day : 15/11/2017 11 results

PARKING POLICY CHANGES: Proposal allows ‘shared’ parking, expands areas where offstreet parking isn’t required, and more

While many city-government watchers had their attention on the budget battle today, a major proposal was released by Mayor Tim Burgess‘s office – proposed changes in parking policy. The map above, based on 2009-2014 research about carlessness percentages in neighborhoods, was included.

The official news release focused primarily on one component of the proposal, “shared” parking, but there’s much more to it, as summarized in this report that was among the documents made public today:

The proposed parking-policy changes follow low-level “outreach” at city events where other topics took centerstage, such as last December’s the infamous Junction open house for HALA Mandatory Housing Affordability upzoning, primarily held at what was then Shelby’s.

If you don’t have time yet to go through the summary document above, it breaks down what’s proposed into six areas – number 3 is the big one:

Share This

ANOTHER ANNIVERSARY: ‘Youngstown 100’ in honor of Cooper School centennial

November 15, 2017 8:49 pm

| Comments Off on ANOTHER ANNIVERSARY: ‘Youngstown 100’ in honor of Cooper School centennial

| Delridge | Fun stuff to do | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, WSB file photo)

Two and a half weeks until our area’s next centennial celebration – “Youngstown 100,” in honor of historic Cooper School, now known as Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, opened in 2017. It’s been in our calendar a while and now, with 2 1/2 weeks to go, the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association has sent this reminder:

Built in 1917, the Frank B. Cooper School on Delridge Way has a long and storied history of providing education to youth throughout the years, and more recently is known as the home of local nonprofits and artists alike. The historic building remains a vibrant and thriving place for youth to create, engage and participate in community activities, education, arts and culture. This year, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, as it’s now known, celebrates its centennial on Sunday, December 3rd, 2-5 pm, 4408 Delridge Way SW.

The free, family-friendly event will feature an open house of the school, art sales from resident artists, performances from local faves including Seattle’s own Kore Ionz, interactive art for the kids, a 3D time capsule and more.

“This amazing building turns 100 years old this year,” said David Bestock, Executive Director of Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA), the nonprofit organization that owns and operates Youngstown. “It is a center of community, a hub of arts and culture, a safe space for youth of color, queer youth, anyone, everyone.”

As part of the event’s mission to raise 100 donations of $100, people are asked to “buy a brick” in support of the next 100 years of the celebrated building. Those who attend the party will have the chance to decorate their “brick” and add it to the featured time capsule.

Tickets for the event are free, but registration is encouraged. Those who can’t attend are encouraged to donate to support the next 100 years of Youngstown.

If you are interested in donating – with or without going to the party – you can do that here.

P.S. Cooper School is historic not just because of the building, but because of some of what happened there – including the first African-American teacher to work in the Seattle school district, Thelma Dewitty, hired in 1947; Youngstown’s theater is named for her now.

Share This

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! Shop late tonight, tomorrow as Carmilia’s celebrates 15 years in the West Seattle Junction

November 15, 2017 6:01 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Carmilia’s proprietor Linda Sabee, photographed by WSB’s Patrick Sand)

“I hope you’ll come to celebrate this crazy journey with me!” That’s your invitation from Linda Sabee, proprietor of the West Seattle Junction boutique Carmilia’s, celebrating 15 years in business – a big milestone for a small business. As part of the party, tonight and tomorrow, you can shop late – until 9 pm – at Carmilia’s. Here’s how Linda tells the story of how she got started:

Fifteen years ago while roaming Summer Fest with my kids, I realized that there were many women just like me living in West Seattle longing for a chic shop. With no retail experience (I used to be a kindergarten teacher) and just a flash of an idea for a store, I shook hands with Jack Menashe and took over the former Margaret’s Apparel location. With the support of family and friends and an amazing neighborhood customer base, Carmilia’s was born on November 15, 2002, and is still alive and kicking today.

