West Seattle, Washington
10 Tuesday
(Tuesday sunset photo by Long Bach Nguyen)
Here in the middle of the day, the fog just looks gray – but toward sunset last night, it brought beauty, and we have two more views to share, along with the Wednesday calendar highlights:
IF YOU SEE AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER … it’s the USS Nimitz, whose impending move from Everett to Bremerton – possibly as soon as today – was noted here on Tuesday.
GET OUT OF THE HOME OFFICE! First co-working/home-office meetup of the year at West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor), noon. Bring your lunch, meet others who work in unconventional settings, share ideas and support! (6040 California SW)
SOMALI STORYTIME: 5 pm at High Point Branch Library, all welcome! (35th/Raymond)
(Tuesday sunset photo by David Hutchinson)
NEIGHBORHOOD GREEN MEETING: 6:30 pm at Admiral Bird, first and third Wednesdays of the month, you’re invited to “Neighborhood Green Meetings” co-hosted by Sustainable West Seattle and Green Party of Seattle. Major topic: Climate change and what can be done about it. (2600 California SW)
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle, featuring a visit from Department of Neighborhoods director Bernie Matsuno. All welcome; if you’re interested in background, here’s our report on December’s SWDC meeting. (Oregon/California)
MUSIC AT C & P: Cozy coffeehouse concerts continue in this still-new year at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), with singer/songwriter Jim Page scheduled tonight, 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Tonight’s home games feature the girls-varsity teams: 7:30 pm, the West Seattle High School girls take on Holy Names (3000 California SW); also at 7:30 pm, the Chief Sealth International High School girls get a visit from Garfield. (2600 SW Thistle)
MORE NIGHTLIFE: Open microphone, trivia, karaoke, and yet more live music – see the times, venues, etc., by going directly to our calendar!
The photo is courtesy of Pigeon Point’s Pete Spalding, who explains:
One of the issues the Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council has been looking for ways to address has been the ongoing issue of folks letting their dogs run loose at the fields at Pathfinder School. One of the ideas discussed at our last meeting was putting up a sign. Here is the sign.
West Seattle’s official off-leash area is at Westcrest Park (map and info here).
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Still foggy in spots, so take care out there. No problems otherwise on the routes through/from West Seattle, so far this morning.
TRANSPORTATION NEWS: Two stories of note, in case you haven’t seen them yet – 2 new crosswalks planned for Delridge; changes on the downtown waterfront starting next week, including access to the Water Taxi dock at Pier 50.
9:01 AM: From the scanner, traffic hazard in the right lane on the Alaskan Way Viaduct – a couch cushion.
9:24 AM: And another problem on northbound 99 – a crash blocking the right lane near the stadiums. Here’s a cam showing the backup (looking south toward the northbound traffic, but south of the crash):
No indication of injuries in this incident – Seattle Fire was not dispatched.
9:56 AM: Backup should be clearing by now – the vehicle(s) involved have been moved off to the shoulder.
Getting back to the regular season after their holiday tournament win, the West Seattle High School boys-varsity basketball team beat visiting O’Dea on Tuesday night, 54-51. Wildcats’ #1 Nate Pryor had a big night, 24 points.
(Added 8:51 am, additional recap info from WSHS):
It was the first time WSHS beat O’Dea in boys’ basketball since 2008. (Pryor also) grabbed 10 rebounds in the winning effort. He was helped by junior Melvin Arrington (#2, photo above), who scored 5 points in the fourth quarter and sophomore Akili Kasim, who provided key rebounds down the stretch. The Wildcats improve to 6-4 on the season and 4-2 in league play.
(WSHS #24 Carter Golgart)
(back to original 1:03 am report) The WSHS boys play next at Eastside Catholic on Friday night; the girls varsity team is home tomorrow night, 7:30 pm, hosting Holy Names.
School’s back in session and high-school basketball is back in all-out mode:
That reader-contributed video clip shows a big basket by Chief Sealth International High School‘s #22, senior Hafid Yassin, in the Seahawks’ home loss to visiting Garfield tonight, 96-55.
The Bulldogs got out ahead early, 30-14 by the end of the first quarter, and Sealth was unable to catch up.
(Sealth’s #1 Khaleef Griffin and #12 LJ Burns)
The Garfield girls will be at Sealth tomorrow (Wednesday) night, with the varsity game at 7:30 pm. The Sealth boys’ next game is on the road at Seattle Prep, 8 pm Friday.
(WSB photo from fall 2014: Looking south down 5900 block Delridge Way)
Big news tonight for the parents and staffers who have been pushing for safety improvements on Delridge Way at the Boren Building, permanent home of K-5 (soon K-8) STEM and temporary home of Arbor Heights Elementary: The city Department of Transportation has finally officially confirmed that two crosswalks will be built.
