West Seattle, Washington

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year : 2016 3703 results

ELECTION 2016: If you can’t wait to vote …
October 19, 2016 2:34 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

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… the marquee at The Admiral is already reminding you that the waiting is almost over: King County Elections says it has sent ballots on their way today, so as soon as you get yours, you can vote. You can mail your ballot OR drop it in West Seattle’s new permanent ballot drop box at High Point Library (SW Raymond just east of 35th SW) – deadline is Tuesday night, November 8th. If you don’t see your ballot by next Monday (October 24th), KC Elections says, call them at 206-296-VOTE. In the meantime, you can see exactly what and who is on your ballot by setting up the customized voter guide via the KC Elections website.

P.S. The county has accessible voting centers to help voters with disabilities. Locations and dates are here – the one in Renton opened today.

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FOLLOWUP: Appeals filed in ‘tree or house?’ at 3038 39th SW
October 19, 2016 12:33 pm
|      40 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

(June WSB photo of Ponderosa Pine at 3038 39th SW)

Two weeks after the city announced it would grant a “special exception” permit for a house to be built on a 3,166-sf lot at 3038 39th SW [map], taking out a Ponderosa Pine acknowledged as an “exceptional tree,” two appeals have just been filed with the city Hearing Examiner. This one is from a neighbor, making the argument that the lot previously used as a “side yard” had not been established as a buildable lot:

(If you can’t see the Scribd embedded version, here’s a direct link to that document on the city website.) And this one is from the Seattle Green Spaces Coalition:

The online file for that one is here.

We first reported in June about the neighborhood’s campaign to save the tree. Since the appeals have just gone into the system, no hearing date is set yet.

SIDE NOTE: While working on this, neighborhood advocates have been talking with Councilmember Lisa Herbold about a larger issue – the city’s requirement of a minimum payment for staff time to work on requests for interpretations, saying the resulting multi-thousand-dollar minimum can be onerous; as discussed briefly in today’s morning session of the Budget Committee, her proposal for a rule to require that requesters are charged only for the time needed:

Accompanying the budget, SDCI has submitted a bill that would adjust fees and charges (see the introduction for more details). This action would amend the bill to reduce the minimum number of hours charged for a code interpretation letter. A code interpretation is a process whereby someone can request a formal decision on the meaning, application, or intent of any development regulation in the Land Use or Environmentally Critical Area code. Examples include questions of how structure height or setback is properly measured, or how a proposed use should be categorized. Failure to request an interpretation can preclude raising the issue on appeal. Today, a request for a code interpretation letter is charged, at minimum, for 10 hours of work; hours worked beyond the minimum are charged the Land Use hourly rate (currently $280/hour; proposed to increase to $315/hour). The average number of hours charged for interpretations is 31.25 hours, however, in the rare case where the number of hours is less than 10, this change would ensure that the requesting party is only charged for time needed to produce the letter.

The proposal is not specific to this case; its fate will be determined when the budget is finalized in November.

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West Seattle Wednesday: Debate-watching; Morgan Community Association; Delridge District Council; WordsWest; more…
October 19, 2016 10:12 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Wednesday: Debate-watching; Morgan Community Association; Delridge District Council; WordsWest; more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

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(Fishing at Seacrest on Tuesday – photo by Don Brubeck)

Much happening today/tonight. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

COWORKING MEETUP: Wednesday means it’s the weekly 12 pm-1:15 pm meetup at West Seattle’s only coworking center, WS Office Junction (WSB sponsor) – drop by, bring your lunch, meet new people! (6040 California SW)

(added) DINE-OUT BENEFIT: Shelby’s Bistro and Ice Creamery in The Junction is hosting “a fundraiser for Holy Rosary today from 2-9 pm and donating 10 % of sales back to the school (excluding gift cards, gratuities and taxes).” Shelby’s adds that they “would love to assist other schools or school organizations raise funds as well.” (California/Edmunds)

DEBATE WATCHING: Don’t want to watch the third and final presidential debate (6 pm our time, live from Las Vegas) at home? You have at least four options in West Seattle:

Parliament Tavern (4210 SW Admiral Way) – they advise arriving early (5:30ish) to get a seat – Happy Hour prices throughout the debate
Sound & Fog (4735 40th SW) – Coffee, beer, wine, pizza.
OutWest (California/Brandon) – Happy Hour until the debate is over
Admiral Bird (California/Admiral) –
Anyone else? Please let us know so we can add to the list!

