West Seattle, Washington

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day : 20/04/2015 11 results

West Seattle development: What’s coming down & going up
April 20, 2015 10:29 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Development notes and updates – nothing major, but of interest to several neighborhoods:

40TH/OREGON: Demolition day today (thanks to Eddie for the tip) for a house mentioned here in November – a stucco-and-tile house more the type you’d expect to see in Southern California. Here’s the photo we ran then:

(WSB photo, November 2014)
The crew at the scene told us that salvagers removed the roof tiles before demolition. The house’s 4,600-square-foot lot is slated for construction of two single-family houses and two townhouses.

LAND USE APPLICATION FOR 4515 41ST SW: Not far from there, the memory-care facility proposed at 4515 41st SW has officially applied for a land-use permit, which opens another comment window – the notice from today’s Land Use Information Bulletin explains how. The project still has at least one more Design Review meeting ahead – no date yet; here’s our report on its most-recent review.

3112 SW JUNEAU: Also from today’s Land Use Information Bulletin, an application to build a three-story house on a smaller-than-usual parcel – this notice also includes information on how to comment.

4464 23RD SW: This early-stage proposal in the land-use files seeks a permit to “cluster-develop 4 single family homes in an ECA. Due to potential wetlands, steep slope, and potential landslide ECA’S we propose to reduce setbacks equivalent to cottage housing per 25.09.260. A future Unit Lot Subdivision would be submitted.” (ECA = Environmentally Critical Area)

STREAMLINED DESIGN REVIEW FOR 3215 CALIFORNIA: Across the street from the 3210 California megaproject, the old commercial buildings are vacant now, and one section of the future redevelopment is in line for “streamlined Design Review” – no meeting, but public comments will be accepted. It’s 3215 California SW, four townhouses and two live-work units. While its “design packet” isn’t available on the official DR site yet, you should be able to download the 26 MB PDF here.

4111 DELRIDGE WAY SW: Full details aren’t in the files yet but there’s an early proposal for a lot-boundary adjustment here – the site is on record as three lots – and a site plan showing the 106-year-old house there now is to be demolished, along with garages and driveways.

OTHER NOTES: Demolitions/replacements that recently showed up in city files: 5956 38th SW, 97-year-old house just sold & to be replaced by a new single-family house … a demolition permit is sought at recently sold 8443 12th SW, with “existing structures” to be removed and a permit sought for a new house, as well as a lot-boundary adjustment … 4103 Delridge Way SW (not far from a project mentioned above) has a demolition permit application and a note about two single-family houses to be built.

(P.S. – WSB development coverage is archived here, reverse chronological order.)

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From high-school dropout to All-USA Academic Team: David Yama makes South Seattle College history
April 20, 2015 8:49 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

For the first time, South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) has a student on the All-USA Academic Team. Here’s the announcement:

South Seattle College student David Yama was named as one of the top scholars in the nation by earning a spot on the All-USA Academic team, as announced by the National Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa, today. Yama is the first student in South’s history to earn this honor.

The All-USA academic team is widely recognized as the most prestigious academic honor for students attending community college. Nominees are hand-selected by college presidents or their designated nominator for demonstrating academic rigor, leadership and civic growth.

Yama attended the national celebration today of the top-20 All-USA Scholars, where he was further honored as the sole recipient of PTK’s Pierce Scholarship. Along with receiving financial support through the award, he was selected to speak on behalf of all 20 students during the celebration. … Earlier this year Yama was named Washington State’s New Century Scholar, which is given to the top-ranked scholar on the All-Washington Academic team. In the last four years, South has produced two of Washington’s top-scholars from this team.

After dropping out of high school at the age of 14, and working a series of what Yama called “dead-end jobs,” his academic career started at South in hopes of earning his GED. With the encouragment of South faculty member Jane Harness, Yama’s confidence and aspirations continued to grow. He will graduate this spring with an associate degree while maintaining a 3.96 GPA.

Much of Yama’s success he credits to South’s faculty and staff. In addition to Harness, he specifically mentioned instructors Rochelle Fontoi, Bob Dela-Cruz, and Jake Ashcraft.

“South has the most helpful faculty and staff anywhere, with so many opportunities!” Yama said.

After graduation, Yama’s academic journey will continue at the University of Washington, where he is currently volunteering up to 30 hours a week conducting lab research, and he ultimately hopes to earn a doctorate.

You might recall that Yama was a speaker at January’s “Gifts From The Earth” fundraiser at SSC.

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UPDATE: Cars, motorcycle collide at Fauntleroy/Alaska, 3 people hurt
April 20, 2015 6:31 pm
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WSB photo, wider look at scene, substituted for originally published cameraphone pic)

6:31 PM: A crash is blocking Fauntleroy/Alaska both ways – avoid the area for now.

