West Seattle, Washington

14 Wednesday

57℉

month : 11/2014 290 results

Southwest District Council, report #2: More opposition to matching-fund changes; ‘Let’s Talk’ followup; new co-chairs
November 7, 2014 4:09 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Southwest District Council | West Seattle news

They’re the biggest grants the city offers to neighborhood groups – and big proposed changes in the process and eligibility are leading to big pushback from neighborhood advocates, as evidenced again when the Southwest District Council met on Wednesday night. That tops our second report from the meeting (first one is here), which concluded with the election of new co-chairs for next year:

Read More

Share This

West Seattle schools: Denny’s Community Success Dinner
November 7, 2014 1:40 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle schools: Denny’s Community Success Dinner
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark for sharing photos and info from Wednesday night’s “Community Success Dinner”:

(Wednesday) night, the community of Denny International Middle School came together for a special night of food and fun! Hundreds of Denny families and staff enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal together, games, and opportunities to get family portraits and winter clothing.

A huge thank you to Roxana Amaral, Amber Brown, our whole Communities in Schools and City Year teams, many Denny staff, volunteers, and all of the scholars and families who came to make this event such a success! A special note of congratulations goes to Denny Scholar, Bertha Chavez, for her vision and organization of the games! We are very proud of our scholars for what they do every day and for how they helped! As a whole community, we would also like to thank the Safeway on Roxbury for their generous partnership with this event.

Go Dolphins!

More big events are ahead at Denny, including a clothing-donation drive and information night about Internet safety for kids – all the details are on the school’s home page.

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: Another missing Maxima; smash without grab
November 6, 2014 8:15 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight:

ANOTHER GOLD MAXIMA STOLEN: From Chris:

Our Gold 1996 Nissan Maxima was stolen 2 days ago from the 35th and Roxbury area. The sunroof started to leak so there is blue painter’s tape around the whole edge of the sunroof.

I had a similar car stolen twice and got it back so we have hope.

Last weekend, Matt‘s car, same year/make/model/color, was stolen; a WSB reader found it. Hope someone finds Chris’s car; call 911 if you see it.

CAR VANDALISM: A West Seattle Community Orchestras musician who was at Chief Sealth International High School for weekly rehearsal this past Tuesday says her car’s window was smashed while they were parked there, but “Nothing was taken, not even a bike helmet and a couple of other random things in the back seat. And we don’t ever leave anything valuable in the car anyway.”

Share This

Southwest District Council report #1: RapidRide Junction reroute? Yes, suggest attendees, but not the one the city’s proposing
November 6, 2014 5:22 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   Southwest District Council | West Seattle news

Last night’s Southwest District Council meeting was all about change, both proposed and unavoidable. This first report focuses on one of the items in the former category: Attendees got a chance to comment on the proposed change in RapidRide C Line routing through the heart of The Junction (first reported here in August):

Read More

Share This

West Seattle High School PTSA’s 2014 auction: One more day for earlybird discount prices
November 6, 2014 4:53 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle High School PTSA’s 2014 auction: One more day for earlybird discount prices
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Two weeks from tomorrow night, it’s the West Seattle High School PTSA‘s big annual auction fundraiser to help the school and its students. Earlybird-discount ticket sales have been extended until tomorrow, so you have one more day to get your ticket at the lowest price, $40. Just go here – and then be at Brockey Center on the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, 6 pm Friday, November 21st. (If you already have your ticket, check out that same link to preview some of the auction items!)

Share This

West Seattle Weather Watch: Wind woes, including toppled tree
November 6, 2014 12:51 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

12:51 PM: That’s the first big problem reported so far during our wind-advisory afternoon – a big evergreen down in Seaview, across 49th SW at Graham (map). Seattle City Light reports one customer there has lost power. Thanks to the person who texted the photo/report – 206-293-6302 is our 24/7 text/voice line, and editor@westseattleblog.com works too. The wind advisory, warning of gusts up to 50 mph, is in effect until 6 pm. More storm updates to come.

