West Seattle, Washington
14 Sunday
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes before the night is through:
HELICOPTER SEARCH: We’re hoping to get more details on this from police in the morning, but for those who asked about the helicopter over southeastern West Seattle early this evening, it was related to a car crash in the Olson/Myers vicinity, reported as a hit-run; police were looking for someone who wound up in the greenbelt, and eventually, became the subject of a Guardian One search and SFD rescue.
CAR PROWL: From Robert:
My car was broken into last night. No damage and nothing stolen, just rummaged thru my glove box but nothing was of value. Woke up with all my stuff on my seat. I live at 34th and Alaska. Just wanted to give a heads up.
This is one of those events that tends to sell out way ahead of time – so here’s your advance alert. If you want to celebrate Oktoberfest authentically, without leaving the peninsula, it’s reservation time – Martin Král sends the info (and the photo of his son Logan):
The Austria Club of Washington has the most authentic Oktoberfest – and it’s held in West Seattle!
Date and Time: Saturday, October 10 6 – 11 pm
Location: Alki Masonic Hall, 4736 40th Avenue SW
Featuring the Bert Carlson Band
Folk costume (Tracht) encouraged
German beer and wine at modest pricesCost: $35 (includes dinner)
Advance purchase only!Tickets must be paid by October 3
Mail check (made out to ‘Austria Club of WA’) to Rosie Mulholland, 11737 5th Avenue NE “C”, Seattle, WA 98125
For info call Rosie at 367-1988 or visit www.austriaclubwa.com
If you go to Westwood Village tomorrow, stop by the PARKing Day park outside Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor), any time after 10 am. Once again this year, they’re participating in the worldwide festival of creating temporary mini-parks … and this year, according to the SDOT map, theirs is the ONLY pop-up park in West Seattle.
(Photo substituted for video window post-event, until archived video is available; thanks to County Councilmember Joe McDermott for permission to republish)
7:35 PM: Click the play button and you should get the live feed of tonight’s Youngstown Cultural Arts Center faceoff between the City Council District 1 candidates who made it to the general election, Shannon Braddock and Lisa Herbold. This is one of a citywide series of forums/debates presented by Town Hall and the Seattle Channel; lead moderator tonight is your editor here, with community moderators Cecile Hansen, chair of the Duwamish Tribe, and Fernando Mejia-Ledesma of OneAmerica, and Q&A moderator Edward Wolcher from Town Hall. You can e-mail a question to debates@townhallseattle.org or ask one via Twitter with the hashtag #seacouncil.
7:40 PM NOTE: This program is intended to run an hour, by the way, so it will go until about 8:35 pm. After that – we’ll be watching for the archived video.
8:38 PM UPDATE: The forum’s over, so the live feed is too; Edward from Town Hall says it will be on Seattle Channel (cable) Monday night. Archived video will also be available via the SC website, and we’ll add it here when it is. Thanks to everyone who came to Youngstown to be in the “live” audience – the lights were bright and we didn’t get a count, but in a quick early glance, seemed like most of the seats are filled. Town Hall is doing these in all the districts – this was the first one. Also, if you missed it but want to be sure to see the candidates in person before you vote, you’ll have at least four more chances – we know of four forums in West Seattle next month – stand by for those dates.
Three notes, two of which are updates on projects we’ve mentioned before:
(Rendering: S + H Works Architecture & Design)
DESIGN REVIEW FOR APARTMENT BUILDING AT 9021 17TH SW: Back in June, we reported on a plan for a 31-unit, 31-parking-space apartment building at 9021 17th SW in South Delridge. The project is now on the Southwest Design Review Board‘s schedule, as the second review of the night on Thursday, October 15th, 8 pm at the Sisson Building (home of the Senior Center) in The Junction.
THREE TOWNHOUSES BEHIND 2336 44TH SW: New project just popped up in the system – a plan to demolish a building described as a “garage/carriage unit” (see the bottom photo here) behind this address, on the alley between 44th and California SW, and replace it with three townhouses.
THREE HOUSES REPLACING 1 AT 6715 CALIFORNIA SW: Back in January, we mentioned this south Morgan Junction plan. This week, work has begun, with the 97-year=old house on the site torn down, and the rest of the site-clearing work under way.
Back-to-school scenes from around the peninsula:
Sup't Nyland welcomes incoming freshman to Chief Sealth International on the first day of the 2015-16 school year. pic.twitter.com/2MZWFb0BpP
— Seattle Schools (@seapubschools) September 17, 2015
As previewed here Wednesday, SPS Superintendent Dr. Larry Nyland started Day 1 with visits to CSIHS and Concord International in South Park.
On the north end of the peninsula, West Seattle’s most populous elementary school enjoyed its annual first-day tradition for the last time at its original campus:
@SchmitzPark Flag Ceremony 2015. A great start to the school year! 655 students strong. @seapubschools pic.twitter.com/vVkZ0ItqjR
— Gerrit Kischner (@PrincipalKisch) September 17, 2015
Here’s video, courtesy of Southwest Seattle Historical Society executive director Clay Eals (who reports on today’s ceremony here):
Providing construction continues to be on schedule, Schmitz Park Elementary will start next school year in its new Genesee Hill location.
