Checking: Out-of-the-ordinary plane routing over West Seattle
In the past hour or so, we’ve received multiple notes asking why planes are taking an out-of-the-ordinary route over north West Seattle tonight; several people also brought it up in the comment section on today’s story about a Boeing Field alert for NEXT week. As far as we know, this has nothing to do with that alert; we are checking around to see what we can find out, but so far, all we’ve turned up is an alert about taxiway work at Boeing Field (see the right sidebar here) that doesn’t sound as if it would be related. If anyone “in the (aviation) know” is out there, either a comment or a note – editor@westseattleblog.com – would help! Thanks!
11:44 PM UPDATE: So far comment discussion has zeroed in on a runway closure at Sea-Tac that was scheduled to start two days ago – here’s their announcement.
High-school sports: Season ends for Chief Sealth’s standout soccer team
An amazing season ended tonight for the Chief Sealth International High School boys’ soccer team – one in which they were ranked among the state’s top teams, ran up an incredible winning streak, and made it to the state playoffs. Shorewood, the state’s #1 team, edged the Seahawks 2-1 tonight at Shoreline Stadium.
At the end of the game, the team applauded and cheered those who had come to cheer for them. Toward the start, we photographed them in an on-the-road edition of the “Hawks Nest”:
The game was a draw through the first half, 0-0 at halftime – no scoring till the 49th minute, as our partners at the Seattle Times report. Led by Head Coach Ron Johnson, Sealth closes the season at 14-3-1; Shorewood is undefeated, with 20 wins.
In a comment on the WSB Facebook page, Sealth athletic director Sam Reed thanked the fans who made the trek to Shorewood, then writing, “So proud of our boys and especially the Seniors that worked so hard to build something special during their time as Seahawks.”
Update: Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev visits West Seattle
(Thanks to Babs for the motorcade photo)
ORIGINAL 5:13 PM REPORT: We’ve gotten a couple messages about a motorcade in the Alki area. We’re told it’s for the president of Bulgaria, who has indeed been visiting Seattle. Earlier today, first-year President Rosen Prevneliev was on Capitol Hill. While in the area, he’s also met with Bill Gates. He’s in the area to drum up U.S. interest in Bulgarian business and is also visiting the “other” U.S. tech hub, Silicon Valley.
8:07 PM UPDATE: President Prevneliev has moved on, according to a WSB’er who called to say the motorcade had (temporarily) shut down I-5. Commenter WS says he was visiting The Pacific Institute, which is on Harbor Avenue SW between Salty’s and Seacrest; we passed by briefly en route to another story and noted the motorcycle officers were parked right across the street from the Institute.
(Event photos courtesy FOCUS News Agency, used with permission)
ADDED EARLY THURSDAY: Thanks to Bulgaria’s FOCUS News Agency for sharing photos from the West Seattle event; their correspondent reports that President Prevneliev told members of Seattle’s Bulgarian community that he is working to build trust between citizens and their political leaders, and that he is working on a long-term development plan for the country, including a proposed technology park.
FOCUS reports that about 40 people met with President Plevneliev during his West Seattle stop, including Bulgaria’s Ambassador to the United States, Elena Poptodorova, and the U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria, James Warlick, who has been tweeting about the trip:
The president’s Silicon Valley itinerary Thursday includes a stop at Google HQ.
West Seattle Crime Watch: Beware of metal, package thieves
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes this afternoon. From Todd at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor), a suggestion that it’s time to step up the extra vigilance for catalytic-converter theft and other types of metal-stealing – he says their shop (35th/Webster) has been hit by thieves going through their scrap metal (last night, it was radiators), even in a fenced, locked yard. (They already lock up the scrap catalytic converters.) He notes that Toyota pickups and 4-Runners tend to be targeted most often, and “it only takes a few minutes for an experienced thief to get (the converter) off the vehicle.”
And from Larry:
I had two packages stolen from our front door stoop on the same day. Both were supposedly delivered on May 10th from two different companies. I live on 31st between near Thistle Street.
Bring art to The Mount, for those who can’t go out to see it
This isn’t your usual “call for artists” – this is a request for artists to show their work where it’ll be seen by people who can’t go out to enjoy it elsewhere any more. The announcement:
Providence Mount St. Vincent is looking for Artists to display their work in our McAllister Hall Art Gallery.
The art gallery at Providence Mount St. Vincent displays local art on a monthly basis featuring a different artist each month. The main goal of this program is to provide enjoyment and artistic culture for our residents, since many of them are no longer physically able to visit art galleries. We offer artist the ability to sell her or his art with the request that 20 percent be donated to our Foundation. The gallery is located on the second floor entrance on the west side of the building–a high traffic area within the Mount. The art is viewed by residents, staff, families of residents, volunteers, and visitors. We insure the art while it’s on display to protect it from any possible damage and offer a reception in the artist’s honor.
The months of June, August, October, November and December are currently open in 2012. Please contact Anna Cronin at anna.cronin@providence.org or 206.938.6242 for more information.
