West Seattle, Washington
10 Sunday
(Killdeer, photographed along the Duwamish River by Mark Wangerin)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, highlights for the rest of today/tonight:
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP: 1 pm at Providence Mount St. Vincent – details in our calendar listing. (4831 35th SW)
ERCOLINI TOYS: 2 pm today and 10 am Friday, Seattle Parks will meet with community members at Ercolini Park to talk about solutions to the toy concerns reported here last week. (49th SW/SW Alaska)
TINKERLAB DROP-IN: STEM-based crafts and fun for all ages, 4-5:30 pm drop-in at High Point Library. (35th SW/SW Raymond)
DELRIDGE GROCERY FARMSTAND: 4-7 pm, fresh fruit and vegetables on sale in the Super 24 lot. (5455 Delridge Way)
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GRADUATION: 7:30 pm at Benaroya Hall downtown. Public welcome; no tickets required. (200 University St.)
FOOD LIFELINE’S GRAND OPENING: 5 pm, with program at 6 pm, it’s the grand opening of Food Lifeline‘s new Hunger Solutions Center near South Park – all welcome. (815 S. 96th St.)
WEST SEATTLE TIMEBANK: At the Senior Center of West Seattle – orientation at 6 pm, potluck 6:30 pm, meeting 7 pm, all welcome! Details here. (California SW/SW Oregon)
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm at Alki UCC – agenda highlights include an update on summer safety planning by Seattle Police. (6115 SW Hinds)
UNPLUGGED! OPEN MICROPHONE: 7 pm, come play at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – more details here. (5612 California SW)
HIGHLAND PARK PLAYGROUND: 6 pm at Highland Park Elementary, it’s the interactive presentation of the new playground design – ice cream, too! Details here. (1012 SW Trenton)
BELLY-DANCING SHOWCASE: 7:30 pm at The Skylark, the monthly all-ages, no-cover Alauda showcase. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
THAT’S A LOT, BUT THERE’S STILL MORE … on our complete calendar.
Thanks to @smyliegrl for calling this KUOW report to our attention via Twitter: A C-Line rider serenaded his fellow passengers in West Seattle with the 1965 classic “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” to counter Orlando-massacre despondency. In the KUOW clip, you’ll hear part of it – and a followup interview with the singing passenger. (Lyrics here.)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:37 AM: Good morning. No incidents in/from West Seattle, but traffic to and from the Fauntleroy ferry dock may be heavier today because the south Vashon Island ferry run is temporarily out of service while its vessel gets an underwater inspection (explained here, and yes, that’s why TV crews are at the dock, and why there’s a TV helicopter over Fauntleroy right now).
Tonight’s also the final overnight closure of the west end of the bridge for this week – and remember that it will have a late start (10:30 pm) because of the Copa America Centenario soccer match at CenturyLink Field.
6:54 AM: TV helicopter over Fauntleroy again (see above). Meantime, a cancellation just tweeted/texted by Metro:
Transit Alert – Route 57 to downtown Seattle due to leave the Alaska Junction at 7:06 AM will not operate this morning.
— King County Metro (@kcmetrobus) June 16, 2016
6:59 AM: And another Metro cancellation:
Transit Alert – Route 56 to downtown Seattle due to leave 61 Av SW & Alki Av SW at 7:20 AM will not operate this morning.
— King County Metro (@kcmetrobus) June 16, 2016
7:11 AM: Washington State Ferries just announced that the south Vashon ferry run will be in service again shortly – passed its underwater inspection – meaning no more fears of extra Fauntleroy traffic today, so the TV helicopter should be leaving.
Saturday is getting closer! And so far, looks like sun will grace the 2016 Morgan Junction Community Festival. We have even more information tonight about what you’ll find in and around Morgan Junction Park during the festival, which is coordinated and presented by the Morgan Community Association.