1:12 PM: The SCL map now shows four homes without power by the downed tree. Meantime, on the water:

The photo above was shared by Dan Ciske, who caught a flock of birds passing a sailboat that he says had its sails torn away in the wind.

Back to the tree:

2:39 PM: SCL and SDOT crews are at the scene of the downed tree, which blocked 49th completely, on the south side of Graham. They expected repairs/clearing would take a few hours.

3:10 PM: Just added photos from the tree cleanup.

(Added: Photo by Deb Barker)
Meantime, we’ve also been over to Constellation Park south of Alki Point, where the waves are hitting the seawall:

High tide is still about 20 minutes away.

4:09 PM: The stormy weather – which has been coming and going these past few hours – has spooked a few dogs, apparently; we’ve just published listings for three separate found dogs on the WSB Lost/Found Pets page.

4:25 PM: The Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth ferry run has been about 20 minutes behind because of the weather, says WSF, and now they say the runs between south Vashon and Tacoma are canceled TFN because there’s no power at south Vashon (Tahlequah), which will mean heavier traffic through north Vashon.

7:27 PM: Within an hour of that last update, the Tahlequah-Point Defiance run was back in business. Meantime, a couple photos from the WSB inbox:

That’s from Laura Goodrich, who went down to Constellation Park to wave-watch – check the driftwood! Next, from MM, who caught the colorful sunset:

If you ever need the sunset/sunrise times (moon, tide, etc. too), check the WSB West Seattle Weather page.

Share This

Camp Crockett dog day camp: Welcome, new WSB sponsor!
November 6, 2014 12:36 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Just opened in West Seattle – Camp Crockett! As a new, local WSB sponsor, they get this chance to let you know what they’re all about:

Make your puppy’s day! Give your special pup the experience of a lifetime by joining our pack at Camp Crockett. Crockett, our 2-year-old Bluetick Coonhound, would like to introduce himself to the West Seattle community and personally extend a welcoming paw to all pups, big and small. Our new and exciting dog day camp, boarding, and grooming company just opened our doors for the first time November 4th, 2014. Family owned and operated, we would like to bring the delight of “going to camp” to you and your furry family member with our ‘camp themed’ dog day camp.

With more than 30 years of experience in the dog-day-care field, our team is very passionate about giving your pup a very fun and loving environment while you are away. Our 6,000-square-foot camp yard provides plenty of room to help even the highest spirited of pups to unwind and meet new friends. Some of our campers are older or more sophisticated and prefer the comforts of our indoor space with lots of cubby holes and plush beds. Camp Crockett also provides an ‘at home’ feel for our overnight campers. Instead of spending the evening in a kennel, your pup will enjoy snuggling on the couch with our team leaders who live on site.

For those campers who are having a bad hair day or just love getting dirty, don’t worry, we will take care of you too. Camp Crockett is privileged to have the best groomer in Seattle on our team! Our groomer takes the time to get to know your pup, gives your pup time to get to know her, and then works with your pup at a comfortable pace to be able to give you the result you desire.

Camp Crockett is open 7 am–7 pm, Monday-Friday, with all services available on the weekend by appointment. Send your furry family member to camp with us and make your puppy’s day! First day with us is FREE!!!!! Located at 5611 Delridge Way SW; call 206-790-1674; e-mail campcrockett@gmail.com.

We thank Camp Crockett for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative, 24/7 neighborhood news via WSB. Find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

Share This

Grocery shopping? Get a turkey for Saturday’s donation drive!
November 6, 2014 12:05 pm
|    Comments Off on Grocery shopping? Get a turkey for Saturday’s donation drive!
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Hope the wind doesn’t whisk this bird away! It’s a reminder from the folks at West Seattle’s HomeStreet Bank (a just-returned WSB sponsor) that they’re hosting a turkey drive for the West Seattle Food Bank in just two days. On Saturday (November 8th), 11 am-2 pm, bring a 10-to-12-pound frozen turkey to donate, or $15 cash for WSFB to make its own purchase(s). HomeStreet is at 41st/Alaska.

