West Seattle, Washington
14 Thursday
Out of the WSB inbox tonight:
ROSES, MORE ROSES, AND STILL MORE ROSES from 9 AM until 3 PM on Saturday, October 20th. The roses are available at SW 61st and Beach Drive SW, the former home of Rich and Ruth Fandek. This lovely rose garden has graced the West Seattle waterfront for years and years. It is presently being partially dismantled. About 60 rose bushes are still available.. It’s a “YOU DIG” event. It will be helpful for you to bring your own shovel, pitch fork, pruner, and bucket. Rose bushes are available for a suggested donation of $!0. The activity is sponsored by the Mary-Martha Bible Study Circle of Hope Lutheran Church. All donations will be given in support of a professional Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod church worker student. Questions? Contact Irene Gehring at 937-9180
The photo above, from county property records, doesn’t do justice to what the rose garden looked like at its peak – our first residence in West Seattle was a rental a block away, in the early ’90s, so we remember the summer colors very well – but that photo’s all we could find.
If you are interested in Junction development, the Southwest Design Review Board meeting scheduled for November 8th will be one to not to miss: The two newest projects in the area are now on the agenda. We’ve already reported that it’s the date for the second meeting for 4724 California SW, the 88-apartment, 14-live-work-unit project planned for the former Petco space in The Junction. Today, the city also scheduled the second meeting for 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW for that same night; that’s the 370-apartment (plus grocery store and drug store as well as smaller shops) megaproject proposed to span Fauntleroy between Edmunds and Alaska, then across Alaska to 40th, and down 40th to just north of the Masonic Hall. The official schedule is 6:30 pm for 4724 California – for which this may be the final meeting – 8 pm for 4755 Fauntleroy – which is back for more Early Design Guidance, so will have at least one more meeting; both meetings are at the Senior Center of West Seattle (WSB sponsor), California/Oregon in The Junction.
(Photo added 4:23 pm – back side of the golf course, just off 26th)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 4:07 PM: Thanks to those who called/texted about a police search in North Delridge. Here’s what we know so far: Police got a call about “suspicious activity” before 3 pm. The call originated around 26th and Hudson; the search for the person who was the subject of the call – who apparently has a felony warrant out for his arrest – has taken police, including K-9 officers, through the greenbelt, toward the golf course, and along other streets including 23rd SW. The last reported sighting was in the 4900 block of Delridge Way. Police apparently know who he is – he’s described as a white man about 50 years old, 5’4″, 140, shaved head, black hooded sweatshirt, facial hair, sunglasses. If you see someone resembling that description, don’t do anything yourself – call 911.
12:01 AM UPDATE: Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams confirms that the suspect’s now in jail: “Officers tracked him down at an address in the 9700 block of 33rd SW and took him into custody.” (Thanks to the commenter who posted that tip!)
When last we photographed Aaron Shepherd, he was busy fixing up his restaurant-to-be at 2329 California SW in The Admiral District. Today – the Copper Coin is officially open for the first full day of lunch/dinner/bar business (after a “soft open” night for dinner back on Monday).
As noted in our original August story, not only was Shepherd already a successful restaurateur in Shoreline, he also is from the family that runs Red Mill Burgers. And you’ll see a hint of that on the menu (note the description of the onion rings). Beer is a big deal at Copper Coin too – our friends at Washington Beer Blog tapped into that part of the story (and the first-night food). CC hours for starters are 11:30-11:00 Sunday-Thursday, 11:30-12:00 Friday-Saturday. And yes, the new restaurant/bar has a page in the WSB West Seattle Restaurant Guide.
(Parent volunteer working with student at end of AH’s long hallway connecting portables)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
In less than an hour, Arbor Heights Elementary supporters plan to rally outside School District headquarters in SODO – in advance of the School Board’s next meeting.
At that meeting (4:15 pm start for board business, 5 pm for public comment), the Board is scheduled to consider the formal introduction of the latest draft of the BEX IV levy, a project list totaling almost $700 million.
It includes a plan to use levy money to build a replacement for AH Elementary – more than 60 years old and falling apart – but not until 2018 (moved up one year from the previous draft, as reported here yesterday), while the district is using levy money to open other new schools as early as 2015.
This morning, School Board president Michael DeBell visited Arbor Heights to see its dilapidation firsthand and listen to the eleventh-hour plea from second-year principal Christy Collins and two members of the Arbor Heights parent community.
He agreed that Arbor Heights’ condition is a “critical situation,” but made no commitments to change where it stands on the BEX list. Ahead, see some of what he saw, in a tour that began at the stairs from SW 104th to Arbor Heights’ front entrance.
Add another party to your fall schedule! The West Seattle Community Orchestras (WSB sponsor) are seeking your support as they provide an opportunity for musicians young and not-as-young to learn, grow, and entertain. Here’s the announcement of their upcoming benefit:
A gorgeous trombone quartet tribute for Japan in early 2012; a world-premiere woodwind composition in 2011. The West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ Fall Gala on November 10 is sure to present a musical surprise that engages and highlights the contributions and talents of local musicians. Celebrate and support local music November 10th at the Highland Park Improvement Club beginning at 5:30 pm with a silent and live auction and of course, performances by members of all three of WSCO’s orchestras. Food by local chef Rose Zhu and a cash bar will round out the evening. Tickets now available via WSCOrchestras.org, $25 adults and $10 children 12 and under.