(And that’s due to persistence, and support, as noted in this story we published four years ago.) Carmilia’s is at 4528 California SW, where the party continues through Saturday – open until 9 tonight, 11 am-9 pm tomorrow (Thursday), 11 am-6 pm Friday and Saturday.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gun search; package-theft victim’s question

November 15, 2017 3:33 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes, plus a reminder:

GUN SEARCH: A texter sent that photo and wondered what the King County Sheriff’s Office was doing with multiple units at Don Armeni Boat Ramp much of the day. We checked with Sgt. Cindi West, who says they were searching in the water for a gun – and found one – possibly linked to last Friday night’s White Center shooting death, for which a juvenile suspect has been arrested. (Added: Court documents from the 16-year-old shooting suspect’s hearing today say he told detectives he had thrown the gun into Puget Sound.)

PACKAGE THEFT: From Patrick in High Point:

We had two packages delivered from Amazon at around 11am on Tuesday the 14th, and by the time we arrived home at around 7pm they were gone. An additional package had been dropped off at 4 pm and that was here, so presumably the theft occurred sometime between 11 am and 4 pm. There was a variety of items in the packages, mostly nursery items (crib sheets, wipe dispenser, etc.). The theft occurred at our house on the corner of 34th and Morgan. If anyone has any information or had similar issues yesterday, we’d be interested to hear about it. This is the second time we’ve had a package go missing this year.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: Yes, WSCPC does meet this month! 7 pm next Tuesday (November 21st), be at the Southwest Precinct to hear about crime trends and get answers to your questions about neighborhood crime/safety concerns.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: Friends of Roxhill gets $100,000 grant for EC Hughes playground project

November 15, 2017 2:39 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Sunrise Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Playground at EC Hughes, photographed last June)

A big boost for Friends of Roxhill Elementary‘s plan to improve the EC Hughes Elementary playground before Roxhill kids move in next school year, since the playground isn’t part of the school district’s modernization project … the city has awarded Friends oF Roxhill the $100,000 Neighborhood Matching Fund grant they were seeking for the project. That of course doesn’t cover the entire project – Jenny Rose Ryan from Friends of Roxhill tells WSB, “Our community match is almost $60K, and all of that is professional service and other donated time from our leadership team (all members of Friends of Roxhill Elementary). We will accept anything anyone wants to give or pledge in support of the project.” You’ll hear more soon about opportunities for community involvement – for example, she says, “we’re painting a mural as part of the project and would love help from E.C. Hughes neighbors to design and paint it, for example.” We first reported last June about the group’s playground-improvement push.

P.S. Friends of Roxhill does have a fundraiser tomorrow that you can help with – a tasty one, at that – they’ll benefit from a percentage of the proceeds all day at Zippy’s Giant Burgers in White Center (8 am-9 pm Thursday).

Share This

BIZNOTE: Duos expanding, taking over The Sanctuary at Admiral

November 15, 2017 1:39 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)

The Admiral District event venue that also happens to be a city landmark is changing operators. Duos Catering, known for its 2940 SW Avalon Way venue, is about to take over the former church at 2656 42nd SW that’s now known as The Sanctuary at Admiral. It’s not just an operator change – Duos plans to overhaul the interior, too, as we learned from Duos co-proprietor Joshua Cooper, who says they are excited to be getting the keys December 1st. He explained their plan via e-mail:

We will be remodeling the space a bit and couldn’t be more ready for it to start! The opportunity to manage Sanctuary popped up this past January and we knew right away that we had to jump on board. We’ve been part of the West Seattle community for 5 years now and we couldn’t imagine a more supportive community to expand into. We really believe that the space has potential to be one of the best venues in Seattle and we are proud to bring that to West Seattle.

We’ve really taken the time to recreate each room to provide a new kind of special to the venue world. We know that there are a lot of venues to choose from and we feel that our space offers an alternative to the more common open concept venues. Our goal is to create a luxe hotel lobby vibe complete with mid-century furnishings while still retaining the soul of the building. We really want our clients and guests to step inside and be greeted with that wow factor that really sets the mood of their event.

There will be a complete redesign of the interior and it begins with the Foyer the first week of December. We will refurbish the fir and terrazzo flooring and bring in some custom lounge furnishings. When you first enter you will find a really awesome 8ft tall antiqued mirror with these cute little glass floral fasteners. There will be some brass mirrors, tables, and lamps peppered throughout the room as well to act as our pop of color.