Festival hours are 10 am-5 pm. When you get there, you’ll find a program at the festival-info booth in the park. The overall schedule grid is here; here are the featured events:
Music/entertainment lineup:
Alan Erlich, 10:00
Endolyne Children’s Choir, 10:45
Ellis Brothers, 12:15
Comfort Food, 1:00
Tongan Choir, 2:00
Broken Horses, 3:00
Gary Benson, 4:00
Vendors and Community Groups, starting at 10 am
More than 40 commercial vendors and community group reps will be in the parking lot behind Zeeks Pizza (WSB sponsor) and Whisky West, on Beveridge Place, and Eddy Street. Highlights include the Seed and Plant Exchange booth; Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) will feature an architect with whom you can discuss backyard cottage design/build ideas and requirements, Parie Hines of LD Arch Design (also a WSB sponsor); a representative from the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) will be available; and dozens more (we’ll be there reporting live as usual).
Writers’ Realm – Starting at 10:30 am, it’s back, featuring fifteen West Seattle authors, with readings and book sales at booths in the parking lot vendor area behind Zeeks and Whisky West – the authors’ list is here.
Kids’ Activities – 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. Jennifer Young, owner of My Three Little Birds (WSB sponsor), is coordinating the children’s activities. Chief entertainment for the kids is The Bubbleman, of course. He begins his always-pleasing wild and colorful show at 11:30 in the park. Craft activities start at 10:30 and end at 3:30. In addition to the crafts, face painters will be in the kid activity area from 10:00 to 3:30 and a balloon artist between 12:15 and 3:00. Mode Music Studioss (WSB sponsor) will hold half-hour Kindermusik sessions for younger children beginning at 12:30 and ending at 3:30.
Seattle Police Mounted Patrol – visiting at some point between 12:30 and 4 pm
Meet the horses (and the human officers), who are based right here in West Seattle.
Bark of Morgan dog parade and contests – 1:30 pm on, bring your leashed dog to SW Eddy just north of Morgan Junction Park – costumes encouraged! Parade through the festival grounds and then return for judged contests around 1:45 pm – more info here.
Spatter of Morgan – 3-4 pm
You’ll have the chance to “spatter” the soon-to-be-demolished building north of the park (site of future park expansion!) with water-based paint.
Tomorrow – we’ll preview Morgan Junction Community Festival food! (Thanks to festival publicity coordinator Susan Madrid for providing the detailed information featured above.)
It’s (soft) opening night for Whisky West in Morgan Junction! Thanks to Samuel for the tip; we went over to confirm and to get a few photos.
It’s been two months since we reported that Colin and Donna Pickering, the West Seattleites who run The Whisky Bar downtown, were taking over and renovating the 6451 California SW space that had been Feedback Lounge. Just the other day, they told us they hoped to be open in time for this Saturday’s Morgan Junction Community Festival – and indeed, they are.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
At City Hall, the Landmarks Preservation Board has just unanimously approved the Admiral Theater‘s renovation plans – a key step toward getting the work done in the months ahead.
The board’s approval is necessary because much of the historic moviehouse is protected by the city ordinance designating it a landmark – including its site, exterior, lobby (but not its restrooms or carpet), and the east and west walls with historic mural art.
FarAway Entertainment (the theater operator, not building owner)’s Sol Baron presented the plan, after first describing the Admiral’s ship-evocative design. “What we’re proposing is limited exterior improvements, updating our bathrooms – right now they probably haven’t been updated in decades – make them handicapped-accessible … Main thing we’re doing from our business perspective is converting the 2-screen auditoriums to 4 screens. A corridor that’s actually a tunnel is how we’re going to access them … (they’ll have) stadium seating, it’s going to be a pretty classy place – around 220 seats in 2 auditoriums, the other two will be significantly smaller.”
Baron said the exterior work will be limited, but they’ll be “replacing water-damaged sections of the roof … replacing emergency exit doors … inside, the doors will be painted the same colors …. lobby doors will be painted the same color … we’re not making any chnages in the color or look.” Also some improvements are planned to deal with stormwater issues, including a downspout, and a steel canopy over two alley-side stairwells that “collect water.” Some exterior “patching and painting” is planned, too.
On to the interior: They want to change the bottleneck of how the entry works – requiring you to go through the ticket counter the moment you set foot into the building – so that people have some access to more of a “public space” in the lobby. For one, they’ll transfer condiments to a condiment counter, which will enable the addition of one more concession stand. They’ll reconfigure what’s in the lobby, and also change the look of the concession counters themselves.
