West Seattle, Washington

16 Saturday

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month : 10/2014 318 results

Tour The Junction with Seattle Planning Commissioners who are also your neighbors, to discuss ‘successes … and opportunities’
October 5, 2014 10:30 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Development | How to help | West Seattle news

“We want to see this through your eyes – we’re interested in a dialogue.”

With that, two Seattle Planning Commissioners, both West Seattleites, are inviting you to be part of the dialogue about the future of The Junction and vicinity with a walk-and-talk event next Saturday (October 11th), 10 am.

They came to September’s Junction Neighborhood Organization meeting to initiate the dialogue, and we since have received official confirmation and the invitation itself (see above, or click here for the PDF version) – RSVP for updates on where they’re planning to meet (we’ll also have that here, later in the week).

Commissioners Jeanne Krikawa and Luis Borrero said they realize many might not even have heard about the Seattle Planning Commission, an independent, but city-convened/funded, group of appointees. That’s why they and commission policy analyst Jesseca Brand visited JuNO, to talk about not just what they do but also about looking at The Junction’s “walkshed” – what “essential components of livability” it has, and doesn’t have. Those were described as parks, plazas, libraries, community centers, wayfinding, green streets, bike infrastructure, as laid out in the Seattle Transit Communities report a few years back.

If any of those elements don’t exist in a “transit community,” they should be only “a stop or two away.” Here’s the slide deck Borrero and Krikawa showed JuNO:

This all figures into the Seattle 2035 process to update the city’s Comprehensive Plan, a major project for the Planning Commission right now, and one that has already resulted in a variety of events.

Even if this all sounds a little too wonky for you, remember that a process more than 15 years ago set the stage for much is what’s happening now. That’s what designated The Junction and vicinity as a Hub Urban Village – one meant to encourage workplaces to locate in the area, not just residences and services, the commissioners told JuNO.

In turn, JuNO director René Commons and attendees told Krikawa and Borrero that the Junction “walkshed” is definitely missing some of what are supposed to be hub characteristics – no nearby community centers, libraries, public schools.

The commissioners in turn asked those in attendance how they feel about The Junction’s growth. We’d summarize the various answers as “trepidational,” as well as eager for more transit – but join next Saturday’s walking tour, and tell them yourselves.

The bottom line of all this is consideration of how The Junction and vicinity should be viewed in the decades ahead, as a prism through which to see growth and the choices to be made. It’s a rare chance for more of a big picture look than the piecemeal decision-making so many have decried in the past few years. If you’re interested in having a say – or at least listening – be part of the tour next Saturday, and the conversation to follow.

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West Seattle Sunday: From books to blessings, wine to walking…
October 5, 2014 6:34 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(At Alki Beach Harbor House, by Loren Beringer, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Happy Sunday! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

GET YOUR COPY OF ‘APRON STRINGS’ AT WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, during today’s Farmers’ Market, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society will sell its newly released recipes-and-stories book.

Added 11:04 am, a photo from SWSHS: Joan Stover (left), co-editor of “Apron Strings: Recipes and Recollections from the Duwamish Peninsula,” chatting with Gay Johansson of Roxhill at this morning’s market (44th/Alaska)

G0SPEL SUNDAY, WITH SINGALONG: 2 pm at Hope Lutheran Church, join this choir-hosted event featuring gospel and spiritual songs, including the opportunity to sing along! Details in our calendar listing. (42nd/Oregon)

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS #1: First of two events today – 11:45 am at Peace Lutheran Church, on the Westside Patio; details in our preview. (39th/Thistle)

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS #2: 1 pm in the West Seattle High School parking lot, St. John’s Episcopal Church offers blessings to your pet/companion animal(s); details in our preview. (3000 California SW)

CROP WALK TO FIGHT HUNGER: Registration at 12:30 pm, walk at 1 pm, from Alki UCC, again hosting this walk raising money to fight hunger. (62nd/Hinds)

COMMUNITY ARTISTS’ SHOWCASE: 2-3 pm, stop by the Southwest Branch Library for the reception that opens the 23rd annual Community Artists’ Showcase. The works being shown by your neighbors and friends will be up throughout the month. Stop by and meet the artists today, free, and enjoy coffee and dessert. (35th/Henderson)

WSB FORUM PICNIC: It’s a place to talk about everything from politics to schools to food, a place for raves and rants, a place to list jobs and yard sales, a place where you never know what might happen next. The WSB Forum has been up and running for seven years, and every so often, members organize a picnic. You don’t have to be a member to join them – they’d love to meet lurkers too! 3-5 pm at Lincoln Park Picnic Shelter 1 – see the forum for updates.

BENEFIT WINE TASTING: Bring a wine to contribute to this fun tasting event (and more!) benefiting Furry Faces Foundation – read about it here. (2942 SW Avalon Way)

FINAL PERFORMANCE OF ‘THE MOUNTAINTOP’: 3 pm, the acclaimed ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) production of “The Mountaintop” is on stage one last time. (4711 California SW)

AS FOR WHAT’S UP TONIGHT … see the calendar!