DEBATE ALTERNATIVE AT WORDSWEST: As previewed here earlier this week, WordsWest Literary Series offers you a night of “Literary Citizenship” at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm. (5612 California SW)

DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: The City Council hasn’t yet finalized the mayor’s plan to cut ties with, recognition of, and support for neighborhood district councils – it got some discussion in Tuesday afternoon’s budget deliberations. But the DNDC is going forward. What’s the plan for next year? That’s on the agenda tonight, 7 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: MoCA’s quarterly meeting has a BIG agenda. In the downstairs community rooms at The Kenney:

If you own property inside the Morgan Junction Urban Village, your land is proposed to be rezoned. Please come to the meeting for more details, or watch for the posting of the maps and additional information on the City’s HALA page.

INTRODUCTIONS & MORGAN MINUTE UPDATES
2016 NSF applications – what’s next
California at Juneau – pedestrian and bike safety project
Morgan Junction Mural status
35th Ave SW – Phase II update
New Web Host

OLD BUSINESS
Lowman Beach Seawall
SW District Council updates
Murray CSO Update
HALA Focus Group Update
SW Precinct Advisory Group

NEW BUSINESS
Westside Neighbors Network
Survey results for 37th Ave SW Greenway
Morgan Park Expansion Planning Committee
Morgan Festival 2017
Beyond MoCA Boundaries
New secretary

(7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

SIGGIE THE VINTAGE MAN: Live music! Now at 7 pm Wednesday nights at Whisky West. (6451 California SW)

THE TIKIGRAPHS: 8 pm, right after presidential-debate viewing, at Parliament Tavern. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

MUCH MORE … for today/tonight; just check our complete calendar page.

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VIDEO, PHOTOS: #BlackLivesMatterAtSchool + #CloseTheGaps on local campuses
October 19, 2016 9:16 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

ORIGINAL REPORT, 9:16 AM: Our Instagram video is from outside Chief Sealth International High School this morning. Sealth is just one of the schools around the district where there’s a show of solidarity today – as described in a message from the CSIHS Black Student Union: “Educators and Students across the city will be wearing ‘Black Lives Matter’ T-shirts to Support the struggle to affirm the lives of Black students in Seattle Public Schools.” The CSIHS Race and Equity Team‘s message, “We are committed to the ongoing work of calling attention to and addressing the injustices experienced every day by people of color – in our society and in our schools.” That message also noted related social-studies lessons are planned this afternoon – it’s a differently configured school day at Sealth today because of PSAT testing in the morning. (added photo) Here are the students who participated:

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Today’s district-wide action also coincides with the district’s week of conversations about eliminating opportunity/achievement gaps. SPS Superintendent Dr. Larry Nyland‘s announcement of that focus included a note about today:

During our #CloseTheGaps kick-off week, Seattle Education Association is promoting October 19 as a day of solidarity to bring focus to racial equity and affirming the lives of our students –specifically our students of color. In support of this focus, members are choosing to wear Black Lives Matter t-shirts, stickers or other symbols of their commitment to students in a coordinated effort. SEA is leading this effort and working to promote transformational conversations with staff, families and students on this issue.

(Added) Scholars from adjacent Denny International Middle School and joined in adding their thoughts/names to one of the banners:

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It’s the only #BlackLivesMatterAtSchool gathering we got advance word of, but if others happened at school(s) in West Seattle and you have a photo, please consider sharing – editor@westseattleblog.com.

11:02 AM: Thanks to the texter who sent this photo from Sanislo Elementary:

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And, just south of West Seattle, Sarah Fox sent this photo from White Center Heights Elementary:

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We’ve also added photos to our Sealth coverage above.

ADDED 12:35 PM: Thanks to Jennifer Hall for this photo from West Seattle High School:

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ADDED 3:12 PM: Thanks to the PTSA at Louisa Boren STEM K-8 for sending this photo from their before-school resource table:

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ADDED 3:59 PM: And we’ve received a photo from Gatewood Elementary:

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Teacher Mason Skeffington explains, “I wanted to let you know that Gatewood Teachers were also united today in the #SPS #Closethegaps #EOG movement going on this week. Here is the Gatewood Staff, T-Shirts reading Change is Possible, which aligns with the last sentence of our School Vision Statement ‘At Gatewood we believe changing the world is possible’.”