(WSB file photo)
Overall, they want to pull as much signage as they can away from the Captain Vancouver mural (above) so that it’s showcased even more.
Enhancing the theme, Baron told the board they’re ordering a custom carpet “that will have nautical themes.” He said some of the mural art that will be uncovered inside the theater is believed to be in OK shape but will need restoration work, and they hope to partner with the community on that. New curtains are planned too.
The only member of the public to speak was Southwest Seattle Historical Society executive director Clay Eals, who campaigned to save the theater almost three decades ago when it was in danger of closing forever. “This is a hugely exciting turning point, in fact, it will go down as a landmark year … the theater is a bellwether for the community.” He mentions the 1989-1992 closure, “and in those three years there were many empty storefronts” as a result. “This is what’s going to keep a landmarked business building alive. … The beauty of this is, these changes are being done without harming, and with in fact enhancing the historic features of this building … that caused this board to vote it to be landmarked 27 years ago.” He mentions that the centennial of the building itself (in its pre-Admiral incarnation) is just three years away. “Exposing the murals … will be a tremendously inspiring thing.” He called it “the next phase of a jewel … the only theater in the community … the only theater between the airport and downtown.”
Landmarks Board member Deb Barker (a West Seattleite) said that “cleaning up the mural in the lobby really makes a lot of sense …” Board member Rob Ketcherside said it will be good for the mural art to be seen by more people. Barker said, “What’s there now, you really have no idea that the side walls (hide the murals).”
Baron explained that all this is essential to make the theater a successful commercial venue, and that the building’s owner had looked at other possible uses, but continued operation of a moviehouse would be vital to truly honoring the reasons it was made a landmark.
With that, the board voted unanimously to give its approval. As noted in our coverage of the “Group Hug” event outside the theater earlier this month, Baron expects the work to get going by mid-August.
(Click to see full-size PDF)
The city has just taken the next step in the plan to divest itself of most of the southeastern West Seattle land known as the Myers Way Parcels: It’s gone public with the official preliminary report and recommendations for what to do with the 30+-acre site – read them here.
The 33-page document contains basically the same recommendations as the draft unveiled at last month’s meeting of the Highland Park Action Committee (here’s what we published that night). It also contains the “draft public involvement plan” (Appendix C), including a community meeting set for 6:30 pm June 30th at the Joint Training Facility, just north of the “parcels.” Here’s the official notice.
Toplines from the preliminary report remain along the lines of, keep a north section to expand the JTF, sell the center west “developable” section for commercial purposes, and sell the south and east areas to a buyer that would be able to keep much of it in its natural state – such as an adventure park (here’s our May report on a prospective purchaser with that idea) – unless no such buyer emerges within two years, in which case Seattle Parks would get that part of the site. The report reiterates that the site has been evaluated for housing but determined to be largely unsuitable due to factors including toxic kiln dust and a lack of utilities.
From the report, a summary of comments received so far:
• A majority of the comments received expressed the desire to preserve all the property as parkland or open space.
• Two responses were from commercial developers. One is interested in developing a sustainable adventure park. One development team would like to construct a stateof-the-art facility distribution center at the Myers Way property.
• Six people wanted to be kept informed.
• One person wanted to have a dog off Leash Park established.
• One person who lived in Arrowhead Gardens wants the City to develop parking so city vehicles would no longer park at Arrowhead Gardens.
• Three people were concerned with the illegal dumping near and on the property and the homeless encampments.
As mentioned in our West Seattle Wednesday calendar preview, the Myers Way Parcels are on the agenda at the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting tonight (7 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center), with a guest scheduled from the Seattle Green Spaces Coalition, which wants to see the site preserved as greenspace. Also – the city’s main infopage about the parcels now contains many more related documents.
The “next steps” for all this include the possibility of a City Council briefing on the public-involvement plan no sooner than two weeks from now (no date set yet so far as we can tell). When there are final recommendations, those would go to the council for a vote. The property’s fate is open for public comment until any such final decision.
