to the agent representing them, Jacob Menashe. We met him at the site for a quick tour. On the corner (Harbor/Fauntleroy) is a space where he says they’re hoping to attract a small café that might appeal not only to nearby residents but also to pedestrians on the Harbor/Alki trail:
(Next two photos courtesy Jacob Menashe)
That space, Menashe says, could either be leased just for the ground-level retail – or with the living space above. (The units in the back not-street-front row are four stories, and almost 2,000 square feet.) Depending on whether they are leased separately or as live-work, there’s up to 19 units on the property, all with garages and decks, and an industrial-modern interior:
Views, too. There’s more info on individual units – including prices and photos – on the project’s website.
The dry, clear weather is great for views, but also has led to this: A “Stage 1” burn ban takes effect at 4 pm today for all of King County (among other parts of the metro area) – that means your fireplace/woodstove, too. Read on for full details from the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency:Read More
As usually happens this time of year, we’ve received e-mail asking about volunteer opportunities in West Seattle for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day – which is celebrated next Monday. So far, we have heard from the Nature Consortium, which is hosting “a Weekend of Service,” with events in the West Duwamish Greenbelt on Saturday and Monday. Mouse over those days on the calendar on this page of the NC’s site to get full details. Anyone else looking for volunteers for MLK Day – either Monday, or the preceding weekend? Please let us know and we’ll add the info here! (And if you doing something impromptu like these local kids did last year, let us know about that too!)
By Karen Berge
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The Downtown Emergency Service Center‘s (DESC) Delridge Supportive Housing project was the major discussion topic at the North Delridge Neighborhood Council (NDNC) January monthly meeting on Monday evening.
This first meeting of the new year, held at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, kicked off with brief introductions and reflections on New Year’s resolutions from the 15 neighborhood attendees. After that, meeting business quickly got underway. The very full agenda also included a proposal for a new committee on Community Design and Land Use; details about today’s North Delridge Walking Tour with City Council and SDOT representatives; information about potential Bridging the Gap grant projects; discussion of the recent request to the city regarding an update to the Delridge Neighborhood Plan; and other items and announcements.
First, since it’s about an event happening today:
NORTH DELRIDGE WALKING TOUR:
Jake Vanderplas, NDNC Transportation Committee chair, briefed the group on
details about the North Delridge walking tour set for 3-4:30 pm today (meet outside the Delridge Community Center). Tour participants will include City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, representative(s) from SDOT, members of NDNC, and any other interested Delridge neighbors or others who wish to attend. Issues include large and small items relating to bike, pedestrian, transit or driving safety (for example, a Walk-signal button that doesn’t activate the signal light when pressed). If you know of additional issues or sites that should be addressed/visited on the tour, they suggest that you post a comment on their site. A new pedestrian issue that was brought up during this meeting is an asphalt sidewalk with a mailbox positioned inconveniently in the very center of the walkway.
We hear traffic is worse than usual again today. Certainly the sunrise would have been some distraction an hour ago; no other obvious causes, but we’re still monitoring. Thanks to Brian for sharing the photo via Twitter. As for the day/night ahead – from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
BRIDGE CLOSURE SCHEDULED: Fauntleroy Expressway overnight closures
AT THE LIBRARIES: Seattle Public Library story times – here’s the citywide list, including what’s happening in West Seattle today.
GOT A LITTLE ONE? Baby Peppers class starts up! 10:30 am at Bright Horizons in The Triangle. Details here.
ANNUAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING: West Seattle Chamber of Commerce annual meeting, 11:30 am, Neighborhood House‘s Neighborhood Center in High Point (details here). If you haven’t already RSVP’d, contact the Chamber ASAP to see if there’s still room.
WALKING TOUR TO TALK ABOUT TRANSPORTATION ISSUES IN NORTH DELRIDGE: Take a North Delridge walking tour with city reps, 3 pm; meet outside Delridge Community Center, more info here
LIVE MUSIC AT AVALON: Pourquoi Pas plays tonight, 6:30, at Avalon (which is celebrating its first anniversary this month).
GO GREEN IN THE NEW YEAR: West Seattle CoolMom meets: We’ll be discussing our New Year’s resolutions for greening our lives and lowering our carbon footprints. Bring your stories and ideas. We’d love to hear what you did in 2011, how you did it, and what you’re looking forward to in 2012. 7:00 – 8:30 pm at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor, 5612 California SW).
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: 34th District Democrats meet, The Hall at Fauntleroy, 7 pm. Here’s the latest agenda information.
If you’re in or near Arbor Heights and wondered about the sirens – Seattle Fire sent a big response to what was reported as a garage fire on 31st near 97th (map), but canceled most of the units within minutes, declaring the fire “tapped.”
Story and event photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
“Toys and food — everybody gets that,” says longtime WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli of his photographic series featuring food and tiny human figurines. It’s making a splash worldwide and here at home, as an exhibition titled “Big Appetites” opened at a downtown gallery.
Christopher’s show at Winston Wachter Fine Art began with an artist reception last night. Inspired by media depictions of tiny people, from “Gulliver’s Travels” to “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” he’s been playing with the imagery concept for the past few years, but it’s only in the past few months that their popularity has “exploded” — especially internationally, since a first wave of European interest last spring.
“The ‘tiny things’ fascination crosses cultures,” says Christopher. “There’s a God-like feeling that comes from playing with small toys. The size disparity draws people into a different world.” Christopher’s photos will soon be showing in galleries in London, Brazil, and Monaco.
Out of the WSB inbox, from Mary, who tried a simple tactic to stop would-be thieves:
About 2:00 (Tuesday afternoon) I heard a vehicle stop in the alley next to my home, (in the Westwood neighborhood) and looked out to see 2 men taking something heavy from my neighbors’ yard and loading it into their pickup truck. Just as I got outside and to the alley, they were driving off, but stopped when I spoke to them. I asked if they had permission to take “that thing.”
Story and photos by Katie Meyer
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
A continuing passion for helping homeless families drew more than 30 attendees to an “exploratory, fact-finding” meeting Monday night at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) by members of the board of Family Promise of Seattle, the shelter program that recently closed.
Representatives from a wide network of churches and non-profit groups, many of whom had worked with Family Promise, shared their questions, concerns, ideas and enthusiasm. People representing Alki UCC, Admiral UCC, Fauntleroy UCC, Hope Lutheran, Operation Nightwatch, Union Gospel Mission, Church of Mary Magdalene, Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Catholic Community Services, and two Queen Anne churches (among others) were among others at the meeting interested in listening and speaking with the FP board members about possible solutions and synergies to provide services to more homeless families in the future.
The rate of families becoming homeless continues to rise. Mary’s Place, a downtown day shelter that provides services for homeless women and children, has seen a staggering 300% increase in families coming through their door in 2011. A speaker from Hope Lutheran stated they “would like to continue helping in the format we have been helping in. 100 families were helped in West Seattle at Christmas; 1 in 5 of those families were homeless. We had families who were in a tent city, others were living in their cars. I hope we can continue to be helping keep families intact.”
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