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday watch
October 19, 2016 7:06 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(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)

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

7:44 AM: Still nothing out of the ordinary. The low bridge has been closed to surface traffic for about 10 minutes – remember we have a link atop traffic coverage every weekday morning that you can use to check its status (@SDOTbridges tweets when it closes & when it reopens). @KevinFreitas just tweeted this photo from the bicycle queue awaiting its reopening:

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7:47 AM: Back open to non-marine traffic.

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MORE CITY COUNCIL NOTES: Wednesday’s budget reviews; Herbold office hours in West Seattle on Friday
October 18, 2016 9:49 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(Added Wednesday morning: Live feed from Seattle City Council budget meeting)

Two more City Council notes:

TOMORROW’S BUDGET REVIEWS: The City Council reconvenes as the Budget Committee at 9:30 Wednesday morning. We tracked today’s 9:30 am and 2 pm review sessions here; four more departments are up tomorrow during sessions at those same times. Each department name below is linked to the newest briefing memo we found in the system :

*Department of Construction and Inspections (most of what used to be known as DPD)
*Human Services Department
*Department of Transportation (SDOT)
*Parks and Recreation

The documents include changes proposed by councilmembers. One West Seattle-specific proposal from our area’s Councilmember Lisa Herbold is in the SDOT budget memo:

Add $100,000 for West Seattle Bridge studies – Councilmember Herbold

This proposal would provide one-time funding for two traffic management studies including:

(1) evaluate the feasibility of traffic management modifications to improve the eastbound Spokane St Viaduct connection to I-5; and (2) evaluate the City’s ability to share data with the Federal Railroad Administration to better manage and enforce rules regulating the blockage of public grade crossings by trains.

And from the Parks memo:

Community Planning Process for Myers Way Properties, Statement of Legislative Intent (SLI) – Councilmember Herbold

This proposal would request the executive to conduct a community planning process to determine the future uses of the Myers Way Properties. Such uses/purposes would include: green space that can serve to clean the air and water near an environmentally degraded area; protection of wetlands and Hamm Creek Watershed; hill stabilization; natural park space in an under-served area; preschool; expansion of the Joint Training Facility for firefighters to include training for police. In July, the Mayor announced the Myers Way Properties would be retained in City ownership, and that the northernmost portion be used for expansion of the Joint Training Facility. The remainder of the property would be retained and designated for open space and/or recreation purposes, consistent with community input. The Mayor indicated that DPR will conduct further public outreach to determine how best to use the properties.

She and other councilmembers have many other proposed changes you can see in each of the linked memos (usually toward the end), but we’re highlighting those as WS-specific. The budget-review process continues until a final version is passed in November.

COUNCILMEMBER’S ‘OFFICE HOURS’: Herbold announced today that she’ll be at the Senior Center of West Seattle this Friday (October 21st) for “in-district office hours,” noon-7 pm. Walk-ins welcome, but she says you are also welcome to make an appointment via her scheduler Alex Clardy (alex.clardy@seattle.gov).

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Driver cited in school-bus crash near South Transfer Station
October 18, 2016 9:31 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   South Park | West Seattle news

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(Seattle Fire Department photo)

We’ve learned that this crash near the South Transfer Station between West Seattle and South Park today resulted in a citation for the school-bus driver involved. Seattle Public Schools, which contracts with the bus company, didn’t have information on what the citation was for, but did confirm to WSB that the driver was cited. Seattle Fire reported that no one was hurt in the midday crash at West Marginal Way South and South Holden; the bus was carrying two preschoolers, and one child’s dad tells WSB they were being transported from a preschool program at Fairmount Park Elementary.

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West Seattle wildlife: Coyote by the park
October 18, 2016 8:52 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

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Second coyote photo of the week – thanks again! Just keeping track of our urban wildlife. This photo was texted this morning from the Fairmount Park/Playfield area, Fauntleroy Way and SW Dawson [map]. As always, heres the gold-standard advice from the state Fish and Wildlife Department – including what to do if you see one nearby – do your best to scare it away – coexistence for us, them, and the rest of the urban ecosystem depends on them wanting to keep their distance.

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Remembering Betty Cook, 1918-2016, and her ‘long and amazing life’
October 18, 2016 7:07 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are sharing this remembrance of Betty Cook, 98:

Betty Jane Eleanor Carl Cook
March 1918-October 2016

Betty Cook succumbed to her battle with time, and passed away peacefully in West Seattle, where she called home for over 70 years of her long and amazing life.

