day : 13/04/2016 10 results

BASEBALL: WSHS vs. Blanchet, and Saturday Safeco reminder

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| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Tonight’s West Seattle High School baseball recap is from Caryn Johnson, along with a big reminder about Saturday at The Safe:

This afternoon West Seattle lost a heartbreaker to Bishop Blanchet at Hiawatha. The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead in the first inning, but just couldn’t hold on in the end, losing 3-6. Carson Wright pitched a great game for West Seattle and Daniel Lo came in to close out the 7th inning. But in the end, the bats of West Seattle just couldn’t produce enough runs to come out ahead.

Next game, Friday – West Seattle hosts Roosevelt at Hiawatha at 3:30PM

Remember that West Seattle will be playing Olympic HS (from Bremerton) on Saturday, April 16th at Safeco Field in the High School Baseball Classic at 12:30. Entry to the game is free and parking is $5 in the Safeco parking lot. Come out and cheer on the Wildcats!!

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West Seattle coyotes: Daytime sighting on Charlestown Hill

| Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks to Krista Livingston for the photo and report:

This coyote was jumping around, playing in our yard (edge of Schmitz Park) at Charlestown and 52nd Ave SW. I know you get lots of sightings. Thought the neighbors would like to know the coyotes are out day and night.

If you scroll through our archive of coyote sightings, you will definitely be able to verify that. And if you do see one, please remember that the best thing to do for your sake and theirs is to scare it away – as explained in the state’s one-sheet about coexisting with coyotes.

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THURSDAY: Education conversation, as prelude to mayor’s summit

April 13, 2016 7:59 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Neighborhood House‘s High Point Family Resource Center sends a reminder of the “education conversation” tomorrow, the only West Seattle event scheduled as a prelude to Mayor Murray‘s upcoming education summit:

This community meeting is a great opportunity for West Seattle families to engage with the City on a number of school related topics. The meeting will include:

· Mayor Murray Video Introduction

· Community-Led Topics

· Discussion Break-Out Groups

· Interpretation Services

· Light dinner, tea and coffee – catered by Banana Grill

All are welcome, 5-7 pm Thursday, 6400 Sylvan Way SW. (The summit itself is set for Saturday, April 30th, at Garfield Community Center.)

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Become parkland, or remain beach house? County, city, community to decide fate of 8923 Fauntleroy Way SW

April 13, 2016 4:34 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photos)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Almost a year after the Barton Pump Station Upgrade Project north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock was finished, and adjacent Cove Park restored and reopened, a loose end dangles: The future of the little white beachfront house at 8923 Fauntleroy Way SW, immediately north of Cove Park.

King County bought it to use as a construction office during the three-year pump-station project.

Now, as was revealed in a discussion at last night’s Fauntleroy Community Association meeting, there’s a chance its site could become a slice of city parkland – at little-to-no cost for the city. Sort of an expansion of Cove Park, though that is actually a community-maintained, SDOT-owned street end.

Some neighbors are adamantly opposed to the idea, wanting the house to remain in use as a single-family residence, and were at the FCA meeting to say that directly to Chip Nevins, acquisition manager for Parks, who was there, he said, as early “due diligence” in determining the site’s fate.

Nevins explained that while Parks generally wouldn’t have an interest in acquiring Fauntleroy-area property, since the area is already “rich” in parkland – including Lincoln Park a short distance north – it would be hard to resist a chance to get something like this for free or near-free. If someone was told “do you want to make the park bigger and it won’t cost you any money, why wouldn’t you?” he asked.

Assessor’s records show the county bought the 2-bedroom, 1-bath, 1948-built house and its 35-foot-wide, one-third-acre lot (tidelands included) for $950,000 in 2008. Now, it’s considered surplus, and that status, as with most government agencies, triggers a disposition process. Nevins said the county has suggested a sort of swap might be possible – its pump station includes some land leased from SDOT that, like Cove Park, is technically part of the Barton street end, but if it could get possession of that land – through a street-vacation process – the city could wind up with 8923 Fauntleroy Way in return.

This would be something of a complicated process, not just because of the street vacation, but also because Parks would want to figure out if there is community interest in acquiring the beachfront site. So a public meeting will be organized, and some other means of feedback will be set up. City Councilmember Lisa Herbold was at last night’s meeting – to “observe” this item, she explained – and indicated she’d already been hearing from “both sides”; if a street vacation is involved, it ultimately would require approval from the City Council, so she and her colleagues also would be getting feedback.

If the site was accepted by Parks, what would be done with it? one attendee asked. Nevins suggested at one point that at the very least they would probably want the county to pay to have the house demolished, so that wouldn’t become the city’s responsibility. Beyond that – maybe open space? Or at least some plantings? One neighbor expressed concern that while the current administration might decide on that, someone down the line might decide to build a picnic shelter or other facilities that could attract more, and more problematic, usage.

