West Seattle, Washington
29 Wednesday
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The Fauntleroy Community Association board vows “quick” action to let the City Council know it’s against proposed legislation that could change the rules about camping in city parks (the subject of this much-commented-on WSB report last Friday). That was one of the major topics on its agenda last night:
CAMPING IN PARKS? FCA’s jurisdiction includes Lincoln Park, and that made the proposed legislation a major topic at tonight’s meeting. Several members, said president Mike Dey, had asked whether FCA would consider “getting involved” as an organization, and if so, what would the response be, and that’s how it ended up on the agenda.
One attendee said she had never come to a neighborhood meeting before, until she saw this was on the agenda. “This is something that I’m passionate about, I cannot have my kids’ safety” (jeopardized). She said that her job brings her into contact with families experiencing homelessness, but a park is not the appropriate place for anyone to live.
All it does is degrade neighborhoods AND people, said one FCA board member. It’s going to perpetuate the problem.
“It’s not a solution, it’s a nightmare,” said another one.
“What if we did a survey, and put data” behind the response? suggested another member. Unfortunately, time’s running out, the point was made.
Is this an issue on which to burn political capital? was one question. Public opinion seems overwhelmingly against it. But is the council listening? Most didn’t think so: “I’m scared to death they’re going to approve it.”
After a further short round of discussion, the FCA board voted unanimously to draft and send a letter expressing opposition to the ordinance. “We will respond, and will respond quickly” was the promise.
The discussion happened at mid-meeting, but even before the meeting began, it was the major topic of discussion. Referring to the incident earlier in the day in which Seattle Police shot and killed one of two people in a reported knife fight near the clearing of “The Jungle” on Beacon Hill, one person said, “Hoping this doesn’t happen at Lincoln Park.”
Another expressed interest in acquiring a tent “because I am ready to go camp outside the mayor’s office.”
The agenda is now up for the 9:30 am Friday meeting at which the City Council’s Human Services and Public Health Committee is scheduled to consider the proposal, but as of this writing (11 am Wednesday) the updated version of the legislation is not yet available online. (Added 12:28 pm: There are multiple reports that the committee will not VOTE on Friday. But the meeting is still scheduled.)
Next hottest topic:
FERRY UPDATES: This briefing by Gary Dawson, FCA’s point person on Washington State Ferries-related issues, brought first word that WSF is planning public meetings to talk about the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route’s issues. Read More
(Alki Beach photo by Tyson Rowley)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, which has even more for today/tonight, a few highlights:
BABY STORY TIME: 11:30 am at High Point Library, bring your 4- to 12-month-old(s)! Free as always. (35th SW/SW Raymond)
LOCAL BIZ MEETUP: This week’s free meetup at West Seattle’s only coworking center, WS Office Junction (WSB sponsor), is for local businesspeople – just drop in, noon-1:15 pm. (6040 California SW)
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING: Those signed up for public comment at 5:30 pm at tonight’s Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors meeting downtown (see the list on the agenda) are set to talk about topics including Chief Sealth IHS, the sports-transportation concerns raised by West Seattle HS, district support for treaty rights of the Duwamish Tribe (with chair Cecile Hansen on the speaker list), and more. (3rd S. & S. Lander)
EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 6:30-8 pm open house for families considering Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) – more info in our calendar listing. (10015 28th SW)
SELF-DEFENSE CLASS FOR RUNNERS: Tonight’s the night, 7 pm at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), a free self-defense class so runners can help protect themselves. Please RSVP – our calendar listing explains how. (2743 California SW)
CHIEF SEALTH PTSA MEETING: All welcome, 7 pm in the library. It’s this year’s Resources meeting – as explained on the PTSA website, lots of information about lots of things you should know about. (2600 SW Thistle)
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, the major agenda items for our area’s largest political organization are getting out the vote and reviewing leadership roles. (9131 California SW)
NORMAN AND FRIENDS: 8 pm, acoustic and alt-country music at Parliament Tavern in The Admiral District. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
No complaints last night about the only West Seattle proposal in the next round of Seattle Public Schools boundary changes. 