The STEM community got unofficial word more than a month ago, and we’ve been seeking SDOT confirmation ever since; the city, however, had to finalize some details, and finally this evening, senior transportation planner Brian Dougherty had an official announcement to share, not just in response to our most recent inquiry but also with those in the school community who had worked so hard to make it happen:
SDOT will be installing two new marked crosswalks near the Boren building for Arbor Heights and K-5 STEM. One crosswalk will be provided near the front door of the school, connecting the school to the Longfellow Creek Trail. Another crosswalk will be provided at 24th Avenue SW, connecting the school to Metro bus stops and High Point via the Graham Street stairs.
Both projects are tentatively scheduled to be constructed this year with funding provided through a combination of Safe Routes to School and Neighborhood Park and Street Fund.
The crosswalk to the front entrance was requested in a community proposal for use of the NPSF, as reported here last year, when we also covered the Seattle School Traffic Safety Committee convening at STEM and hearing firsthand about the safety challenges that school was facing, even before another full elementary-school population joined them, if only for two years.
In case you’re wondering, Dougherty’s note to school reps mentions one more thing: “Both crosswalks will have some form of push-button-activated stop light or warning light.”
Maybe someone gave you new athletic shoes as a holiday gift. Maybe you’re getting ready to treat yourself to a new pair. Whatever the circumstances, if you have athletic shoes you don’t need any more, 
take them to West Seattle’s EQ Fitness (WSB sponsor) so they’ll make it onto the feet of homeless people who need durable footwear to get through the winter, and beyond. This is the second annual shoe drive at EQ Fitness, and it’s lasting all month long. If you need an extra reason to stop by EQ (3270 California SW), set your calendar for 1-3 pm Saturday, January 24th, an open house with food, drinks, and demos of TRX, aerial yoga, and the new “booty barre.” Plus, a convenient time to donate shoes!
(Photo of today’s foggy sunset, by Chi Krneta)
Take the Water Taxi from Pier 50? Or state ferries from Colman Dock? Downtown-waterfront access is changing downtown from next Monday through mid-May, as announced today:
(Photo from Seacrest at sunset, by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
All vehicles will enter the Washington State Ferries terminal at Colman Dock via Yesler Way as part of temporary changes being implemented by the State Route 99 Tunnel Project and the Elliott Bay Seawall Project. Terminal access will also shift for pedestrians, bicyclists and King County Water Taxi passengers and remain in place through May 2015. Through traffic north and south on Alaskan Way remains unchanged. Drivers/riders exiting Colman Dock via Yesler Way may see some intersection modifications this week as construction crews prepare for the Monday shift.
Access changes
View a detailed map of the following temporary changes near Colman Dock:
· Drivers will turn left or right into the WSF terminal from Alaskan Way at Yesler Way.
o For southbound traffic, one lane of Alaskan Way in front of the ferry terminal will be dedicated to ferry access.
o A left-turn lane will accommodate northbound traffic at Yesler Way.
o Vehicles will exit the ferry dock onto Yesler Way or Marion Street.· Pedestrian access through the Seawall Project construction zone will be maintained to the WSF terminal in two ways: the current pedestrian bridge at Marion Street, and at street level immediately west of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Street level access will be maintained at all times, although it will shift at various points during construction.
· Bicyclists will enter and exit the ferry terminal on the north side of Yesler Way via the shared-use path.
· King County Water Taxi riders will enter and exit via Yesler Way.
· Passenger pickup and drop-off (including access for people with disabilities) will be shifted to the west side of the roadway between Marion and Columbia streets.
· Taxi waiting areas are also available at the current location on the east side of Alaskan Way between Marion and Columbia streets. A new taxi waiting area will – be added on Marion Street between Alaskan Way and Western Avenue.
(WSB photo, November 2014 West Seattle Hack Night)
Back in November, the first-of-its-kind West Seattle Hack Night drew a bigger-than-expected turnout at WS Office Junction north of Morgan Junction – and now the date’s set for the next one. The announcement comes from OJ co-proprietor Stefan Hansmire:
The Office Junction will be hosting a FREE computer/coder hack night on Wednesday, January 14th from 6:30-9:00. Snacks and beverages provided. The agenda for the evening will be open – with the goal of fielding participants to learn what kind of applications they are working on so that we can tailor a future class with more focus.
You can RSVP now via the Meetup group set up before the November event – go here.
Lynne texted this photo taken in the south parking lot at Lincoln Park this afternoon:
She was parked next to that vehicle and reports that she returned to her car around noon, same time as the prowled vehicle’s owner. Police were called. As signs in the parking lot warn – and as is the case with many parks – Lincoln Park continues to be a hot spot for vehicle break-ins; Colleen has also e-mailed with a Crime Watch report, saying her car had been broken into twice in two weeks in the north parking lot, first on December 23rd, then again on yesterday. She said she had noticed “a large green truck with tinted windows pull up very close next to my car” yesterday before discovering her window had been smashed again. Both incidents, Colleen said, have been reported to police (who offer prevention advice here).
