day : 21/05/2018 10 results

UPDATE: Small fire in house near Charlestown water tower

(WSB photos by Christopher Boffoli)

9:54 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a full response to a reported fire “in a house being remodeled” at 39th/Bradford, near the Charlestown water tower. More to come.

9:57 PM: The response is being scaled down – it’s described via scanner as a “small fire … in mechanical equipment” on the second floor.

10:01 PM: SFD has corrected the address – it’s in the 3800 block of 40th SW.

10:04 PM: The fire is reported to be out and firefighters have confirmed the home is “unoccupied.”

10:28 PM: SFD has closed out the call, less than 40 minutes after dispatch.

Cle Elum chimps get special gift from West Seattle seniors

The folks at Providence sent that photo, explaining that the quilt the result of “a service project over a year in the making.” Providence ElderPlace participants made it for Chimpanzees Sanctuary Northwest in Cle Elum. They heard about the sanctuary via NPR and formed a group about chimpanzees, reading about them and watching videos. Then they decided to make a quilt – with a square for each of the seven chimps living at the sanctuary. A volunteer from Providence Mount St. Vincent‘s sewing room helped with the final sewing after participants did all the pinning. The quilt’s creators are hoping to see their gift turn up on the sanctuary’s blog.

YOU CAN HELP! Celebrate with, and give a boost to, Sanislo Elementary

Last year, the wider West Seattle community opened its arms and embraced Sanislo Elementary, our area’s least-populous public elementary school, and the little school got a big boost. The Sanislo PTA is hoping for an encore this year, and the big auction/dinner is less than two weeks away! Here’s the invitation:

Thanks to the community support of Sanislo Elementary’s auction last year, we kicked our $5,000 goal to the curb and raised $15,000!

This windfall provided a mindfulness program, increased teacher stipends, created a ‘book fair bucks’ program, and is affording scholarships to kids in need so they can participate in after-school enrichment! YOU, yes YOU, helped make this happen! Let’s do it again!

Our annual auction is just around the corner. We hope you can join us once again in supporting educational equity.

– All Around the World Auction

– Saturday, June 2nd from 6 pm-10 pm

– Alki Masonic Center, 4736 40th Ave SW

– Silent Auction

– Dinner and TWO Drink Tickets Included!

– A special performance by Seattle Kokon Taiko Japanese Drummers, a DJ, Dancing, and more!

You can reserve your tickets online, or, if you can’t make it but would like to donate, you can do that through the link below as well.

Donations to our auction make a significant impact in the education of our kids. With more than 70% of our families living in poverty, our school community simply cannot raise these essential funds alone. We hope to see you there!

Click to reserve tickets or directly donate.

P.S. Preview the cool stuff you’ll be able to bid on, by going here.

BIZNOTE: West Seattle Junction restaurant Fresh Bistro has closed after 9 years

Thanks for the tips. We just confirmed that West Seattle Junction restaurant Fresh Bistro has closed after nine years. Proprietor BJ Duft talked with WSB by phone. He opened Fresh Bistro on the ground floor of Mural (on 42nd SW across from Jefferson Square) almost exactly nine years ago. He said there are multiple reasons they decided to close – last night was their final night – but didn’t elaborate; he said he’s grateful for “nine fantastic years” and that they appreciate the community support. Since the building was new when Fresh Bistro opened, they were the first restaurant in the space; what’s next? That’s up to the building’s owners, Duft said.

DEVELOPMENT: 3 project notes from Junction, Luna Park, Morgan

Three West Seattle development notes today:

4826 40TH SW: The Fauntleroy/Edmunds development hub continues to densify. Headed for administrative design review (watch for the notice) is a 3-story, 27-apartment, no-offstreet-parking “small efficiency dwelling unit” (SEDU) building. It would replace the duplex shown in the Assessor’s Office photo above.

2821 SW YANCY: A few more details on this early-stage proposal from Transitional Resources, first reported here back in February. This too would go through administrative design review, according to notes posted online from a pre-submittal meeting with the city. It’s described as 100 percent affordable housing with 44 SEDUs, potentially in two buildings, with up to three parking spaces on site.

7001 CALIFORNIA SW: We’ve been watching this block for a while as a lot-boundary adjustment proceeds. Now there’s an early-stage redevelopment proposal for the north end, four rowhouses with no off-street parking at 7001 California SW, where there’s currently a pet-care business.

Speaking of SDOT: Another downtown long-term traffic alert, for NB 1st Avenue

If you use 1st Avenue to get into downtown – note that a longterm two-block closure of NB 1st is about to begin. Today’s notice from SDOT:

The Seattle Department of Transportation advises travelers that due to utility construction in support of the replacement of the existing water main, northbound 1st Ave between Yesler Way and Columbia St will be closed for approximately 5 months. Additionally, the curb lane of southbound 1st Ave between Columbia St and Yesler Way will be closed for the same duration.

These closures are in addition to the following lane closures in this area:

*Westbound S Jackson St between 2nd Ave S and 1st Ave S. These blocks are scheduled to open by May 25.

