West Seattle, Washington
18 Thursday
Incidents we’ve been tracking tonight:
11:13 PM: Police are responding to the Westside Unitarian Universalists Congregation church in Gatewood (7141 California SW) right now after a report of a possible burglary/theft. The Guardian One helicopter is in the area and offered to help search for a possible suspect, so you might hear it shortly. No description at this point beyond “unknown race male” in a hoodie.
11:20 PM: The helicopter’s in the area now.
11:29 PM: And it’s moved on, while police continue investigating on the ground.
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11:50 PM: **Separate incident** but while we have this Crime Watch report open, we’re adding it. Police are investigating a report of someone being robbed at Roxhill Park. No aerial search in this case – the trail was quite cold, as the victim did not report it until getting home about half an hour later. (We have no further info on this one but more often than not, street robberies have a reporting lag because the robber[s] take the victim’s phone.)
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12:44 AM: **Separate incident** Police rushed to Fauntleroy after multiple calls about someone screaming for help. After trying to figure out where exactly it happened, they found a victim in the 8600 block of 46th SW, a 21-year-old woman who is reported to have been assaulted. SFD is en route to evaluate her injuries. Police are trying to sort out what happened.
The first phase of Delridge-Highland Park Neighborhood Greenway work began last month with repaving and other work on SW Myrtle, east of Sanislo Elementary. Now a new phase starts Monday, also with a road closure, according to this alert from SDOT:
Construction on the Delridge-Highland Park Neighborhood Greenway has begun. The Delridge Greenway will connect West Seattle to White Center and run generally north-south on 21st and 17th avenues SW. See the fact sheet for specific improvements planned for the corridor. You can also view a PDF of the full project plans.
What’s happening now?
Beginning Monday, September 14, SDOT will be making street repairs on southbound 21st Ave SW between SW Andover and SW Genesee streets. This work is expected to take 3-5 days to complete. The following traffic and parking changes will be in place during this phase of construction:
One more reminder before we get to the weekend: It’s time for the eighth annual West Seattle Car Show this Sunday – but don’t look for it in the usual place; it has a brand-new home, on the campus of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor). When it was announced earlier this year that The Junction was no longer available, car-show fans weren’t willing to take “no show” for an answer, and some suggested SSC. Turned out to be a perfect fit because of not only room to roam but also, the campus is home to a well-regarded Automotive Technology program (which is the beneficiary from proceeds of the show, organized again this year by Swedish Automotive and West Seattle Autoworks [both also WSB sponsors]). You’ll be able to tour the program’s home on the north end of the campus during show hours 10 am-3 pm on Sunday, along with another one of SSC’s gems, the Northwest Wine Academy. Wine and beer also will be available for purchase, as will food from local trucks Nibbles and Mini The Dough-Nut. As for the cars (and motorcycles), you can still register on show day – load-in starts at 8 am, and the application is downloadable from the official West Seattle Car Show website. As one of the show co-sponsors, we hope to see you there on Sunday – look for the college’s north entrance, 6000 16th Avenue SW on Puget Ridge.
Haven’t had much time this week to report on development/housing, but four quick notes:
FIVE NEW HOMES REPLACING ONE ON HIGHLAND PARK WAY: Brand-new early-stage proposal just turned up for 7717 Highland Park Way (between Holden and Portland), including the vacant parcel to its west, 8,500 sf total, demolishing the 72-year-old house shown above and replacing it with what’s described as “five small 3-story single-family homes with rooftop decks.” Here’s the configuration on the preliminary site plan filed with the city. Watch for a notice at project #3022246.
Now, three projects in varying stages of completion/construction, all of which now have names:
FAUNTLEROY LOFTS: This is the name for the just-complete-and-now-renting microhousing (Small Efficiency Dwelling Units) project to open in West Seattle, 5949 California SW. Thanks to Diane for pointing out to this Craigslist listing announcing the opening, declaring the building on a “quiet street,” and listing rents from $950 (for a 200-sf unit) to $1500. That’s furnished and includes all utilities plus wi-fi, we should note. No off-street parking in the building; the ad declares, “Bike parking is available and street parking is easy to find in the surrounding neighborhood.”
SPEAKING OF PARKING … remember the kerfuffle over the 30-unit, no-offstreet-parking apartment building at 6917 California SW? Neighbors challenged it and eventually settled with the builder. Now, it’s almost done and has a name, according to the sign that went up this week: Viridian.
This is NOT microhousing – it’s self-contained studios, about 300 sf, developer Mark Knoll told neighbors in late 2013. No rental listing yet that we can see (in ’13, Knoll guessed units might go for about $700). Meantime, if you look up the word, it seems to mean either a “bluish-green pigment” – not unlike the building’s color – or a slang definition that could be paraphrased as “good-looking, cold-hearted guy.”