ADDED 6:37 PM: Two cars and a motorcycle are involved, our crew at the scene is told, and three people are being taken to the hospital – the motorcycle rider to Harborview via SFD medic unit, two people from the cars via private ambulance. The collision happened near the southeast corner of the intersection (by Les Schwab Tires). No life-threatening injuries, and TCIS is not being called out, so this might be cleared soon.

6:55 PM UPDATE: From SDOT:

7:40 PM: Scene’s clear, per SDOT.

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West Seattle sunshine scenes: In the sky and on the sea
April 20, 2015 5:05 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen around town | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Headed home? Enjoy the sunshine – forecast suggests it might not be back tomorrow. Above, a paraglider was in flight again this afternoon over the West Seattle shore – we caught him headed southbound over Emma Schmitz Overlook/Me-Kwa-Mooks. Don’t know if it’s the same one we featured two months ago. Below, the newest state ferry Samish is still out on sea trials; we spotted it this morning from Charlestown Hill:

The Samish is the second of three 144-car ferries being built at Vigor on Harbor Island and is expected to start service in June in the San Juan Islands – but if you see a ferry off West Seattle making unusual moves between now and then, it’s probably this one.

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Phoenecia serves up ‘Give Back Tuesdays’; joins WSB sponsor team
April 20, 2015 3:42 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Phoenecia. The family-owned-and-operated Alki restaurant wants to let you know about its new Give Back Tuesdays:

Phoenecia Restaurant has long been a West Seattle family tradition — from its early days in The Junction (1973), to its current location on Alki Beach. Those of you who had the pleasure of knowing its original founder and chef Hussein Khazaal experienced first-hand his kind, gentle, and generous spirit. The best thing on the menu was always “something very special” that Hussein would rush back to the kitchen to create “just for you.”

In the year following Hussein’s death, Phoenecia was reborn by Hussein’s son William, who transformed it into a fresh and entirely different concept. Rather than formal Middle Eastern-centric meals served on white linen tablecloths, the family opted for a casual, contemporary atmosphere that would appeal to Alki’s more spontaneous, diverse crowd.

Today’s “hip neighborhood joint with an upscale urban bistro vibe” (says Lonely Planet) serves up small plates, artisanal wood-fired pizza, chalkboard entrees, and an excellent selection of wines … not to mention sunset views of the Olympic Mountains and Elliott Bay from every seat.

One thing has remained very much the same: that feeling of being embraced (figuratively and often literally) when you walk in the door. Hussein’s sweet spirit is alive in the hearts, arms and faces of his wife Inaam, and daughters Sonya and Nadia. And the food, albeit a different menu than the original restaurant, continues to get rave reviews, including Best Pizza in West Seattle from Thrillist.com, and Open Table Diner’s Choice winner 2014.

Dine Out and Help Make a Difference in the World

After so many years of feeling supported by their community, Inaam, Sonya, and Nadia decided it was time to give something back. Their new “Give Back Tuesdays” program encourages diners to enjoy a good meal at Phoenecia every Tuesday night and help make a difference in the world: Ten percent of the restaurant’s Tuesday proceeds will be donated to a different charity each month. This month’s designated charity is the Multiple Sclerosis Society‘s Greater NW Chapter. Inaam and her daughters warmly encourage you to join them for dinner soon, and welcome ideas for upcoming charities by email at sonyakhazaal@yahoo.com.

Visit Phoenecia‘s website at phoeneciawestseattle.com; follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/phoeneciawestseattle – and of course, enjoy delicious food with them at 2716 Alki Avenue SW!

We thank Phoenecia for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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Looking for work? ‘Priority Hire’ to be spotlighted at Highland Park Action Committee this Wednesday
April 20, 2015 2:12 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news

Jobseekers might be interested in this Wednesday’s monthly meeting of the Highland Park Action Committee. As just announced by HPAC:

We will be having a guest speaker talking about *Priority Hire* joining us for Wednesday’s HPAC meeting: The City of Seattle recently passed a Priority Hire ordinance which will improve access to construction employment and improve training programs for workers in need of family-wage jobs. The ordinance prioritizes the hiring of residents that live in economically distressed areas in Seattle and King County on city funded construction projects- and 98106 qualifies. See this website for more information.

Also on HPAC’s agenda, District 1 City Council candidate Chas Redmond. 6:30 pm potluck precedes the 7 pm meeting Wednesday (April 22nd) at Highland Park Improvement Club, 12th/Holden.