P.S. The police-reports map (which you can configure for date/type of crime) shows at least six car break-ins reported in Lincoln Park lots in the past month; that number could be low, as we know from e-mail exchanges that people don’t always report the prowls, especially if nothing was taken. (In another one-month check in mid-December, the map showed 11.) Do report it if it happens to you; you can even do so online.
West Seattle’s Year of the Busy Backhoes continues. Today’s demolition is at 4400 SW Alaska, kitty-corner from the Junction parking lot that is home to the West Seattle Farmers’ Market each week. As first reported here in May 2013, the 74-year-old brick multiplex is making way for 36 apartments and 4 live-work units in a building that won final Design Review approval last February (follow that link to see a “before” photo and a rendering of “after”). It’s two doors down from an under-construction apartment building of similar size, though very-different design, at 4535 44th SW, and as first reported here in November, yet another apartment building is proposed on the block, 60 units to replace 8 at 4528 44th SW.
P.S. Thanks to tipster LB, who sent word Monday that “no parking” signs had gone up outside 4400 SW Alaska – that’s what led us to go by this afternoon, discovering the backhoe at work.
P.P.S. You can catch up on our development/demolition/construction coverage any time by scrolling through this archive (newest-to-oldest).
(John Murphy with Yezidi children; photo used with permission)
A West Seattle man is starting the New Year thousands of miles from home, working to help refugees who fled northern Iraq for Kurdistan. John Murphy is a Highland Park resident who, among other things, founded and leads The Cabiri. Right now, he is working to help Yezidi refugees, members of an ethnic minority forced from their homes by ISIL, which has targeted them with genocidal violence (here are reports from U.S. media and the BBC).
While nonprofit non-government organizations (NGOs) are helping some of the Yezidi refugees, others have taken shelter with relatives and sympathizers in towns around the region, and they are who Murphy is helping. We learned of his work via West Seattleite Lola Peters, who forwarded a message from Murphy that explains, “I’ve known Yezidi for two decades and have an ability to work within their culture. … The NGOs, although doing their best, they have lost people in the cracks. I am working with a private Yezidi collective to find needs, fulfill them, and mitigate hardships in the areas that have gotten (missed).”
Murphy has set up an emergency fund for the Yezidi refugees via this GoFundMe page, where you can read a short summary of his project. He also writes about it in-depth today at SeattleStar.net, noting, “Regardless of the largest refugee exodus since the Armenian genocide, few know exactly what is happening,” and concluding, “We in the West made this mess; let’s clean it up.” (While researching this, we happened onto a mention that U.S. military operations related to ISIL have cost $1 billion so far.)
(December 2010: USS Nimitz and Vashon Water Taxi, photographed from West Seattle by Gary Jones)
If you notice a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier southbound in the distance sometime in the next few days, that’ll be the USS Nimitz (CVN 68). It’s heading back to Bremerton for 16 months of maintenance, which means that Naval Base Kitsap will be home for a while to two carriers, including the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). As for when to watch for the Nimitz making the relatively short trip to Bremerton, though it was announced at one point for today, the Everett Herald now reports it’ll be tomorrow.
(M/V Tillikum on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route. Photo by LB Bryce, shared via the WSB Flickr pool)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BABY STORY TIME, TIMES TWO! 10:30 this morning, it’s Baby Story Time at two local Seattle Public Library branches – Southwest (35th/Raymond) and West Seattle (2306 42nd SW) – you’re welcome to bring one or more 4- to 12-month-olds to either.
WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: At its first 2015 meeting tonight, you’re invited to come talk about what you would like WSBC to take on in this brand-new year. HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, 6:30 pm. (41st/Alaska)
WEST SEATTLE SHAMBHALA MEDITATION: The weekly group is in session at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center starting at 6:30 pm, as explained here. No experience required. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Two home varsity games on the peninsula tonight – 7:30 pm, the West Seattle High School boys-varsity team hosts O’Dea (3000 California SW); also at 7:30 pm, the Chief Sealth International High School boys-varsity team hosts Garfield. (2600 SW Thistle)
BLUES TO DO LIVE, 1ST ANNIVERSARY: 8 pm at Feedback Lounge, the Tuesday blues showcase celebrates its first year, featuring Lucy Hammond and Ben Rice, presented by Thunder Road Guitars (which will show off a classic guitar!). FL and TRG are both WSB sponsors, BTW. And if you’d like to look ahead – here’s who’ll be singing (and playing) the blues in the weeks ahead. (6451 California SW)
MORE NIGHTLIFE: Bingo, karaoke, trivia … see the listings/venues here.
(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
If you see this pre-dawn, notice something different? Top left – the bridge lights are back. Otherwise, just one note, looking ahead to tonight, while we keep watch on the morning:
WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: The group is meeting tonight, and wondering what you would like WSBC to take on in this brand-new year. 6:30 pm, HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor), 41st/Alaska in The Junction.
(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).
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.
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.
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).
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.
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!
(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.
(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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