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Reader report: New sequence at ‘Walk All Ways’ intersection
October 4, 2014 10:22 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news


(“Walk All Ways” signage in 1956; click image to see full-size Seattle Muni Archives photo)
It’s not often news when a traffic signal is tweaked. But in this case, we’ve now received several reader reports of a sequencing change at the most-famous intersection in West Seattle – and since tomorrow is usually its busiest day of the week, with Farmers’ Market shoppers and brunchgoers (among others), we’re sharing the FYI. First word came from Kathleen, who explained:

The sequence of red/ green lights and “walk” signs has changed sequence. I walk up to the Junction nearly every day and it has always been: green light going east on Alaska across Calif.: then green light going west; and then green light for the traffic going north/south on Calif; THEN the walk all 4 ways signal.

(Thursday) I couldn’t figure why so many cars were running through the intersection at the wrong times. I almost missed going across the street because I was waiting for the north/south traffic to go before me. It has been changed so the 4-way walk is now BEFORE north/ south cars can go. Confusing to anyone who has done it the old way forever!

We’ll be asking SDOT about this on Monday.

P.S. The history of “Walk All Ways” here is part of this HistoryLink.org essay about The Junction, which says it was installed in 1952, removed in 1974, brought back in 1988.

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Video: Seen off West Seattle shores, ‘Beneath a Dark Sea’
October 4, 2014 8:01 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Last time we featured undersea video from “Diver Laura” James – observing a curious octopus – we heard clamors for more. Laura has obliged, inviting us to share the clip you see above, which she titled “Beneath a Dark Sea.” Yes, these are local waters – Cove 2, right off Seacrest.

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Skies Over West Seattle, October 2014 edition: Two eclipses!
October 4, 2014 4:06 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Skies Over West Seattle | West Seattle news

EDITOR’S NOTE: Ever wish for advance alert of an upcoming meteor shower/eclipse/etc. – and/or wonder “What’s that bright ‘star’ up there?” This should help. It’s our periodic feature by West Seattle’s own Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen, famed for her solstice/equinox sunset watches, among other things.

(Friday’s moon, photographed by Danny McMillin, shared via the WSB Flickr group)

By Alice Enevoldsen
Special to West Seattle Blog

Eclipses! We have eclipses this month! Don’t miss them, if the clouds part: This Wednesday, early morning (October 8th), lunar, and October 23rd, solar.

Hey, what’s that?

Clouds. I’m betting you saw clouds. As the rainy windstorms of fall come in, we lose some of our night skies. We’ll get a few sparkly-clear nights in winter again, but we’re into the time of year where you take what you can get. Enjoy the way the clouds make for some amazing sunsets.

Although Saturn and Mars are both still beautiful in the evening sky and Arcturus is also visible higher in the West, Capella is probably the most striking object in tonight’s sky. It is that this star always seems to sparkle and twinkle just a bit more than most other stars.

Just before the Sun rises, you’ll be unable to miss Jupiter shining low in the East. Orion is rising a bit South of Jupiter, and Sirius will be twinkling like crazy closer to the horizon than that.

Safe Eclipse Viewing

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Update: Gatewood Elementary ‘save the teacher’ bake sale
October 4, 2014 12:16 pm
|      49 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

12:16 PM: The sale is on at California and Myrtle, half a block east of Gatewood Elementary, whose families are trying to raise $90,000 in a matter of days to keep a teacher – if you missed our earlier stories, here are the Thursday (with 100 comments) and Friday reports. All ages are helping out, from facepainting …

… to beverage-pouring …

Laura posed with the apple-shaped tote board as things got going after 10 am:

While we were there, somebody gave them a drive-up donation:

They say they’ll be out as long as possible.

2 PM UPDATE: Organizers say they have raised $35,500 so far, including “an anonymous $10,000 donation.”

3:15 PM UPDATE: Just in from Gatewood parent Kevin Kincade:

Both the Feedback Lounge and The Bridge will have donation boxes to support the Friends of Gatewood tonight. Go and have a drink and kick in a few extra bucks to help save a teacher. It’s a win-win! This is to support their cause of raising $90,000 in order to save a teacher at the school. Any and all donations will be appreciated. Thanks!

Kevin adds, “And one more update — they are in their last hour at the bake sale now (3:15) so come by and get some goodies before we shut down.”

Just as we were adding this update, we received a photo from Sam with donation collectors at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor):

We’ve had a few other community-contributed photos come in, and we’ll be adding to the story.

4:59 PM: We’re told that Beveridge Place Pub has joined the list above of nearby establishments that will have donation boxes tonight.

ADDED LATE SATURDAY: An update and thanks from Nicole Sipila:

We had an amazing day. Many times I was brought to tears and for those folks who know me, that is not an easy feat.

