West Seattle, Washington
12 Friday
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
In the city’s stack of neighborhood plans, Highland Park and Westwood share one. Last night, the community councils for the neighborhoods shared a meeting.
More than 40 people in attendance as Highland Park Action Committee‘s regular monthly meeting was joined by Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council, with the focus on crime fighting and prevention.
One of West Seattle’s most historic porches was the scene of a party earlier tonight, as the the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s monthly After Hours gathering came to the Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s Log House Museum. SWSHS executive director Clay Eals recounted some of the organization’s big events, including one that dwarfed tonight’s gathering:
The photo he’s holding is from the June 6th dedication of the renovated totem pole that stood at the Admiral Way Viewpoint for years. SWSHS’s next big event is the Champagne Gala Brunch in November (with sponsors inclding WSB); you can reserve your ticket(s) now. As for the Chamber, its next lunch meeting, October 9th, features Port Commissioner Stephanie Bowman. It’ll be an outdoor event in the Port-owned Jack Block Park (rain or shine!).
Just found out from “Diver Laura” James that Puget SoundKeeper and Ocean Conservancy are partners in another big local beach cleanup – this one, sponsored by Cox Enterprises, is tomorrow (Friday, September 26th) at Lincoln Park, 9 am-1 pm. They’re not soliciting more volunteers but Laura says if you want to help, they have room and won’t turn you away (tell the signup table you’re part of Diver Laura’s “team”). They’ll be on the beach north and south of Colman Pool, with registration at the nearest picnic shelter on the south stretch, starting at 8:45 am.
Another quick look ahead to Saturday – this time to make sure you know about a community bicycle ride along the Longfellow Creek Trail, to be guided in Spanish and English by Denny International Middle School teachers Andrew Chase and Ben Evans. Its goal is “to connect students and their families to local ecology” – but everyone, whether connected to a local school or not, is welcome to be part of it. Above, the invitation in English; for the Spanish version, click here. Meet at 9 am Saturday (September 27th) at the baseball fields by Roxhill Elementary (30th/Roxbury).
2:40 PM: In case you’ve noticed another significant Seattle Fire response, on the northbound side of 35th at Raymond – fire crews are here because there’s a smell of smoke inside the High Point Medical Clinic, but they haven’t found the source yet.
2:46 PM: Nothing found, and units are leaving.
2:09 PM: A car fire has SFD and SPD at Avalon/Genesee right now, and we’ve heard that buses are being diverted. (added) Just passed 35th/Avalon – north/eastbound traffic is blocked there.
2:18 PM: Westbound traffic is blocked just past Genesee. 1964 VW Bug had an engine fire. No injuries. Road shouldn’t be closed too much longer.
Five notes from the local world o’consumables:
COFFEE FOR CHARITY: New program at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB’s flagship sponsor – seven years now! – and Hotwire just marked its 12th anniversary): 
Each month, Hotwire is working with a charity to “create a special drink to help raise money for their charity. For every drink sold, $2 of the sales goes to their cause. This year we did a drink special with the folks from Seal Sitters and the people from the Log House Museum. I really enjoyed working with the non-profits, so I thought, let’s do it every month!” explains Hotwire proprietor Lora Swift (right). Right now, they’re helping Tilted Thunder raise money for its banked-track practice location. Two of Tilted Thunder’s leaders are West Seattleites, Lora notes. “The criteria is the non-profit must be a 501c3 and have a very strong tie to West Seattle.” Want to get in on Hotwire’s coffee-for-charity? Go here.
WESTSIDE PUBLIC HOUSE: According to both a tipster and a liquor-license application, that’s the new name in the works for the former Terrible Beauty pub/restaurant that closed abruptly in June at California/Edmunds in The Junction. The bare-bones Facebook page for the new operation calls it a “sports bar,” as did our tipster. No timeframe yet.
MOONDROP COFFEE AND TEA: That’s the new operation taking over the former Alki Juice and Java space across from Seacrest Pier, which had been for sale for a while. Sign says it’s expected to open in October.
