West Seattle, Washington
14 Saturday
At 2 pm, a bit past midway through the last day of business for the King County Elections ballot-dropoff van in West Seattle – the part-time semi-replacement for the fixed ballot-dropoff box we used to have in Delridge – we stopped by for one more progress report. They estimated they had already received about 800 ballots by then – and we saw another half-dozen or so go by in the minute or two it took us to take the photo. One more time: You have to either get your ballot to a dropbox or dropoff van by 8 pm, or get it to the Post Office before they stop postmarking for the day (as in, before they close). That’s the only way to be sure it’ll count.
P.S. As usual, there will be one run of King County results, to be announced shortly after 8 pm. We’ll have local/state results when those come in.
(Photos and video by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
A presidential vote this morning at Roxhill Elementary! Above, students listen to Roxhill teacher Christopher Robert, who explained the plan in advance, via e-mail:
The 5th grade teaching team has collaborated for the past three weeks on a project in which students and some staff will finally cast their Presidential votes for either Lilly (Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Julius, the Baby of the World) or Sam (the Library Mouse books). The idea originated when librarian Pat (Bliquez) read Grace for President during Library time. Both classes were learning about the upcoming election during Social Studies time, and we began to think of a way to help make the idea of the Electoral College more concrete for the students. We decided to have an election at school on Election Day.
Instead of choosing between the real presidential candidates, they chose the book characters.
Made sense for a variety of reasons, Robert continued:
Of course, this tied in perfectly with our October unit on character during Readers’ Workshop. Books were read to students either during Library time, as read alouds, or as part of a minilesson during Workshop. Students brainstormed character traits that a President should have, and then they thought and wrote about which of these Presidential character traits were possessed by Lilly and Sam. At the same time, they were each randomly assigned one of the 50 states, and during Computer time, they did some research on their state (nickname, number of Electoral College votes, interesting fact).
We were there for the start of the election proceedings, which Robert explained in advance as follows:
We will gather in the cafeteria. Patriotic music will play as students enter. After a welcome, two students will share their essays, one in support of Lilly, one in support of Sam.
(Our video of the speeches)
We will then begin the alphabetical roll call of states in which students/staff will stand at the microphone with a placard of their state and cast their electoral votes for either Sam or Lilly. We will keep track of the votes as we go along (so a little mental addition will happen). Even if one of the candidates reaches the coveted 270 votes, we will continue the roll call till we get to Wyoming. Finally, a winner will be announced. From there, the 5th graders will retire to the library for a small celebration (patriotic cupcakes). Upon their return to the classroom, students/staff will color a map of their state either yellow (Lilly) or purple (Sam) based on how they voted, and we will place these states as a map on the wall between the intermediate restrooms.
Since we weren’t there for the entire “election,” we have a message out to see which character won.
5:10 PM UPDATE: Teacher Christopher Robert replied – saying Sam the “library mouse” was Roxhill’s choice for president.
Two more projects are in the pipeline for Avalon Way. First, 3062 SW Avalon: The city website has just posted word of the first Design Review meeting for this project, described online as 7 stories, 107 units, and 80 parking spaces. The site (shown in county records as having been sold, twice, this past August). The first Design Review meeting, which will be formally announced in Thursday’s Land Use Information Bulletin, is set for 6:30 pm November 29th at the Senior Center of West Seattle (which is the site of a Design Review doubleheader this Thursday – another update on that, later today).
Second, 3050 SW Avalon. We noted in our August roundup of West Seattle development (seriously overdue for an update – we’ll work on that) that we’d spotted a proposal for this site. At the time, it was listed as 20 multifamily units. Now it’s changed; a followup check of city records shows that it’s now proposed for a 14-unit building to be occupied as a “boarding house,” with the same developer as a site along Delridge Way (here’s our story on that). This is a brand-new proposal – city records include a preliminary assessment dated just last Friday.
These projects join an Avalon list that includes the finally-almost finished “Residences at 3295,” the under-construction 3261, and the awaiting-next-Design-Review 3078.