As noted here last month, SPS plans to move Sanislo Elementary back to the feeder area for Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School next school year, two years after moving Sanislo to the Madison MS-West Seattle HS zone. This does NOT change the boundaries of the Sanislo attendance zone itself. Denny was the site last night of the district’s fifth and final citywide meeting about that change and some in other parts of the city, and the only person who had something to say about the Sanislo change was longtime Denny principal Jeff Clark, who thanked the district for “reuniting” Denny and Sanislo. We asked Clark how many students this was expected to add to Denny; he said the current rough estimate is about 20. The district had noted that despite the official change, many Sanislo parents were applying to send their kids to Denny anyway. Last night’s meeting did draw commenters from other parts of the city with concerns about some of the non-WS changes the district is pursuing. The full citywide package of changes is to be introduced at tonight’s School Board meeting.
(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 AM: Good morning! No incidents reported right now in/from West Seattle.
Weather-wise, it’s “calm before the storm” phase – early this morning, the National Weather Service raised the alert level to a High Wind Watch, with gusts up to 55 mph possible Thursday night into Friday morning.
As for road-work alerts – the SW Admiral Way work west of California continues. We noticed restriping complete on part of the route between the Admiral District and Schmitz Park, but more ahead to the west.
FERRY MEETING: Last night at the Fauntleroy Community Association meeting, we learned that Washington State Ferries plans a series of community meetings, including one in Fauntleroy on October 27th, later this month. Full report coming up later this morning.
7:38 AM: Just spun through the live cameras (lower-right dropdown here). Still OK – the usual sluggish spots, eastbound low bridge and 99 exit lane on high bridge.
8:38 AM: Still quiet. A few more reminders:
–Sounders FC vs. Houston, 7:30 pm at CenturyLink
–No school for Seattle Public Schools students on Friday
Traffic and crime/safety issues are in our toplines from last night’s Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council meeting:
TRAFFIC: SDOT‘s Jim Curtin was the guest, to talk about and listen to a variety of neighborhood issues. Among them: Overgrowth on 21st and 22nd SW that makes it difficult for drivers to see when making a left turn. The blackberries are close enough to scratch your car sometimes. One attendee said part of the overgrowth is on private property, in which case, they were told, the Department of Construction and Inspections would have to be involved. Curtin talked about some work ahead on Delridge that should be done soon if the weather cooperates, the painting of a “fog line”/”edge line” to define the travel lanes north of Orchard, as first described in this WSB report from last January.
(WSB photo from January, looking north on Delridge near Myrtle – existing ‘fog line’ is toward the left)
Lanes that in some places are up to 20 feet wide will be restriped to 11 feet.
Bus and dropoff traffic at Pathfinder K-8 was a topic too. Principal David Dockendorf said his school is starting new safety patrols to help with crossing and traffic, especially where the buses load and unload. One attendee said buses were using a route that they supposedly weren’t allowed to; they were directed to contact Seattle Public Schools‘ transportation department.
Any way to have Pigeon Point solid-waste pickup scheduled to happen outside school-dropoff hours, to reduce traffic conflicts? asked one person. Curtin said he would look into that.
CRIME/SAFETY: From the Seattle Police Southwest Precinct, commander Capt. Pierre Davis, Operations Lt. Ron Smith, and researcher Jennifer Burbridge were all in attendance. She circulated the newest micro-policing plan for Pigeon Point and announced the upcoming citywide Public Safety Survey (which will be available online starting Saturday). Responses will be crucial, said Capt. Davis, to augment planning for neighborhoods’ safety needs, besides what 911-call data reveals. He also urged people to call 911 when something’s happening, and said they still believe crime is under-reported. And he announced that five new officers have just been assigned to the precinct.