FALAFEL SALAM TRUCK: This food truck is returning to West Seattle, one night a week for starters, 4-9 pm Wednesdays beginning next week (October 1st), according to chef/owner Shimi Kahn. New location: 7-11 at California/Charlestown.
HARRY’S CHICKEN JOINT: Reminder, it’s reopening tonight after a two-day break, 4-8 pm. Harry’s (a WSB sponsor) is at 6032 California SW.
(UPDATE: We’re told ANYONE is welcome to come to these clinics – adults must have either proof of insurance or else $28 payment, but no student will be turned away for lack of insurance, says Sealth nurse Alison Enochs)
ORIGINAL REPORT: Just out of the WSB inbox:
Seattle Public Schools is partnering with the Seattle Visiting Nurse Association to provide flu shot clinics for all students, staff, and their families at no charge, with proof of current medical insurance.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the single best protection from influenza is to receive a flu shot each year. The CDC recommends everyone 6 months old and over be vaccinated against the flu.
West Seattle clinic locations and dates:
* Chief Sealth High School: Wednesday, October 8, 4-7:30 pm
* West Seattle High School: Monday, October 20, 2:30-7 pmClinics will be open to all Seattle Public Schools children (4 years of age and older) and their families. Please note that students under the age of 18 will need a Patient Consent Form signed by a parent or guardian. Patient Consent Forms are available at the clinics, or click here to download.
All participants will be asked to provide their health insurance information (card) to receive an immunization. SVNA will electronically bill the insurance plan for your flu shot. They bill all insurance plans including Apple Health (Washington State Medicaid) plans. Flu shots are considered preventive care and are not subject to deductibles or co-pays. This means no out-of-pocket expense for participants.
This is happening districtwide – here’s the full list.
After two meetings, the West Seattle Land Use Committee is still taking shape – talking about how best to organize, and how best to review neighborhood issues. It’s not truly a formal “committee” so far, no officers, no formal action/agenda items. Nonetheless, those interested in being part of it did meet last night at the Senior Center of West Seattle, and we were there for the toplines:
In case you didn’t see it on WSB social-media channels last night (or if you did – an encore!), we wanted to share that here too – a photo texted to us, dubbed “Cloudzilla.” The clouds and accompanying rain have certainly been a factor again this morning, with road trouble. But as we move on with the day/night, here’s some of what’s ahead:
TODDLER STORY TIME: Don’t let the rainy-day blues get you and the little one(s) in your care – check out Toddler Story Time at High Point Branch Library, 11:30 am. (35th/Raymond)
CHAMBER AFTER-HOURS AT LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: 5:30-7:30 pm, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society hosts tonight’s West Seattle Chamber of Commerce After-Hours event at its Log House Museum. Our calendar listing has details on how to RSVP. (61st/Stevens)
(Wednesday sunset photo by JayDee)
TRANSITIONAL RESOURCES CELEBRATION: 6 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Life Center, it’s a fun(draiser) for the West Seattle-based nonprofit that helps people living with mental-health challenges. Details in our calendar listing; if you don’t have your ticket yet, check to see if there’s still room. (35th/Myrtle)
LAST CHANCE* TO KAYAK THE DUWAMISH … with the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition (*for this year’s Community Kayak Tour series). 6 pm, Duwamish Waterway Park in South Park. Reserve your spot through West Seattle’s own Alki Kayak Tours. Details here. (7900 10th Ave. S.)
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL PTSA: Whatever your level of involvement with the school, be there! Here’s the announcement:
West Seattle High School’s first PTSA meeting for 2014 school year will be held at 7 pm in the WSHS School Library. We will have a student representative from Link Crew sharing about the program and how it helps transition new students to West Seattle HS. Meet our new assistant principal Garth Reeves, and hear from Principal Ruth Medsker regarding how the new school year is going, and what is in store for our school during the year. Trevor Leopold, the Athletic Director, will also attend to share how the fall sports programs are going. We hope to see all of you there.