In the bank, as of 4:00 closing time, we have collected $35,300.00 We also have approx. $8,500.ish coming back to the school from a grant that the PTA made last year, so that would put us at $43,000ish to our ultimate goal of $90,000!

Yes, we had one anonymous donor with a check for $10,000. Another for $5000 and yet another for $1000!!!! I was moved to tears at all of these checks! But I was even more emotional about some of the small moments that happened today.

First, we had an amazing parent, teacher turnout. Bringing baked goods and just handing us cash, saying, “Keep it. If you don’t make your goal, do something great with the money for the kids.”

Also, one set of parents who happen to be foster parents, who had heard that many of the GW teachers would be contributing $500 and they wanted to match that amount. Then I learn that these are foster parents of a child at GW that might be going back to birth parents at the end of the month and they didn’t want a refund if we don’t meet our goal! “Keep it, do something good with it!” Yes, I was a teary mess.

We had some ADORABLE little Gators who were standing on the corners collecting drive by donations. They had walked down toward Thriftway and passed by the Real Change vendor that hangs out by McDonald’s. This man, who doesn’t have much himself, gave these children a dollar. I am tearing up just writing this.

Plus all the other small moments, the Schmitz Park 1st grade teacher (young and new to the district) who stopped by with friends who just wanted “to support us and our teachers.” And all the other schools who posted our event on their web sites (STEM and Fairmount Park) and the parents of other schools who stopped by to drop off small donations just to say, “We support you.”

I am truly blessed to be apart of this community and am amazed at the generously of friends and strangers.

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‘No ordinary cookbook’: 114 recipes from 49 locals in ‘Apron Strings’
October 4, 2014 10:20 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle books | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(WSB photo: Cookbook editors Joan & Joey arranging stacks at LHM on Friday)
Get ’em while they’re hot! Copies of “Apron Strings,” a brand-new local cookbook, are officially on sale. This weekend, you can buy it during regular hours at the Log House Museum (noon-4 pm Saturdays, Sundays, and Thursdays and Fridays) – or maybe you’ll be at the LHM for the volunteer orientation today (11 am-1 pm) and get yours then – or, look for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market tomorrow. And get busy making recipes like this one:

Here’s the SWSHS announcement about “Apron Strings”:

Just in time for Thanksgiving meal planning and the search for a unique holiday gift, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society is releasing a new, home-grown cookbook.

“Apron Strings: Recipes and Recollections from the Duwamish Peninsula” is a 180-page paperback with 114 recipes from 49 local residents. Stories accompany many of the recipes, and the book is laced with 16 photos from the historical society’s archive.

Editors of the cookbook are three longtime members of the historical society: Dayle Banks, Joey Richesson (former board secretary) and Joan Stover (former board treasurer). The cover features a colorful, quilted vintage apron from Merrilee Hagen, past president of the historical society.

“Apron Strings,” priced at $25, is on sale at the historical society’s “Birthplace of Seattle” Log House Museum. It also will have its public debut from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, at a table at the West Seattle Farmers Market in The Junction.

Net proceeds will go to the Southwest Seattle Historical Society.

Three years in the making, “Apron Strings” is “no ordinary cookbook,” the editors write in the book’s preface. “It is a collection of recipes that reflect the history and culture of Duwamish Peninsula families and friends. … Entwined with the details for sifting, stirring, baking and frying are the stories of the people and circumstances surrounding the dishes, the family traditions of meals and snacks, and the community history of food that is uniquely West Seattle, White Center and beyond.”

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So many possibilities for your West Seattle Saturday!
October 4, 2014 8:13 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Harbor seal photographed by Robert Spears)
Leaping into the weekend … lots going on, so we’re going to be quick about everything and point you to the full-details links. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and coverage archives:

TLC FOR LINCOLN PARK: 9 am, meet Friends of Lincoln Park at the park’s Fauntleroy/Rose kiosk to help remove invasive plants to get ready for a planting session next month.

BAKE/LEMONADE SALE TO CROWDFUND A TEACHER: 10 am and for as long as they can keep going, Gatewood Elementary parents are planning “the biggest bake sale imaginable” (lemonade, face painting expected too) as they try to crowdfund to cover the salary of a teacher their school otherwise will lose – here’s our report from last night; original Thursday report here. (California/Myrtle)

DROP OFF ART FOR SOUTHWEST LIBRARY SHOWCASE: 10 am-6 pm,
last chance to drop off up to 3 items for the Southwest Branch Library Community Artist Showcase, which starts tomorrow. (35th/Henderson)

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION AT LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: 11 am-1 pm, find out how to help the home of West Seattle’s history, as a volunteer for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. History expertise NOT required. (61st/Stevens)

LEARN TO BE QUAKE-RESISTANT: 11 am, free city-presented workshop at West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library on making your home earthquake-resistant – but as announced in August, registration is required, so check to see if there’s room, before you go. (2306 42nd SW)

BARTON P-PATCH FALL FESTIVAL: Noon-4 pm, celebrate fall, food, and community at the Barton Street P-Patch – including a chance to enjoy pizza from the on-site oven! Details in our preview. (34th/Barton)

WEST SEATTLE SOLAR TOUR: Noon-4 pm, self-guided tour to see West Seattle homes that might inspire you to check out solar power.