In case you were wondering about what was initially a sizable “assault with weapons” Seattle Fire response to the 2900 block of SW Avalon Way this past half-hour: It’s down to one unit; we just went over to find out what happened. We’re told two people got into a fight; one had a “small kitchen knife,” and both wound up with cuts. No serious injuries.
(WSB file photo)
Less than three weeks until the 4th of July, and the annual kids’ parade was a major topic at last night’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting.
West Seattle Fit4Mom‘s Emily Williams, who’s taking the parade-coordinator baton from Jackie Clough of Alki Party Treasures (WSB sponsor), said they’ve confirmed Mayor Ed Murray as the parade-kickoff speaker (a role held in years past by other local electeds including former Mayor Greg Nickels, King County Executive Dow Constantine, and County Council Chair Joe McDermott). The sound system and parade permits have all been handled, but contributions are still needed to cover the costs – the crowdfunding campaign is just past halfway to its goal.
Volunteers are also needed for parade day, which also features the traditional post-parade games at Hamilton Viewpoint Park, so if you’re not planning to be a participant or a spectator, maybe you can pitch in that way – e-mail jackie@alkipartytreasures.com.
The ANA will again sell concessions after the parade, which starts at 10 am on July 4th, from 44th/Sunset.
SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: The six-Thursday-night free outdoor-concert series starts July 21st; the lineup’s due out soon – ANA’s Dave Weitzel said the selection committee will be making some decisions this week.
OTHER ISSUES: No HALA discussion – the promised city guest was a no-show. Next month, ANA plans to host City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, for topics including the “statement of legislative intent” that could affect the future of community and district councils (see our recent story here).
The Admiral Neighborhood Association meets second Tuesdays, 7 pm, at The Sanctuary @ Admiral (42nd/Lander).
Today we’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor interested in helping you stay healthy:
GoodMed Direct Primary Care, located in West Seattle’s Morgan Junction neighborhood, is part of a small but growing movement to change the face of primary care. At GoodMed, we provide unlimited primary care for a low monthly fee, sidestepping insurance billing. This simple change prioritizes the doctor-patient relationship and allows us to deliver care that is high quality, very personal, convenient, and cost effective.
GoodMed Clinic, the combined efforts of myself, Dr. Ryan Campbell, ND, and Dr. Wendy Hueners, ND, present a model for care that dispels two common myths of health care. Myth #1 is that insurance is necessary for all health care. Myth #2 is that it must be expensive. Of all of the insurance coverages that exist, health insurance is the only one to also cover routine events. Imagine what car insurance would become if everyone submitted claims for oil changes and new tires. This is essentially what has happened in the health-care system. At GoodMed, we believe that health insurance is essential for risk management, but is most effective, like other insurances, for unforeseen events, like hospitalizations and unexpected major surgery.
Five reasons current members love the care at GoodMed:
Access: We have removed the hurdles to getting care. No longer do our patients wonder if they are sick enough to contact their doctor or worry about what it will cost. As providers, we are accessible 24/7 to keep our patients healthy.
Affordability: Adult memberships start at $50 per month for unlimited care. Considering 80-90% of healthcare needs can be met through primary care, using GoodMed fixes out-of-pocket costs for the majority of member’s needs. For those with high-deductible health plans, this provides a level of predictability to healthcare expenses throughout the year. Members also have access to discounted labs (80-95% savings), and at-cost prescription medications and supplements (45%-90% savings). Essentially, we hustle to find the best rates for our member patients and pass the savings along to them.
Convenience: We offer same or next day appointments for acute health needs. We are also on-call 24/7 for our patients and can be reached a number of different ways. A large amount of care can be safely handled without an office visit. Do you have four kids and can’t get out of the house? Ask us about house-calls.
Transparency: We have pulled back the curtain on health-care costs. All fees are discussed upfront, before any lab is ordered, or medication or supplement is prescribed. The member patient is in the financial driver seat.
Community: We love West Seattle (the rest of Seattle is pretty good too)! We feel very blessed to be able to live and serve our neighborhood families. We are proud members of the West Seattle Chamber.