Attendees brought up concerns about camping in the West Duwamish Greenbelt. Lt. Smith said Community Police Team Officer Todd Wiebke continues to be the point person for homelessness-related issues (he’s reachable at todd.wiebke@seattle.gov).
One more note: The SW Precinct (2300 SW Webster) will again be a dropoff spot for Drug Takeback Day, 10 am-2 pm on Saturday, October 22nd.
8:18 PM: Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch:
HIT AND RUN: This unfolded in Gatewood late in the day, according to neighbors; we have not yet been able to confirm with police whether anyone was arrested. Neighbors say a red pickup truck hit a moving car on 35th near Holden [map], and sped away through other parts of the neighborhood, to the southwest. The three people in the car were unhurt, but, our tipster tells us, they were visiting Seattle from Kansas, in a rental car on the last day of their vacation, due to fly home tomorrow. Our tipster says the hit-and-run pickup went by their house so fast, “it sounded like a plane was going to crash.” Some pieces were left behind, including a bumper. Neighbors called 911 and reached out to help the shaken visitors. ADDED 9:35 PM: A Gatewood resident reports almost getting hit by the same truck at 41st and Rose, seeing two people ditching it a few blocks away, and tracking them to Lincoln Park. Police weren’t available immediately – the person took photos (here’s one) and provided them to SPD – but they did show up at the ditched truck, our tipster says, describing it as “badly damaged and filled with a lot of tools and oddly enough, 2 pumpkins.”
(back to original report) CAR PROWL: Robin reports:
Someone prowled our Prius in North Admiral (Sunday) night. This is probably our 5th prowl in the past three years. We seem to get hit every 6 months. They get into a locked car without breaking the windows and rifle through our console. Nothing of value stolen except change.
…AND A DOUBLE CAR PROWL: From Danielle at 46th and Findlay [map] in Seaview:
Early Friday morning, my car and my fiance’s car that are parked out in front of our home were broken in too. The thieves spent a decent amount of time going through everything. They went through every piece of paperwork in both glove boxes, and went through compartments in the vehicles we did not even know we had. They left the doors of the cars all open, and our neighbor let us know at about 7am on Friday. They stole ipods, phone chargers and a passport (which was found by a neighbor). The passport was found in a puddle behind the Cal Rey apartments at Raymond and California. The neighbor contacted us to let us know she had it. … No other cars on the street were broken in to that night. Just ours.
West Seattle would be one of the areas getting a little more late-night/early-morning bus service, if Metro goes through with a proposed service expansion, and they’re looking for your feedback. From the announcement:
… Metro has about 40 routes with some level of late-night service throughout King County. Of these, 20 provide trips after 2 a.m., including three Night Owl routes that loop through some Seattle neighborhoods only between 2:15 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. The City of Seattle contributes funding to late-night transit operation and is a partner in this effort. Metro’s draft proposal would replace the three Night Owl routes with late-night service on regular, all-day routes that serve the same areas. The draft proposal also includes new after-hours bus service to Sea-Tac Airport for travelers and workers, for whom there currently are limited options after 1 a.m. It also includes hourly all-night service on the RapidRide C, D, and E Lines, which currently operate all night but with less than hourly frequencies. …
If you check “proposal by route” here, you’ll also see that “later” service is proposed for Route 120, which runs on Delridge. Want to tell Metro what you think of its proposal? Answer this survey by October 30th.
ORIGINAL REPORT, 4:01 PM TUESDAY: The National Weather Service now has an official “special weather statement” for our area, warning of multiple storm systems headed this way – first, lots of rain starting Wednesday night; then, potentially, lots of wind this weekend. Read the alert here. Forecasts can and do change, but at least take this as a reminder to get your fall/winter preparations in place – batteries, flashlights, and other things you might need if the power goes out. Updates as the week goes on!
10:19 PM: The newest “forecast discussion” from the NWS is out and the storms are still on the way. Higher-level alerts, such as a wind watch, could be issued as soon as tomorrow.
