West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Big win tonight in the West Seattle High School girls-varsity basketball team’s postseason – they beat Holy Names Academy at HNA, 40-39. Head coach Sonya Elliott tells WSB her team’s next game is expected to be Saturday night at home; opponent TBA.
ADDED 10:35 PM: More from WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand, who covered the game on Capitol Hill:
If you head out to West Seattle Art Walk venues tonight, you’ll see a whole lot of Valentine inspiration. That includes the Hope Lutheran Preschool student art show at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (4410 California SW; WSB sponsor). Above – the three-year-olds’ Valentine-related art project, explained on the official Art Walk website. Hotwire is one of 18 venues where it’s Art Walk night until 9 pm; the map and other previews are in our list of today’s highlights.
6:07 PM: Sounds like plenty of commute-time trouble out there. Police are directing traffic around a crash on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge by the 99 exit; we have no details except that it is affecting traffic.
(SDOT camera looking westward on the bridge from Delridge-exit vicinity)
Meantime, commenter “Enough” posted on the daily traffic roundup that there’s a stalled car blocking a lane near the westbound edge of the westbound bridge. And if you noticed fire/police activity around 35th/Fauntleroy and just north – unrelated incidents; there was a medic response of some sort outside the strip mall on the northwest corner of 35th/Fauntleroy; and while checking that out, we noticed a sizable police response to the north, on 36th. Officers there tell us they were called to deal with an “agitated person” who turned up on someone’s porch.
6:25 PM: A team member who just traveled the bridge says the eastbound crash appears to be clear, but the westbound backup still looks “intense,” with the stalled car continuing to block a lane.
Next month, a new Seattle City Council committee starts hearings on income inequality, an issue that has been focused lately on potentially raising the minimum wage. The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce brought in a panel to discuss the issue at its lunch meeting today, and you can see that discussion in its entirety in our video, above. The panel, moderated by George Allen of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, included Janet Ali from Nucor Steel, Craig Dawson from Retail Lockbox, Matt Landers from the Greater Seattle Business Association, Andres Mantilla from CBE Strategic, and Josh McDonald of the Seattle Restaurant Alliance.
Questions included what participants see as the pros/cons of an increase. They also discussed the survey that went public on Wednesday, showing that two-thirds of likely voters polled in Seattle supported the $15 concept. (Here is the survey firm’s memo, shared by Working Wasington.) The Chamber also is circulating this online-survey link, in connection with other neighborhood business organizations around the city – it’s open until Friday afternoon, and you’re invited to take it, whether you’re an entrepreneur or employee.
Four notes in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon – starting with one of the stolen cars reported here yesterday. Found, but not in good shape. Alex explains:
The husk of my car (’95 Honda Civic) was recovered around 3 am this morning abandoned in the street in SE Seattle, stripped of engine, lights, and everything apparently of value, about 24 hours after being stolen from in front of my house in High Point.
Attached are choice photos of the remains – all non-valuable junk strewn throughout … and you can see where they sawed through the steering wheel to remove the (still intact and functioning) Club. The thieves were kind enough to leave my junk in my trunk (maps, snow/ice scraper, spare sneakers and boots, soft roof rack and straps – though they did take my emergency go-bag). They’re so efficient! Glad I have insurance.
From Sean today, this photo and report:
I just reported my stolen bike to SPD. It’s a white Raleigh Cadent FT-1 with a bike pump attached and front and back lights.
MAIL THEFT: From JV: “Not sure what time of day but it was during daylight hours, probably early afternoon on Monday, Feb. 10. A mail order prescription was taken from our mailbox on the street on California between SW 98th and Roxbury. Funny thing is that it was a laxative. I wonder what the street value is. A neighbor found the ripped open pouch down the street and called us and returned it so we could reorder. The rest of the mail was dumped in the street and soaked by the rain. No big loss, mostly junk mail.”
MYSTERY DOOR-KNOCK: First we had the mystery middle-of-the-night doorbell-ringing, now, overnight, we received a report of a mystery “someone (pounding) the heck out of my door in Arbor Heights at Marine View Drive SW and SW 102nd.”
(Metro bus yard last November, the day we covered a media briefing on potential Metro cuts/changes)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Though the King County Council hasn’t finalized what it’s likely sending to voters in April, asking for bus and road funding, the West Seattle Transportation Coalition has endorsed it.