Share This

West Seattle Thursday: Candy buyback; ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’ opening night at WSHS; Fauntleroy traffic meeting…
November 6, 2014 10:52 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Thursday: Candy buyback; ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’ opening night at WSHS; Fauntleroy traffic meeting…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Thanks to John for sharing the photo from Fauntleroy – sun, rainbow, whitecaps!)
After a difficult commute – and with a wind advisory now in effect – a relatively quick look at to highlights for the rest of your Thursday:

CANDY BUYBACK: A Place for Kids Too children’s dentistry (WSB sponsor) in The Admiral District is having its first post-Halloween “candy buyback” until 3 pm. Donated candy goes to U.S. troops; the “buyback” incentive is a raffle ticket for each pound of candy, with a gift-card prize for raffle winner(s). More details in our calendar listing. (2617 California SW)

CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES BUDGET POSSIBILITIES: They continue today. Live on Seattle Channel right now, they’re discussing possible items for the Office of Housing, including exploring a bond issue for a “large” project to build publicly owned affordable housing. This afternoon at 2 pm, they’re looking at items for SDOT, including the possibility of “transportation impact fees” for development. SPD is on the schedule today too, with items including the “gunshot locator system” discussed (but ultimately not funded) in past years.

THRIFTWAY’S HOLIDAY TASTE! 4-7 pm, West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) rolls out the tempting tastes of food/beverages you might want to serve your family/friends/etc. this holiday season. Just three weeks till Thanksgiving! (California/Fauntleroy)

WEST SEATTLE TIMEBANK ORIENTATION: 6:30 pm at Southwest Branch Library – get and give the gift of time; find out how to be part of the Timebank. (35th/Henderson)

FAUNTLEROY TRAFFIC/TRANSPORTATION: Special meeting organized by the Fauntleroy Community Association, 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, as previewed here. (9131 California SW)

‘ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD’: West Seattle High School Drama Department presents Tom Stoppard‘s Shakespeare spinoff, and tonight is opening night, 7:30 pm at the WSHS Theater. Details, including ticket info, in our calendar listing. (3000 California SW)

LOTS MORE … on the calendar.

Share This

West Seattle Veterans Day 2014: ‘Thank you’ dinner invitation
November 6, 2014 10:08 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Serving? Have served? You’re invited! From Kyle Geraghty:

American Legion Post 160 of West Seattle and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 160 would like to invite all active duty, reservists, members of the national guard, veterans and their families to our annual Veterans Day Italian Dinner. It will be held on Sunday November 9th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This is American Legion Post 160’s thank you to all veterans in our community who have served our country. The menu includes: pasta, homemade sauce, garlic bread, salad, dessert, coffee and tea. The cost is absolutely free.

Here’s the official flyer with more information.

Share This

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday bridge trouble; weather alert
November 6, 2014 7:10 am
|      72 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! No road trouble to report so far. Transportation-news notes:

FAUNTLEROY TRAFFIC MEETING TONIGHT: 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW), city leaders will meet with community members about traffic/transportation challenges, as first announced last month. All welcome.

TRANSIT VOTE UPDATE: After two more vote counts, Transportation Benefit District Prop. 1 is at 60 percent “yes.” Here’s our report on the Wednesday morning media briefing about what was called the “framework” of a city-county agreement on where the money will go for starters.

7:15 AM: Scratch the “no trouble.” Just got a text “wreck on the bridge.” It’s just before 99, blocking an eastbound lane. It was not listed on the 911 log, which at least means “no injuries.”

7:32 AM: The regular bridge camera has been down for two days, so we can’t see the crash zone, but commenters say it doesn’t look likely to clear soon. Meantime, the weather alert for today upgraded overnight to a “wind advisory,” noon-6 pm.