Last but not least – a reader photo – the Bear boys, ready for Day 1:
The brothers were off to Sealth and Denny.
Got a first-day photo to add? editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
ADDED 5:01 PM: Thanks to Mel for sharing the photo – sophomore at Sealth!
Also just in – Mateo, 4th grader at Concord International:
Two West Seattle coffee notes percolating today:
FIRST CHICKEN, THEN COFFEE: Welcome the new spinoff from Harry’s Chicken Joint in north Morgan Junction – call it Harry’s Coffee Joint, though it’s really Catherine and Jared’s coffee joint – there they are above, Catherine Cougan, daughter of Chicken Joint founder Bruce Cougan, and Jared Harkness. They’re in soft-open mode right now on the south side of Harry’s, with free samples, and then officially opening 7 am-2 pm weekdays starting next Monday. They’re roasting their own coffee except for the espresso blend (Vashon); they’re also baking their own goodies, including the bursting-with-blueberries scones we saw while visiting a little while ago. It’s a cozy spot, as is the chicken side, but stools are on order, Catherine tells us, and you can sit over in the chicken space says the Coffee Joint – his daughter’s enterprise – officially opens next week, with espresso and treats, and will be open 7 am-2 pm, while the chicken hours continue at 4 pm-8 pm. This is all going on at 6032 California SW.
FRESHY’S EXPANDS DOWNTOWN: If you work downtown and need coffee .. you’ll soon have a new West Seattle-rooted shop to patronize: Freshy’s Coffee, which has been in The Admiral District for 10 years now, is opening a second location at 1099 Stewart St., Suite 102. “Hoping for a soft opening in October,” they say via Instagram.
The rain falling right now reminds us of what’s coming up Sunday afternoon in the Sunrise Heights and Westwood neighborhoods – the King County Wastewater Treatment Division‘s celebration of the completion of the Barton Combined Sewer Overflow Control project. 15 blocks now have roadside raingardens after two seasons of construction; a ceremonial ribbon-cutting is planned at 1 pm Sunday at 32nd SW and SW Kenyon, and then from 1:30-4 pm, tours will be offered of “three recently planted blocks.” It’s also a chance to get updated information about the project, including the ongoing RainWise program, offering incentives for people in the target area to install rain gardens and/or cisterns. This project has been much-discussed, going all the way back to early meetings six years ago, so now that it’s done – whether you’re coming to the celebration or not – the county’s offering a survey for feedback – find it here.
(Added: Thursday morning photo by Jeremiah Holt)
Looking ahead to the rest of today/tonight – lots going on in West Seattle! From our calendar:
‘SCHOOL’S BACK IN SESSION’ GROUP RUN: New free group run starting at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), 10 am each Thursday – details in our calendar listing. (2743 California SW)
DELRIDGE GROCERY FARM STAND FINALE: 4-7 pm, it’s your last chance this summer (yes, it’s technically summer for a few more days!) to buy farm-fresh produce from the Delridge Grocery Cooperative (WSB sponsor) at its weekly farm stand. (5455 Delridge Way SW)
SW ADMIRAL WAY SAFETY PROJECT: 6:15-7:45 pm, SDOT hosts an “open house” at Hiawatha Community Center (with a presentation scheduled around 6:45 pm) about the revised version of its plan for Admiral Way between the business district and the beach. (2700 California SW)
6058 35TH SW @ DESIGN REVIEW BOARD: The mixed-use building proposed for 35th SW & SW Graham in High Point goes back before the Southwest Design Review Board tonight at 6:30 at the Sisson Building (home of the Senior Center). The project, now dubbed “Upton Flats,” is currently described as a “4-story structure containing 89 residential units, 8,500 sq. ft. of office space and 1,500 sq. ft. of retail space located at ground level (with) surface parking for 98 vehicles.” This is a second round of Early Design Guidance; see the city report on the first one, in June, here; see the new design “packet” here; meeting will include a public-comment period. (SW Oregon & California SW)
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm at Alki UCC, the council’s monthly meeting includes a presentation about the SolTerra project Perch planned for 1250 Alki SW (first reported here in May, and scheduled for its first Design Review meeting next month – see the “design packet” here). All welcome. (6115 SW Hinds)
‘UNPLUGGED’: 7 pm open-microphone event at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – details in our calendar listing. (5612 California SW)
FIRST CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 LOCAL FACEOFF POST-PRIMARY: 7:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in North Delridge, City Council District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) candidates Lisa Herbold and Shannon Braddock will have their first local faceoff since the August primary. It’s presented by Town Hall, which requests RSVP but, we are assured, will not require it for admission (that does guarantee you a seat, though). Details here; your WSB editor is among the moderators. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
BELLY DANCE SHOWCASE: 7:30 pm at The Skylark in North Delridge, the monthly Alauda belly-dance showcase is free and all-ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
THAT’S NOT EVEN EVERYTHING … go browse our complete calendar to see it all (and to peek at the days/weeks ahead).