From there we are working our way down with new flooring and wall applications into the Speakeasy and Private Green Room. The Speakeasy has a bar and stage as before, but it’s surrounded by
vibrant blue velvet chairs, leather sofas, brass and antique bronze tables, wool Deco inspired throw rugs, and plum colored walls. We are shooting for a whisky bar edge that has a rich luxurious feel with vibrant color accents. The Private Green Room is dressed similarly but has more of a cigar club vibe with an old port hole bar, iron furnishings and a hide throw rug (synthetic of course).

The Main Room and the upstairs Private Suite will also get the full treatment. New carpeting and wall applications will be applied to the upstairs Lounge, Bath, and Dress Room. All will be decked out in new mid-century furnishings and decor. The Main Room stage is still up front and center and we anticipate inviting some great local talent to perform on both stages to continue our community events as we do down at The Lounge venue on Avalon Way.

You’ll find those events online, Cooper says, with a “temporary website” up at thesanctuarybyduos.com until they update the existing website. Meantime, they’re offering special rental rates on holiday parties during December.

P.S. The outgoing operator, Foodz Catering, is having a public decor/furniture sale this Saturday (November 18th) at the venue, starting at 9 am.

Share This

WINDSTORM AFTERMATH: Power outage, day 3, for some West Seattleites

November 15, 2017 12:02 pm

| Comments Off on WINDSTORM AFTERMATH: Power outage, day 3, for some West Seattleites

| Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

The photo is from Ben, whose home is among the dozen-plus in West Seattle that have yet to get power back after losing it during the Monday afternoon/evening windstorm. Ben tells WSB, “Going on our 3rd day without power! 47th and Hanford. Okay, it was fun for awhile, a little adventure for the kids. But we’re ready for power now! :) What with the home office and all …” The Seattle City Light map shows Ben’s neighborhood as the northernmost, and largest, remaining outage pocket (5 customers):

Citywide, as of right now, SCL still has 39 outages totaling 110 customers. And the utility is requesting that those still out be sure to re-report the outages.

Share This

VIDEO: West Seattle High School hosts ‘State of the District,’ with other local spotlights

November 15, 2017 11:18 am

| Comments Off on VIDEO: West Seattle High School hosts ‘State of the District,’ with other local spotlights

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

A prestigious showcase last night for West Seattle High School, chosen to host the annual event centered on the Seattle Public Schools superintendent’s “State of the District” speech. Dr. Larry Nyland’s speech was only part of it – students and community leaders were showcased too. We recorded the entire event on video:

Among those welcoming the people who gathered in the WSHS Theater, after a reception outside (our top photo), was Chief Sealth International High School student Lashaunycee O’Cain:

(She is also an artist, featured here earlier this year.) Other students featured included Juan Betancourt-Old Chief, a Chief Sealth IHS Šǝqačib senior:

He was part of the event’s spotlight on Native American Education Identity Safety and spoke of how “welcoming” the Šǝqačib classroom is. Teacher Boo Balkan Foster explained that the name means “to raise hands,” signaling, “I hold you in the highest esteem.”

More local recognition: During the superintendent’s speech, Denny International Middle School was one of three SPS middle schools whose African-American students were lauded for leading the state in math proficiency: “They’re leading the way, and we’re learning from them.”

Another speaker was former King County Executive Ron Sims, who spoke stirringly about teachers who shaped his life.

Among those in attendance, West Seattle/South Park School Board director Leslie Harris, below with newly re-elected board colleague Betty Patu:

This may have been Dr. Nyland’s last “State of the District” speech, as the board is launching a search for a new superintendent, with the help of a consulting firm whose contract is on the agenda for tonight’s board meeting.

Share This

West Seattle Wednesday: Light rail; WordsWest; Delridge District Council; more…

November 15, 2017 9:31 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Keith Davidson for that view of the barred owl who took refuge on his Beach Drive deck during Monday’s stormy weather – and for the bonus closeup photo you’ll see below, toward the end of this list of highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for today/tonight:

CITY COUNCIL BUDGET VOTES CONTINUE: The City Council‘s decisions on changes to next year’s budget continue today, with West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold presiding over the full council meeting as the Budget Committee – public comment scheduled for 9:30 am (but hasn’t yet started as we publish this at 9:31), then reconvening at 11 am to get back to the list. At City Hall downtown, or watch live via Seattle Channel, online or cable 21. (600 4th Ave.)