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West Seattle scene: Another TV commercial filming here
April 20, 2015 11:43 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

Thanks to everybody who tipped us about what’s up in Seaview today, near 48th and Juneau – that truck is part of it. No, it’s not a movie – it’s the type of film/video production we see much more often around here, a TV commercial. This one is for Nissan, and the truck in our photo brought some of the vehicles that are being used. Unlike many West Seattle commercial shoots, this location wasn’t chosen for its view, but specifically for the house it’s at. The crew moves on to the North Sound after today. (Last commercial spotted here was for health care, a month ago.)

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The Whale Trail’s next ‘Orca Talk’ is something you otter know…
April 20, 2015 11:29 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

(WSB photo, July 2012)
The Whale Trail‘s next “Orca Talk” in West Seattle is NOT about orcas – it’s about the “Natural History of River Otters and Sea Otters,” a topic that has again stirred much curiosity because of the sightings of Puget Sound-frequenting river otters (like “Otto“!), especially along Alki. Find out about the differences between the two and a whole lot more – where do they live, what do they eat, what’s their population situation, what role do we play in their environment? – when TWT hosts Leo Shaw at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) on April 30th, one week from Thursday. Doors open 6:15 pm, presentation at 7 pm, space is limited so it’s a great idea to get your ticket(s) ASAP – kids are free, by the way – just go here.

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West Seattle Monday: Special-education meeting; online discussion of transportation levy; story time; more…
April 20, 2015 9:00 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

If you’ve been out of town and/or offline all weekend … you might have missed the unusually vivid sunsets. Above, that’s a Sunday night photo shared by DLBJ; we also featured Saturday night’s view here, Friday night photos here (also – on Facebook and on Instagram). A stream of smoke from Siberia gets the credit. Thanks to EVERYONE who shares photos – sunrises, sunsets, wildlife, breaking news – editor@westseattleblog.com or texted to 206-293-6302. Now, on with what’s up for today/tonight:

HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Home games – 3:30 pm, West Seattle HS baseball vs. Lakeside at Hiawatha (2700 California SW); 4 pm, Chief Sealth IHS softball vs. Ingraham at SWAC (2801 SW Thistle).

REGIONAL MEETING ABOUT SPECIAL EDUCATION: 6 pm at West Seattle High School, as announced by the district: “Learn about changes in Special Education in Seattle Public Schools, and ask questions. … Interpreters will be available for Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, and Chinese. Supervised children’s activities will be provided.” (3000 California SW)

ONLINE MEETING ABOUT TRANSPORTATION LEVY: Can’t make it (or don’t want to go) to a face-to-face meeting about the Transportation Levy to Move Seattle? 6 pm tonight, check out SDOT’s “online meeting” – explained here (with a registration link).

FAMILY STORY TIME: 6:30 pm at High Point Branch Library – bring the family! Free & fun. (35th/Raymond)

PIGEON POINT NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: Meets at 7 pm in the cafeteria at Pathfinder K-8 School. (1901 SW Genesee)

DEADLINE FOR GRAB-AND-GO BENEFIT ORDERS: Over the weekend, we mentioned this Relay for Life-West Seattle team benefit – your chance to preorder grab-and-go ravioli dinners for tomorrow night. It’ll be too late to mention in the “West Seattle Tuesday” preview; check out our earlier story for how to place an order.

THAT’S NOT ALL … see our calendar for more.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Post-spring-break Monday
April 20, 2015 6:25 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
We start with one traffic alert: Henderson Place is still closed north of Barton for the investigation of the second of two serious overnight West Seattle crashes. Use 9th SW instead.

Otherwise: For the first time since April 3rd, all the schools are back in session – last week was Seattle Public Schools‘ spring break, the week before that saw many private schools out. So please be extra, extra careful as everyone gets readjusted to routine. That’s today’s big reminder – no new road work on the schedule – so, the traffic watch is on.

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UPDATE: 3 taken to hospital after one-car Highland Park crash
April 20, 2015 4:22 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

4:22 AM: Another sizable response to a crash scene – this time, one vehicle is reported to have hit a tree in the 9000 block of Henderson Place (map) in Highland Park, with two people reported to be trapped. Both are reported to be conscious.

5:04 AM: Just back from the scene. The response was upgraded to “heavy rescue” while we were en route – second one of the night in West Seattle. Firefighters cut the driver out of the car, a 22-year-old man who medics took to Harborview.

Two others were hurt but got themselves out of the car, according to SFD, and were taken to the hospital by private ambulance. The road will be closed both ways at the crash scene while the investigation proceeds.

6:30 AM: Henderson Place is still blocked off at the crash scene; use 9th SW instead.

3:17 PM: Police confirm they are investigating the possibility of DUI.

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