As we tweeted during the WSTC’s wide-ranging meeting Tuesday night at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center:
after voting to take a vote, the @WSTCoalition has voted to endorse the county's 'Plan B' bus/roads funding proposal 'with caveats'
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) February 12, 2014
Here’s how they got there – and what else was discussed that you should know about what’s happening on the roads and paths around West Seattle:
(Pre-competition: The Super Ultimate Nerdy Ninjas! Clockwise from lower left: Mackenzie; Brynn; Hydia; Sandy; Mila; Zack; Abdi)
It’s Global Reading Challenge time again! The Seattle Public Library/Seattle Public Schools citywide competition is in its on-campus rounds, and our parent correspondent at Arbor Heights Elementary – one of nine local elementaries listed as competing this year – shared the report and photo of how Wednesday afternoon’s on-campus competition went for AH’s teams:
It was a nail-biter!
Ten books.
Ten teams of 4th and 5th graders.
An afternoon of questions, teamwork, and answers.Several rounds of questions, finally ending with a very rare 3-way tie: on to a lightning round!
Astoundingly, these three teams went a whopping SIX lightning rounds before one team finally emerged victorious: The Super Ultimate Nerdy Ninjas! They will go on to the semi-finals at the Central Library; from there, one team will advance to the City Final on March 18th.
Here’s the list of books that are being used this year. Along with Arbor Heights, Alki, Concord, Gatewood, Highland Park, Lafayette, Roxhill, Sanislo, and West Seattle are on the competition list. Your school on that list? Let us know how the GRC is going! – editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you.
Just announced – Seattle Public Schools is going around the district for five “town hall” meetings focused on the district’s 5-year Strategic Plan, “with tailored comments, topics and data from each of the five educational regions.” You’ll be able to offer ideas and ask questions. The Southwest Region’s meeting will be 6:30 pm March 31st (a Monday) at Roxhill Elementary (30th/Roxbury). Spanish, Somali, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog interpretation will be available. Have a topic you want to hear about at the meeting? E-mail publicaffairs@seattleschools.org – with subject line “town hall meeting topic” – by Feb. 27.
Thanks to Suzy in Seaview for sharing the announcement and photo:
My husband built us a Little Free Library for our neighborhood! LFB #11151 can be found at 4818 SW Findlay Street.
The custom Little Free Library currently houses a variety of children’s books, magazines, and fiction and non-fiction for adults. We hope the neighborhood enjoys this new resource! Find out more about Little Free Libraries at littlefreelibrary.org.
We’ve featured more than a few other local LFLs – if you create one for YOUR neighborhood, consider sharing the news here too!
Today we welcome one of our newest sponsors: West Seattleite-owned SODO Health & Performance and SODO CrossFit. As a new sponsor, they get the chance to tell you about what they do:
SODO CROSSFIT: One of the things members tell us they love about us is our location. If you prefer training before work, but then find yourself fighting bridge traffic after your workout in West Seattle, you will love the convenience – we’re on 6th Ave S, across the street from Franz Bakery. We have classes at 6:00 and 7:00 am so you can get out of West Seattle before “the 7:05 rush.” When you finish training, use our showers and dressing rooms to clean up before heading to work and completely bypass the West Seattle Bridge traffic.
At SODO CrossFit, we train to be durable, healthy and fit. Injury prevention and feeling better, as well as stronger, are our primary goals. All our coaches have a wide depth of knowledge and numerous coaching certifications that include, but also go beyond, CrossFit. Plus our head coach, Dr. Michael Ross DC, CSCS, a Sports Chiropractor, is an exercise-rehabilitation specialist and manual therapist who also has numerous coaching certifications in addition to CrossFit.
Members say they trust us and have confidence in our methods because of our extensive training and rehabilitation knowledge. They say this makes us different from other facilities in the area and gives them assurance they are receiving the best training possible with the lowest risk of injury.
SODO HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE: We offer a multi-disciplinary clinic of Sports Chiropractic, Active Release Technique, Therapeutic Massage, Exercise Rehabilitation, Sports Acupuncture and Sports Naturopathic. Patients tell us how much they appreciate our approach to wellness – that we provide short-term, active-based care, emphasizing long-term results. Our goal is to get you better so you can return to your health and fitness goals as soon as possible with minimal visits to any doctor.
Dr. Michael Ross, DC, CSCS, has been a 42-year resident of West Seattle, all the way back to Genesee Hill Elementary. With decades of experience between our coaches and practitioners, we have put together a great combination of fitness, health, and wellness, in our small West Seattle office and our new SODO location, 2920 6th Ave. S., 206-932-7943.
We thank SODO Health & Performance and SODO CrossFit 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.