Betty was born and raised in Seattle, and graduated from Franklin H.S. and then attended the University of Washington where she was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority.  Through her career she worked for her father (Roland A. Carl) who owned the Pacific Coast Coal & Oil Co.in West Seattle, and also enjoyed a long relationship working at Cascade Heating and Air Conditioning in Ballard.  

No one can accuse our mother of being idle as she was active in the community in many different ways.  She was a member of the PTA at Alki Elementary as well as an active member of the Electrical Women’s Round Table (E.W.R.T) in the Seattle area.  She remained an active member of the University of Washington Arboretum Society in her later years. For several years our family was involved with the local TYEE Triumph club; as sports car enthusiasts we traveled and participated in autocross events as well as rallies and oh yes, an occasional party or two.

Our family forged many longstanding and cherished relationships throughout their time as members of the car club.

Throughout the years our family spent many summers east of the mountains at Lake Chelan where Mom and Dad eventually settled in at Sun Ray Shores, a small tight-knit community where again many cherished relationships were made.

In looking back over our mother’s 98 years, it is hard to imagine all of the things she has witnessed as well as participated in over her nearly century on this earth.  She most certainly did not get shortchanged!  Our mother was a force, and in looking for words to describe her, some that come to mind are strong, direct, wise and always loving.

Betty loved her family!  She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 60 years, Frank Cook as well as her oldest daughter, Barbara Rideout (Cook).  She is survived by her two other children, Patricia Woeck (Cook) and Harry Cook, and her grandchildren, Jennifer Frisch (Woeck), Rob Woeck, Jason Rideout, and Andrew Cook, along with 8 greatgrandchildren.

We will always take with us, that when she would see us she would say “you’ll never know how much I love you”, well Mom….we all knew.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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COUNTDOWN: 3-week closure ahead for Southwest Pool
October 18, 2016 4:16 pm
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: 3-week closure ahead for Southwest Pool
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB file photo)

While doing research for the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide, we discovered Southwest Pool is NOT having a pumpkin swim this year – because Halloween weekend will happen during its maintenance closure. We asked Seattle Parks for more information on the shutdown, set to start next Monday, and here’s what spokesperson Christina Hirsch tells us:

There is a two-week pool closure that is needed as preventative maintenance to rebuild pumps, check boilers, and critical systems. It is also an opportunity for repair or repaint throughout the building. This closure is a regular part of an 18-month cycle with the next closure planned in spring of 2018.

The final week of the three-week closure will result in full facility shutdown including Neighborhood Service Center, Teen Life Center, child care, and pool. During this time, wood floors will be resurfaced using products that prevent anyone from being in the building for several days. Gym floors require this treatment every two years. Other wood floors in the building have not been refinished for four years and are overdue for this essential work.

The facility will reopen on Monday, November 14.

Again, the closure is set to start next Monday, October 24th.

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Got it but don’t need it? Get it out of your home on Drug Take-Back Day
October 18, 2016 3:22 pm
|    Comments Off on Got it but don’t need it? Get it out of your home on Drug Take-Back Day
 |   Health | Safety | West Seattle news

Quick reminder that this Saturday is the next Drug Take-Back Day, coast to coast, with the Southwest Precinct accepting your expired and/or no-longer-needed prescription drugs, 10 am-2 pm. Free, anonymous, no questions asked, an easy way to remove the possibility of abuse, poisoning, etc. – drop yours off at 2300 SW Webster [map].

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Exposer alert
October 18, 2016 1:23 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

This reader report e-mailed today is from someone who wanted to anonymously alert West Seattle neighbors:

Yesterday morning when I was walking my dog on SW Henderson between 31st and 32nd Ave SW [map], a Caucasian man pulled up in a silver Nissan (not sure of the model) and asked for directions to Delridge and Holden. I started to give him directions from there when I noticed movement in his lap; it took another moment for me to realize that he was touching himself while I was talking. I stepped away from the car and he continued to stare for another moment until he drove away. I took down the license plate of his car and a description of the driver, and I’ve filed a report with the SW Precinct.

