West Seattle, Washington
11 Thursday
That’s an updated detour map for Phase 2 of the Delridge Way repaving project, scheduled to take effect sometime next week – probably not before Wednesday, according to SDOT’s LeAnne Nelson, who thanks commenter Jim P for pointing out a problem with the map sent yesterday:
Your readers bring up a good point regarding the map. It shows the right-of-way routes for both 25th and 26th Avenue SW even though parts of what would be the roadway are unimproved. Attached is an updated map. Thank you to your readers for pointing out the issue!
Nelson also addresses an issue that commenter Breeze brought up:
Comments to your Phase 2 story include a question about why we detour to 35th Avenue SW. We strive to detour traffic along arterials, and the only consistent arterials flanking Delridge are the west sides of Trenton and Thistle (east sides of those streets are not arterials) and 35th Avenue SW to link them north/south.
We cannot disallow vehicles from utilizing public streets, but we can encourage arterial use. If speeding is witnessed repeatedly on the street, let us know, and we could place speed tubes to track the problem and potentially request more enforcement in the area. We also strongly suggest neighbors partner with our Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program team to apply for roadway assessment and possible traffic calming measures. Details are at: seattle.gov/transportation/ntcp_calming.htm
Again, provided weather doesn’t get in the way of Phase 1’s completion between SW Trenton and Henderson, Phase 2 of the repaving will start sometime next week along Delridge between Trenton and Thistle, and that’s when the – revised! – detour map will apply. This phase of the project is expected to last about 2 1/2 months.
Since St. Patrick’s Day is on Sunday this year, it’s a weekend full of festivities, particularly on Saturday. If you’re going to the parade downtown on Saturday, look for two local schools’ marching bands – West Seattle High School and Denny International Middle School. Full parade details are here, including the entire list of participants and the route, described as:
The Parade travels north on 4th Ave, starting from Jefferson [map] to the Reviewing Stand at Westlake Park, and officially ends at the Seattle Center with Closing Ceremonies at 2 PM.
We see the list of participants also includes the Tony Comerford School of Irish Dance, which teaches at locations including West Seattle’s VFW Hall. Anyone else from West Seattle participating? Please let us know with a comment here, or e-mail, so that local paradegoers will know to look for you!
(Alki Tavern file photo by Christopher Boffoli)
Just got word from Alki Tavern (and confirmed it with a phone call to be sure) – they’ve decided at the last minute to have a memorabilia auction TONIGHT, before closing for good this weekend:
Sorry for the late notice but today Wednesday March 13th at 7 p.m. we are having an auction for all of our of memorabilia, neon signs, mirrors, etc.
Registration starts at 6 p.m. auction is at 7 p.m. at the Alki Tavern, 1321 Harbor Avenue Southwest. Live auction please bring cash. Last day we are open is March 17th.
(Proposed massing for the development; rendering courtesy Nicholson Kovalchick Architects)
Just got word from a spokesperson for the 166-apartment 3210 California SW development that its Early Design Guidance meeting, scheduled for tomorrow, has been postponed because of an error – “when the notice was published, one of the property parcels was not included.” Area residents confirm to WSB that they had sent the Department of Planning and Development a letter this past Monday asking for the postponement because of the error:
The February 21, 2013 Bulletin shows the development terminating at the southern edge of 3234 California Ave SW. In contrast, the design packet shows that actual boundary of the development is the south edge of 3240 California Ave. SW. This is a difference of 95 feet and 9675 square feet. The drawing of the project site on the Bulletin is more than 20% smaller than what is actually proposed. According to the Bulletin, several parcels on 42nd near the south end of the proposed development do not appear to share a boundary with the new building. In reality, the proposed five-story building will directly abut their property lines.
The Seattle DPD must provide proper notice that accurately reflects the size and share of the proposed development. The existing notice misrepresents the size of the development by more than 20% and does not comply with code.
The meeting cancellation is confirmed on the city website, but the new date is not listed yet; the development team expects it to be March 28th – already scheduled for the next meeting on the 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW megaproject – but we’re waiting to hear confirmation from the city. The “packet,” they say, will remain the same. If you still want to show up tomorrow night, 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle, the development team plans an “informal briefing” but with the caveat that “the board is not required to attend, there is no public comment taken, nor does (city) staff provide any guidance.” We’ll update this story when we hear back from the city about the new date for the official meeting
(Lauren Englund in photo from May 2012 WSB story)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
When we first introduced you to Lauren Englund in May of last year, she had an idea – saving honey bees through education, by setting up an educational/observational hive – and needed help to make the dream come true.
It’s a dream with an underpinning of urgency – without bees, our lives are at risk.
Now – after community meetings, and a blossoming group of helpers (including Christine Bartels, at left in our photo above with Lauren on the right) – the dream is close to reality, in the form of the West Seattle Bee Garden, set to launch next to the High Point Commons Park P-Patch with a parade this May.