A few notes:
LAST-MINUTE VOTING? If you are mailing your ballot – get it to a post office before the last pickup. There is no late-night postmarking. And of course, the ballot-dropoff van is at West Seattle Stadium (off 35th SW just south of Avalon) till 8 pm. If you’re outside West Seattle and wondering about other dropboxes/dropoff vans – where the deadline ALSO is 8 pm, just as it was in the in-person voting era – here’s the list.
ELECTION DAY PRAYER VIGIL: St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church invites you to its vigil noon-1 pm today, 3050 California SW: “A prayer vigil for our nation, for all candidates, and for wisdom as we vote for referenda will be held at Saint John the Baptist Episcopal Church. All are welcome to come for prayer, reflection, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.”
SENATOR IN SOUTH PARK: No candidates are making West Seattle visits today (it’s been a pretty low-key season overall aside from the Jay Inslee sighting on Saturday) but we did just get word that Senator Maria Cantwell, who’s running for re-election (challenged by Republican Mike Baumgartner), will be in South Park for a Get Out the Vote rally at 4 pm (IAM Local 751 Hall, 9125 15th Place S.).
ELECTION NIGHT PARTIES: Our list remains as follows:
Feedback Lounge (photo above; WSB sponsor; 6451 California SW; starts 5 pm)
Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW)
OutWest Bar (California and Brandon; starts 4 pm)
Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW)
Still not too late for us to add to the list – editor@westseattleblog.com or, of course, comment here.
Starting off this West Seattle Crime Watch report: Arbor Heights Elementary students are without several new computers because of a burglary. 
It was discovered early yesterday; we got a tip about it last night but weren’t able to get details until this morning. Det. Mark Jamieson with Seattle Police media relations says a school staffer discovered the burglary at 7:15 Monday morning and showed the responding officer how the burglar(s) had removed a louvered vent from the classroom door to get in – though the report says they’re not sure how the burglar(s) got into the school itself. The vent was taken as evidence in hopes it’ll yield fingerprints. The report lists the stolen items as four or five Apple computers that were new at the start of the school year (they were still taking inventory for followup paperwork when the officer filed his report); older computers in the same room were left behind.
We also checked with Seattle Public Schools, whose spokesperson Teresa Wippel says the school’s alarm was tripped at 3:53 am Sunday – “security responded immediately but didn’t find any signs of a break-in from the outside so left.” Then the staff discovered the missing computers when they arrived on Monday. SPS is still checking for us on how or whether the computers will be replaced.
Also in Crime Watch, three recent reader reports – all ahead:Read More
After a few “preview” weekends in White Center (photo above), Meander’s Kitchen proprietor Miranda has made her decision: The West Seattle location will close. She just made this announcement via Facebook:
Though we’d wanted to keep the West Seattle shop open through December, it’s become pretty darned clear that we need to focus our resources on the White Center shop. This past weekend was an amazing turnout; much more than we had thought, so our kitchen got backed up pretty significantly. In order to bring our best to you in the new space, we’ll be closing the West Seattle shop this week.
So, tomorrow will be our last day in West Seattle. Ed’s on the grill today, and I’ll be cooking tomorrow. Come say howdy…I’ll miss the West Seattle shop dearly, but I hope to see you all in White Center!
The WC address is 9635 16th SW, in the heart of the business district, same place you’ll find Caffe Delia (WSB sponsor), Proletariat Pizza, Full Tilt Ice Cream, Company Bar, Uncle Mike’s Superlicious Barbecue, 3.14 Bakery, and myriad other businesses.
Before the results start coming in tonight, we’ll be roaming to cover Election Day scenes in West Seattle. First, we went to the Fauntleroy overpass, to check on sign-waving. Don’t know if others were there earlier, but at 8:30 am, we found one sign-waver: Chris Porter, with an Approve Referendum 74 sign.
P.S. Still haven’t sent in your ballot yet? The King County ballot-dropoff van is at West Seattle Stadium till 8 pm – no stamps necessary. Turn off 35th SW just south of Avalon.
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
7:05 AM: No big problems reported on the routes from/through/to West Seattle so far. The West Seattle Bridge camera’s back, as you’ll note above; SDOT tells us the other one, which points west, is still awaiting parts. And speaking of the bridge, via Twitter, Dave reports it’s “very slow.”