7:17 AM WEDNESDAY: And indeed, a High Wind Watch was issued early this morning. See it here. The NWS says the wind could get up to 35 mph sustained, 55 mph gusts, in our area Thursday night-Friday morning.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: We have a new update up here – the alert has been raised to a high-wind warning.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Four and a half years ago, in the Roxhill Elementary School cafeteria, we covered a meeting called to talk about a proposal to merge Roxhill into Arbor Heights Elementary, after AH’s rebuild. The plan was soon scrapped, and AH is sole occupant of the new school that replaced the crumbling original one.
Roxhill, however, is still in its deteriorating building. Seattle Public Schools has another plan for moving the program, and this one has traveled far down the path to reality without formal community conversations.
Last night in the cafeteria, the “reborn” Roxhill PTSA took steps toward making sure there’s some conversation before the fall 2018 move to a renovated and reopened EC Hughes Elementary, 1.2 miles north, simply happens.
While it hasn’t been finalized by the School Board, assistant superintendent Flip Herndon told last night’s PTSA meeting that it is indeed virtually a done deal. We first reported on the possible move one year ago, but details at the time were few.
PTSA president Amanda Kay Helmick, leading the meeting with vice president Al Fisher, had announced the School Board rep for West Seattle and South Park, Leslie Harris, as the main guest. Harris, however, was at a School Board committee meeting and arrived just after the PTSA meeting ended. Attendees heard instead from Herndon and from senior project manager Mike Skutack, with whom we had toured Hughes for a story we published Sunday about the renovation plans. Read More
It’s the third month of work on the lower Spokane Street Paving Project, and this weekend will bring closures and detours that SDOT and project managers want to warn you about early:
Westbound SW Spokane St at E Marginal Way and the off- ramps to Harbor Island from westbound West Seattle Freeway and from southbound SR99 will be closed this coming weekend beginning Friday evening, October 14, at 7 p.m. The roadway and off- ramps will be reopened Monday morning, October 17, by 5 a.m. The closures are needed in order to remove an abandoned RR track crossing and to perform full-depth pavement repairs on SW Spokane St.
• Motorists who are not in large trucks/commercial vehicles can detour by taking the high level West Seattle Bridge, using the Delridge Way exit, then taking the right onto Chelan Ave SW, another right onto SW Spokane St, and eastbound across the Duwamish (River) and back onto Harbor Island.
• Large trucks and commercial vehicles can take the “official signed” detour route because it is primarily intended for large trucks that are unable to use the detour described above. The signed detour will direct motorists to go south on East Marginal Way S, across the First Ave S Bridge. They will be directed to take the first exit after the bridge, looping them back onto northbound 2nd Ave S, and onto W Marginal Way SW. After passing underneath the West Seattle Bridge, they will be directed to take a left turn onto SW Spokane St, which will take them eastbound back across the Duwamish West Waterway and onto Harbor Island.
• Eastbound through traffic on SW Spokane St is advised to use alternate routes into Seattle. Eastbound SW Spokane St will be closed at 11th Ave, where motorists will be detoured up onto Harbor Island in order to turn around and continue eastbound via SW Klickitat Way and SW Manning St.
The pavement repairs are part of the SDOT project currently repaving SW Spokane St from SW Klickitat Way to East Marginal Way S.
Two vessel-traffic notes:
USNS WALLY SCHIRRA: Thanks to Greg for sending that photo, right after we spotted the USNS Wally Schirra passing West Seattle, as shown on MarineTraffic.com. It appeared to be headed for the Manchester Fuel Depot. The ship, named for the astronaut, is a cargo ship that’s part of the Military Sealift Command. The seven-year-old, 689-foot ship is homeported in San Diego.