Just in case you’re wondering – the Seattle Fire response at the Nucor Steel plant right now was in response to a report of an alarm about a possible fire in “a room.” Per radio communications, crews arriving on the scene did not find a visible fire, but sprinklers were going off, and they are trying to find out what set off the alarm. (Update a few minutes later – crews on scene have focused in on an “overheated control panel.”)
Topping the highlights list: The pre-Valentine edition of West Seattle Art Walk is tonight, 6-9 pm at 18 venues from Admiral to North Delridge to Morgan Junction, and beyond. Here’s the map/list:
Click for a full-size view. And browse wsartwalk.com to preview places you might want to stop – many of which are selling art as well as showing it, plus other potential gifts (for yourself, if not your Valentine!). Highlights shared with us via separate announcements include:
ART WALK AT OFFICE JUNCTION: West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor) invites you to: “Enjoy art by Andrew Millers paired with fabulous live music from 7 to 8 pm by Max Perry, formerly the bass player for the now defunct Willis/Actual Tigers, was touring the US with bands such as Sparklehorse and Counting Crows.” (5230-B California SW)
WEST SEATTLE CYCLERY: At the bike shop in The Junction – “We are happy to have Carmel Schimmel at West Seattle Cyclery for the February Art Walk this Thursday from 6 pm to 9 pm. Carmel crafts her jewelry from “up-cycled” bike parts. She is a coach and lifelong cyclist who wants to create beautiful and functional art. You can find more of her work at unchainedseattle.com.” (4508 California SW)
WINE AND CHOCOLATE AT BIN 41: 6-8 pm, “featuring a wine and chocolate pairing tasting in partnership with Theo’s. We did the tour during our staycation and discovered some super-delicious new flavors. We’ll be featuring these brand-new bars during the tasting. An associate from Theo’s will be on hand during the tasting to mingle with you and answer all of your chocolate questions.” (4707 California SW)
WINE CLUB AT C & P COFFEE: While not an official Art Walk stop, it’s a second-Thursday staple, 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor): “Meet this month’s artist Linda McClamrock and watch her give a demo of her amazing collages! There will be special drink prices, appetizers and live music by Choro Tocando.” (5612 California SW)
Also today/tonight:
SCHOOL TOURS/OPEN HOUSE: Here’s what’s on our calendar – Pathfinder tours until 10 this morning, 1901 SW Genesee; tours until 10 am at Arbor Heights Elementary (37th/104th); 1-2 pm tours at STEM at Boren (parents/guardians only), 5950 Delridge Way SW; Village Coop info night/open house, 6:30-8:30 pm, SSCC room RAH 201 (6000 16th SW).
CHAMBER TALKS MINIMUM WAGE: As previewed here earlier this week, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s lunch meeting features a panel discussion on the campaign for a higher minimum wage. Lower-level meeting room at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), 11:30 am. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)
EVERY OTHER WEEK TRASH? FUTURE RATE HIKES? TELL SPU WHAT YOU THINK: Tonight Seattle Public Utilities comes to West Seattle for a meeting about its “strategic business plan.” That might sound bureaucratically boring until you consider its business involves a variety of services you use every day – water, sewer, trash. And in the latter category, for example, the possibility of cutting pickups in half is looming, so if you feel strongly either way, that’s one reason to stop by and offer your thoughts. They’re interested in your thoughts on what they charge, too. 6 pm, High Point Community Center. (6920 34th SW)
‘HAVING THE CONVERSATION’ WITH YOUR ELDERS: Is it time for a difficult conversation with your parent(s) or grandparent(s) – maybe you’re wondering if it’s safe for them to keep driving, or if they need help with day-to-day life. An expert in helping people have these conversations, Moraine Byrne, leads a free seminar tonight at The Kenney, 6 pm. Here’s our preview; it includes links for RSVP’ing, although you’re also welcome to just show up. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)
SPEAK UP TONIGHT – HOW TO MAKE SW ROXBURY SAFER? What should be done to make SW Roxbury safer? Be at Wiley Community Center in Greenbridge tonight at 6:30 pm. The reminder from Joe Szilagyi of the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council:
The more of you that come out tonight the better–let SDOT know what is wrong with Roxbury.
Six months ago, the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council together with the Highland Park Action Committee and the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council called on the Seattle Department of Transportation and their King County DOT counterparts to perform a safety study on SW Roxbury Street. Everyone in our area knows how bad the speeding issues are. There are sections of sidewalk missing. We have a large number of accidents.
We asked on July 21, 2013, six months ago. Now, all the safety studies and research are done. SDOT is now in charge of the project, and are going to perform outreach for your feedback in implementing the solutions they’ve come up to the problems they’ve found.