Right now, though, the next stage needs even more help – and that’s where you come in.
Part of it involves crowdfunding, through an IndieGoGo campaign that’s under way, to augment the Department of Neighborhoods matching-fund grant that’s helping fuel the project, as well as rallying volunteers for upcoming work parties.
We talked with Lauren at the Bee Garden site one recent gray, chilly day. The bees’ future home was only timber in the ground, but she painted a bright picture of the pollination garden that will bloom in this area east of the future bee enclosure:
And she rhapsodized about the expected visits from students and community members finding out about bees’ crucial role in our ecosystem.
The framework that’s there now will house the bees’ home as well as observation areas and informational features. They might even have webcams so people can check in online. The entryway to the garden will have a two-sided mosaic.
The stars of the show of course will be the bees themselves, which will come from local beekeepers, will arrive in style, with a community parade. There will be two hives for starters – “local genes, local DNA, no chemicals, no pesticides.”
What the West Seattle Bee Garden needs right now is “dollars, and bodies,” says Lauren – help in the form of work-party participation in April and May, starting April 6th – sign up here – and donations to the IndieGoGo campaign – do that here. You can get in on pavers to be placed in the garden, at a certain donation level, as well as other contribution rewards, as is typical in the crowdfunding world. (Check them out on the right side of the IndieGogo page.)
The High Point Neighborhood Association is sponsoring the picnic and parade that will celebrate the bees’ arrival at 11 am May 19th – with a marching band leading the way! The bees will be marched in, in a sealed container, as part of a festival-like atmosphere – Lauren expects games, arts, crafts, even food trucks all around the park.
The festival is only the beginning – then, the first summer of bee-watching, bee-tending, pollination, and education will begin. Lauren hopes the West Seattle Bee Garden will teach people about pesticides, and how they affect bees (among other beneficial insects) – it’s not as simple as it seems when you grab a product off the shelf at a store. And it’ll be an opportunity for people to learn other things about bees – why they swarm, for example.
Nearby West Seattle Elementary is already involved in the project and other schools are welcome to join, she adds – including being part of the parade.
P.S. Here’s the plant list so far for the pollination garden; Lauren notes that it’s “specific to good pollinators for honey bees,” but they hope to incorporate plants that also are conducive to “butterflies, mason bees, hummingbirds, bumblebees, etc.”
Hellebore (late winter)
Crocus (late winter)
Witch Hazel (late winter)
Iris (spring)
Oregon Grape (spring)
Alpine Strawberry (spring)
Japanese Snowbell Tree (summer)
Chives (summer)
Lupine (summer)
Echinacea (summer)
Bee Balm (summer)
Black Eyed Susan (summer)
Geranium Sanguineum (summer)
Borage (summer)
Asters (late summer)
She hopes that eventually, there will be plants to bloom year-round. But again, it’s time now to jump in and help – work-party signups here, contributions here, and if you have questions or ideas – e-mail westseattlebeegarden@gmail.com, and check the website, which includes a photo gallery, FAQ, and updates.
Today we officially welcome Bird on a Wire as one of the newest WSB sponsors. Haven’t been there lately? It’s become much more than a coffee shop, as proprietor Heidi Herr explains:
“I opened Bird on a Wire (BoaW) in 2002 after many years in the espresso business. I literally got to the point that I knew more than someone who was about to hire me for their coffee shop … this got me thinking I should give it a whirl myself! We have been open now for almost 11 years in a amazing/small/supportive neighborhood at the south end of West Seattle – an often forgotten area of WS. With a good product and a loyal following, we celebrated our tenth year in June 2012!
“There wasn’t much down here in 2002. The ‘hood was hungry (thirsty) for something and we provided a consistent, quality product, a friendly environment, and a hub for neighbors to meet. Our quality and coffee are #1; our staff is always friendly and we keep things new and fresh. You meet people and make friends here – it’s always been that way. Their trust in me and my staff’s coffee skills has given room for us to introduce more food options – soups, sandwiches, small plates – all made IN HOUSE, as well as beer and wine!
“I support local vendors and believe in a sustainable/no-waste approach to business/life. I willingly (for free) provide coffee grounds to the local P-Patches. I believe that we need to support brick and mortars in order for our economy to be strengthened. I have lived in West Seattle since 1998 and grew up in North Seattle (Roosevelt High School).

 I am a retired founding member of the Rat City Rollergirls and currently coach for Tilted Thunder Rail Birds, Seattle’s only banked-track roller derby league. I am on the advisory board for Theatre Off Jackson – an indie theater in the International District.”
Did we mention outdoor seating as well as indoor?