7:40 AM: The rain is intensifying. And there’s a new crash reported on the eastbound bridge at 99, possibly 4 vehicles, per scanner.

7:45 AM: From SDOT via Twitter:

Metro has even sent an advisory warning of delays.

7:59 AM: The backup is apparently leading people to drive in the bus lane at 35th/Alaska – heard via scanner, a call for any available enforcement help, so buses can get through.

8:20 AM: The low bridge is open for marine traffic and SDOT says it’ll be a “long” opening. (See the comment section for some background.)

8:36 AM: A stall parallel with Nucor on the bridge, Brian reports; “Wsea” in comments says the Water Taxi is packed and also running slower because of mechanical trouble.

8:45 AM: Lisa via Twitter confirms what sounded on the scanner like a second stall, in the Delridge onramp vicinity. On the “good news” side, we’re seeing some blue sky to the west, so the weather may be calming (until the afternoon “wind advisory”).

9:18 AM: Tow truck has arrived for at least one stalled vehicle, per scanner. Traffic will be temporarily stopped in all lanes so it can get the job done.

9:44 AM: Lost count of the stalls but one has just been picked up by AAA (WSB sponsor), per what we heard on the scanner, while another one is still blocking a lane. Meantime, we just discovered the 11th/Spokane camera is currently turned toward the “low bridge”:

(That is subject to change at any time – SDOT controls it.)

9:54 AM: Speaking of SDOT, they have captured a view of the latest stall:

9:58 AM: Live camera (see top of the story) suggests the stall has now cleared.

Share This

The Whale Trail’s Orca Talks: Southern Resident Killer Whales’ status next time; protection-zone proposal last time
November 5, 2014 10:26 pm
|    Comments Off on The Whale Trail’s Orca Talks: Southern Resident Killer Whales’ status next time; protection-zone proposal last time
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(2012 photo by Rick Rasmussen)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Ten years after they were formally listed as endangered, what do we really know about Puget Sound’s endangered orcas, formally known as the Southern Resident Killer Whales?

Next Tuesday (November 11th), you’ll hear answers from Northwest Fisheries Science Center researcher Dawn Soren, during The Whale Trail‘s next Orca Talk in West Seattle.

One of the focal points of her research is how boat traffic affects the whales. And that was at the heart of The Whale Trail’s first Orca Talk of the season, last Thursday at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor).

During that event, Bruce Stedman of Orca Relief talked about his organization’s proposal of a zone in the San Juans where boats would have to keep a greater distance from whales than they do now. He said it’s not the only action that’s needed to help them – but it’s the one that could make a difference the quickest. Pointedly, he noted that the recovery plan originally envisioned up to 115 Southern Resident Killer Whales by 2015, but that is at this point beyond impossible … that’s three dozen more than the current population, which has had only one birth in the past two years, the calf that is now missing and presumed dead.

Read More

Share This

West Seattle holidays: Free community Thanksgiving dinner again this year @ Hall at Fauntleroy
November 5, 2014 9:10 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from Thanksgiving 2013)
Only three weeks from Thanksgiving, and holiday-related event announcements are coming in, including this one, announced by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes, which caters this gift to the community every year:

16th annual Free Community Thanksgiving Meal
at The Hall at Fauntleroy
9131 California Ave SW
Thursday, November 27 from 12 Noon to 3 PM
All are welcome
Questions – 206-932-1059

We are again accepting donation of desserts and also warm blankets, throws, hats, scarves, and gloves – new or very gently used (clean) please.

T&T always stresses, this isn’t just for people in need – anyone and everyone is welcome to come enjoy the holiday meal together.