*Northbound 1st Ave S between S Jackson St and Yesler Way. These blocks are scheduled to open later in the summer.

*Southbound 1st Ave S between Yesler Way and S Jackson St is occasionally closed, 9:30 AM – 3 PM. These closures are expected to conclude by the end of May.

*S Main St between 1st Ave S and 2nd Ave S is closed in both directions, 7 AM – 5 PM weekdays until May 23.

Please visit the project webpage for more information.

What do you want to see in SDOT’s new boss? Plus, hear from its interim boss in West Seattle

With so much reporting on, and talking about, transportation matters here on SDOT, we thought this announcement from the mayor’s office might interest you:

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced today the City of Seattle has launched a new national search and public input process for a permanent director of the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT). Interim Director of SDOT Goran Sparrman will continue to serve in the role through the end of August 2018.

Beginning today, the public can now submit their input on their transportation priorities and what they would like to see in the next SDOT Director by clicking here. The City will engage a national search firm in June and launch a review committee to evaluate applicants and provide a recommendation on finalists.

“As the Interim Director, Goran has worked tirelessly to deliver on our transportation priorities with the utmost accountability and transparency,” said Mayor Durkan. “For decades, our region has been playing catch-up on its transportation needs. As more public and private mega projects lead to serious traffic disruptions downtown, the next few years will be critical for creating more safe, efficient and well-connected transportation choices that make it easier and safer for residents to get around on foot, by bike and via mass transit for decades to come.”

“With a number of significant projects in the pipeline, our next SDOT leader must be ready to deliver on investments and protect taxpayer dollars. Our residents and businesses expect our officials to make progress and deliver results, and this administration will continue to be accountable to the people we serve,” concluded Durkan.

It’s been five months already since word that Scott Kubly had left the SDOT director job after 3 1/2 years.

Meantime, acting SDOT director Sparrman will be the guest at this Thursday’s West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting, 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way SW).

West Seattle Monday: Beer and ice-cream benefits, and more!

Thanks to Mark Wangerin for two views of a Green Heron on the Duwamish River (scroll down for the second), gracing our Monday highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

ICE CREAM FUNDRAISER: Show this flyer when you buy something at Full Tilt Ice Cream in White Center today (open noon-10 pm) and 10 percent of the proceeds will benefit the Chief Sealth International High School ASB! (9629 16th SW)

SSC ADMISSION WORKSHOP: Thinking about studying at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor)? 2-3:30 pm today, you’re invited to an admission workshop with info on everything from the application process to financial aid, as explained here. (6000 16th SW)

AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP: 2 pm at Southwest Library. This month’s title is “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe. (9010 35th SW)

THE WESTY’S FUNDRAISING TAP TAKEOVER: 6 pm until it’s all gone, at The Westy (WSB sponsor), it’s a tap takeover to raise money for Ronald McDonald House:

All proceeds from the sale of Bob’s brown ale will go directly to the Ronald McDonald House. We will also donate $2 from each flight of beer sold. The lineup of Georgetown beer includes the entire Bob’s series of Brown ale, Sour brown ale, Coffee, And IPA. The beer flight will be rounded out with citrus galaxy and bodhizafa. Thank you all for helping the Westy lend a hand to a great charity.

(7908 35th SW)

ALL-AGES TRIVIA: 7:30 pm at The Skylark, free all-ages trivia with prizes! (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Got a West Seattle/White Center/South Park event for the calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – the further in advance you can send the info (plain text in the body of your e-mail, please, not in an attachment) the better! Thanks!

CONGRATULATIONS! West Seattle HS track and field athletes headed to state championships

May 21, 2018 9:18 am
|    Comments Off on CONGRATULATIONS! West Seattle HS track and field athletes headed to state championships
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Congratulations to the West Seattle High School track and field athletes headed to state! The update is from head coach Will Harrison:

the West Seattle boys placed 3rd at the Sea King District 2 meet last Wed/Fri at Southwest Athletic Conference and were the top Metro school! They scored 51 points, one point ahead of O’Dea and Nathan Hale. In all, 9 boys and 2 girls advanced to the 3A State Championships at Mt Tahoma HS this Thursday/Friday/Saturday:

Joe Kirk-Woodbury: Shot Put, Discus

Cass Elliott: 300m Hurdles, 200m, 4 x 400m

Rylee Farrison: 400m, 4 x 400m

Alec Maroon: 4 x 400m

Jackson Delaney: 4 x 400m

Abdifatah Jeylani: 4 x 100m

Tom Nguyen: 4 x 100m

Lucas Bower: 4 x 100m

Kahlel Kelley: 4 x 100m

Chloe Cunliffe: Pole Vault, Long Jump

Symmone Davis: 100m Hurdles

The Lake Washington Boys won the meet with 64 points, and the Mercer Island Girls won the meet with 83 points. Full results here.

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday watch

May 21, 2018 7:01 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday watch
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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

7:01 AM: Good morning and welcome to the week before Memorial Day weekend! No incidents reported so far in/from West Seattle.

8:09 AM: Crash on NB I-5 blocking one lane north of West Seattle Bridge.

8:23 AM: Cleared.