RALLY ROUND: We also noticed earlier this week that the townhouse/live-work development under construction since June on the site of the former Charlestown Café now has a name: Rally. The 27 units will be available for sale this winter, according to the Rally website.
On this 14th anniversary of 9/11, flags are flying in The Junction, and we’ve heard of two local commemorations:
AT THE LOG HOUSE MUSEUM UNTIL 4 PM: Southwest Seattle Historical Society executive director Clay Eals shares the photo and info – the display’s there until 4 pm:
Early this afternoon, on the 14th anniversary of 9/11, Newcastle residents Amy Zimmer (left) and Michele McKee, a former Admiral resident, look through a 180-page, large-format, laminated book documenting the wide variety of memorabilia and messages left at the base of the Statue of Liberty replica on Alki Beach in the days after the terrorist attack. The book is on display this afternoon through 4 p.m. on the porch of the “Birthplace of Seattle” Log House Museum of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, 3003 61st Ave. SW, where the welcoming flag on the porch flies at half-mast. The book, assembled by then-museum manager Pat Filer, is called “First Response: A Community’s Grief, Horror, Hype and Prayer.”
AT SEATTLE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL: Thanks to SLHS for the photo and report from earlier today:
A moment of silence was brought by Seattle Lutheran High School Faculty, Staff and Students this morning to remember all the people who lost their lives and were affected by 9/11.
FLAGS IN THE JUNCTION: We took this photo in early afternoon:
ALKI STATUE OF LIBERTY PLAZA: Sometimes remembrances are left at the plaza because of the role it served right after the attacks – but today, it was off-limits to the public, with Parks Department crews doing maintenance work on the benches.
This afternoon, we’re welcoming a new sponsor, the West Seattle Discovery Shop, where you can shop, donate, and/or volunteer. Here’s their explanation of how it works:
(L-R: Patricia Barber, Suzanne Rowe, Michele Rhilinger, Betty Korhonen, Mike Warlum, just a few of the volunteers helping out at the Discovery Shop)
SHOP
Looking for a piece of vintage jewelry for a special occasion? What about a set of Midcentury Modern glasses for your newly remodeled retro kitchen? Or a cashmere sweater to wear this fall? Well, you are in luck! For more than 24 years, the Discovery Shop has offered customers a chance to “discover” that one-of-a-kind treasure. Our store features high quality, gently used, donated clothing for men and women, accessories, artwork, antiques, collectibles, books and household items, all priced for the savvy shopper. But perhaps the best thing about making a purchase at the Discover Shop is knowing that all proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Since opening our doors in 1990, over 2 million dollars has been generated to fight cancer. When you spend your money in our store, not only do you walk out with a great find at a great price, but your dollars help to fund cutting edge research and much needed services provided by the American Cancer Society, such as patient lodging assistance and transportation to treatments.
DONATE
Conveniently located in the heart of The Junction, the Discovery Shop accepts a variety of gently used items such as clothing, accessories, home decor, small kitchen appliances, artwork, antiques, glassware, lamps, and dishes. Items may be dropped off at our shop during normal business hours. All donations are tax exempt. Your support is central to the American Cancer Society’s mission of fighting cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Together, we share a hope for a tomorrow free of cancer.
VOLUNTEER
Our store, which is open 7 days a week, is run entirely by volunteers. They are the heart and soul of the Discovery Shop. Currently, more than 70 people help keep us in business, doing a variety of things such as bookkeeping, cashiering, receiving donations, sorting, ironing, pricing, and merchandising. Interested in volunteering? We are always looking for people to join our team. No special skills are necessary, just a desire to share your energy and enthusiasm a few hours a week.
Come check us out and discover why we are more than your run-of-the-mill resale shop. We are a place to make new friends, find great bargains, and gain a sense of hope. Plus, you will always leave with a cheerful smile from one of our many volunteers. The West Seattle Discovery Shop is at 4535 California SW, 206-937-7169.
We thank the West Seattle Discovery Shop 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.
(SCROLL DOWN for updates, which include toplines of 3 pm district briefing & union’s 4:20 pm announcement of negotiations resuming Saturday)
11:15 AM: Updates on Day 3 of the Seattle Education Association strike:
COMMUNITY CENTER CHILD CARE, IF STRIKE CONTINUES MONDAY: If school is still out Monday, the city says it will open community centers for drop-in activities that can serve up to 3,000 kids. Unlike this week’s plan, this is for all families, not just those already participating in before-/after-school programs at the centers. See details in the city’s news release here.