P.S.: If your business, organization, school, etc., has one or more winter-holiday-season events planned, open to the community, and you HAVEN’T already sent us the announcement – please do, as soon as you can! Don’t worry about including posters, flyers, logos, “press releases”; just a few simple lines of information, and a website link IF you have one, will do. We’re adding them to the calendar as they arrive – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

Share This

West Seattle weather: Alert for possibly ‘blustery’ Thursday
November 5, 2014 5:18 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle weather: Alert for possibly ‘blustery’ Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Given what happened last time it got windy – we’re sharing this heads-up for possibly blustery conditions tomorrow. (Charge everything!) The National Weather Service has posted a “special weather statement” (caps are theirs):

Blustery winds are likely on Thursday … A vigorous cold front will sweep through Western Washington on Thursday. It will likely be windy in many areas. This weather system might be strong enough for wind advisories in some areas. A High Wind Watch is in effect for the coast, where strong and damaging winds are possible. This weather system will develop overnight, so stay tuned to updated forecasts.

Next update is expected around 9 pm; we’ll update if and when the alert changes.

Share This

Election 2014: Transit taxes passing – what will your money buy?
November 5, 2014 1:51 pm
|      36 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
West Seattle Metro riders will get more buses with the money from Transportation Benefit District Prop 1, which got 59 percent of the first round of the November 4th vote. That’s according to the “framework of an agreement on transit funding and service delivery between Seattle and King County,” as distributed at today’s post-election briefing downtown, with city and county leaders including Mayor Ed Murray, County Executive Dow Constantine, and City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, plus local transit advocates. We recorded it all on video (added, 3:05 pm):

Here are the West Seattle highlights, as promised in a 2-page doc distributed today (see it here):

*A list of “neighborhoods that will get more buses” includes Admiral, Alaska Junction, Alki, Arbor Heights, Delridge, Fauntleroy, Gatewood, Morgan Junction, Pigeon Point, Roxhill, Westwood Village

*”More buses on … chronically overcrowded routes” including RapidRide C Line, starting next June

*”Revised schedules on … chronically unreliable” routes including RapidRide C Line, 21X, 21, 37, 55, 56, also to start next June

*”Better frequency with more trips per hour on at least 28 high-demand routes” including RapidRide C Line and 125; this is to be “phased in between June and September 2015”

Also promised: An “expanded network of frequent transit,” defined as every 15 minutes or better.

So how will you be sure you’re getting something for your money? Another handout sheet (see it here) promises:

The agreement will:

-Require robust ridership and performance data reporting by Metro
-Allow for regular financial reviews and independent third-party audits of Metro finances and performance data
-Reduce city responsibility for county administrative overhead
-Credit Seattle for higher farebox revenue roduced on city trolleybus routes
-Pay only the annual share of new buses required for increased service
-Protect against supplanting

Constantine reiterated at today’s event that the extra funding is only a “bridge” until the Legislature fixes transportation funding someday.

Transit advocates who were there included West Seattleite Marci Carpenter:

(By the way, we learned today that Carpenter is now the president of the National Federation of the Blind-Washington – congratulations!)

P.S. In case you forgot the details of Proposition 1, here’s the heart of it, from the ballot:

To fund transit service in Seattle, the Seattle Transportation Benefit District seeks voter approval to impose an annual vehicle-license fee up to an additional $60 per vehicle, with a $20 rebate for low-income individuals, and an additional sales-and-use tax of no more than 0.1%. Each would expire no later than December 31, 2020. Combined, they would raise approximately $45,000,000 annually.

After administrative costs, including the rebate program, revenue will be used to fund: (1) Metro Transit service hours on routes with more than 80% of their stops within Seattle, with funding first being used to preserve existing routes and prevent Metro’s proposed service cuts and restructures scheduled to start in February 2015; (2) up to $3,000,000 annually, to support regional transit service on bus routes that enter or terminate service within the City of Seattle; and (3) up to $2,000,000 annually, to improve and to support access to transit service for low-income transit riders.