RAINWISE AT FAUNTLEROY SCHOOLHOUSE: The RainWise program (WSB sponsor) might be able to get you a raingarden with a rebate. Your next chance to find out about it is 2-4 pm at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse. Refreshments! (9131 California SW)

SPIDERS OF THE DUWAMISH: 2 pm, find out, with a talk at the Duwamish Longhouse and a walk at Herring House Park, why spiders are friends, not foes!

(Orb spider! Photo by Myrtle)
Details in our calendar listing. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

MANHATTAN SHORT-FILM FESTIVAL: 4 pm, 10 short films at the historic Admiral Theater – details in our calendar listing. (2343 California SW)

FLY-FISHING DEMO: 4-7 pm, free event focused on fly fishing on the water, from kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Details in our calendar listing. (Seacrest, 1660 Harbor SW)

(Friday night sunset, by Chris Frankovich)
FAMILY FUN NIGHT: 5:30-8:30 pm, Dance! West Seattle at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (lower floor) presents this annual tradition on a Saturday, for the first time:

*Free Event with Live DJ Paul Thompson of Star 101.5!

*Hula Hoop contest, Specialty Dances, and more

*Bring your $$$ for Pizza, Pop, and Cookie, Silent Auction, Raffles, Cakewalks, Face Painting, all to help raise funds to keep our Concert Dancers performing free of charge in the community!

*Buy 10 raffle Tickets, get one free@ only $1 apiece!

*Any Donations to our Concert Dancers are tax deductible

(9131 California SW)

RAISING AWARENESS, $ TO FIGHT HUMAN TRAFFICKING: 5:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, big slate of performers putting on “Red Light Revolution 2.0” – details in our preview. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

FIGHT MS WITH THE WEST SEATTLE BIG BAND: 7 pm, dance with the West Seattle Big Band at the Senior Center of West Seattle, and raise money to fight MS – an event inspired by a band member living with MS, as explained in our preview. (Oregon/California)

LAST EVENING PERFORMANCE OF ‘THE MOUNTAINTOP’: 7:30 pm, second-to-last performance (final evening show) of the ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) production of “The Mountaintop.” (4711 California SW)

NIGHTLIFE! Lots of listings on the calendar.

ONE LAST NOTE: Earlier this week, King County announced it would start working on Saturdays to accelerate excavation for the Murray Combined-Sewer Overflow Control Project’s million-gallon tank. Change in plan – instead of starting today, the Saturday sessions will start NEXT weekend, on October 11th.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Teens attacked, robbed in Admiral
October 4, 2014 7:22 am
|      70 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Police are investigating a strong-arm robbery in Admiral early today, and we just received details via this reader report from Edward:

Three local West Seattle teens were assaulted and robbed by another group of older youths near Hiawatha park & the Safeway in Admiral area a little after midnight (early Saturday am) Oct 4th.

The boys, who all grew up here and attended Lafayette, Washington Middle School & currently attend Garfield (two) & Sealth (one), had met to hang out and get some snacks at Safeway when they were stalked by a gang of four sketchier looking males, one wearing a beanie with long curly hair.

The first blow was a sucker punch from behind that split the victims lip open, and he yelled “They punched me!” to warn the other two boys. But two of the attackers tackled and slammed the second victim to the ground, bloodying his nose and causing a large swollen contusion on the forehead from the impact.

The criminals then stole his red down vest with a K2 Snowboard logo on the chest, his new Galaxy S5 smartphone (worth over $700), and his wallet that contained an Orca bus pass, Debit Card, Garfield School ID, and a few various gift cards along with $5 cash. The third victim eluded his pursuer and ran across to the PCC, which was closed.

After regrouping, the boys contacted their parents and then the Seattle Police. SPD Officer Steiger is handling the case: Incident #14-331689. Please contact him if you have any further information regarding this violent assault & theft.

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High-school football: Chief Sealth homecoming victory vs. Franklin
October 4, 2014 6:36 am
|    Comments Off on High-school football: Chief Sealth homecoming victory vs. Franklin
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(Photos & video by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
Chief Sealth International High School‘s defense was the star of their 47-6 homecoming win over Franklin last night at Southwest Athletic Complex. But the whole team emerged with energy – watch our short Instagram clip to the end:

Since it was homecoming, that was just the start of the festivities, which also featured the band, directed by Marcus Pimpleton:

They marched onto the field before the game right behind the cheer squad:

And showed off new moves at halftime:

The game was already 27-0 by halftime, by the way. But backtracking to the start of play:

Starting with recovering a fumble (photo above) for the first score of the game, it was the defense who managed to hold Franklin to a single touchdown- a run back of the second-half kickoff. Among the Sealth players who scored TDs, #5 Alloney Burris:

And #23 Czai Terrell:

Though a consistent ground game put up most of the points, Sealth’s passing game had some major gains against Franklin. #12 Weston Reed passed to #3 Jalonzo Smallwood for one of the Seahawks’ TDs. Here’s Reed in another play, with #30 Heriberto DeLuna:

In addition to the homecoming revelry, the night also brought birthday wishes for #59 Sam Tino:

This was the season’s second win for the Seahawks and head coach Simon Iniguez.