We’ve sent a followup question about the driver’s description and will update with the response.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Crime Prevention Council & 4 more calendar highlights
October 18, 2016 11:57 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

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(Sanderling in the surf, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Five highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for the rest of today/tonight:

COMMUNITY PREVENTION AND WELLNESS INITIATIVE COALITION: 4 pm at Neighborhood House‘s High Point Center, this meeting is for people who “are passionate about preventing youth substance abuse and making a difference” in the community – more information in our calendar listing. (6400 Sylvan Way)

AUTHOR READING: Christopher Anderson reads from “Economy and Ecology: How Capitalism Brought Us to the Brink” at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm. (5612 California SW)

TUESDAY TUNE-UP FOR CAMP VICTORY: 6:30-8:30 pm at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), tonight’s Tuesday Tune-Up event supports Camp Victory, for 5-to-18-year-olds who are survivors of sexual assault. More information in our calendar listing. Live music, no cover but donations gratefully accepted. (1936 Harbor SW)

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: 7 pm at the Southwest Precinct, your monthly opportunity to hear from local police about crime trends and to tell them about your neighborhood crime/safety concerns. This month’s guest speaker is from our region’s major law-enforcement training center. (2300 SW Webster)

TRIVIA NIGHT FUNDRAISER: Show your trivia mastery while helping the Senior Center of West Seattle raise $, 7:30 pm at the center, with legendary local trivia host Phil Tavel. Details in our calendar listing. (SW Oregon/California SW)

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TERMINAL 5 MODERNIZATION: Port announces final environmental-impact statement, with ‘preferred alternative’
October 18, 2016 10:23 am
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

(UPDATED 11:35 AM with “what’s next” now that this is public)

(January 2015 photo of Terminal 5 by Long Bach Nguyen)

10:23 AM: Just announced by the port: It’s finished the final environmental-impact statement for the proposed $200+-million modernization of Terminal 5 in West Seattle. We haven’t read the fine print yet but the news release says some community requests are addressed – including shore power so ships aren’t running don’t have to run their engines while docked:

The Port of Seattle has completed the environmental analysis of Terminal 5 and has prepared the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on the project to modernize the cargo-handling facility in order to serve larger cargo vessels. The proposed upgrades to Terminal 5 are wharf rehabilitation, berth deepening, electrical service and improvements to the upland portions of the property.

“Based on public comment we are including a number of improvements, such as shore power for vessels, installing gates for noise and safety mitigation for rail, and significant traffic improvement measures,” said John Creighton, Port of Seattle Commission president and co-chair of The Northwest Seaport Alliance. “We want to thank the public for weighing in on this proposal during the comment period.”

“With this Final Environmental Impact Statement for Terminal 5, we are one step closer to making this prime maritime asset ‘Big Ship Ready’ and able to handle the largest container vessels working the market today,” said Connie Bacon, Port of Tacoma Commission president and co-chair of The Northwest Seaport Alliance. “This region needs this terminal to remain competitive in today’s global economy.”

Mitigation measures for the project include construction of plug-in capability for shore power at two berths, tracking of air quality performance, establishment of a safety corridor between the Terminal 5 gate and the Duwamish river in order to minimize the need to use locomotive horns, required use of ambient-sensing broadband back up alarms, implementation of a Gate Queue Management plan, establishing a truck driver information system, comprehensive traffic signal improvements along SW Spokane Street and an operation noise management plan to ensure and monitor compliance with the Seattle noise code.

The FEIS evaluated potential impacts to earth, air, water, plants, animals, energy and natural resources, environmental health, noise, aesthetics (including light and glare), historic and cultural resources, transportation and public services. The Port of Seattle Commission must approve the recommended improvements in public session.

Copies of the FEIS are available for review at the Seattle Central Library, Delridge Library, Southwest Library, Highpoint Library, South Park Library, and West Seattle Library. Copies are also available at the Port of Seattle, Maritime Environment and Sustainability Department, Pier 69, 2711 Alaskan Way, Seattle, Washington, during business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

People interested in receiving a copy of the FEIS should contact Brenda Thomas at 206-787-3382 or email at: SEPA.p@portseattle.org. The FEIS can also be reviewed and downloaded at the Port of Seattle website and at the Terminal 5 Improvements Project Online Open House.

The entire environmental review followed community concerns, including a petition drive, that followed the port’s original announcement that it didn’t believe a full-scale environmental impact statement would be needed. The purpose of the EIS (direct link here – use dropdown under “Current Projects”) is for use by agencies making decisions about permits for the project, which the port says is expected to be complete by 2020.