At GoodMed, we are passionate about changing the system. If you have any questions about how GoodMed might be able to work with your current health coverage, or if you are a small employer, feel free to contact us. We offer free 15-minute meet-and-greet visits. We also have employer-sponsored programs for small businesses. GoodMed is at 6553 California SW; call 206-420-7520.
We thank GoodMed Direct Primary Care 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.
More summer fun on the way – the six-Saturday series of West Seattle Outdoor Movies starts one month from tomorrow, and the always-memorable poster is out today! In case you missed the lineup announcement two weeks ago, this is one more reminder (notice also that each week’s pre-show fun is listed, too). Remember, this year’s first five movies will be at the longtime spot in the courtyard next to Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, and then with the sixth and final 2016 movie, the series moves to the new “festival street” by the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) in The Triangle. The movies are free and fun and start at dusk (which of course gets a bit earlier each week); bring $ if you can for drawings and concessions benefiting local nonprofits. We’re proud to be a sponsor of WSOM again this year, and you can see on the poster that dozens of great local businesses are helping make it happen too – see you at the movies!
P.S. The poster artist is Jeff Rodriguez of Horsepower Design, who’s long been known for Junction creations, including the banners that went up last year.
10:44 AM: A week and a half before the Seafair Pirates storm ashore at Alki Beach, they invaded The Junction for about half an hour this morning.
The Pirates’ half-hour turn behind the counter at the West Seattle Junction Starbucks was in honor of today’s official Seafair Kickoff. Manager Steph even snagged a selfie with the Pirates (above) and others got the chance to mug, too:
Next guaranteed chance to see the Seafair Pirates in West Seattle is on Alki Beach Saturday, June 25th, for their annual Landing – the celebration is all day long, 10 am-6 pm, but the official website says they’ll be landing about midway through, around 2 pm (Seafair’s website says 1:30). You’ll also see them in the West Seattle Grand Parade four weeks later, Saturday, July 23rd.
As for the rest of Seafair – see the full slate of regional events here, including the Parade of Ships (August 3rd) visible from West Seattle shores, and the Air Show (featuring the Blue Angels) August 4-7.
ADDED 2:02 PM: Seafair also announced this year’s royalty at a downtown kickoff event. Chosen as Queen Alcyone is radio personality Shellie Hart, who’s from West Seattle; King Neptune is former Seahawks player Jordan Babineaux. Actress Anna Faris will be Grand Marshal of the Torchlight Parade.
It’s not unusual to see crows harassing eagles … but Tom Madden‘s photo from Beach Drive on Saturday is the first one we’ve seen with the crow actually perched on the eagle it’s pestering! Speaking of brashness … our first event of the day fits right in:
SEAFAIR KICKOFF: 9-9:30 am, the Seafair Pirates – whose landing on Alki is just a week and a half away (June 25th) – are scheduled to be hanging out at the Junction Starrrrrrrrrr…bucks. It’s the lone West Seattle event figuring into Seafair‘s official kickoff today. (California SW/SW Alaska)
NETWORKING MEETUP AT OFFICE JUNCTION: Noon-1:15 pm, stop by West Seattle’s only coworking center, WS Office Junction (WSB sponsor), to network! (6040 California SW)
‘THE BEST MOVIES YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF’: 1 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle. Today’s feature is “Grandma” with Lily Tomlin and Sam Elliott. More in our calendar listing. (California SW & SW Oregon)
MADISON ART SHOWCASE AND CONCERT: 6:30 pm art, 7 pm concert @ Madison Middle School. (3429 45th SW)
DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Tonight’s agenda includes a briefing on SDOT’s Draft Freight Master Plan (now in a comment period), update on the September 25th Seattle Summer Parkways event on Alki, and the Myers Way Parcels draft recommendation. All welcome. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
WORDSWEST: Final event until fall for WordsWest Literary Series, “The Poetry in Prose and the Prose in Poetry.” 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), featuring award-winning poet Michael Schmeltzer and best-selling novelist Christopher Robinson; details in our calendar listing. (5612 California SW)
THE ROY KAY TRIO: Honky tonk, rockabilly, more, 8 pm at Parliament Tavern, no cover. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
MORE … for today, tonight, tomorrow, beyond, on our complete calendar.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:34 AM: Welcome to Wednesday. No incidents in or from West Seattle right now. Tonight’s closure of the west end of the bridge is back to the usual time frame, 9 pm-5 am.