A road game is next up for Sealth, vs. Ingraham, 7 pm Friday at Northwest Athletic Complex.

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High-school football: West Seattle HS vs. Roosevelt
October 4, 2014 6:34 am
|    Comments Off on High-school football: West Seattle HS vs. Roosevelt
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

One local varsity-football team played on the road Friday night – West Seattle High School. At Memorial Stadium downtown, Roosevelt blanked the Wildcats, 39-0. Next Friday, WSHS hosts Cleveland, 7 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex.

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Followup: ‘Biggest bake sale imaginable’ Saturday as Gatewood Elementary families raise money to keep a teacher
October 3, 2014 8:36 pm
|      54 COMMENTS
 |   Gatewood | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

One day after news began to spread of a district-ordered teacher-reallocation move affecting two local elementary schools, one is launching a short-time, big-sum fundraising drive: $90,000 needed by Wednesday, to keep from losing a teacher.

We first reported Thursday afternoon on the situation that could result in one teacher being moved from Gatewood Elementary to newly reopened Fairmount Park Elementary. Fairmount has more students than planned for, the district says, while Gatewood has fewer first-graders than planned for.

While the district has not publicly identified the teacher that would be moved from Gatewood to Fairmount Park, Gatewood parents say the current version of the plan would move first-grade teacher Ms. Morgan. Parent Tracy Clarkson sent the photo at right, her twin daughter and son with Ms. Morgan, who is their teacher. Says Clarkson, “We are longtime West Seattlers, but new to Gatewood. We cannot lose this teacher!”

Another parent e-mailed more details about what will happen tomorrow, and beyond:

Gatewood is mobilizing. We need to raise $90,000 by Wednesday morning. We have about 10% thus far. Disbelievingly, our beloved teachers have each committed $500.

The parents of Gatewood and their children are planning to hold the biggest bake sale imaginable tomorrow starting at 10 a.m. at California and Myrtle and going on throughout the day.

We ask for any community support from everyone. Even if not a monetary donation, we appreciate moral support, too. The families and teachers could sure use it right now.

A donation account was set up late today at Chase Bank; you can donate at Chase and tell them it’s for “Friends of Gatewood.” Parents say online fundraising is not an option because they have to have the cash in hand by Wednesday morning, and online donations wouldn’t be disbursable that way.

They are hoping at least to get a time extension, and say that the district’s executive director of schools in this area, Israel Vela, indicated support for that in phone calls today to parents who had left him messages about this.

Meanwhile, the district responded to a followup question we had sent yesterday. At the ribbon-cutting for Fairmount Park on September 2nd, the day before the new school year began, it was announced they anticipated opening with 380 students. The current enrollment cited by the district is just below that. So why is an adjustment being made just now? District spokesperson Lesley Rogers replied with this backstory:

In August we decided to fund an additional teacher (the student projection [for Fairmount Park] went from 290 to 329, or 39 additional students). This was part of an overall district assessment that resulted in 26 schools having adds or pulls, with a net 2.0 addition. We also added in 2 schools based on high urgency (Arbor Heights and Alki Elementary).

We decided to wait to address FTE [full-time-student equivalent] adjustments due to the traditional student movement, wait list, data cleanup, and no-shows that happens in the first 2-3 weeks of school. The student enrollment reached 368 at 9/22 (Fairmount Park).

The other component was the budget situation. Our mitigation fund was depleted after the last 2 adds. We decided to wait to find out what schools have significantly lost student enrollment, as Gatewood, to transfer FTEs.

Overall, we are waiting for the official 10/1 counts that will be reported on 10/12 to recommend more staffing adjustments. At the same time we are using the current student count to identify the hot spots adjustments and deploy/execute earlier.

We’ll continue to follow up.

ADDED 5:26 AM SATURDAY: Overnight, we received the letter to the community, drafted by organizers of the fundraising drive. Click (or scroll) ahead to read it:
Read More

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Update: Southworth ferry dock open again, after deadly car-into-water incident
October 3, 2014 6:37 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

(Refresh for newest image from WSF camera at Southworth dock)
6:37 PM: Happening in Southworth, but no doubt affecting Fauntleroy ferries: Washington State Ferries says the Southworth dock is closed right now because of “law enforcement activity.” Via Twitter, the Kitsap Sun reports this is a case of a vehicle gone into the water. (You might also see air activity related to this – at least one TV helicopter has headed that way.)

6:55 PM: No one has confirmed whether anyone was in the vehicle, which at least one witness says crashed through the barricade at the dock’s end.