Any remaining revenues may be used to address overcrowding, reliability, and service frequency within the City of Seattle. Revenues will not supplant other funding for any routes partially or completely operating within Seattle that Metro would otherwise provide in accordance with the adopted Metro Transit Service Guidelines. More about this proposal can be found at: http://www.seattle.gov/stbd/documents/resolution_12_s.pdf

Share This

West Seattle whale watch: Humpback travels past our shore
November 5, 2014 1:27 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

1:27 PM: Thanks to two tipsters who have mentioned a lone whale – believed to be a humpback – headed northbound, fairly close to West Seattle’s shore. By Me-Kwa-Mooks on Beach Drive, according to the phone call we just received. Let us know if you see it!

4:43 PM: As commenters noted, it traveled into Elliott Bay. Wade tweeted the photo we’ve added above.

THURSDAY MORNING: 7:30 am sighting near Seahurst in Burien, according to the Orca Network FB page.

Share This

Watching for updated election results? 2 sets tonight, beyond
November 5, 2014 12:29 pm
|    Comments Off on Watching for updated election results? 2 sets tonight, beyond
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Waiting to see what the second round of vote totals looks like? King County Elections just announced plans for TWO daily updates for the rest of the week:

King County Elections will post two sets of general election results reports today and for the rest of this week due to the volume of last-minute voters returning ballots. The Elections Department will issue a first set of results by 4:30 p.m. as planned, along with a second set of results by 8:00 p.m.

King County Elections has received about 518,000 ballots to date for the general election, not counting a substantial number of drop box returns yesterday. Ballots will continue to arrive, however, they must have valid postmarks indicating that they were mailed on or before election day in order for them to be processed and counted.

Each voter’s signature must be verified before a ballot is opened, inspected, scanned, and ultimately tabulated. Ballots that come in that are damaged, reflect write-in votes or were not voted consistent with the directions, require additional handling and time to process. On average, a ballot takes a little more than a day to process so it can be added to the results report.

You can use the King County Ballot Tracker to see if your ballot was received and signature verified. (Example: We dropped ours at one of the vans on Monday. Ballot Tracker shows they’ve been received.) And you’ll find the latest results update here.

Share This

West Seattle development: Whittaker, post-teardown; Avalon microhousing followup; assisted living to Design Review; more…
November 5, 2014 11:07 am
|      35 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(Photo by Long Bach Nguyen)
CONSTRUCTION NEXT FOR THE WHITTAKER: As teardown concludes on the site of West Seattle’s biggest development (4755 Fauntleroy SW), the project team says official construction is a few weeks away. First, they’ll be hauling off the demolition debris, and they have started work on promised improvements for the parking lot next door at the Masonic Center. While that work is under way, the center has parking space on the east side of Fauntleroy Way, north of Edmunds. Newest estimate of project completion for The Whittaker (~400 apartments, ground-floor retail, ~600 underground parking spaces) is end of 2016.

P.S. In case you missed it – over the weekend, we published a last look at the last and biggest building to be demolished.

MICROHOUSING FOLLOWUP: Vigorous discussion ensued when we published this Sunday night update on three West Seattle microhousing projects – particularly the two that are moving ahead after responding to a city memo issued in September, based on a court decision. One of those projects, 3050 SW Avalon Way, responded by saying it would remove “sinks, refrigeration equipment, built-in cabinet and counters outside the bathrooms” from the rooms so that the future building would still qualify to count up to 8 “sleeping rooms” as a single dwelling unit. The file for the other project, 3268 SW Avalon Way – where demolition happened last week – didn’t show a similar response, but DPD spokesperson Bryan Stevens tells WSB its developers made the same decision:

For this proposal, the applicant elected to redesign the floor plans so that these rooms are clearly sleeping rooms and not individual apartments. The bedrooms were modified so that they no longer have separate sinks, counters or food preparation areas. Each bedroom now only has a separate bathroom with a shower, toilet, and sink. The permit is for 7 units total, each with 8 bedrooms, a large kitchen and lounge area. This change was in response to the Superior Court ruling on the Harvard proposal and is not related to the recently adopted legislation regarding SEDUs.