(9800 8th SW)
GENESEE-SCHMITZ NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 7 pm tonight, busy meeting for GSNC, including elections, the Dakota ex-substation, the 48th/Charlestown property the city is buying, more. West Side Presbyterian Church. (3601 California SW)
MORE … on our calendar!
(WSB file photo)
It’s a birthday party – and something of a rebirth-day party. Nearing its eighth anniversary, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center is continuing its rolling revamp/relaunch and inviting you to “Thrive 8” on March 1st, two weeks from Saturday. The announcement is more than a “here’s what’s happening at our gala” – it’s also context for what’s happening behind the scenes:
Back in what was known as “The Golden Age of Youngstown,” people would flock to the historic Frank B. Cooper School for youth programming, classes and public events, including Youngstown’s popular old-school dance parties.
With the transition of staff and economic issues that can plague any nonprofit, events were put on the back burner while Youngstown’s parent organization, Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA), re-grouped to strategize the next phase of the organization, leaving Youngstown somewhat quiet while they worked behind the scenes on the planning.
With the hiring of Director David Bestock in 2012, himself a Youngstown resident, passionate performing artist and long-time arts advocate, DNDA has put the leadership of this once-vibrant arts hub as a top priority. And not only is Bestock focusing on revamping its arts programming and promoting its facilities as a competitive public-event-rental venue, he is inviting the community to re-invest and join the momentum towards a complete revitalization. The first step, in that vein, was an Open House attended by hundreds last fall.
This spring Bestock introduces Youngstown Thrive 8, a dance party that is both for families and party goers.
“In late February, we turn 8 years old,” says Bestock. “So we’re throwing a party for our community. There will be live bands, DJs, arts activities, fun for the whole family and then a late-night dance party.”
Change is definitely underway at Youngstown. Under Bestock’s leadership, last summer, Youngstown was an integral part of the Delridge Mural Program, which paid at-risk youth to work with teaching artist Andrew Morrison to paint murals on twelve traffic signal boxes along the Delridge corridor.
(WSB photo, August 2013)
Bestock sees these community outreach events as essential to Youngstown’s re-vitalization and future.“We know there are folks out there who used to come to every one of our dance parties back in the day,” continues Bestock. “With The Thrive, we are hoping our friends, new and old, will come back to Youngstown and enjoy a night of dancing and community”.
The public is invited to join in on the birthday activities- from live bands to DJs to kids’ arts activities and other surprises, The Thrive has something for everyone.
YOUNGSTOWN THRIVE 8
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW
SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2014 | 6- 9p Family friendly fun | 9p- 1a 21+ Dance Party
LIVE BANDS | DJS |KID ART | FOOD&DRINK | CASH BAR |NEW YOUNGSTOWN MERCH
Tickets: $10 Adults -$5 Kids (12 and under) brownpapertickets.com
(More cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page)
7:03 AM: No major problems so far as we head into the heart of the commute. More to come.
7:24 AM: Since Tuesday, we have mentioned the work under way at 30th/Roxbury by Roxhill Elementary as part of pedestrian-safety improvements. Bradi shared the photo at left and had a warning for others. She says she lost a tire because the crew left yesterday without putting warning signs back in their place, so: “Unable to know just how far the holes are extended out into the road on each side, that they have cut, I turned to go west onto Roxbury from 30th Ave SW, (which there isn’t a sign closing this street off at all, going south, that is visible), my passenger back tire dropped into the, what is at least, 1-foot-deep hole, that is left unmarked, which of course, popped it!” This may have been remedied by now, but if you travel in the area while the work’s under way, be extra careful in case it happens again. P.S. Since we share this number often – in case you run into (literally or figuratively) a road or sidewalk hazard, the hotline to report it to SDOT is 206-684-ROAD.
7:56 AM: We don’t know exactly why, but Chelsea tweeted “Don’t take lower Spokane bridge!” and pronounced it bad X 3. Nothing on scanner or 911 but – you’ve been warned.
8:38 AM – SPEAKING OF ROXBURY: Joe Szilagyi of the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council sends a reminder about the first of two meetings about the SW Roxbury safety project. WWRHAH and other local community advocates lobbied for it, and now it’s happening – but your input is VITAL. Tonight’s meeting is at 6:30 pm at the Wiley Community Center in White Center’s Greenbridge neighborhood, not even a block south of Roxbury, 9800 8th SW.
8:57 AM: As also noted in comments, the low-bridge trouble involves trucks – here’s an SDOT tweet with a grab from a camera turned that way:
Truck traffic unusually high on WS Bridge Harbor Island exit. pic.twitter.com/VBB1dMmrox
— seattledot (@seattledot) February 13, 2014
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