5:54 PM: The 911 log reports a crash on the westbound bridge, by the Admiral exit. No further details, but we have to head that way ourselves shortly, so might have a firsthand report.
A new resting place for sealife and birds off Alki! A new raft has just been added to the offshore lineup, announces Jason Attaman: “It was secured to our buoy (Sunday) night. This is located at the 3000 block of Alki Avenue. It was launched specifically as a seal and other wildlife platform for all to enjoy.”
It’s a question that’s been asked by many, including its namesake family: What will happen to Schmitz Park Elementary if the BEX IV levy passes 
and it moves to a new, to-be-built school on the current Genesee Hill site? The Schmitz family, which donated the site to Seattle Public Schools decades ago, has told the board in a letter and in person that it wants to see the current SP building remain a public school. Today, a new notation on the BEX IV project list (see it here) linked from the updated agenda for Wednesday’s board meeting reflects that. The entry for Schmitz Park now says:
Schmitz Park Elementary @ Genesee Hill with repurposing of Schmitz Park building for elementary seats
That still doesn’t say whether it would become a new neighborhood school or perhaps the yet-to-be-designated home for the new K-5 STEM elementary currently, temporarily housed at Boren on Delridge. (No change to the new language we have already noted regarding Arbor Heights Elementary’s rebuild scheduled for 2018 but “earlier if feasible.”) We’ll be checking tomorrow, and we’ll see what happens when the board takes its vote this Wednesday (meeting starts 4:15 pm at district HQ, public comment at 5, and this will be one of the items after that, probably post-6 pm).
They’re impressive from the ground – but from the air, West Seattle’s fall colors are breathtaking. Thanks to local pilot/photographer Long Bach Nguyen for sharing the photo taken while he flew over Highland Park Way. You can see a larger version on his website.
The guy in the navy sweatshirt and blue jeans in the center of that photo from the Roxhill Castle community-build site, about an hour ago, is Barry. He’s from Leathers and Associates, which made the play equipment volunteers are putting up, the replacement for a beloved structure that L&A also made, and that was also community-built back in the mid-’90s. He’s the guy who knows how it’s going, we were told. His summary: “We need more help. Tell people to get down here. One more day.” Volunteers have been working their hearts out, but they’re a cavalry, when this is a big-enough project for an army:
What happens if not enough show up? we asked Barry. “It won’t be as nice as it could be,” he replied, gruffly (his nickname is “Barry the Barracuda,” we learned). So if you can possibly spare some time tomorrow – help make sure it IS as nice as it could be; everybody who is and has been there has labored mightily toward that goal:
The playground is on the 29th SW side of the park, south of Barton, across from the south side of Westwood Village. Just show up – once they’re done for the evening, they’ll be starting up again around 8 am.
So far, we know of Election Night parties tomorrow at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), Skylark Café and Club, and OutWest Bar. Anybody else? Or – how about Election Night specials? Pegasus Pizza on Alki is offering pizzas buy one/get one (of equal or lesser value) free on Election Night, either takeout or dine-in. Anybody else – party and/or specials? Let us know – editor@westseattleblog.com – ASAP so we can add it to our list. (And if you haven’t already, GO VOTE!)
A few minutes ago, the National Weather Service came out with a “special weather statement,” for the city as well as much of the rest of the region. Nothing dire and dramatic – but it does represent a change: Much-cooler weather is on the way. After tonight, the overnight lows will start dropping into the 30s. So if you haven’t finished your winterizing yet, lulled into semi-complacency by our warm-ish autumn … now’s the time. (And go find that coat!)
2:16 PM: If you look closely at that photo shared by Mike Russell via Twitter, you’ll see a low-hovering orange-red helicopter, which attracted plenty of attention off Seacrest a little while ago. Mike and others say it dropped divers into the water; they then were picked up by small craft. We’re still trying to formally confirm but there is no indication of a rescue in the area so we’re fairly certain this was a drill; will add whatever we find out.
2:27 PM NOTE: It appears to have been an H-65 U.S. Coast Guard helicopter.
ADDED 4:49 PM: Two photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand – above, one of the divers right over the water, under the helicopter; below, you can also see the Coast Guard Defender Class boat off to the right.
