day : 05/01/2015 9 results

(WSB photos)
When two rounds of voting were over at tonight’s West Seattle Hi-Yu meeting – two proposed designs for this year’s parade float were tied. In a subsequent vote, it was decided that the two designs – both with marine elements – will be combined, with the wording of the official theme/slogan to be worked out later.

The two winning themes were proposed by the two current Hi-Yu queens – Senior Court Queen Lorelei McFadden sketched out a float celebrating local nature and sustainability – even featuring one of Puget Sound’s iconic orcas:

Toward the point of “sustainability,” she pitched the fact that the theme could reuse much of the basic decor from last year’s float. In the spirit of a “Save Our Sound” type of theme, it will be incorporated with elements of Junior Court Queen Emily Cain‘s design, which was anchored by a ferryboat:

Other designs proposed tonight by royalty past and present included a day at Alki Beach, a night at the movies, tropical rainforests, Seattle landmarks including Pike Place Market and the International District, and flowers.

Turning the design into reality is an all-volunteer effort that happens between now and late spring, when the float hits the road for a tour of parades starting in Sequim. Hi-Yu’s new president Jay Murray suggested tonight that Hi-Yu might even be able to make it into the Daffodil Parade in Pierce County this year – an event that moves between four communities over the course of one day in April – by bringing back the 2014 design (an Alice in Wonderland Tea Party theme that also highlighted Hi-Yu’s 80th anniversary).

The float is seen here in its home neighborhood every year during the Rotary Club of West Seattle-sponsored Grand Parade, which is on the Hi-Yu master 2015 schedule – reviewed tonight – for July 18th (though the date isn’t final until parade organizers officially announce it later in the year).

Hi-Yu is also hoping this year to bring back what used to be a summertime tradition, the All-West Seattle Picnic in Lincoln Park. That would likely be in August, sometime after the Hi-Yu float’s biggest appearance of the summer, the Seafair Torchlight Parade (July 25th this year, according to the Hi-Yu schedule grid).

More than 20 people attended tonight’s meeting, from current and past organization leaders to new members, and Hi-Yu is hopeful of more volunteer help. They’re also hoping to raise money via sponsorships from local service clubs who would be showcased on a covered-trailer for the float, which itself needs replacement, as a much-repaired ’60s-era vehicle that is said to go through “a gallon of transmission fluid” per parade. And they’ll soon finalize a full slate of new officers; longtime photographer Joanne Murray has been filling in with extra duties in the meantime. She also spoke tonight about Hi-Yu’s plan for more community outreach, participating in events beyond the ones traditionally on their schedule; last month, for example, Hi-Yu joined in a West Seattle Art Walk event, and hopes to do so again as soon as next month.

Keep an eye on the website at westseattlehiyu.com for events and ways to join in, including the monthly meetings – next one 7 pm February 2nd at the regular meeting location, Admiral Congregational Church (4320 SW Hill).

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West Seattle biznote: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices NW expands into Pierce County

January 5, 2015 9:44 pm

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Another expansion for West Seattle-headquartered Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate (WSB sponsor): CEO Mike Gain will formally announce tomorrow that BHHSNW is expanding into Pierce County by acquiring Puyallup-based Prudential Contact Corporation, REALTORS. It’s a full-service brokerage founded in 1982. The acquisition means BHHSNW now has eight offices in the region, and is looking to expand further. Its West Seattle HQ is in the office building on the north side of Jefferson Square.

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Police response in Upper Morgan

January 5, 2015 6:51 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Thanks to everyone who messaged us about a sizable police response this past hour near 39th and Morgan. Police had a report of what they described as a troubled person with a knife inside a house, and someone was concerned enough to call 911. In the end, police say the situation was defused and the person was taken into custody without anyone having been hurt.

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Department of Neighborhoods director returning to West Seattle for Wednesday’s Southwest District Council meeting

January 5, 2015 5:21 pm

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| Southwest District Council | West Seattle news

The agenda’s out for the year’s first meeting of the Southwest District Council, and the headline guest is Bernie Matsuno, who is about to start her fifth year as director of the Department of Neighborhoods. SWDC members, who are from community councils and other key organizations around western West Seattle, might well have some pointed questions, given, for one, the recently scrapped recommendations to change how some city matching funds are handled. All are welcome at the meeting, 6:30 pm Wednesday (January 7th) at the Senior Center of West Seattle (Oregon/California). It will also be the first meeting for new co-chairs David Whiting (Admiral Neighborhood Association) and Eric Iwamoto (Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council).

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West Seattle development: Today’s teardown, and other updates

January 5, 2015 3:37 pm

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| Development | West Seattle news

Less than 24 hours after our last development roundup, we have more to tell you about. First, another example of the premise for our headline on Sunday’s story: Thanks to Jonathan French for the photo of today’s teardown, the 72-year-old multiplexes on the northwest corner of California/Andover. We’ve written about them before, most recently last July, when the demolition-permit application turned up; the city’s online files indicate they are to be replaced with a 4-unit rowhouse, 2-unit townhouse, and 3 single-family homes.

ALSO ON CALIFORNIA SW: As formally announced in today’s city-circulated Land Use Information Bulletin, “streamlined design review” is ahead for two smaller-scale projects to replace 60+-year-old commercial buildings on the west side of the “upzoned” block of California SW between Hanford and Hinds. This means public comment is allowed but there won’t be public meetings. The first notice is for a “4-story building with 2 live/work units and 4 residential units [2, 2-unit townhouses] with 4 parking spaces” at 3219 California SW; the second notice, for 3221 California SW next door, is for “2, 4-story buildings, 1 containing 2 live/work units and 2 residential townhouse units and the other structure containing 4 residential townhouse units. Parking for 4 vehicles to be provided at grade.” Deadline for comments on either or both: January 18th.