HAPPY 15TH, CARMILIA’S! Today starts the four-day 15th anniversary celebration for Carmilia’s Boutique in The Junction, promising special deals and more. 11 am-5 pm. (4528 California SW)

WESTSIDE NEIGHBORS NETWORK MOVIE NIGHT: Come meet neighbors and find out more about WNN while also watching and talking about a classic movie, “Dr. Strangelove.” 5:30 pm dinner, 6 pm movie. More info in our calendar listing. (4707 36th SW)

FUTURE SOUND TRANSIT LIGHT RAIL: It’s scheduled to reach West Seattle in 2030 but the planning is under way now. 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building, Sound Transit presents an update, hosted by the Junction Neighborhood Organization. All welcome. (4217 SW Oregon)

DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: Even while leading the exhaustive City Council budget process, our area’s Councilmember Lisa Herbold is scheduled for Q&A tonight with the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council, 7 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club. The full agenda is in our calendar listing. (1116 SW Holden)

WORDSWEST LITERARY SERIES: 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor):

As late autumn gathers its storms and people gather to give thanks, WordsWest Literary Series welcomes poet Sharon Bryan and author Gretchen Schrafft for “Gathering,” an evening of wit and investigation, a close look at how we are coming of age at every age. The event will also feature a bake sale, including apple pie, with 100% of the proceeds going to the West Seattle Food Bank.

(5612 California SW)

34TH DISTRICT REPUBLICANS: Meeting in West Seattle this month – 7 pm at American Legion Post 160. (3618 SW Alaska)

DEADGRASS: Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia tunes, 8 pm at Parliament Tavern. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

THERE’S MORE for today, tonight, and beyond … on our complete calendar!

Share This

NEW HOLIDAY EVENT: West Seattle Track Friday

November 15, 2017 9:01 am

| Comments Off on NEW HOLIDAY EVENT: West Seattle Track Friday

| Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle news

The day after Thanksgiving has a new title. Yes, it’s already known as Black Friday. But this year, you can get the day going via West Seattle Track Friday. Between 9 am and 11 am on Friday, November 24th, at Hiawatha Playfield/Track (2700 California SW), West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) and P3|Running welcome you to the West Seattle version of what they describe as …

… a community-based movement to mobilize people to support charitable giving. Participants run laps on a nearby track to raise awareness and funds for causes that they care about. Track Friday is held the day after Thanksgiving to encourage people to reunite with old and new friends, burn off some Thanksgiving Day calories, and put a little love and giving spirit back into a day that has become synonymous with commercialism.

P3 owner Michele Pettinger is raising money to fight Parkinson’s Disease, which her mom has, but you can choose your own charity too. You can just show up between 9 and 11 and walk/run whatever you choose to – and/or you can participate in fun events just added to the plan, a 400-meter dash for kids 11 and under at 9:30, an 800-meter dash for tweens/teens 12-17 at 10 am, and a 1-mile race for 18 and up at 10 am. All the details are in our calendar listing for Track Friday.

P.S. Do you have an event to add to our calendar and forthcoming West Seattle Holiday Guide, which covers pre-Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day? Let us know ASAP: editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

Share This

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Rainy Wednesday updates

November 15, 2017 6:59 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

6:59 AM: Good morning. No incidents reported in/from West Seattle so far on this damp morning but this might be the only area in the region without trouble.

Meantime, Susan reports via Twitter that truck backups have returned to the westbound bridge this week.

LIGHT RAIL: Interested in the plan for light rail to come to West Seattle in 2030? Tonight’s the night the Junction Neighborhood Organization hosts a Sound Transit presentation about it, 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building (4217 SW Oregon).

7:37 AM: Sharon reports in a comment below that the chronic flooding of the Delridge onramp to the bridge is back.

7:53 AM: Metro just sent an alert saying the 56 scheduled a few minutes ago did not operate.

8:16 AM: Regional traffic-watchers have described this commute as “a slog.” As Judy noted in comments, the last stretch of Harbor Avenue headed for the bridge is included in that this morning – the SDOT map currently verifies that by showing the road in red. No incidents reported, but we know there are chronic flooding problems on that stretch too.

Share This