11:35 AM: We talked with port spokesperson Peter McGraw regarding “what’s next” now that this is out. For one, there is an appeals process – deadline, November 1st. That’s explained here, on the “Next Steps” page of the “online open house.” And, McGraw points out, a big part of the final EIS is the announcement of the port’s “preferred alternative” – it’s the one that does NOT include “upland improvements” beyond T-5’s existing footprint.

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YOUR MONEY: City Councilmembers’ proposed budget changes go public in ‘deliberations’ phase
October 18, 2016 9:02 am
|    Comments Off on YOUR MONEY: City Councilmembers’ proposed budget changes go public in ‘deliberations’ phase
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(9:43 pm update: What’s above is Seattle Channel video of today’s first Budget Committee session)

9:02 AM: City Councilmembers’ proposed changes to the mayor’s budget start going public today, with the Budget Committee‘s 9:30 am meeting kicking off the “deliberations” phase of the process. Some proposals are summarized in the documents that are published online as part of the agenda. Here are the six departments scheduled to appear before councilmembers today, in agenda order:

Office of Economic Development (OED)
Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL)
Office of Labor Standards (OLS)
Seattle Police Department (SPD)
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU)
Department of Neighborhoods (DON) and Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF)

Each department name above links to the document that’s in today’s agenda; those documents review key budget points, and – generally toward the end in the ones we’ve read – councilmembers’ proposed changes.

Of particular note here, since we are a neighborhood-news publication – the Department of Neighborhoods document mentions proposals from our area’s Councilmember Lisa Herbold that include a few that would somewhat soften the mayor’s proposal to cut all city ties to and support for neighborhood district councils. She is suggesting that the city budget retain the ~$7,000 in support for the 13 district councils; each generally uses its ~$500 share of that to rent meeting space for the year. Herbold also is suggesting keeping an advisory role for the district councils in the review processes for community grants, before they go to the mayor’s new proposed citywide Community Involvement Commission.

In the Department of Education and Early Learning document, Herbold has this proposal, which appears to be inspired by what happened to some West Seattle programs this year, saved by the deal to house them at the currently otherwise-unused Schmitz Park Elementary:

$2 million for both 2017 and 2018 to create a Child Care Space Mitigation fund to address the displacement of before- and after-school child care from Seattle Public Schools’ buildings. In February, the District notified providers at seven schools that they would be displaced for the 2016-2017 school year and, given the trend of increasing enrollment and state reductions in class size, it is expected that additional displacements will occur in future years. The funding would be prioritized for use by the District to make arrangements to keep child care on-site at schools where providers would otherwise be displaced.

LOTS of other proposals are on the table, and the budget process has another month to go, but this is the point where the most changes stand to be made, so it’s good to pay attention – we’re still reading the docs, too. You can watch today’s discussions live on Seattle Channel (online or Cable 21), starting at 9:30 am – we’ll add the video window to this story when it’s live.

P.S. Councilmembers’ contact info is here.

9:38 AM: The morning session has begun, and we’ve added the live-feed window above; budget chair Councilmember Tim Burgess indicates they’ll be going through the first three departments on the list this morning.

11:43 AM: The meeting is in recess until 2 pm, at which time the same “live” video window above should be operable again. The final 3 departments listed above will be in the afternoon discussion.

2:17 PM: The meeting has resumed. SPD is up now, SPU to follow, and then the Department of Neighborhoods.

5:26 PM: Meeting’s over. The council reconvenes as the Budget Committee at 9:30 am Wednesday.

9:43 PM: Seattle Channel’s archived video of today’s first session is available and we’ve substituted it atop this story. We’ll add session two when it appears online, likely tomorrow.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday alerts & updates
October 18, 2016 6:58 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(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)

6:58 AM: Good morning. Trouble on northbound Highway 99 right now – SDOT reports “a disabled semitruck blocking the bus lane” near Royal Brougham.

7:10 AM: SDOT just tweeted that the stalled truck has been cleared. Meantime, its “low bridge” camera is malfunctioning this morning – stuck on a view from yesterday – so we’ve had to replace it in our field of four featured cameras above – instead, you’ll see the camera showing the intersection with the west end of the low bridge.

7:15 AM: What’s on the 911 log as a medical call at West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way is blocking a lane of the latter, according to a texter. No cameras in that area so we are heading that way to check it out.