(That’s “small efficiency dwelling units,” the city’s official name for microhousing.)

DESIGN REVIEW FOR ASSISTED-LIVING FACILITY: We’ve reported before about the assisted-living facility proposed for 4515 41st SW. Just added to the Southwest Design Review Board‘s schedule, for 6:30 pm December 4th (at the Senior Center of West Seattle), is the first meeting to look at the plan, now described as:

4-story assisted-living facility containing 48 sleeping rooms (66 beds total). Parking for 11 vehicles to be provided below grade. Existing structures to be demolished.

Here’s the project page on the city website.

Finally, not far from there …

REDEVELOPMENT AT 40TH/OREGON: Thanks to Jeannette for the tip – an 84-year-old house at 40th/Oregon is scheduled for teardown and replacement.

The project has just evolved in city files, she points out, from a rowhouse to a combination of two single-family homes and a 2-unit townhouse building. County records show the house and its 4,600-square-foot lot were sold two weeks ago for $500,000.

Share This

West Seattle coyotes: Yes, they come out in the daytime
November 5, 2014 10:03 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Here’s the latest proof of that:

That photo is from Scott, who says the coyote was “right in the front yard” at 39th and Graham, 8 am today. *Added – an 8:20 am photo from Jamie, same area*:

Another sighting this morning, via Twitter:

And Robyn saw one “run west up the sidewalk on Rose Street west of 35th” around 5 o’clock Tuesday evening.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SEE ONE? As the experts advise – do everything you can to scare it away. Yell, wave, throw rocks. That’s what experts urge, to encourage them to keep their distance. And remove every source of food you can (that includes outdoor pet food as well as small pets themselves, although experts say they more often eat small wild animals such as rats).

Share This

West Seattle Wednesday: Plant; network; sing; dance; talk transit…
November 5, 2014 9:08 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Mark Wangerin: ‘Intergrade’ Northern Flicker – characteristics of eastern, yellow shafted, & western, red-shafted varieties)
Just a few of your options for today/tonight!

FALL PLANTING AT CAMP LONG: Can you spare a few hours today? 10 am-2 pm, EarthCorps welcomes volunteer help for fall planting at Camp Long – details in our calendar listing. (5200 35th SW)

EARLY DAYS: Drop-in support group for parents of babies up to 1 year old meets today, Limber Yoga. (Same group featured in this WSB story yesterday – expanding and seeking help to cover training costs for volunteer facilitators helping new parents.) Noon-2 pm. (6019 California SW)

WORK AT HOME? Grab lunch and take a break for casual networking and support at the Home Office/Coworking Meetup at Office Junction (WSB sponsor), noon-1 pm. (6040 California SW)

RAPIDRIDE ON CALIFORNIA IN THE JUNCTION? That’s one of the items on the agenda for tonight’s Southwest District Council meeting. Also up: The proposed Neighborhood Matching Fund changes that already have drawn opposition from the SWDC’s counterparts in eastern West Seattle. All welcome. 6:30 pm, Senior Center of West Seattle. (Oregon/California)

KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 6:30-8:30 pm, tour John F. Kennedy Catholic High School (WSB sponsor) in Burien. Details on the school’s website. (140 S. 140th)

WEST SEATTLE SOUL: 8 pm at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), Rippin Chicken‘s onstage with a “free-form groove night full of insane amounts of groove and jams.” (6451 California SW)

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE: You get the spotlight at Skylark‘s weekly 21+ fully backlined open-microphone night – signups 7:30 pm, music starts 8:30 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

AND … more events for today/tonight, recurring and one-time-only, are on our calendar.