7:20 PM: An update:

The vehicle is in 60 feet of water.

7:47 PM: WSP says the body of the vehicle’s driver, who was believed to be in it alone, has been recovered. SFD divers are reported to have assisted.

8:01 PM: WSF projects it will be a few hours before the dock reopens – which won’t happen, they say, until the vehicle is pulled from the water. In the meantime, ferries are running only between Fauntleroy and Vashon, and the Seattle-Bremerton run from Colman Dock downtown is recommended as a detour for those trying to get to Kitsap County.

9:40 PM: WSF says the Southworth dock likely will be closed until morning.

11:06 PM: The vehicle has been pulled from the water. Christine Clarridge from The Seattle Times (WSB partner) tweeted a photo and describes the vehicle as a silver Ford Escape.

11:25 PM: WSF says the dock is open again and service to Southworth restored.

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Two traffic alerts for next week: SSV & VP
October 3, 2014 4:34 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Looking ahead to next week, two traffic alerts that might give you cause to plan ahead:

SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT: Just announced by SDOT:

Roadway Structures Crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation will close the left-hand, eastbound lane on the Spokane Street Viaduct from Fourth Avenue South to First Avenue South on October 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., weather permitting. The closure will allow crews to make pavement repairs on the viaduct.

VICE PRESIDENTIAL VISIT: VP Joe Biden’s still on for a visit to Seattle next week, on Thursday (October 9). The full schedule hasn’t been announced but we do know he’s expected at a noon fundraising event for U.S. Senate candidates at the Convention Center downtown.

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Police investigate report of dog killing Gatewood chickens
October 3, 2014 4:03 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

4:03 PM: If you’re noticing police/animal control in northeast Gatewood, they’re looking for a dog reported to have killed chickens in a yard near 36th/Warsaw. SPD media relations tweeted about the call; we went over to check. Dog description: Samoyed, white, fluffy, about 55 pounds, still being sought at last report.

4:12 PM: A possibly-related lost-dog report has come in from the area; we’ve advised the owner to contact police/animal control.

4:48 PM: Both the owner and police say the dog has been found.

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School boundary changes: West Seattle meeting next Wednesday
October 3, 2014 3:01 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photo, taken this morning: Demolition continues at ex-Genesee Hill Elementary)
Because of changes including new school construction (like the Genesee Hill site, above), the Seattle Public Schools board voted last November to approve boundary changes that are being phased in over the next five-plus years. Some take effect next school year (2015-2016), so the district is having three public meetings next week to talk about those. The meeting for families in West Seattle is at 6:30 pm next Wednesday (October 8th) in the lunchroom at Fairmount Park Elementary (38th/Findlay). Eight elementaries in West Seattle, and both local middle schools (which means both high schools too, because of our area’s feeder pattern), will be affected by the boundary changes, with new maps linked from school names here. In some cases, the changes are relatively small – the Gatewood boundary changes, for example, would affect up to 10 students.

If this wasn’t on your radar, you probably have questions. The district has an FAQ online, including this:

This does not mean that students must change schools. Students currently enrolled at an elementary may stay at that elementary through 5th grade as long as the services they need are available. This is called grandfathering. New students will be assigned based on the updated boundaries.

(Thanks to Mary for pointing us to the saveseattleschools.blogspot.com report mentioning this – the meetings were not previously on our radar.)

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Saga of the Jacobsen Road goats: Why the feeder’s gone again
October 3, 2014 12:21 pm
|      61 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | Pets | West Seattle news

(Photo by Suzanne Krom – goats with visitors before the feeder was removed last month)
You might recall the saga of the Jacobsen Road goats – Bama, Deli, and JJ – who would come say hi to visitors who put a quarter in a food dispenser and rang a bell to summon them. As reported here in June, the feeder went away in late spring after the goats’ owner acquiesced to a neighbor’s complaint. Then, encouraged by community support, he brought it back. Now, it’s gone again, as explained on this sign:

(September 25th photo)
This time, the feeder was removed under order of the city Department of Planning and Development, because of a zoning complaint – the feeder apparently turned the goat display into a “petting zoo.” We started asking DPD for comment last week, and finally received a response last night. Spokesperson Bryan Stevens told WSB, “We inspected the site (Wednesday) and found it to be in compliance with what the code allows in the single-family zone. The owner has been very cooperative and removed the elements that created the ‘petting zoo’ use. The feeding signs, bell, and 25-cent feeder have been removed, but the three goats remain.”

We asked Stevens about what appeared to be a new beef in the goat site’s file: “The more recent complaint that you’ve referenced was regarding the number of animals kept. Someone was claiming that there were more than three animals on site, but upon inspection from the sidewalk, only the three goats were observed … so the service request was closed. Up to three small animals are allowed on each single family property.”