6:58 AM: Still quiet. Transportation-issue note: If you’re interested in the city’s Draft Freight Master Plan – comment period under way until July 8th – a briefing is planned for tonight’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting, 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW). This map shows which West Seattle roads are proposed for designation as “major” and “minor” freight routes.
7:51 AM: Some trouble on northbound I-5 – crash blocking at least one lane near I-90, so that might affect the always-slow-anyway flow from the eastbound West Seattle Bridge.
8:18 PM: Trouble for some heading out from the south end of West Seattle, or points south:
Fire has rolled up to a crash on NB 99 that's blocking the right lane and most of the ramp from S Cloverdale St. pic.twitter.com/5x0GkoGMoA
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) June 15, 2016
(WSB file photo)
See and be seen! Want to be part of the heart of West Seattle Summer Fest 2016? Get your group into the Community Tent! With the festival just a little over three weeks away, the deadline is just days away. From the West Seattle Junction Association:
Now is the time to apply for the 2016 Community Tent at West Seattle Summer Fest – July 8, 9, and 10. We’re accepting applications from West Seattle nonprofits and community groups who are interested in being considered for this FREE space in the festival. Priority will be given to local groups who strive to benefit, strengthen, and educate the West Seattle neighborhood in a direct way.
The purpose of the Community Tent at Summer Fest is to allow West Seattle’s small neighborhood nonprofits and community groups easy access to the largest event of the year in West Seattle – free of charge! Each year more than 20,000 people attend Summer Fest, making it a great place for local groups to reach out to the community and connect with like-minded people.
The Community Tent will be centrally located in the heart of the festival, near the intersection of SW Alaska Street and California Avenue SW. A tent, tables, and chairs will be provided. Participants are encouraged to set up their table and area with displays that reflect their mission and contributions to the West Seattle community. Participants are welcome to bring props, brochures, and other materials to promote their organization and encourage festival attendees to stop and chat. Please note that NO SALES will be permitted in the Community Tent area.
Interested neighborhood nonprofits and community groups can apply by emailing Jenelle Clark of WSJA by Friday (June 17th) at jenelle@wsjunction.org. In your email, please include a brief cover letter including details about your nonprofit or group, and please outline your direct impact in the West Seattle neighborhood. Including specific details about how you engage with the West Seattle community will be key.
Summer Fest hours are 10 am-6 pm Friday, July 8th, and Saturday, July 9th, and 11 am-5 pm on Sunday, July 10th; shifts available in the Community Tent are 10 am-2 pm or 2 pm-6 pm on Friday and Saturday, 11 am-2 pm or 2-5 pm on Sunday.
Meeting for a second night in White Center, the King County Boundary Review Board has just given what amounts to preliminary approval of Seattle’s proposed annexation of White Center. Its members voted 8-1 to prepare an approval motion for a final vote at its next official meeting (in July). This followed two nights of testimony from local residents as well as from representatives of Seattle, King County, and local agencies. Major concerns involved how fire service would be provided to the now-unincorporated area as well as how White Center’s libraries would be managed; the notorious Myers Way encampment/RV area also was brought up often, with questions about how Seattle would manage public safety in North Highline if that situation couldn’t be handled. We have full coverage of both nights on our partner site White Center Now – first night here (with video), second night here (with video to be added).
ORIGINAL REPORT, 8:35 PM TUESDAY: Patricia sent the photo of the West Seattle Corporate Center flag at Delridge/Andover, the area’s largest and most prominent flag, showing the note someone has put up in protest:
She writes, “Obviously I’m not the only one offended” by the flag not being lowered to half-staff as a sign of respect for the Orlando massacre victims. (Here’s the presidential proclamation the note alludes to, regarding lowering U.S. flags until sundown Thursday.) We will contact the building’s management tomorrow to ask about this.