7:39 AM Scene is clear.

8:12 AM SDOT reports a crash at 35th/Kenyon. No SFD callout.

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DEBATE ALTERNATIVE! WordsWest explores ‘Literary Citizenship’ on Wednesday night
October 18, 2016 1:59 am
|    Comments Off on DEBATE ALTERNATIVE! WordsWest explores ‘Literary Citizenship’ on Wednesday night
 |   West Seattle books | West Seattle news

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On Wednesday night, instead of watching the third and final presidential debate – or, after watching the first half-hour or so – you are invited to explore “Literary Citizenship” at this month’s WordsWest Literary Series event. It’s at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm Wednesday (October 19th):

In this season of electoral madness, what does it mean to be a citizen? What is ‘citizenship’– in all its perturbing and powerful dimensions– what does it means to be a literary citizen? On Wednesday, October 19th, WordsWest Literary Series presents award-winning poet Quenton Baker and cross-genre writer Lori A. May as they demonstrate the interconnections between citizenship, community, and writing. After the writers share their work, the audience will be invited to engage in a literary citizenship activity and learn a few tools from the writing toolbox — in both poetry and prose. This evening is partially funded by Poets & Writers, Inc.

*Quenton Baker is a poet and educator from Seattle. His current focus is the fact of blackness in American society. He is a 2015-16 Made at Hugo House fellow and a 2014 Pushcart Prize nominee. He is the author of This Glittering Republic, forthcoming from Willow Books in 2017.

*Lori A. May is the author of six books, including Square Feet and The Write Crowd: Literary Citizenship & The Writing Life. She writes across the genres and her work may be found in The Atlantic, Brevity, and other literary journals. Lori roadtrips an average of 30,000 miles each year and, on one of her infamous roadtrips years ago, she visited Seattle and said, “Well, wouldn’t this be a great place to live.” She now lives near Alki Beach and happily calls the Pacific Northwest home.

Every third Wednesday, 7 pm, at C & P Coffee Company, WordsWest hosts literary events that range from readings by published local and national authors, to guided writing explorations. Each month we host a community member to share his or her favorite poem as part of the Favorite Poem Project. On October 19, 2016, we welcome the West Seattle representative of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.

WordsWest Literary is curated by West Seattle writers Katy E. Ellis, Susan Rich, and Harold Taw.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Burglars on camera; abandoned bike; WSCPC tomorrow; taken the survey yet?
October 17, 2016 9:11 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

In West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:

CAUGHT ON CAMERA: For the second time this week, a townhouse near 26th and Brandon has been broken into, and this time, the victim says, they have photos of the burglars as they entered the yard:

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After entering via that gate, the victim says, “they used a neighbor’s ladder to get into my third-floor window and then left through the front door, through the neighbor’s yard.” They were last seen reported to have been “jumping into a dark-colored Acura.” While the images don’t show their faces, the victim hopes someone might recognize them by what they were wearing. If you have any information, contact SPD and refer to case 16-375915.

ANOTHER ABANDONED, LIKELY STOLEN BICYCLE: The photo is from Bill:

Bill says, “This bike has been at the Lander Street entry bike rack at the Admiral Safeway for some time now.”

And two reminders:

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL TOMORROW: 7 pm Tuesday is your monthly chance to bring crime/safety concerns directly to local police, and to hear from a guest speaker – this time, the topic is law-enforcement training, which factors directly into how fast agencies can hire new officers and put them on the street. All welcome, Southwest Precinct, 2300 SW Webster.

PUBLIC SAFETY SURVEY: If you missed the weekend announcement – the citywide survey that will shape micropolicing plans is now open for a second year. It’s scheduled to remain open through November but if you have a little time, answer it sooner rather than later – publicsafetysurvey.org.

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West Seattle whale watching: Humpbacks pass Alki Point
October 17, 2016 6:48 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

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Thanks to Gary Jones for the photos, taken around 5:15 pm from Alki Point, as these whales headed southbound:

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Looked to Gary, and to us, like humpback whales, and the Orca Network Facebook page also mentions a sighting of what were described as humpbacks about the same time. As we learned from researchers during coverage of the August 7th humpback stranding in Fauntleroy, their population has been increasing dramatically along the West Coast, and sightings have as a result become more common in Puget Sound. Here’s the one-page ID guide from The Whale Trail.