We noticed that ship while researching part of this:
HANJIN UPDATE: A month and a half after the Hanjin bankruptcy filing, one Hanjin ship is anchored off Manchester, while another one is en route to pick up empty containers. The Hanjin Marine is visible from West Seattle if you look west of here, north of Blake Island. Meantime, this Thursday (October 13th), the Hanjin Seattle is scheduled to dock at Terminal 46 downtown, and, according to the Northwest Seaport Alliance, tentatively scheduled to load 1,000 empty containers. The Wall Street Journal reported today that T-46 is one of two West Coast docks – along with a pier in Long Beach, California – that is accepting empty Hanjin containers.
The traffic-island landscaping at 63rd and Alki is going to need some repairs after a driver got his car stuck atop it. A street sign got knocked down, too. Michael tipped us to the crash by sending the top photo; we went over just in time to see the car towed off the island:
A Seattle Public Utilities “spill response” worker was there, as the car had lost some fluids that needed to be cleaned up. He didn’t know if police had investigated; the driver apparently was not hurt, as we learned belatedly that he had been there observing the tow. The landscaping was done in 2012 with Alki Community Council involvement.
Four places where your presence could make a big difference tonight:
SCHOOL BOUNDARIES MEETING: 6:30 pm at Denny International Middle School, the final in a series of citywide meetings about Seattle Public Schools boundary changes. As explained in our recent preview, the only one proposed for our area is moving Sanislo Elementary back into the Denny/Sealth feeder zone, just a few years after it was moved into the Madison/WSHS zone. See the maps on page 18 of the meeting slide deck. (2601 SW Kenyon)
HOW TO GET FUNDED WITH SEATTLE PARK DISTRICT $: The voter-approved Seattle Park District levy has money for community-initiated projects/programs – tonight at 6:30 pm at Southwest Teen Life Center, learn how to apply for it. Details are in our calendar listing. (2801 SW Thistle)
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, the FCA’s board meeting is open to the public. Note that this week’s hottest citywide topic is part of the heart of the agenda:
Fall Festival
Community Issues and Concerns – Officer Jon Flores
Fauntleroy Community Parking Subcommittee
City Council Proposal on Homeless Encampments
New Neighbor Bags
West Seattle Police Precinct Update – Lt Ron Smith
Ferry Update
(9131 California SW)
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm at The Sanctuary at Admiral, ANA’s agenda highlights – detailed in our calendar listing – include Southwest Seattle Historical Society updates and the Westside Neighbors Network. (42nd SW/SW Lander)
ALSO ON THE WSB WEST SEATTLE EVENT CALENDAR: Three live-music venues, two karaoke venues, and a free family movie! Just browse the calendar here – open any listing by clicking the plus sign to see the preview, and then click “read more” to get the full listing, including a map.
While this is happening just outside West Seattle, it’s about a matter of life or death – mental health and suicide prevention – so we’re sharing the invitation. It’s from Zach Filer, a former West Seattle entrepreneur now with Northwest Strength and Performance in SODO. The next two weekends, you’re invited to get educated, via a free “Mental Health First Aid” course taught by Donna Dykstra:
This will be taking place October 15th and 23rd from 10 am-2 pm. The course is already up on Eventbrite and is capped at 25 participants. [Register here.] Donna is donating her time and the manuals for this course and the goal is to just get this information out to people who need it or may want be able to offer better peer support to others.
Here’s what Mental Health First Aid is all about:
Like CPR, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person in crisis and connect the person with help. First Aiders do not diagnose or provide any counseling or therapy. Instead, the program offers concrete tools and answers key questions like, “What do I do?” and, “Where can someone find help?” Certified Mental Health First Aid instructors provide a list of community health-care providers and national resources, support groups and online tools for mental health and addictions treatment and support. All trainees receive a program manual to complement the course material.
Attendance is required on both days; bring your own lunch. It’s a step toward a monthly “LiveForward” support group they’re organizing, but it’s potentially life-saving information you can use in many situations. Questions? oldcountrystrong@gmail.com – NWSP is at 2920 1st Ave. S.
(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)
6:59 AM: No incidents in/from West Seattle so far.