9:40 AM WEDNESDAY: Co-publisher Patrick Sand went to the building and was about to go into the office to ask about the flag, when he noticed someone had just lowered it:
A reader just e-mailed a reminder that tomorrow is the City Council hearing about the proposal to regulate short-term rentals. The reader included a link to the following video by another West Seattleite concerned about the proposal – she says enforcement of an existing city rule shut down her AirBnB:
It’s been almost two weeks since we published the city’s announcement of the proposal to limit how many days a year some units could be rented out via tech platforms such as AirBnB and VRBO. Another West Seattleite, Rhonda Porter, has said she plans to comment tomorrow too; she and her husband have a Beach Drive bungalow that’s available as a vacation rental. She wrote in the discussion section on our June 1st story that “90 days is not enough time to break even on a vacation rental” – that’s the proposed limit for some rentals. Tomorrow’s hearing is at City Hall downtown, 9:30 am, before the Affordable Housing, Neighborhoods, and Finance Committee.
(WSB photo, this morning)
1:08 PM: Following up on the discovery yesterday afternoon that a Seattle Parks crew had removed the Orlando-sympathy sash and banner from the Alki Statue of Liberty because of “complaints,” less than a day after West Seattleite Sam Samaniego had placed it there:
Yesterday evening, two hours after we first reported on the removal, Parks said it was a mistake and would return it today. However, as noted this morning thanks to a photo tweeted by Heather, only the banner – covered with signatures – was returned. We’ve been waiting to hear back from Parks spokesperson Dewey Potter before publishing a separate followup. Now we have. Her reply starts with something else we had requested, details on the “complaints” cited yesterday as a reason for the removal:
A member of the grounds crew was at the statue yesterday afternoon. A man approached her and identified himself as a veteran. He said he was offended by the way the banner was attached to the statue and asked her to take it down. She tried to reach her crew lead by phone and could not reach him. It was late in (her workday) and she took it down. It is now back up on the statue. The crew chief reports that the sash was not in the truck with the banner.
Good news, though – while we were writing this, Potter e-mailed again to say the sash has been found and that Parks “will have it back up late today or tomorrow.”
In her first e-mail this afternoon, she also included this:
Seattle Parks and Recreation welcomes and supports spontaneous community events whether they are to celebrate a happy event or to mourn and grieve a horrendous one. Parks are gathering places where people come to be with their neighbors, and we welcome the expressions of happiness or grief that come along with those events. We regret that the banner was removed, and hope to identify local groups who may want to make a permanent home for it, as we did after 9/11 when the Southwest Historical Society Log House Museum made a home for the artifacts left at the statue then.
At Cal Anderson Park, we are waiting 30 days before we remove any remembrances, and are trying to identify groups who might have left items they would like to claim. It is our practice to post a sign at a site with items left behind giving a date when items will be removed, to give people an opportunity to collect them.
That was noted in our original report, looking back at several instances of guerrilla art at the plaza a few years ago that had warnings posted before removal – something that did not happen in this case. We will of course be checking back to see when the sash returns (let us know if you see it first!).
5:11 PM: As noted in comments, the sash is back (albeit windblown) – we drove by about 45 minutes ago; Parks says it was put back in place at 3:20 pm.
Three weeks ago, we reported on the call for 11-to-25-year-olds to vote in the Youth Voice, Youth Choice “participatory budgeting” process – with $700,000 in city money to be spent on the winning projects, themselves the result of a series of discussions around the city.
3,065 people voted, the city says, and here are the results, as announced in a city news release. (We added the descriptions, dollar amounts, and locations as listed on the “sample ballot,” where you can also see the projects that didn’t make the cut.)
· Houses for People Experiencing Homelessness – Youth collaborate with carpenters to build 10 tiny homes for people experiencing homelessness.
Estimated Cost: $128,500
Location: City-wide
· Youth Homeless Shelter Improvements – Physical improvements for a youth homeless shelter such as installing lockers, washers and dryers, and new paint.