In the middle of a building boom, the city is making/considering changes in some of its processes and programs – including the only one that guarantees public meetings about some development projects. Two notes this morning about how you can get involved:
BREAKING UP DPD: As first announced in June, the city plans to separate the current Department of Planning and Development functions into two new divisions. This morning’s Land Use Information Bulletin includes the official notice of an October 20th public hearing at City Hall about the proposed change:
(This would) reorganize the Department of Planning and Development into two separate departments: (1) the Office of Planning and Community Development; (2) and the Department of Construction and Inspections. This Bill clarifies responsibilities for planning, permitting and enforcement activities between the two departments.
Part of the news in that is the name “Department of Construction and Inspections,” which was still TBA when the breakup announcement was made in June. The October 20th hearing is at 5:30 pm, with speaker signups an hour earlier.
DESIGN REVIEW CHANGES: For an even-longer time, the city’s been reviewing the Design Review program, which has for years been the only means by which public community-based meetings have been required for some development projects. The next step before potential changes is a set of open houses, one for the north part of the city and one for the south. The latter is the closest to West Seattle, set for September 29, 6–7:30 pm at Columbia City Library, 4721 Rainier Ave. South. (Thanks to Deb Barker, a former Southwest Design Review Board member, for calling our attention to that so we could make sure you knew.)
(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:37 AM: Eight days later than originally scheduled, Seattle Public Schools start classes today. West Seattle is home to 16 of them; the times when you’ll see the flashing school-zone beacons are listed here (for all schools in the district). Four school zones now have speed-enforcement cameras – Louisa Boren K-8 STEM/interim Arbor Heights Elementary on Delridge; Roxhill Elementary and Holy Family School, which has been in session for two weeks, on Roxbury; and Gatewood Elementary, on Fauntleroy Way.
ROAD-WORK REMINDERS: With rain last night and more on the way later this morning, you might not encounter crews this morning, but remember for starters that the Roxbury and 35th SW projects are now under way, so if you’re driving Roxbury between 17th and 35th and/or 35th between Holly and Roxbury for the first time in a while because of school (or some other reason), be aware that the lane configurations have changed – primarily one lane each way with a center turn lane.
7:18 AM: If you use northbound I-5 through downtown, there might be some backup through the commute because of a lane closure at Mercer related to repairs from an early-morning crash.
7:20 AM: Crash reported at California/Charlestown and SFD is en route to check out a 17-year-old boy for possible injuries.
(Added above – photo from Bryce – thank you. The crash is in the outside northbound lane just north of Charlestown.)
7:29 AM: **Transit notes** – commenters say the first Route 57 and a Route 21 bus have been no-shows this morning. We haven’t seen any text or tweet alerts from Metro.
8:10 AM: The aforementioned left-lane closure on NB I-5 at Mercer downtown continues, with a miles-long backup reported.
9:11 AM: Texter says a broken-down vehicle is in the left lane near the crest of the high bridge, no emergency vehicles on scene, leading to trouble not just because of the blocked lane but because of vehicles diverting at the last minute.
10:35 AM: Have been in the thick of this for the past hour and a third; headed out after the last update with an hour to make it to the UW for a presentation at a student-journalism conference. Instead, by 10:20, we were still on the bridge; called to say we’d never make it, and now we’re in a parking spot downtown updating before heading back to the bridge and home base. The stall turned out to be a collision; it was cleared by about 9:50 – we only saw the police lights in the distance – but the gridlock had started at Alaska/Fauntleroy and continued eastward. I-5 in the distance was sluggish too. If you have been waiting to leave, things might be a bit better now – once we got onto 99, it was slow until the Viaduct rise, and then finally everybody was up to 30 mph.
10:41 AM: WSDOT has tweeted that the NB I-5 lane is finally open again:
The left lane of NB I-5 at Mercer Street has reopened after an earlier collision.
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) September 17, 2015
11:14 AM: Just came across the bridge westbound. Eastbound is STILL jammed, from Nucor eastward. And northbound 99 doesn’t look much better than it did when we were on it last hour.
6:24 PM: Crash at Olson/Myers – don’t know about the traffic effects, but be careful in that area.
(WSB photos)
“Both teams played their hearts out!” So said West Seattle High School volleyball head coach Staci Stringer after her team hosted their crosstown rivals from Chief Sealth International High School on Wednesday night.
WSHS took the match in three games – 25-21, 25-15, 25-14.
This was the third match of the season for both teams.
Next up for the Wildcats – they’re playing at also-undefeated Ballard, 7 pm Friday night, in a game that could determine division leadership. The Seahawks, coached by Lorna Considine, play at home at 7 on Friday, hosting Franklin.
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