West Seattle development: Oregon 42 construction to begin
(Tuesday evening photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
One year after a new plan was circulated for Oregon 42 – the mixed-use building at 42nd SW/SW Oregon in The Junction that’s been in the works for four and a half years – construction is about to begin. We confirmed that this morning with Mike Mahoney from ConAm, the San Diego company that is developing the 131-unit building; we called for an update after getting word that the construction fence had gone up around the site (photo above).
It’s a four-lot site; three houses will be demolished, probably starting next week, according to Mahoney. The fourth lot formerly held the house that was moved to another site in an operation that created something of a spectacle in summer 2010. (The site also made news here in March when one of the remaining houses was used for SWAT-team training.) Here’s one of the Oregon 42 renderings circulated last year, when the number of apartments was increased and the amount of retail decreased (now 3,000 square feet):
(That’s Hope Lutheran at the lower left, Capco Plaza – QFC & Altamira – at upper right.) Mahoney says the plan hasn’t changed since the revised version was made public last year. But now they’re ready to proceed. Once demolition begins, he says, “that’s really going to kick off the full construction – we will move right into excavation and shoring work.” He expects the construction crane to go up in about two months, and the project to be complete after about 16 months of work – which would mean fall of next year. SD Deacon is the general contractor; Junction-based Nicholson Kovalchick Architects joined the project before last year’s round of publicized changes, but was not involved when the project was first proposed back in 2008. This project, by the way, is among those in West Seattle granted the city’s Multi-Family Tax Exemption (see the agreement, finalized by the City Council last year, here), for agreeing that 20 percent of the units will have what the city deems “affordable rents” accessible to people slightly below the median income.
Two other major apartment projects are under construction in West Seattle right now – Youngstown Flats in North Delridge, and Harbor/Urban’s 62-unit Nova in The Triangle – and others are on the drawing board, including two within just a few blocks, the Equity Residential project at California/Alaska, and 4724 California, which has its first Design Review Board meeting one week from tomorrow.
West Seattle summer: Wading-pool schedule’s out
(WSB file photo of Hiawatha’s wading pool)
Thanks to Sarah for the tip: The city has just published this summer’s wading-pool schedule, and there are some changes for West Seattle. You might recall that the city had looked for sponsors to help pick up the cost, and according to the new schedule, two wading pools get an extra day of operation each, thanks to sponsorships – Admiral Safeway, according to Parks, is making it possible for the Hiawatha pool to be open on Saturdays, while the Hiawatha Advisory Council is making it possible for the Delridge pool to be open on Sundays – both of those pools will be open 4 days a week, while Lincoln Park remains the only West Seattle wading pool open 7 days a week, and it will be the earliest to open, scheduled for June 23rd. See the full schedule here (PDF). We’re checking on one thing – Highland Park – which is being converted to a spray park – is listed on the schedule as “opening in 2013,” but at the most recent project meeting, Seattle Parks had said they hoped to get it open before this season ends. We’ll add whatever we find out.
West Seattle Wednesday: Playoffs; bell times; bioswales…
(Butterflies are here! Photographed in West Seattle by Machel Spence)
From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:
EARLY DISMISSAL DAY: Seattle Public Schools are out two hours early today.
HIGH-SCHOOL POSTSEASON GAMES: The Chief Sealth International High School soccer team’s first state playoff game is today vs. Shorewood HS at Shoreline Stadium (18560 1st Ave NE). In the district softball tournament, Sealth plays Liberty at 2 pm at Lower Woodland Park (Green Lake Way and N. 50th); West Seattle High School plays Mount Si, also at 2 pm at Lower Woodland.
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING: The final vote on hiring José Banda as superintendent is on tonight’s agenda, as is the revised proposal for changing next year’s transportation plan – one that the district says will mean little if any change in bell times, unlike the one that was withdrawn after its appearance, with no public input, sparked concern (see the new one here). The meeting’s at 6 pm, district HQ in SODO (2445 3rd Avenue S.). **added** We also have learned that the public-comment section will include speakers on behalf of Middle College High School, the public high school based at South Seattle Community College, which is facing a move to a new location, as was confirmed during last week’s BEX IV levy work session covered here.
PATHFINDER K-8 PLAYGROUND ADDITION KICKOFF: The community’s invited to this dinner meeting to talk about transforming the school playground, as explained here. 6 pm, Pathfinder cafeteria (1901 SW Genesee).
WINE AND WISDOM: The monthly “mingle” sponsored by Savvy Seattle Women is at 6 tonight, Prudential Northwest Realty offices in Jefferson Square.
DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: Tonight’s meeting (7 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW) includes a county presentation about the bioswales/raingardens proposed in parts of Sunrise Heights and Westwood to reduce combined-sewer overflows at the Barton Pump Station by the Fauntleroy ferry dock.
‘BYE BYE BIRDIE’: The second week of West Seattle High School‘s spring musical continues, 7:30 pm. Ticketing info and more on the Westside Drama website.
More on the calendar!
Tomorrow morning,
| 23 COMMENTS