Estimated Cost: $42,000
Location: Central, North Seattle
· Job Readiness Workshops for Homeless Youth – A term-limited expansion of existing services for youth experiencing homelessness focusing on job readiness.
Estimated Cost: $43,600
Location: City-wide
· Homeless Children and Youth Liaison Services – A term-limited expansion for school liaison services connecting youth experiencing homelessness to needed resources.
Estimated Cost: $70,400
Location: City-wide
· Wi-Fi Hotspot Checkout – A term-limited expansion of the Seattle Public Library’s checkout system to include more Wi-Fi hotspots, which increase internet access.
Estimated Cost: $165,000
Location: City-wide
· Park Bathroom Upgrades – Creating a map of public bathrooms in the city and implementing improvements at 1-2 bathrooms in parks in most need of repair.
Estimated Cost: $205,000
Location: South, West Seattle
· Safe Routes to Schools – Improve crosswalks in areas near schools to create safer routes to school for students.
Estimated Cost: $145,000
Location: South, West Seattle
The announcement says, “Now that the choices have been made, City staff and local agencies will implement the projects.” (We’re following up with a few questions, including location and final cost tally, since it appears the estimated costs are about $100,000 over that $700,000.)
(Monday night sunset, photographed on Charlestown Hill by Zack Malson)
Second Tuesday of the month brings multiple neighborhood meetings and more. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:
REFLECTION ON ORLANDO: 6-7 pm, you’re invited to Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) for reflection, meditation, and prayer, as explained here. (3940 41st SW)
WEST SEATTLE MOTORCYCLE CLUB: Second “ride-in” for the new club at Pizzeria 22 in The Admiral District, 6 pm. (4213 SW College)
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm at The Sanctuary at Admiral, public welcome. Agenda highlights from ANA president Larry Wymer:
Jesseca Brand – Strategic Advisor for the city’s HALA effort – will give a presentation describing HALA and their current strategies and recommendations for improving housing affordability, mainly through increased density.
We will also continue our discussion of recent efforts to align Department of Neighborhoods personnel and resources with the City Council Districts.
Finally, we will discuss and finalize planning for the Summer Concert Series at Hiawatha Park, and the 4th of July Kids Parade.
(42nd SW/SW Lander)
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, the FCA board meets; public welcome. From the Fauntleroy Flash e-newsletter: “This month’s agenda includes tree grinding in the roundabout, a proposed dog park at Jack Block Park, Endolyne Triangle revisions, motorcycle noise, ADUs and DADUs, the Fauntleroy Fall Festival, and committee reports.” (9131 California SW)
WHITE CENTER ANNEXATION HEARING, NIGHT 2: 7 pm at Bethaday Community Learning Space in White Center, it’s the second night of the King County Boundary Review Board‘s hearing on Seattle’s proposal to annex White Center and vicinity. Signups start at 6:30 pm. Here’s our White Center Now report on Night 1, including video. (605 SW 108th)
SPRING SCHOOL BAND CONCERT: 7 pm at the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium, CSIHS and Denny International Middle School bands perform. Free. (2600 SW Thistle)
Some have asked if any events/vigils are planned in West Seattle in the aftermath of the Orlando massacre. We just received this:
Reflection, meditation, and prayer at Tibbetts UMC this evening from 6 pm – 7 pm in the sanctuary:
Please join us in the sanctuary for a time of reflection and lifting up the families and victims of the massacre. This will be a time of meditation, prayer and reflection on the state of our nation.
Tibbetts (a WSB sponsor) is at 3940 41st SW.
Two updates on West Seattle Little League teams who played District 7 championship games last night:
Thanks to Jeremy Fredericks for the photo and update on the 50/70 Red Socks, who “handily defeated South Highline National Little League 14-3 to win the District 7 Tournament of Champions!!!”
And James Ross sends the photo and update on the Dust Devils:
They finished in second place for District 7, after what he calls “a game for the ages, with both teams battling back and forth for the lead. The Renton Little League team was able to prevail in extra innings.” Leading up to last night’s game, he says, the Dust Devils “went 6-1 in the End of Season tournament to become 2016 West Seattle Little League Champions in the Minors Division.”
Anybody else? Let us know – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
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