Keep up with all the WSHS PTSA activities here. (3000 California SW)
NIGHTLIFE TONIGHT: Theater, music, karaoke – see our calendar for the listings.
If you were part of this year’s West Seattle Garden Tour – gardener, attendee, organizer, sponsor, etc. – you had a hand in the donation celebrated last night at The Kenney (WSB sponsor). Every year, local nonprofits are chosen to share the tour’s proceeds, and the 2014 beneficiaries gathered with tour reps last night. Alan Vinson, sponsorship chair for next year’s tour, :
Representatives from ArtsWest, Barton Street Community Garden, Highline Botanical Garden Foundation, Plant Amnesty Forestry Symposium, Seattle Children’s Play Garden, West Seattle Bee Garden, West Seattle High School “Steps at Stevens,” and the West Seattle Tool Library received their checks, which collectively accounted for the large check being held by beneficiaries and Garden Tour Committee members.
They’re already planning next year’s tour, so it’s a great time to get involved! WSGT contact info is on the right side of their home page.
(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Another rainy morning, and slow going so far. A crash on the ramp from the eastbound bridge to southbound I-5 is reported to be contributing to slowdowns, partly blocking the ramp, though there’s no medic response, so apparently no injuries.
ROAD WORK: Today was announced as the day SDOT would close the inside lane on the eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct after the morning commute for repairs – but work is often postponed when it rains, so we’ll be checking on its status.
7:53 AM: Texter reports a crash at 28th and 106th, possibly involving a school bus. We’re sending a crew to check it out. Meantime, the earlier crash on the ramp to southbound I-5 has cleared out of the travel lanes.
8:14 AM: The collision involves a car and Highline Public Schools bus and is in the middle of the intersection.
No injuries on the bus, we’re told; another bus has arrived for the kids to transfer onto. The driver of the car is being checked out. The scene should clear soon, as tow crews are arriving.
8:32 AM: If you’re just leaving, be forewarned – “bridge bad again,” reports commenter Jovan.
9:06 AM: A crash is reported on Highland Park Way hill. Haven’t yet heard which direction. (added) Just after typing that, we received a text saying two cars are in the ditch and the road is reduced to one lane going downhill. SFD is sending a second engine. Thanks as always for traffic tips – but of course, please only text/call us – 206-293-6302 – when it’s safe to do so (if you’re a passenger, OR once you’ve arrived at your destination).
(Photo added – thanks to Meg; note the vehicle off the road at left)
9:15 AM: Per scanner, Highland Park Way hill is closed in the uphill direction for now. We’d advise avoiding the hill entirely until there’s word the crash is clear.
9:49 AM: As Kam notes in comments, the hill is closed both ways now – they had let a few buses through, but then shut it down entirely – and scanner discussions indicate there’s a significant oil slick, so cleanup is likely to take a while.
11:26 AM: Per scanner, Highland Park Way hill has reopened, after cleanup, towing, etc.
An acre and a third of land in eastern West Seattle is proposed to be split into nine single-family-house lots, according to documents accompanying a land-use application filed with the city this week. Its official address is 4849 21st SW (map), but you can barely glimpse the site from 21st – as shown in our photo, it looks like greenbelt behind a fence, but the site stretches westward to 23rd SW. Two lots would front on 21st, three on 23rd, and the other four inbetween; documents in the online file say a private drive would be built for access to the latter seven. An arborist’s report says the site has 99 “significant” trees, 20 of them “exceptional,” but assesses 35 of the trees as unhealthy and in need of removal. If the subdivision is approved, the lots would be mostly 5,000-7,000 square feet, in keeping with the site’s single-family 5,000 zoning, but one of the lots on 21st would be double-sized, at 10,000 square feet. A two-week comment period will open as soon as the proposal officially appears on the city’s Land Use Information Bulletin.
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