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West Seattle Friday: Sealth homecoming; 10th anniversary party at Click!; HPIC’s Corner Bar; more…
October 3, 2014 11:25 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Before we get to today’s list – an unusual-wildlife sighting from David Hutchinson, who says that’s a juvenile White-fronted Goose seen hanging around the Alki Beach promenade since last weekend, unafraid of people and reportedly spotted even crossing Alki Avenue. Bonus closeup:

Now, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

DROP OFF YOUR ART, DAY 2: Until 6 pm, it’s the second of three days you can drop off up to 3 pieces of art for the Southwest Branch Library‘s upcoming Community Artist Showcase. (35th/Henderson)

CLICK! TURNS TEN! Proprietors Frances and John Smersh (shown above during this year’s West Seattle Summer Fest) have been running Click! Design That Fits (longtime WSB sponsor) for a decade now. Go congratulate them, enjoy some treats, and take advantage of anniversary discounts, 5-9 pm tonight. (4540 California SW)

WORDS, WRITERS, & WEST SEATTLE: The literary series presented by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society at Barnes & Noble/Westwood Village is now in its second year! 5-7 pm tonight, go meet Susan Rich:

B & N is in on the south side of Westwood Village. (2800 SW Barton)

CORNER BAR AT HPIC: First Friday of the month means pop-up Corner Bar time at Highland Park Improvement Club. Music by the Drew Medak Trio. And more – see our calendar listing. (12th/Holden)

SEALTH HOMECOMING: 7 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex, the Seahawks host Franklin for Chief Sealth International High School‘s homecoming game. (2601 SW Thistle)

WSHS FOOTBALL: 7:45 pm at Memorial Stadium downtown, West Seattle High School plays Roosevelt.

NIGHTLIFE, NIGHTLIFE, NIGHTLIFE! Live music and more – see the calendar listings here.

And from the “not in West Seattle, but …” file:

GOING TO THE SEATTLE HOME SHOW? Look for West Seattle’s Potter Construction (WSB sponsor) in Booth 1225. The show’s on through Sunday (full exhibitor list here) at the CenturyLink Field Event Center.

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Blessing of the Animals: 3 West Seattle churches this year
October 3, 2014 10:26 am
|    Comments Off on Blessing of the Animals: 3 West Seattle churches this year
 |   Pets | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

(WSB photo: Rev. JD Godwin blessing Pace the dog at St. John’s 2013 Blessing of the Animals)
St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals, is the inspiration for Blessing of the Animals events each fall, and this year we have heard from three West Seattle churches welcoming you and your pet(s) for the occasion, at events being held independent of the churches’ regular services:

PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH: Happening this Sunday morning:

Pastor Erik Kindem and Peace congregation offer an opportunity to bless your special companion/pet on Sunday, October 5 @ Peace Lutheran Church, 39th Ave SW and SW Thistle. The blessing will take place on the Westside Patio (8316 39th Ave SW) at the conclusion of worship (11:45am). Community invited!

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH: Happening this Sunday afternoon:

Sunday at 1 pm: Plan now to bring your pet or pets for St. John the Baptist’s annual community-wide St. Francis’ Day Blessing of the Animals, Sunday, October 5, at 1:00 p.m. on the West Seattle High School parking lot. Parishioner Paul Dahlke is coordinating the event again this year.

WSHS is at 3000 California SW, just north of St. John’s.

FAUNTLEROY UCC CHURCH: Happening Sunday, October 12th, 2 pm – details on this flyer. The church is at 9140 California SW.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Three quick notes
October 3, 2014 8:59 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch this morning. One is somewhat general – multiple reports of “metal scrappers” stealing items left out on parking strips or in alleys. Theft is theft, so if it happens to you, please be sure to report it.

Second, Dean reports interrupting car prowlers near 46th SW and Admiral Way, but not before they got away with T-shirts that say REPETE (with a pic of the Seahawks’ coach). A police report has been filed.

And third, an update from Rick in Gatewood:

Thank you, West Seattle Blog, for posting the information about my stolen work van. After driving around West Seattle for hours on Saturday, I located my stolen van. The locks & ignition were destroyed/missing & my tools stolen. Eye witness reports indicate that my van was stolen between 4:15 a.m and 5:30 a.m. and that individuals were car prowling w/ a dark colored van on Ida Street. Also, I learned that other individuals in the area have also reported their tools stolen.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates; weekend preview
October 3, 2014 7:02 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates; weekend preview
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Happy Friday! Nothing out of the ordinary in the routes through/from West Seattle so far.

WEEKEND PREVIEW: Short and sweet – no major road work, as WSDOT says the Highway 99 work is done for now. The SDOT citywide weekend-alert list is short, too.

7:41 AM: SDOT reports a stall on the right shoulder of the eastbound bridge at the Delridge onramp. They’ve turned one of the cameras toward it – the one at top right of our four-camera display above – for now, anyway.

8:10 AM: Thanks for the sunrise photos this morning, after the beautiful sunset last night. This one is from Carolyn Newman:

Any time you need sunrise/sunset/moonrise/moonset times, forecasts, tides, the WSB West Seattle Weather page can help.