LOT-SPLIT PROPOSED IN ARBOR HEIGHTS: This also is from the LUIB – 10030 31st SW is proposed to be split into two lots, with the city notation that the existing house will remain.

HOUSE PLANNED BY THISTLE STAIRWAY: A sloping lot on the south side of the top of the fabled SW Thistle stairway – second-longest in the city – has a new development proposal for a single-family house.

The plan for 4355 SW Thistle just emerged in the city system over the past week, with site photos added today. Those who exercise on the stairway might find it a busy spot at some point this year, since, as reported here back in October, there’s also a proposal right across the street to tear down one house and build two at 4316 SW Thistle, both with “accessory dwelling units.”

City files show the lot split enabling that proposal was approved a month ago. (Thistle photos added 4 pm)

NEXT PHASE FOR THE WHITTAKER: A quick note on West Seattle’s biggest development project – a spokesperson for The Whittaker says “mass excavation and drilling for the shoring piles will begin” at the 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW site this week.

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Election 2015: One month until City Council District 1 forum

January 5, 2015 1:08 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

2015 is here, and its elections (August 4th primary/November 3rd general) will bring Seattle voters’ first chance to choose 7 of 9 City Councilmembers by district. The field of candidates for District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) has remained at four for some weeks now – in reverse-alphabetical order this time, they are:

*Chas Redmond
*Tom Rasmussen
*Amanda Kay Helmick
*George Capestany

Today, we’re exactly one month away from what will likely be your first chance to see and hear from all four in one place. As announced last month, WSB is presenting the campaign season’s first announced District 1 Candidates Forum, on Thursday, February 5th (6:30 pm mingle/7 pm forum), at Highland Park Improvement Club. We hope you’ll be there, and we’re hoping you’ll participate in the preparation too. For starters: Which issue(s) do you think matter most in this race? Comment here when you have a moment, or e-mail editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

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West Seattle schools: Six more portables on the way

January 5, 2015 10:57 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB file photo: Portable bound for West Seattle Elementary in 2012)
The Seattle Public Schools board is set to consider the next round of “capacity management” measures at its meeting this Wednesday, and that includes more portable classrooms at crowded schools, including three schools in West Seattle. According to this attachment from the board-meeting agenda, Pathfinder K-8 on Pigeon Point is slated to get a new portable this month. West Seattle Elementary in High Point will get two portables this summer, which is also the time frame for adding three more to Schmitz Park Elementary, where portables already number in the double digits. Other local capacity-management plans mentioned in the document include dividing a room at Alki Elementary.

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West Seattle Monday: Warm up to what’s up today/tonight

January 5, 2015 9:00 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Peregrine falcon, photographed by Gary Jones)
Highlights for today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

OUT WITH THE TREE: Through next Sunday (January 11th), Christmas-tree recycling (composting) is still free – here are the city rules.

STATION 32 ON COUNCIL AGENDA: This afternoon’s 2 pm City Council meeting includes a final vote on approvals/exceptions required before the new Station 32 can be built (at the site of the current one) in The Junction. Here’s the agenda. (City Hall downtown)

MARTY McLAREN’S COMMUNITY CONVERSATION: School’s back in session and it’s also your first chance in 2015 to talk with and hear from the West Seattle/South Park rep on the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors, Marty McLaren. 6 pm, Delridge Library – more in our calendar listing. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

FAMILY STORY TIME: 6:30 pm at High Point Branch Library – get there early! (35th/Raymond)

WEST SEATTLE HI-YU: 7 pm tonight at Admiral Congregational Church, you can help the all-volunteer West Seattle Hi-Yu organization get on the road to summer fun, choosing this year’s theme and more – as noted in our preview. (4320 SW Hill)

MONDAY NIGHTLIFE: Exercise your mind (trivia/quiz) and/or your voice (karaoke!) – see where and when in our regular listings.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Welcome to 2015’s first Monday

January 5, 2015 6:16 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:16 AM: If you’re just getting going after holiday travel and/or vacationing, welcome back! The transit services are back to normal today; schools are back in session; and the wet, wintry weather is likely to be with us all day.

P.S. to early drivers/riders: Yes, those bridge lights are still out, but Seattle City Light hopes to fix them this week.

7:46 AM: Per the 911 log, there’s a crash at 17th/Roxbury. Not a major callout so far, but if you are heading that way, be aware.

7:51 AM: Two more problems – the Battery Street Tunnel is closed northbound (thanks for the text!) and there’s a crash on West Marginal Way SW near the bridge that’s blocking part of the road.

8:04 AM: SDOT says one lane of the BSTunnel has reopened but backups remain.

8:40 AM: Tow truck reported on scene in the northbound tunnel as of a few minutes ago, so if it’s not fully open yet, it should be shortly. (Confirmed two minutes later: Open.)

10:45 AM: As pointed out in comments (thank you!), there’s a crash at the east end of Roxbury (3rd/Olsen). Also, new trouble on northbound 99 at Western/Battery St. Tunnel.

Crazy backup on Hwy 99 North through Downtown Seattle @westseattleblog @seattledot http://t.co/YeVpKZAdAd

— Clayton P. Graham (@SeaDirtLawyer) January 5, 2015

12:40 PM: All the earlier problems are “closed” on the 911 log now – keep us posted if you see anything new. Meantime, we’ve added (above this update) a view of 99, and beyond, during the most recent BSTunnel problem.

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