7:39 AM: Still relatively quiet. Took a spin around the live video cameras – the eastbound low bridge looks a little more sluggish than usual.
8:17 AM: First problem of the morning. Thanks to Steve for the tip – a collision between a Microsoft Connector bus and a car. An SDOT camera shows them pulled over just past the 99 exit on the eastbound bridge. No SFD callout for this, so apparently no injuries.
8:55 AM: Not resolved yet – now the camera shows a second Connector bus pulled up alongside the one on the shoulder, and an SPD car at the scene:
As mentioned, 2nd bus on scene. Bus lane blocked pic.twitter.com/RVzaAk5CG2
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) October 11, 2016
8:58 AM: And both buses have left, leaving the car and an SPD motorcycle on the shoulder, for now.
Three ways to help the West Seattle Food Bank – and the first one doesn’t even involve food!
NEEDED – BOOKS FOR LITTLE KIDS: WSFB’s Judi Yazzolino tells us that “the Bookcase Program is in dire need of Children’s Picture Books. We are all out! We accept donations Monday – Friday 9 am – 3 pm on the corner of 35th & Morgan. Last year, the Bookcase Program distributed 14,000 free children and adult books to encourage healthy reading habits from a young age.”
Now, two food drives involving nine local businesses:
SPRINGLINE APARTMENTS: Through the end of November, there’s a bin in the lobby of Springline Apartments (3220 California SW; WSB sponsor) where you can drop off food for WSFB, which is hoping for enough donations to fill 100 bags. Bring in your donation(s) during office hours, Mondays-Friday 9 am-7 pm and Saturdays-Sundays 9 am-6 pm.
PT CHALLENGE FOOD DRIVE: 8 local physical-therapy clinics are in the annual competition to see who can collect the most food and money for WSFB:
Sound Physical Therapy – 3823 Delridge Way SW
Life in Balance Physical Therapy & Pilates, LLC – 5410 California Ave. SW
Biojunction Sports Therapy – 3727 California Ave. SW
Southwest Hand Therapy – 4621 35th Ave. SW
Highline Physical Therapy – Jefferson Square
Kinetic Physical Therapy and West Seattle Pediatric Therapies – 4828 California Ave. SW
Therapeutic Associates West Seattle Physical Therapy – 4545 41st Ave. SW
Through the end of October, drop off donation(s) in the West Seattle Food Bank barrel at any of those clinics. Last year, the WSFB tells us, they collected 1,149 pounds of food and $163, and hope to beat that total this year!
P.S. The WS Food Bank’s “wish lists” can be found here.
(WSB photo: Musicians from West Seattle Symphony Orchestra @ last year’s joint concert with Seattle Symphony)
Yes, the Seattle Symphony is returning to West Seattle again this fall to perform with local musicians! The West Seattle Symphony Orchestra, part of the WS Community Orchestras organization, will perform “Side by Side” with the Seattle Symphony on October 20th, one week from Thursday, 7 pm in the auditorium at Chief Sealth International High School. According to the Seattle Symphony’s webpage for the concert, “Symphony Associate Conductor Pablo Rus Broseta will conduct both orchestras in Saint-Saëns’ lively Danse macabre.” Admission is free, no tickets required – just show up! (CSIHS is at 2600 SW Thistle.)
On this Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the Duwamish Tribe remains without federal recognition.
The tribe hasn’t given up the fight, and recently circulated a March 2016 document that is interpreted as giving them the right to appeal last year’s decision rejecting their longstanding bid for recognition (a challenge that Duwamish chair Cecile Hansen took directly to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell in West Seattle a few months later).
The Duwamish also are getting new attention via a documentary chronicling both their campaign for recognition and that of another Washington state tribe, the Chinook. It’s called “Promised Land,” and its second Seattle-area screening is coming up one week from tonight. The trailer is above; the screening is at 8 pm Monday, October 17th, as part of the Social Justice Film Festival, at the University of Washington – details here, including how to get tickets.