WSCO operates three orchestras for musicians of all ages and abilities, each group meeting weekly for rehearsals with two concerts yearly. Students through grade 12 receive free membership in any of the orchestras which includes coaching, mentoring and of course performance opportunities. WSCO believes the intergenerational nature of the orchestras offer great musical experiences for all participants, providing opportunities to learn and grow together. To purchase tickets and view auction items: WSCOrchestras.org – To donate auction items: WSCOauction@gmail.com
Again this year, in addition to the regular 24/7/365 WSB West Seattle Events Calendar, we have a special page that lists West Seattle Halloween events, from Halloween-themed Rainbow Bingo this Friday, to the new Junction Harvest Festival, to bar parties, and beyond. With two weeks to go till The Big Night, it’s now live at westseattleblog.com/halloween. Some events are just a few days away, so take a look – it’s in the header (every one of those tabs takes you to another section of the site), with the word “Halloween” in pumpkin orange. And while we do our best both to publish all the listings we receive, and to look around online to see what has NOT come in yet, we’re still probably missing something – here’s how to get us the info. We’ll continue to update the Halloween page when there’s something to add or update. Thanks! (Jack-o-lanterns photo from Heidi & Daniel, Halloween 2007)
Earlier this month, community sleuthing traced the source of at least one version of the pervasive noise problem that’s become known as “The Hum” to an offloading operation at CalPortland on the Duwamish River, just east of Highland Park. The sound we captured in this report – heard as far away as Gatewood – was a clear match to the sound community members were hearing (and recording, as included in an earlier report). Highland Park Action Committee co-chairs Carolyn and Billy Stauffer met with managers at the facility, who said they were committed to take action to stop the sound; Carolyn delivered the report at last month’s HPAC meeting.
Now, they have followed up on what’s happened at the plant since then. WSB covered the Stauffers’ visited to CalPortland yesterday for a progress report on what’s been done:Read More
Today’s the day King County Elections is mailing ballots for the November 6th election, which includes the first presidential vote since the county switched to voting by mail, so you might be able to vote as soon as tomorrow. You might already have received a state Voters’ Pamphlet (ours arrived yesterday) – that’s one of two guides you’ll be getting. And if you would rather not put your ballot in the mail, the dropoff van will be back at West Seattle Stadium November 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th. More details on all of the above – and other important voting details – in the county news release ahead:Read More
(Thanks to Holli for sharing the photo taken along Longfellow Creek)
From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar for today/tonight:
FIREFIGHTER STORY TIME: Local firefighters will help local preschoolers learn about fire safety with this special appearance at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 2306 42nd SW, 10:30 am.
BEX IV LEVY ENTERS FINAL SCHOOL BOARD STAGES: As reported here on Tuesday, the newest draft of the Seattle Public Schools BEX IV levy is to be formally introduced at tonight’s School Board meeting – one of two final steps before it goes to voters. The new draft moves the Arbor Heights Elementary rebuild up one year to 2018. Advocates from around West Seattle – and some beyond – say it should be at the head of the list. They’re planning to rally around 3:45 pm outside the district’s SODO headquarters, where the board meeting starts at 4:15 (with the public-comment period at 5).
OKTOBERFEST AT MERRILL GARDENS WEST SEATTLE: 5-7 pm tonight, 4611 35th SW, just call for reservations! Full details in the calendar listing.
SEALTH OPEN HOUSE: The fall open house for Chief Sealth International High School families to come meet teachers and find out more about what’s happening this year is tonight at 6 pm.
MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: The quarterly meeting’s agenda – 7 pm, The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW; WSB sponsor) – includes an update on the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow storage-tank project at Lowman Beach and the city’s proposed purchase of a site just north of Morgan Junction Park, to expand it.
DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: The monthly meeting of reps from organizations around eastern West Seattle is at 7 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW). The agenda includes a county update on the Barton Combined Sewer Overflow reduction project, following last weekend’s open house regarding changes in the plan for “green stormwater infrastructure” in Sunrise Heights and Westwood, with 19 bioswales now planned instead of 31.
These are just a few of the highlights – MUCH more on the calendar!
That 3-minute time-lapse video is shared by West Seattle environmental advocate Laura “Diver Laura” James, to tell the story of last Sunday’s rainstorm from underwater – the outfall off Alki where some of West Seattle’s runoff goes. (Be sure to watch at least the first half.) Want to make it less dramatic next time? The campaign against the Tox-Ick Monster will show you how. And you can discuss clean water – Puget Sound and beyond – with Laura and other Northwest advocates, journalists, and experts, in a live online chat at 11 this morning, presented by EarthFix – here’s the link.
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
No trouble reported in the early going (after a busy Tuesday!) on the main routes from/to/through West Seattle, though if you happen to be headed this way from the south, take note there’s a crash around mid-Boeing Field that’s “partially blocking two lanes,” according to WSDOT.
9:26 AM: Thanks to commenters for tracking some late-in-the-commute bridge trouble. There was an eastbound crash, and a reported westbound slowdown, though we are not sure what caused the latter.
(Click image for larger view)
We showcased one beautiful photo looking west across the water this morning … to bookend the day, here’s one looking east. Thanks to Don Brubeck for taking it while bicycling home from work, and then sharing it. Still some clear sky tonight – we’ve seen stars. Tomorrow, some sun remains in the forecast, before what’s projected to be another series of cloudy/showery days.
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