EDUCATORS’ COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS: We’re making stops and also receiving photos (thank you!) from many sites:
LAFAYETTE ELEMENTARY FOOD DRIVE UNTIL NOON: Thanks for the photo (shared via Facebook)! You can drop off food in front of the school (California SW & SW Lander) until noon. See our service-project list for suggestions of what’s most needed for the Backpack Program.
ROXHILL ELEMENTARY, WORKING AT ROXHILL PARK: We stopped by a short time ago and found volunteers getting a briefing:
They’ve been working along the east side of the park and before this phase, Parks employees were explaining what needed to be cut – the park/bog has natural spaces and what looks like weeds might not be! – and how to pile it up once cut. Roxhill crews are planning a barbecue lunch at noon.
ALKI BEACH CLEANUP: Multiple schools have joined forces for a cleanup at Alki – thanks to Schmitz Park Educators for tweeting this photo:
Alki Beach Clean Up! @westseattleblog @SeattleEA #SeattleEA #SPSstrike #PicketPix pic.twitter.com/pRUrlhjHTY
— SP Educators (@sp_educators) September 11, 2015
Two other beach cleanups under way:
ARBOR HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY: Thanks to Laurence for tweeting the photo:
@westseattleblog about half of our trash clean up crew. pic.twitter.com/GfBAcFprZx
— Laurence Graham (@la_graham) September 11, 2015
FAIRMOUNT PARK ELEMENTARY: Their cleanup was anchored, so to speak, at Luna/Anchor Park on Duwamish Head:
LOUISA BOREN STEM K-8: This cleanup is spread out along Delridge, on the roadside, up the slope, all in the Longfellow Creek watershed:
STEM Staff volunteering to support Longfellow Creek:@westseattleblog @STEMPTA pic.twitter.com/qc8p2DMLOb
— STEM K-8 (@PrinciPalOstrom) September 11, 2015
We stopped by too, for this photo:
CHIEF SEALTH IHS & DENNY MS: Also working to support Longfellow Creek, Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School educators. Thanks to Sealth teacher Noah Zeichner for the photos:
They’re also having a read-in by the P-Patch:
The CSIHS & DIMS crews were walking over to Roxhill Park at last report to join the lunch BBQ.
SANISLO ELEMENTARY: Some visited the Southwest Precinct and Fire Station 11 to deliver food to first responders (thanks for texting the photo!):
Others cleaned up along Myrtle near the school – we’ll add our photo when back at HQ.
(added) HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY: At the Salvation Army Center on 16th:
@westseattleblog More Highland Park at Salvation Army pic.twitter.com/acnXo5WWVz
— My Info (@SarahSharmy) September 11, 2015
Plus we’ll be checking in on the Alki Beach Read-In after its 12:30 pm start. Photos from other sites? editor@westseattleblog.com or tweet to @westseattleblog – thanks!
ADDED 1:08 PM: The district has announced another mid-afternoon media briefing, 3 pm. We’re planning to be there again. Meantime, the union has now posted its daily strike newsletters – today’s edition, we notice, has a breakdown of the two sides’ salary offers, if you’re still trying to make sense of them. Read it here (PDF).
ADDED 1:37 PM: We’re at the Alki Beach Read-In right now. It’s east of the Bathhouse instead of at Statue of Liberty Plaza, which is getting some Parks Department maintenance work today.
Here’s a quick video panorama (mouse over the image to show the “play” button):
One teacher tells us they’ve heard a plan for a rally Monday at district HQ. More on that if and when we get it. We’re also still adding a few more photos to the section above covering the morning service projects.
3:01 PM: From the district briefing – SPS has been speaking with mediators and doesn’t know if SEA has. “We’ll let families know as soon as possible if there’ll be school on Monday.” Spokesperson Stacy Howard reiterates that the district believes it’s made a “generous” offer to SEA but that there is a large gap between the two sides. She says if they chose to meet their request from “new revenues,” the district believes it would take from textbooks, instructional support, special-ed and ELL student support. She adds, “We’re starting to take a look at our calendar year to figure out how we can reconfigure it … we’ve got to start extending the school year, we just have to figure out where.” The strike is costing the district $100,000 day in operations costs – $55,000 in school staff that will be working extra days, $25,000 food staff, $15,000 in school security, $5,000 in contract support.
“We are hopeful – we don’t want to be in this for the long haul … so we are in planning meetings every day, preparing for that just in case, new issues arise each day. … We have been here every single day, sitting and waiting, ready to negotiate.” The district did not consider the Tuesday offer a final offer, but they still haven’t received a counteroffer. She says they still are not talking about legal action.