And just a moment after we added those photos, we got confirmation from the USCG – it was a training exercise.
It’s that time of year when the kind of needs filled by the West Seattle Helpline are even more urgent – warm clothing, emergency help, and more. But the funding to keep that work going – even to process donated items – doesn’t just flow in automatically. Your help is needed, and here’s the perfect opportunity – Tara at Helpline asked if we’d share this reminder:
Saturday, November 10th at 6:30 pm at the Duwamish Longhouse: Here’s your chance to rejuvenate your soul with an exciting night of fun auction items, a delicious dinner, and heartwarming stories at our annual fall fundraiser. It’s a wonderful chance to learn more about what we do and how your support helps others. Our keynote speaker is Representative and past board member Eileen Cody. For more details and to purchase your $95 ticket online, please visit wshelpline.org. Reserve your seat before it is too late! All proceeds will benefit West Seattle families in need. Thank you, and hope to see you there!
If you too work in a home office, and/or coffee shop, and/or any place else you temporarily hang your hat – here’s a question: Are you interested in a co-working space in West Seattle? The idea has come up time and time again – but it has yet to become reality. Now, though, two local home-based entrepreneurs are on the brink. Just one catch: Before they can lock up their prospective space – to be known as WS Office Junction – they want to know who’s in. We met with them over the weekend and agreed to publish their pitch:
We are looking for small business owners and freelancers interested in coworking with us in the heart of West Seattle. Please contact us at wsofficejunction@gmail.com if you are interested in a small office or desk space in a fun working community with great networking opportunities. We need YOU to get our community started. Getting our lease signed depends on establishing a core group of members NOW!
In addition to basic office amenities (printer, fax, wi-fi, coffee, conference room) members will have access to lounge space, networking board and the opportunities to participate in our Office Junction community. We will facilitate lots of events and member interaction like workshops, skill sharing, Happy Hour visits, Wine tasting, Bike Day, field trips to local businesses, Donuts Day and group volunteering.
We have membership plans to accommodate a variety of work lifestyles, whether you want to use the space full time or part time. We are currently looking for serious interest in the community so we can sign the lease for a great space right in the heart of the West Seattle Junction.
– Resident $300 per month (24/7 access)
– Full timer $250 per month (weekdays 9 to 5)
– Part timer $175 per month (10 days per month)
Who’s behind it? Meet them here (disclosure, one co-founder is a WSB sponsor). And while comments on this story are great, they say they really need to hear directly from people with serious interest so they can move forward – so please do use the e-mail address above to send them a note, ASAP, if you are.
(Danny McMillin‘s photo of autumn leaves over Alki, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Not to scare you as we start the week, but – Thanksgiving is early this year, just 2 1/2 weeks away. So enjoy what remains of the not-too-holiday-crazed early part of November. Here are highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:
ROXHILL CASTLE, DAY 4 – HELP STILL NEEDED! Two more days scheduled for construction of the Roxhill Castle play area, and while volunteers have made spectacular progress – see our weekend photos here and here – if you can spare even just a couple hours, their message: WE NEED YOU! Just show up any time between now and dusk-plus, 29th SW south of Barton (across from Westwood Village’s south side).
BALLOT DROP-OFF VAN, ELECTION-EVE EDITION: Still haven’t sent off your ballot? The dropoff van (featured here and here) is back along West Seattle Stadium‘s driveway (entrance off the east side of 35th SW, south of Avalon Way), 10 am-5 pm today (and 7 am-8 pm tomorrow).
WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB: The theme for what you’re supposed to cook and bring to today’s meeting, 3 pm at Beveridge Place Pub – “make a dish using 3 of these ingredients – radicchio, garlic, pork, red beans, apples.” More info at the WSCC website.
WEST SEATTLE HI-YU MEETING: It’s a general meeting, and everyone’s welcome. As noted here earlier today, topics will include ideas for the 2013 float. (If you are looking to catch up on floats from recent years, you can browse through our archive of Hi-Yu coverage for the past five years.) The meeting’s at 6:30 pm, St. John the Baptist Church Hall, on Hanford just east of California.