Closer to home, you can learn more about our area’s First People by visiting the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center (4705 W. Marginal Way SW) Mondays-Saturdays, 10 am-5 pm, free admission, donations accepted.
Today we’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor, Kid Friendly Footwear @ Again & Again. Here’s the message they’re sharing with you:
For more than 20 years, Again & Again has been known as “the kids’ thrift shop in The Junction” … but now we’re also “the kids’ shoe store.”
Kid Friendly Footwear is our shoe department, and it’s become the best children’s boot and shoe store this side of downtown.
We expertly outfit kids with fabulous, functional new footwear and gear for all seasons — and we’re still the place to go for baby carriers, resale, maternity, and great deals. Why cross the bridge? Shop local and step into brand new:
*Sandals, shoes, boots, & booties
*Footwear & gear for sun, rain & snow
*Quality brands like KEEN & BOGS
*Sizes from pre-walker to preteen
*Raincoats & rain pants by Hatley & more
*Swimwear & SPF gear year-round
*Earth-friendly leather-free choices and curated consignment help families live green from playpen to playground
Ready for a baby carrier? Come find the perfect fit for your lifestyle and comfort. Try on proven carriers, slings, and wraps from our collection of new and used, including preferred brands like Ergo, Lillebaby, and Beco.
Save money while saving the earth when you join us as a consignor. Trade in your freshly cleaned, useful things and shop gently used children’s clothing, shoes and toys, plus choice gear and maternity wear. Join us in supporting WestSide Baby and other services that help make our community friendlier for all families.
Open every day, come rain or come shine. Visit for fitting expertise, better brands, discounts and a kid-friendly atmosphere. Come see what’s new at Kid Friendly Footwear @ Again & Again, where fun meets function in The Junction. Hours are Mondays-Saturdays 9 am-7 pm, Sundays 10 am-5 pm, 4832 California Ave. SW.
We thank Kid Friendly Footwear @ Again & Again 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.
No, it wasn’t another state-ferry breakdown – Washington State Ferries has had some trouble recently, but the M/V Kaleetan‘s tow was NOT part of it. WSF tells WSB that the 49-year-old Kaleetan was towed to Vigor on Harbor Island for maintenance work that’s scheduled to last about a month. (It’s been on the fleet schedule for a while, too.) Thanks to Gary Jones (whose photo is above) and Lynn Hall for sending pics – we’re always up for checking into unusual sightings at sea, editor@westseattleblog.com or (if on your phone) text 206-293-6302.
High Point Pond – the size of a small lake – is more like a wetland, temporarily, after its first draining in two years.
A concerned reader tipped us via e-mail, worried about the fish in the pond, so we went over to check it out, and then sought out information via the High Point Open Spaces Association, which maintains the pond as part of an agreement with Seattle Public Utilities. Community Association Manager Janell Gonyea explained:
The OSA grounds crew drains the pond periodically to inspect all of the components in the pond to determine if any maintenance is necessary. We check the inlet and outlet lines to make sure they are clear and we check the pond liner to see if it is exposed or not. We also check to see if there are invasive plant species that could alter or damage the pond liner. We check the emergency risers to make sure they are operating correctly and we inspect for sediment build up in the pond. We also inspect the re-circulation pump and will conduct routine maintenance on that.
The last time we drained the pond was in 2014 and at that time, everything was in good condition. We do not anticipate any problems with the pond at this time because it has been performing normally, but we do want to be proactive about examining the pond and its components to make sure that there is no maintenance needed. The fish will not be affected because there will be enough water left in the pond for the fish. The pond will begin refilling naturally. The weather report is calling for rain later this week, so the pond will begin filling with that rainfall and storm water.
Thanks also to the OSA’s Deborah Vandermar for pointing us to this info. The pond is part of the Natural Drainage Systems built into the High Point redevelopment a decade ago.