Bird on a Wire is at 3509 SW Henderson (map), online at birdonawireespresso.com, and on Facebook here, where you’ll find frequent updates on food and drink highlights and also The Bird’s hours – till 9 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays, till 4 pm Mondays and Sundays.
We thank Bird on a Wire for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via 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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(Red-breasted merganser photographed near Alki by Danny McMillin; shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Five highlights for the rest of today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BOOK FAIR: All West Seattle families are welcome at a book fair under way till 4 pm to help boost reading skills for school success. It’s at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center (6400 Sylvan Way).
CO-WORKING IN WEST SEATTLE: WS Office Junction invites you to Mind Unwind (2206 California SW), noon-1 pm today, to talk about ongoing plans, work parties, and more as they advance toward a long-term co-working space in West Seattle.
JOB SEARCH WORKSHOP: Today 3:30-5 pm at South Seattle Community College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), take a look at whether starting your own business might be your best option for working and making a living. The workshop’s free; details in our calendar listing.
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: West Seattle’s largest political organization meets tonight at 7 at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW), with the agenda (see it here) including an initiative to require labeling of food containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the formal endorsement of King County Executive Dow Constantine‘s re-election campaign.
‘NEXT FALL’ PREMIERES: 7:30 pm at ArtsWest, it’s opening night for the Seattle premiere of “Next Fall,” a Tony-nominated play directed by Cindy Bradder and starring Christopher Zinovitch.
LOTS MORE FOR TODAY/TONIGHT … on our frequently updated calendar – take a look!
Right after the spring equinox, you can start getting in the summertime mood with the Seafair Commodores – without leaving West Seattle! Their 21st annual Bowl-A-Thon is a week and a half away at West Seattle Bowl, and there’s still time for you to sign up. From chief of staff Kathryn Bohot:
SAVE THE DATE! And join the Seafair Commodores and friends at West Seattle Bowl on Saturday, March 23rd, from 10 am until noon as they host the 21st Annual Seafair Commodores Bowl-A-Thon. The event is held as the primary fundraiser for the Commodores. The proceeds go to the Seafair Scholarship Program for Women. Each year we work diligently to support Ms. Seafair and the Princess Court as they represent Seattle and Seafair at events across the Pacific Northwest.
Young women from the greater Seattle Communities apply for scholarship funds as well as the honor of representing Seattle and Seafair as Ms. Seafair. All candidates are judged on their academic abilities and must support a volunteer platform and be active throughout the year.
Mark your calendars and come out for a day of fun activities; make new friends, and support education.
Where: West Seattle Bowl, 4505 39th SW
When: Saturday, March 23rd
Time: 10 am sharp until NoonContributions: $50 per bowler or $250 for a team. Children under 12 bowl for $20 each
To register a team today or questions e-mail Kathryn Bohot, Chief of Staff at chiefofstaff@seattlecommodores.com.
For more information on the Seattle Seafair Commodores and the Seafair Scholarship Program for Women, go the www.seafaircommodores.com
The Commodores have many other Seafair duties too – they assist with a variety of events including the Seafair-sanctioned West Seattle Grand Parade (July 20th this year, by the way).
(Live view from the west-facing WS Bridge camera; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:03 AM: Welcome to Wednesday. No major alerts for today/tonight so far – not even for the weekend ahead. If you’re a Metro rider, “Eye on Your Metro Commute” features advisories. If you see traffic trouble – call or text 206-293-6302 when you safely/legally can (no texting/calling and driving!) – thank you.
12:09 PM: SDOT says the signboards are finally fixed:
The equipment for the Variable Messaging Signs (VMSs), which provides travel times for drivers coming out of West Seattle, has been repaired and the system operation is fully restored.
(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
It was a lesson to remember. West Seattle Montessori teacher Matt Whittemore invited us to stop by as he fired up a hands-on learning experience in his backyard last Saturday. Whittemore’s class (the Horned Owls 1-3) has been studying early man; their culminating project was glazing pottery and seeing it fired in a backyard kiln and pots in the Raku pottery method. WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams captured the scenes.
“Our unit of study coincided with our study of early man and his basic needs and our yearly school auction,” Whittemore explained. “During our class conversations, we talked about basic needs such as eating, shelter, and clothes and where those items came from. The goal was to get the students thinking about what it might have been like to have to discover everything. Humans only had their natural resources to learn, utilize, and adapt from. So, I did some research on the ‘Raku’ style of pottery and took on the project.”
“The kids made the pots in the classroom in small groups. We air-dried them and then Bethany Woll bisque-fired them to remove any moisture and prepare them for glazing.”
As one person put it at Monday night’s monthly North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting, it was “transportation theme night” – starring an explanation of the impending reduction of parking on SW Genesee plus a brief brainstorming round for Delridge Way’s future, also featuring an update on Delridge Grocery, formerly Delridge Produce Cooperative. Read on:
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