Share This

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Post-election Wednesday
November 5, 2014 7:26 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Another nothing-out-of-the-ordinary traffic morning for our area, so far. Looking ahead:

TRANSIT FUNDING PASSES – WHAT NEXT? At 11:30 this morning downtown, city and county leaders will meet the media to talk about the passage of the transit-funding measure on yesterday’s Seattle ballot. (It was ahead 59%-41% after the first and only election-night ballot count; next round of results this afternoon.)

RELOCATE RAPIDRIDE IN THE JUNCTION? Is the SDOT proposal to move RapidRide onto California SW in the heart of The Junction, first reported here in August, moving forward? An SDOT rep is scheduled to discuss it at tonight’s Southwest District Council meeting, 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (Oregon/California).

FAUNTLEROY MEETING TOMORROW: 7 pm tomorrow (Thursday) at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW), city leaders including SDOT director Scott Kubly will meet with community members about traffic/transportation challenges from speeding to sidewalks and beyond, as first announced last month. All welcome.

Back to today’s getting-around watch …

7:52 AM: Low bridge is open for marine traffic. No advance-warning system yet but SDOT does continue to tweet bridge “openings” at @sdotbridges. (Added: If you’re keeping score, according to the tweets, the closure lasted about 11 minutes.)

Share This

2014 Election results: Local ballot measures – transit, monorail, preschool, more
November 4, 2014 8:14 pm
|      39 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

The election-night vote count for King County is in, and here’s how the local ballot measures are going:

TRANSPORTATION BENEFIT DISTRICT PROPOSITION #1 – results here
59 percent yes, 41 percent no

*Added 9:13 pm: Mayor Murray issued a statement saying in part, “Great cities need great mass transit – and Seattle is a great city. Seattle voters understand that, and today’s passage of Prop 1 is the next step to getting the transit system that Seattle wants and that Seattle needs. With today’s vote, we are now able to do something that has eluded elected leaders of this City for decades, and that’s significantly add to existing transit service in Seattle.”

*Added 11:52 pm: Murray, County Executive Dow Constantine, City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen and others will meet the media downtown Wednesday morning to talk about what’s next now that Prop 1, which includes a car-tab fee and sales-tax increase, has passed. We’ll be there.

PROPOSED TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY, CITIZENS’ PETITION (MONORAIL) – results here
80 percent no, 20 percent yes

SEATTLE PRESCHOOL MEASURES – This is a two-part set of results – here (“should either measure become law?” and here (which is preferred, 1A or 1B)
Should one become law? 65 percent yes, 35 percent no
Which one? 67 percent for 1B, 33 percent for 1A

HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOND MEASURE: Results here
57 percent yes, 43 percent no (note: 60 percent approval is required for passage)

MORE RESULTS: Other county results are here.

Share This

Election 2014: Statewide ballot measures I-594, I-591, I-1351; Legislature, Congress races
November 4, 2014 8:12 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

In this story, we’re tracking the big statewide measures for starters, and will add other regional results, including Legislature and Congress races. The initiative numbers, you should note, will change often, since results are coming in from counties all over the state, and some will be counting all night long (unlike here in King County, where there won’t be a second count until tomorrow). We’ll update the initiative results, with time notations, as often as we can, in the hours ahead.

I-594 (FIREARMS) – results here
9:09 pm – 59.72% yes, 40.28% no

I-591 (FIREARMS) – results here
9:09 pm – 45.44% yes, 54.56% no

I-1351 (CLASS SIZE) – results here
9:09 pm update – 49.43% yes, 50.57% no

STATEWIDE ADVISORY VOTES – results linked here

U.S. HOUSE, DISTRICT 7 – results here
Jim McDermott, 80%
Craig Keller, 20%

STATE SENATE, 34TH DISTRICT – results here
Sharon Nelson, 98% (unopposed)

STATE HOUSE POSITION 1, 34TH DISTRICT
Eileen Cody, 98% (unopposed) – results here

STATE HOUSE POSITION 2, 34TH DISTRICT – results here
Joe Fitzgibbon, 81%
Brendan Kolding , 18%

Share This