Nevins reiterated that many questions remain to be answered – such as, has the city been making money in permit payments for the county’s usage of the pump station site, and would that be revenue lost in this prospective deal? (If we’ve found the correct city legislation, it appears the county pays the city $84,387 a year.)

And, he added, many layers of process remain to be gone through. The public meeting would likely happen before summer, though, so stay tuned; if the city and county moved forward with what in essence would be a “trade,” the process would likely take up to two more years.

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FOLLOWUP: Seattle Summer Parkways sets Alki date

April 13, 2016 3:32 pm

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| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from Alki’s first-ever “car-free day” in September 2008)

Last month, we reported that the city’s “car-free day” events – now called Seattle Summer Parkways – would include a West Seattle date this year, after skipping our area last year. At the time, the date hadn’t been set. Now, it has, according to the official webpage: Sunday, September 25th. That’s a long way off, so details are all but nonexistent, except that the city has posted that it’ll be happening on Alki. Just telling you now so you can get it on your calendar!

(BACKSTORY: The first such event, called “Car-Free Day,” was in September 2008; then for six years, it was scheduled on the same May day as the West Seattle 5K run/walk.)

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First-ever Westside Plant & Garden Art Fair: See the lineup!

April 13, 2016 2:14 pm

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| Gardening | West Seattle news

(Otherwise charming garden photo originally provided to WSB to illustrate this now three-year-old event announcement has been removed by site owners under protest following threats from lawyer claiming that those who provided it were not authorized to do so.)

Lots of excitement back in February when the first-ever Westside Plant and Garden Art Fair was announced. Now, it’s just a few weeks away, and organizers have sent the highlights of what you’ll find during the event, 10 am-4 pm Saturday, April 30th, and 11 am-3 pm Sunday, May 1st:

This community event will be held at the Westside Unitarian Universalist Church, 7141 California Ave. SW, and promises to have something for adults and children alike, including:

*Hundreds of perennial, herb, veggie and berry starts.

*Garden art created by local artisans Sarah Barrick, Brian Brenno, Terri Goodwin, Carol Farnham, Elaine Moore, and Linda Thorson.

*Gardening advice from local Master Gardeners as well as from Jenny Mandt, Garden Coach at West Seattle Nursery.

*An opportunity to sample OMG! Artisanal Olive Oils & Vinegars, the perfect accompaniment for the season’s fresh greens. Phil Harris, creator of Seattle’s OMG! Flagship Store, will be on hand to share his recipes.

*A “low-mileage” garden tool, accessory and book sale which will also include sustainable freshly cut local bamboo stakes in 6’ and 8’ lengths.

*A Garden Cafe serving fresh baked goods each day.

*Creative children’s activities.

And much more … For further details and schedules, visit WestsideGardenFair.weebly.com.

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West Seattle development: Updates on two projects on southeast side of The Junction – 4754 Fauntleroy, 4800 40th SW

April 13, 2016 11:34 am

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| Development | West Seattle news

Two updates on two early-stage projects we’ve mentioned before, both in what’s becoming a very busy corridor along Edmunds between 40th and Fauntleroy:

4754 FAUNTLEROY WAY SW: New names and a new size for the project proposed for the parcels currently holding the Capitol Loans pawn shop and the parking lot to its north. We first reported last December that a seven-story building with 125 units and 90 offstreet parking spaces was proposed. Now, after a new filing with the city, it’s described as 133 residential units, 134 offstreet parking spaces (on two underground levels), still seven stories (the site is zoned for up to eight). The developer is now listed as Holland Partner Group, a Vancouver (Washington)-based company best known for apartment complexes; the architect is now Mithun (it was Caron). This will have to go through Design Review, but no date’s set yet.

Less than a block away, another update:

4800 40TH SW: When we reported on a proposal for this 40th/Edmunds site two years ago, but it went idle as its prospective developers moved their attention next door to 4801 Fauntleroy Way SW. That 53-unit mixed-use project which has since passed both phases of Design Review. Now, a new site plan has just been filed to reactivate 4800 40th for redevelopment; the city filing has only the summary, “demolition of existing structures on site, and construction of a new multi-family residential building with (1) level of below-grade parking, and (4) levels above grade. The ground floor will consist of both residential and commercial uses” – no unit count mentioned so far.

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SATURDAY: Major Taylor bicycle ride, with West Seattle start

April 13, 2016 10:17 am

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| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

That video will fill you in on the Major Taylor Project, beneficiary of a big bike ride that starts in West Seattle this Saturday. You’re invited to be part of it, per this announcement we just received:

Cascade’s Ride for Major Taylor is fast approaching this Saturday, April 16. Now in its second year, the 25-mile pledge ride will take hundreds of riders through the culturally rich communities of West Seattle, Delridge, Burien, SeaTac, Tukwila, and White Center before returning to the finish line celebration at Big Al Brewing in White Center.