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WATER TAXI: Record ridership year, with 2 1/2 months to go
October 17, 2016 4:30 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

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(Infographic provided by King County Department of Transportation)

The King County Department of Transportation says its West Seattle and Vashon Island Water Taxi runs already have passed last year’s total of 515,000 boardings, with two and a half months left in 2016. 339,479 riders were on the WS run, with 175,575 to/from Vashon, the county says, noting that this year’s spikes included the Alaskan Way Viaduct closure last spring and busier summer months than usual – 24,000 extra riders in June, July, and August.

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(Water Taxi boarding @ Seacrest on May 2nd, Viaduct closure’s lone Monday. WSB photo by Patrick Sand)

You might recall that the West Seattle run used to shut down entirely during the fall and winter months, but that changed six years ago, and it now runs five days a week during the cooler months; this year’s weekday-only schedule starts on Halloween, two weeks from today.

Also coming up this fall: The King County Council will decide whether to approve County Executive Dow Constantine‘s proposal for stable, permanent funding for the Water Taxi, shifting $9 million in levy money that had been going to buses, but not increasing what taxpayers pay.

Read the official ridership-milestone announcement here.

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Another crash with a street-sign casualty
October 17, 2016 2:51 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Westwood

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2:51 PM Several people have asked us about police and fire at 34th SW/SW Thistle this past hour – it was logged as a low-level car-crash response (“Motor Vehicle Incident”) but the photo above, sent in via text (thank you!), shows one casualty … a street sign. At least the second time in less than a week that a car’s taken out a sign (following last week’s Alki crash). No medic unit sent to this one, which indicates no major injuries, but we’re doublechecking with SFD to be sure.

3:25 PM: SFD confirms it was a 2-car crash with no injuries.

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Gunshot victim turns up at hospital
October 17, 2016 1:27 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

The gunshots heard near 30th/Roxbury early Saturday had a victim. There was no “assault with weapons” response because no one was found at the scene, but thanks to a tip from Tim, we were able to follow up today, and confirmed with King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West that a shooting victim showed up at Highline Hospital around 1:30 am Saturday. Sgt. West says, “He had multiple gunshot wounds. He had been driven to the hospital by a friend. The victim was later transferred to Harborview and is in serious but stable condition. He is a 30-year-old Seattle man. The shooting appears to have occurred somewhere near SW Roxbury and 30th Ave SW. Just prior to the victim showing up at Highline Hospital, SPD received numerous 911 calls of gunshots being heard in the area.” She says they don’t have any information about the circumstances of the shooting, or any description of the person(s) who did it. If you have any information that could help with the investigation, call 911.

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NOW OPEN! Lincoln Park’s renovated north play area
October 17, 2016 12:42 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

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The new equipment at Lincoln Park‘s North Play Area is officially open! We just went over for a look – the new kid-size “cable ride” (zipline) is open too. Here’s the announcement from Seattle Parks:

Lincoln Park play area is open. The renovated north play area features ‘tree house’ elements, a cable ride, new play equipment, a plaza and interactive information on migratory birds that can be found in Lincoln Park. The park also features inclusive and accessible play elements for all such as a group saucer swing, an accessible cable ride, an accessible sand table, and a small alcove for sensory sensitive children.

Pathways between the shelter and the play area, additional plantings around the play area, and the accessible pathway connection to Fauntleroy Way SW is anticipated to be completed by the end of October 2016.

The Seattle Park District provided the funding for this renovation. Approved by voters in 2014, the Seattle Park District provides more than $47 million a year in long-term funding for Seattle Parks and Recreation including maintenance of parklands and facilities, operation of community centers and recreation programs, and development of new neighborhood parks on previously acquired sites.

Extra touches in the play area include bird photos/info – including this one with a photo by Trileigh Tucker, the local photographer/writer who has long shared photos here on WSB:

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(P.S. The Northern Flicker photo on another sign is also by Trileigh, and she says there’s a raven photo by Mark Ahlness, another local photographer who’s shared images here too.)

Meantime – as mentioned in the Parks announcement above, the play area also features “inclusive and accessible” elements.

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You might recall those resulting from participation by former Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) students who had been advocating for exactly that type of a play space (here’s our original report, and our December followup). If you’re not familiar with the location of the north play area – walk into the park heading north from the north end of the central parking lot at 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW, or from the northernmost kiosk-enhanced entrance along Fauntleroy a bit further north.

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