9:56 AM: Seen while driving through The Triangle a short time ago:

Here’s our Thursday report on that.

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West Seattle scenes: Two Three memorable views
October 2, 2014 8:35 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Two beautiful views to share tonight: Above, James Bratsanos‘ photo of tonight’s colorful sunset; below, Long Bach Nguyen‘s view of West Seattle after dark, photographed last night:

Thank you to both for allowing us to share these images!

ADDED: Moksha shared a panoramic view of the sunset that we just have to add:

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West Seattle schools: Fairmount Park, Gatewood teacher swap sparks parent concern
October 2, 2014 4:21 pm
|      108 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The start of October – one month into the new school year – is when Seattle Public Schools traditionally has to make adjustments for unexpected circumstances at some of its campuses.

One such circumstance is about to affect two elementary schools in West Seattle, and we’ve been hearing all day from parents who are unhappy about it. At least one of the schools involved called a last-minute after-school meeting today to talk with families about it, and the district says other communications tools are being used.

In short, the newly reopened Fairmount Park Elementary School has more students than planned for – 367 in K-5 – and needs another teacher. Gatewood Elementary (with 405 total students), meantime, has fewer first-graders than expected – they had projected and staffed for four classes, but only need three. So, explains SPS spokesperson Lesley Rogers in response to our request for information, “In order to be fiscally responsible and assure our funding was being used where the greatest student need existed, at this time the district identified the opportunity to reduce Gatewood’s teaching staff by one teacher and increase Fairmount Park’s teaching staff by one teacher. This required no additional funding, and put the teacher where the need was greatest.”

It’s not entirely that simple, according to what parents have been sending us today. One Gatewood parent says the swap would involve sending the no-longer-needed-in-first-grade Gatewood teacher to a fourth-grade team-teaching class, and one teacher from that team, in its third year, would in turn be sent to Fairmount Park. Another letter circulating among parents also points out that 20 Gatewood first-graders will be going to new classrooms after a month.

Some parents are reported to be talking about raising money to keep an extra teacher at Gatewood. They tell us there is urgency to this, because apparently the decisions involving the teacher moves have to be finalized within a few days.

One Gatewood parent’s letter to this region’s Executive Director of Schools Israel Vela and School Board director Marty McLaren was forwarded to us. In part, it lists the concerns as:

This will disrupt teachers and students in harmful ways, including:

* Time and energy that teachers put toward creating a classroom environment and
bonding with students will be totally lost.

* Students will be abandoned by the teacher that they now know and thrown into a
new learning environment, including different classmates more than a month into the
school year.

* The size of 1st grade classes at Gatewood will go up.

* Teacher morale will go down.

* The parent groups that have risen up and come together to support each classroom will be divided.

* The relationship between Gatewood and Fairmount jeopardized.

Students will feel all of this. My child will be hurt by this plan. I ask you to take immediate action to prevent this plan.

This isn’t the only school that’s had to make changes, says district spokesperson Rogers: “The district made a commitment to our school leaders, teachers and families to quickly resolve over-crowding issues as close to our Oct. 1 enrollment count as possible. Earlier in September we were able to respond to overcrowding concerns at Alki and Arbor Heights with additional kindergarten teachers. We had been communicating with principals for the past several weeks regarding changes coming and this was one.”

In case you’re confused by the description of “overcrowding” at Fairmount Park, with fewer than 400 in a school expanded to 500 capacity, we were too; Rogers explains that it has to do with the contractual maximum number of students that can be in a class. Thanks again to everyone who tipped us on this; we’ll be following up.

ADDED 10:30 PM THURSDAY: Two notes – First, JTD looked up contact information for key district personnel; find it here. Second, several parents shared word that the Gatewood PTA has called a meeting related to this for 6:30 pm October 14th (bylaws require 10 days’ notice) in the school library.

ADDED 11:32 AM FRIDAY: A parent has forwarded a message from Gatewood principal Connie Aleman, who says the district has reached this decision and notified her of it:

Unless a teacher volunteers by October 7, the least senior teacher at Gatewood will be transferred to Fairmount Park. She/he is expected to report to duty at Fairmount Park on Friday October 10th. Gatewood’s four first grade classrooms will be consolidated into three and students will begin learning in that configuration on Monday October 13. This decision is based upon the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which is a contract agreed upon by both the district and the teachers’ union. It is also based on the Weighted Staffing Standards, which are established by the Seattle School District.

If we want to keep Gatewood’s staffing and class configurations as they are now, the district will allow us to raise the money to pay for a full time certified teaching position. Unfortunately, we must raise the money to fund that 1.0 FTE by October 8th. If it is not possible to raise the money by then, we can continue efforts to raise the money but the reduction in a teacher will occur October 10th and we will have to hire a different teacher when the money is raised.

If a specific fundraising campaign is under way, we hope to receive details so we can publish a new story about it – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

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