Asked why athletics are continuing (note that they actually started before the school year was scheduled to begin) – coaches belong to a different union. However, athletic directors are members of SEA, Howard said, so they are not present. We asked about a couple commenters’ contention that some non-SEA personnel had been locked out; Howard says that’s not true.
Asked if it’s true that security is being hired for superintendent Dr. Larry Nyland, Howard said that’s being discussed because of some “concerns.” She said there’s “animosity out there right now,” apparently involving a specific incident of Nyland’s car having been blocked.
4:20 PM: Just texted and tweeted by the union – negotiations will resume tomorrow, for the first time since the strike was declared Tuesday night:
After productive talks w/mediators today, both sides have agreed to resume negotiations Saturday! #SeattleEA #SPSStrike #seastrike
— Seattle EA (@SeattleEA) September 11, 2015
We’re working on a full updated separate story for a little bit later.
6:42 PM: Our ETA for the wrap-up story is now around 8:30 pm, so in case anyone wants to see the promised video of the district briefing before we publish that, it’s here. Reminder that the briefing was at 3 pm, more than an hour *before* the union announced via text and tweet that official negotiations would resume tomorrow.
ORIGINAL STORY, 10:48 AM: In West Seattle Crime Watch this morning, a stolen work van to watch for:
My husband’s van was stolen from in front of our house sometime between 8:00 pm last night and 9:00 am this morning. It was locked and parked in our driveway. We live in the Arbor/Arroyo Heights neighborhood at 10811 35th Ave SW.
It is a white 2003 Ford Econovan 250. It has my husband’s logo on both sides and the back of the van – “Toma Construction LLC.” It contained many tools. We have notified the police, and the dispatcher told us another Econovan (apparently a painter’s van) was stolen from the neighborhood last night, as well. If anyone has seen it, please contact us at alexislewinger@gmail.com, at 602-326-7262, or at 206-697-5087.
But first, please call 911.
6:57 PM UPDATE: Found!
(Late this afternoon), we got a call from a WSB watcher saying the van was parked on his street, about two blocks from our house. There is damage to the car and my husband’s expensive tools are gone, but we are thankful that we have the van. Thank you, WSB and neighbors!!
West Seattle bicycle rider Al survived a frightening collision with a semi-truck/trailer on Thursday – and it’s all on video, recorded by his helmet cam. He asked if we would share it here as, at the very least, a reminder of why it’s important to be aware of everyone and everything on the road – it can be a matter of life and death. It happened as he was riding southbound on East Marginal Way near its turn into Alaskan Way, as he headed back to West Seattle after yesterday’s Mariners game. WARNING: LOTS OF PROFANITY – the video is not edited and so, Al says, “A word of warning…If you don’t want to hear a bunch of words and phrases most parents don’t teach their children, hit the ‘mute’ button.” You have lots of time once you hit “play,” as the truck does not come into view until almost a minute into the video, and the collision happens shortly thereafter. Al adds, “I was very lucky and I’m okay (a scratch on my left elbow and thigh), my bike was mended (rode straight to Alki Bike with a rubbing I couldn’t find).” He says the crash was reported to police and that Port of Seattle PD took a report. East Marginal Way S. was in the spotlight in 2013 after a deadly crash (less than a mile south of Al’s incident), and is one of the “multimodal corridors” that SDOT is currently studying for safety improvements.
(Surfbird, back from Alaska. Photo by Mark Wangerin)
Some of what’s up today/tonight, including listings from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
DAY OF SERVICE: Service projects instead of picketing this morning in Day 3 of the Seattle Education Association strike. Here’s our list of what educators from local schools are doing; community participation is welcome at most sites. And if you checked the list last night – please note that we have added several since then, including one immediately before publishing this!
ALKI BEACH READ-IN: This afternoon, many striking educators are inviting students/families/caregivers to Alki Beach, at and around Statue of Liberty Plaza, for a “read-in,” 12:30-3 pm. Details here, as first published Wednesday night. (60th SW & SW Alki)
WORDS, WRITERS, WEST SEATTLE: 5-7 pm at Barnes and Noble/Westwood Village, meet and hear from West Seattle-based crime-fiction author David Kannas. Here’s the video preview:
More info about tonight’s event and the ongoing literary series is on the website of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, which presents the series. (2800 SW Barton)
PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT #1: 5:30 pm at Admiral Congregational Church – details (including how to check for availability) here. (California SW & SW Hill)
PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT #2: 6 pm at Lee’s Martial Arts Academy – details (including how to check for availability) here. (3270 California SW)
SAN GENNARO FESTIVAL: 6-10 pm, first night of the West Seattleite-organized Italian-American celebration in Georgetown with food, music, and more, now in its third year. Details and map are in our calendar listing. (S. Angelo & Ellis S.)