Registration remains open until Wednesday (today), April 13 at 11:59 p.m. Day-of registration will be available for an additional fee from 9-10 a.m. at the start line at Chief Sealth International High School.

The Ride for Major Taylor is a pledge ride in which students, families and community members are encouraged to raise support for Cascade’s Major Taylor Project. Registration fees and all pledged support helps provide bikes, cycling gear, tools, snacks and much more for participating students across 14 Puget Sound area schools throughout the year.

Full route and additional information available at cascade.org/rideformajortaylor.

Named after Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor, the first African American cyclist to achieve world champion status, the Major Taylor Project is a year-round youth development cycling program for middle and high school students. The Major Taylor Project uses afterschool cycling clubs as a forum for helping students develop confidence, goal setting abilities, bicycle maintenance and handling skills, and deep connections with their peers and communities. The program serves more than 300 students in King and Pierce Counties annually.

“This is a really special day for the Major Taylor Project and the students,” said Major Taylor Project Director Ed Ewing. “Like all the event rides that they work so hard to complete, this ride is their chance to show support for each other and share with their communities how much cycling has helped them grow as young people.”

Sealth and adjacent Denny International Middle School are the two West Seattle schools participating in the project.

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What’s up for your West Seattle Wednesday

April 13, 2016 9:00 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Tuesday night’s surprise sunset colors, photographed by JayDee from Upper Alki)

Some of what’s up for your Wednesday:

WEST SEATTLE TRIO @ WHITE HOUSE SCIENCE FAIR: As mentioned here last night, the award-winning underwater-robotics team AMNO & CO. is part of today’s White House Science Fair, and the live stream starts on the White House website at 10 am our time – it’ll be here.

LIBRARY STORY TIMES: Spring break is a great time to check these out if you haven’t gone before and have the chance to do it today/tonight. Three today – Preschool Story Time, 10:30-11 am at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW); Baby Story Time, 11-11:30 am at High Point Library (35th SW/SW Graham); Somali Story Time, 5-5:30 pm, also at High Point Library.

FREE HEALTH WORKSHOP: Noon at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor), learn about “energy enhancement” as part of the Y’s ongoing Wellness/Disease Prevention series. Free! More info here. (4515 36th SW)

LOCAL BIZ MEETUP: Noon-1:15 pm at West Seattle’s only coworking center, Office Junction (WSB sponsor) – local businesspeople are invited to come network – take a break, get a change of pace and place! (6040 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE/WHITE CENTER VIETNAMESE TEA TIME & CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP: 1-3 pm, new addition to the calendar, at Greenbridge Community Center:

Please come to meet with friends, exchange information, storytelling, entertainment, singing, and planning for future meetings. We can help with language support (translation/interpreter) or settle the bills such as electricity, water , cable TV, internet. Hosted by Tram Chung, a family support worker serving Vietnamese elders and caregivers in West Seattle, White Center, Burien, and South King County.

(9800 8th SW)

PLAY GAMES! Star Wars and D&D game groups play at Meeples Games (WSB sponsor) tonight – see the schedule on the right side of the Meeples homepage. (3727 California SW)

COED ULTIMATE FRISBEE: New 6 pm drop-in game with the folks who bring you West Seattle Ultimate Family Frisbee. 6 pm at Fairmount Park playfield – rain cancels. (5400 Fauntleroy Way SW)

BOSTON SENDOFF & WEEKLY GROUP RUN: Going to Boston for the Marathon? Join the weekly group run at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) tonight at 6:15 pm, followed by a celebratory sendoff – details here. (2743 California SW)

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: Our area’s largest political organization meets at 7 pm tonight at The Hall at Fauntleroy. The agenda (see it here) includes this weekend’s Legislative District Caucus and candidate forums for three statewide positions. (9131 California SW)

OPEN MICROPHONE: 8:30 pm at The Skylark (all ages until 10, then 21+) – details here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

MORE! See for yourself on our complete WSB West Seattle Event Calendar.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday updates

April 13, 2016 7:06 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

7:06 AM: Good morning! No incidents in/from West Seattle so far. Notes for today include:

AFTERNOON BASEBALL: The Mariners play the Rangers one more time at Safeco Field, 12:40 pm.

30TH/YANCY/AVALON PROJECT: SDOT announced earlier this week that this work could switch from the east side of the intersection to the west side as soon as today – we’ll head out to check shortly. (8:28 am update – SDOT tells us the change will be made TOMORROW, Thursday.)

HIGHWAY 99 CLOSURE NORTH OF DOWNTOWN: Another overnight closure of SB 99 north of downtown is set for overnight tonight, 10 pm-5 am, between Valley and Thomas.

SPRING BREAK CONTINUES … for Seattle Public Schools, which reopen next Monday (April 18th).

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