SNAP CLASS – BE READY! The city’s Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare (SNAP) program brings one of its periodic free classes to West Seattle, 6:30 pm at Delridge Library (Delridge/Brandon). After Superstorm Sandy and the B.C. quake in just the past few weeks, preparedness should be top of mind. (If you can’t make it – a great place to find preparedness info is westseattlebeprepared.org.)
FAMILY STORY TIME: At High Point Library (35th/Raymond), 7 pm.
More on our calendar!
Just in via SPD Blotter – news of an arrest following an early-morning break-in:
The couple was asleep when they were awakened by the door alarm at about 2:45 this morning. The husband went downstairs to check the house when he saw an unknown male dressed in all black, inside the home on the first floor. The burglar apparently did not see the homeowner. The man went back upstairs and he and his wife locked themselves in an upstairs room and called 911.
Southwest Precinct officers arrived quickly and contained the house in the 9300 Block of Fauntleroy Way SW. Officers could see the suspect inside the house walking around. Officers gave the suspect verbal commands to give himself up. The suspect ran and hid inside the house. Officers entered the home and began clearing the house, and soon located the suspect hiding behind a couch in a downstairs room. He was taken into custody without incident. The suspect refused to cooperate with officers or provide any personal information. He was later booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Burglary. Detectives will now handle the follow-up investigation.
The excerpt is from an SPD Blotter post that also reports an unrelated North Seattle burglary arrest.
(SDOT camera looking at northbound 99 @ Lander; West Seattle Bridge cams not working currently)
Nothing major reported as the day begins – let us know if you find otherwise. Both West Seattle Bridge cameras are broken again today, and checking the WSB Traffic page, another one in this area is out of commission too – we will follow up with SDOT today to see what’s going on.
TRANSIT REMINDER: As noted here again last night, RapidRide C Line is supposed to get 2 more runs during the evening commute, starting night (and 2 beyond that, starting November 13th).
(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
Never mind counting votes. That whiteboard holds the count that mattered the most in West Seattle this weekend – at Fauntleroy Creek. One week after the salmon-welcoming ceremony that included the then-sad news that only seven spawners had approached, and none had made it past a hungry otter – the turnabout is huge.
This is already the biggest season since spawners returned to the creek after a “fishway” replaced a culvert a decade-plus ago:
As of Sunday evening, reported creek steward/volunteer Judy Pickens (above, with visitors Mira Ellis, 3, and Peggy Rubens-Ellis), at least 238 spawners had been counted – exponentially more than the past few years, and by far beating the 2001 record of 167. Here’s what it’s all about:
Those are salmon eggs – the hope for the next generation. More of WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams‘ images from the creek this weekend, as the update continues ahead:
(WSB photo of Hi-Yu float/royalty in this year’s West Seattle Grand Parade)
Parade lover? Your idea could inspire the next West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival parade float, traveling around the region. The discussion starts tonight at the Hi-Yu meeting – open to anyone, 6:30 pm, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church Hall (California/Spokane, just south of West Seattle High School). Hi-Yu also is taking pre-orders for its trademark benefit Christmas ornaments made from hand-blown glass, $20 each, and till the end of this month, applications will be accepted for the scholarship program choosing a Senior Court for next year. Full details are in our original announcement from last month; here’s the direct link to the application.
As former devotees of the old Roxhill Castle play structure – when our now-teenager was playground age – we were surprised to see, on a visit at sunset tonight, how much the in-progress new Roxhill Castle reminds us of its predecessor. Even the components alongside the main structure:
That was the point, of course – why community members and the project team ultimately fought to get a replacement structure that wasn’t “just like every other playground nowadays,” though it cost a bit extra and required the community construction work that is happening right now.
Two more days of construction are scheduled – and as one volunteer wrote in a comment on the photo gallery published here earlier today, “WE NEED YOU!” We noticed in our end-of-day visit that there’s plenty of room for more volunteers. Your help would be the icing on the cake – or perhaps, the turret on the castle:
They’re scheduled to be back at work at 8 tomorrow morning at the park along 29th SW south of Barton – more info here. If it’s any incentive – local businesses have been donating food, including a round of Zippy’s Giant Burgers (as noted on Facebook tonight) and Stuffed Cakes (as noted on FB last night).
| 10 COMMENTS