THADDEUS SPAE: Jazz, blues, and folk music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
THE SLAGS AT THE POGGIE: 9 pm, see and hear popular local band The Slags at Poggie Tavern in The Junction. (4717 California SW)
EVEN MORE TODAY/TONIGHT … just check out our complete calendar!
Family and friends are mourning Steve James Bratsanos, who died two weeks ago at 89. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:
Steve was born July 12, 1926 in Psara, Greece, and passed away August 28, 2015. Loving husband, father, and grandfather. Steve loved his church, his family, and especially his granddaughters. He had a lifelong love of sailboats and the sea. He was patient, kind, never complained, and always had a smile on his face.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Rose; daughter Marianne, son James, daughter-in-law Leslie, and his two granddaughters Amalia and Eliana. He will be greatly missed. Remembrances may be made to the Assumption Church or Philoptochos. Visit greeksinwashington.org/seattle-or-nothing to learn more about Steve’s life. Services were held last weekend. From the program:
Steve (Stamati) was born on the island of Palea Psara, Greece, the youngest of three children. He had a trying life but always kept a smile on his face. As a young teenager, he survived the German occupation of Psara during WWII and its accompanying deprivations. The memory of those tough times stayed fresh through his whole life. He loved his adopted country and was proud of being an American, but his path to citizenship was not easy.
(City cameras appear to be down – see other state cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:40 AM: Good morning. We start with word of a crash at Delridge/Oregon – a texter tells us Delridge is closed southbound at Genesee. More…
6:45 AM: SB has just reopened, per scanner. City Light was checking out a utility pole because of the crash.
6:52 AM: Reminder that Seattle Public Schools are NOT in session; it’s the third day of the Seattle Education Association‘s strike. Instead of picketing, teachers have service projects today, most of which the community’s invited to join – see our list here.
SCHOOL-ZONE BEACONS/CAMERAS: Some (if not all) have been flashing despite school not being in session. If anyone receives a ticket from a camera in Seattle Public Schools areas – Roxhill and Gatewood (the new camera near STEM/temp Arbor Heights on Delridge would be starting with warnings only) – SDOT tells us, “Our understanding is that the Seattle Police Department will not issue citations based on camera data for the public schools which are not yet open; however, citations will be given for speeding in the case of Holy Family School, which is open and operating.” We’re still checking on the issue of why the beacons are flashing at all. (added) To that last point, SDOT’s Marybeth Turner says, “The beacons are programmed. To have some working and some not would take custom programming. We’re looking into that.”
ADDED 7:25 AM – TODAY’S ROAD-WORK ALERTS: As published here last night, SDOT says microsurfacing work scheduled to be completed in Arbor Heights/Arroyos areas yesterday was not, so it’s happening today instead. … 35th SW paving work between Cambridge and Barton, which DID begin on Thursday, is scheduled to continue today … As of our check yesterday morning, the SPU sewer projects on 48th and 49th SW had not started; we’re checking again today.
This is the fifth fall that Chief Sealth International High School graduates are among the new South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) students taking advantage of the 13th Year Promise – a free year of tuition. It was first offered to Cleveland High School graduating seniors in 2008, adding Sealth in 2011, and Rainier Beach in 2013. We stopped by SSC on Thursday as this year’s group finished the summer jump-start known as “Bridge.” Among those they heard from, SSC president Gary Oertli, who had a personal story to tell:
Oertli is a Sealth alum who was one of the first in his family to go to college – the University of Washington, he said, though the accomplishments of which he’s proudest are those of his daughters, both college graduates. He told the students that people who finish college are more likely to have kids who go to college. For students interested in starting at SSC and transferring, he added, they do better at UW than many of those who are there from the start. We talked briefly with one of the Sealth grads who’s taking advantage of the 13th Year Promise, Mallena Garcia:
One more side note – former Seahawks player Edwin Bailey was among those in attendance, there with two other Sealth alums, West Seattle entrepreneur Steve Huling and lawyer Jerry Cohen. Bailey had recently spoken to their 50th-anniversary class reunion and mentioned the 13th Year Promise program, which led some of the alums to make contributions, and he attended Thursday’s event as an honored guest. The program is funded via the college’s donation-powered Foundation and is available to Sealth, Cleveland, and RB graduates regardless of financial need/status, as explained here.
P.S. Fall classes start at SSC on September 28th.
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