P.S. For a wider look at the drained pond, here’s our Instagram clip from this morning:
P.S. If you’re not familiar with the pond’s location – here’s a map.
11:28 AM: While much of the City Council-focused talk right now deals with the proposal regarding where unsheltered people can camp (WSB coverage here), that’s mostly outside the scope of the biggest task with which councilmembers are dealing right now: Reviewing, and potentially changing, the mayor’s proposed 2017-2018 budget.
Today, two of the departments we cover most often, Police and Transportation, are bringing their overviews before the council’s Budget Committee. As we publish this at 11:15 am, SPD is up (watch live here). Here’s the overview document SPD provided the council:
Besides adding 72 officers in the next two years, the overview document also points out that SPD proposing something that will make a difference in our area – a fulltime Crime Prevention Coordinator for each precinct; right now, Southwest CPC Mark Solomon also serves the South Precinct, and he is one of two doing double duty.
At 2:30 pm today, the review includes SDOT. Here’s their overview, including the proposal to expand the controversial bike-share program:
You should also be able to view the afternoon meeting live via seattlechannel.org.
After SDOT, it moves to the Office of Planning and Community Development, whose overview you can download here (PDF). Its focus is on planning, like the Seattle 2035 Comprehensive Plan, and possible community-planning projects, including, the document mentions, a possible project for “Westwood-Highland Park and the North Highline potential annexation area.” The document also asks a question that is related to the city’s apparent initiative to reduce use of the term “neighborhood,” asking, “Is the Council comfortable with a shift away from ‘neighborhood planning’ toward ‘community planning’?”
If there is anything you want to tell the council about adding to or taking out of the budget, let them know ASAP – according to the budget timeline that our area’s Councilmember Lisa Herbold shared, tomorrow (Tuesday) is the deadline for councilmembers to propose changes “for the first round of budget deliberations.” Her contact info, and that of the other eight councilmembers, can be found here.
12:20 PM UPDATE: The SPD review is over and it’s public-comment time.
2:57 PM UPDATE: The council just finished a short business meeting and will resume Budget Committee business with SDOT and OPCD shortly.
3:34 PM UPDATE: SDOT is up now.
(Great blue heron, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Here’s what you need to know about what’s happening (and NOT happening) today/tonight in West Seattle:
HOLIDAY: The federal holiday Columbus Day is observed today – no postal mail; most if not all banks are closed. Local government facilities and schools are open.
VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Last day to register online in time for the November election – after this, you’ll have to sign up in person. So do it the easy way – go here!
ROXHILL PTSA TALKS (LIKELY) EC HUGHES MOVE: 6 pm at Roxhill Elementary, the PTSA meeting includes West Seattle’s school board rep Leslie Harris, to talk about the (not-yet-finalized) plan to move Roxhill to EC Hughes. Also note our report published last night on the work that’s planned for EC Hughes, in preparation for this. (30th SW/SW Roxbury)
HOW TO START A BUSINESS IN YOUR KITCHEN: Six-week workshop series at Delridge Library starts at 6 tonight – registration required, so check ASAP to see if there’s still room! (5423 Delridge Way SW)
NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL MEETING CANCELED: If you live/work in North Delridge and want to keep this community council from having to call it quits, get involved now! Here’s the announcement, in case you missed it.
PIGEON POINT NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 7 pm in the library at Pathfinder K-8, with school, safety, and transportation issues on the agenda, as previewed here. (1901 SW Genesee)
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY VOLUNTEER NIGHT & BARBECUE: 6:30-8 pm, West Seattle Tool Library volunteers past/present/future are invited – details here. WSTL is on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
EVENING BOOK GROUP: 6:45 pm, all welcome at West Seattle (Admiral) Library. This month’s book is “The Moonstone” by Wilkie Collins. (2306 42nd SW)
NIGHTLIFE: Two quiz venues and two music venues have events tonight – see them on the complete WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, frequently updated, and easily browsable 24/7.
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