West Seattle, Washington

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month : 03/2019 307 results

West Seattle light rail: East Junction neighbors organize to urge careful consideration of ‘generational decision’
March 10, 2019 11:22 pm
|      69 COMMENTS
 |   Sound Transit | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Two potential sites for elevated Junction station shown in newest ST visualizations)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Two-plus years after the Sound Transit 3 vote planted light rail firmly in West Seattle’s future, a major decision nears:

Which “preferred alternative(s)” will go into formal environmental study?

With the Sound Transit board set to make that decision in May, the last major public-comment period – aka “scoping” – is under way now. And it’s bringing together groups of neighbors focused on what the decision could mean not only to their neighborhoods, but to the rest of West Seattle – and beyond.

We sat down the other day with five people who are part of the newly organized East Alaska Junction Neighborhood Coalition. They support tunneling light rail into The Junction.

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Fauntleroy Creek culvert replacement ahead: 3 chances to find out what’s planned
March 10, 2019 9:16 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Safety | West Seattle news

The map is from Seattle Public Utilities, showing Fauntleroy Creek, which has a big project ahead, as explained by SPU:

There are three culverts along Fauntleroy Creek. The culverts located at 45th Avenue SW near SW Wildwood Place and California Avenue SW near SW Brace Point Drive are in extremely poor structural condition. Due to the culverts’ age, condition, and permitting restrictions related to fish passage requirements, the culverts need to be fully replaced.

The third culvert, which is located under Fauntleroy Way and includes a fish ladder, was replaced in the late 1990’s and is not part of this project.

The replacements also would improve conditions for salmon in Fauntleroy Creek, says the city. Right now, SPU is evaluating options for the replacement, before entering the design phase. At this early stage, you have three opportunities this month to hear from and talk with SPU reps:

*Fauntleroy Community Association business meeting, 7 pm Tuesday (March 12th), Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW)
*FCA annual meeting and Food Fest, 6 pm March 19th, The Hall at Fauntleroy (9140 California SW)
*Project-specific open house, 5-7 pm March 20th, The Hall at Fauntleroy

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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! 25 years for West Seattle Running Club
March 10, 2019 7:10 pm
|    Comments Off on HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! 25 years for West Seattle Running Club
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

The photos and announcement are from Dave Howard, founder of the West Seattle Running Club, celebrating its 25th anniversary this coming week:

It was early March 1994. A few Alki beach trail runners, then strangers to each other, had an idea that running together would help motivate them to get out on those cold winter evenings.

It began with twelve of us and over the next few months grew to near thirty. And we continued to grow. It was time to make it official. We became the West Seattle Running Club. We met regularly three times per week and began to participate in races around the area as a club.

Soon we were having occasional potlucks and barbecues at members’ homes and getting together for other activities like cycling and ski trips. I, for one, consider the club an extended family.

Over the past quarter-century, nearly 300 runners have hit the trail with us, either as regular members, vacationers wanting to get in a run, or folks in town on business.

Our club is a social and casual running club for all levels. We have race winners, walk/runners, and everything inbetween. We provide support and encouragement to each other in achieving our running goals and having fun along the way.

And we are always excited to meet new runners. If you are interested, please visit our website at westseattlerunningclub.org. Come help us run through the next 25 years.

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FERRY ALERT: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route back to 3 boats Monday
March 10, 2019 4:45 pm
|    Comments Off on FERRY ALERT: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route back to 3 boats Monday
 |   Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

From Washington State Ferries:

The Chelan returns to the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route on Monday, putting three boats back to the run to start the week. We appreciate your patience during this past week while the route was on a two-boat schedule due to unplanned vessel maintenance. Starting on Monday, the vessels will be in the following order: Chelan #1, Sealth #2 and Cathlamet #3.

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DEAL! Early-bird registration open for 2019 West Seattle 5K
March 10, 2019 3:33 pm
|    Comments Off on DEAL! Early-bird registration open for 2019 West Seattle 5K
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

(2018 West Seattle 5K photo by David Hutchinson)

Ten weeks from today, runners and walkers will fill Alki Avenue for a few hours during the 2019 West Seattle 5K. If you’re planning to be among them, you can register now and get the early-bird discount. The WS5K (with community sponsors including WSB) starts just after 9 am on Sunday, May 19th, at 61st/Alki, and raises money for West Seattle High School students via the PTSA. You can register online right now by going here; don’t procrastinate, as the early-bird rate is this month only!

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Seen, and soon to be seen, off West Seattle: Canada & U.S. defenders
March 10, 2019 2:20 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

First, from the “seen off West Seattle” file:

CANADIAN VISITORS: That photo by Jim Borrow shows the Renard (58), which along with Wolf (59) is visiting Seattle from Esquimalt, B.C. Both are Orca-class Royal Canadian Navy Training Tenders.

And from the “soon to be seen” file:

USCG HOMECOMING: Thanks for the tip that the U.S. Coast Guard heavy icebreaker Polar Star is due back in Elliott Bay this afternoon after three months away on a mission to Antarctica. Its official arrival has been announced by the USCG as midmorning tomorrow but, following up on the tip, we note via the MarineTraffic.com tracker that it’s off North Kitsap right now and headed this way.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Denny International Middle School PTSA party
March 10, 2019 1:28 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle weekend scene: Denny International Middle School PTSA party
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The report and photos were sent by Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark:

The Denny International Middle School PTSA Hosts a Celebratory Fundraiser!

Thank you to our amazing PTSA for hosting a very fun and successful auction at the Highland Park Improvement Club on Saturday evening!

Families, staff, and community members came together to support the Dolphin scholars in a celebration with the West Seattle Big Band entertaining us all.

We greatly appreciate everyone who came and all of the awesome local businesses, organizations, and individuals who donated items. All of it was thanks to a phenomenal effort by many volunteers, who, with the leadership of our auction leads, Ms. Thomas, Ms. Roeser, and Ms. McKelvey, made it all happen.

Thank you! Go Dolphins!

Something cool at/involving YOUR school? Let us know – in advance for calendar (if it’s public) and/or coverage – or afterward with photos/info for potential publication – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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FOLLOWUP: Survey, and workshop time, for Delridge Triangle’s future
March 10, 2019 11:03 am
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: Survey, and workshop time, for Delridge Triangle’s future
 |   Delridge | How to help | West Seattle news

As reported here last month, you’re invited to help plan the Delridge Triangle’s future at a community workshop on March 23rd. The time is now finalized – plus, whether you can be there or not, the community volunteers working on it have a survey for you. Here’s the announcement of both:

The Friends of the Delridge Triangle — an all-volunteer, grassroots gathering of neighbors — has selected Seattle-based MAKERS Architecture and Urban Design to lead a community design process for a reimagining of the Delridge Triangle right-of-way property at 9200 Delridge Way SW.

All community members are invited to a community design meeting on Saturday, March 23, from 10 a.m. to noon at Highland Park Improvement Club (1116 SW Holden). Doors will open at 9:45 a.m. Snacks, professional child care with guided activities, as well as interpreters will be provided.

This is an opportunity for our community to come together and imagine a public space for us all.

We Need Your Input! To help us tailor these efforts to improve the Triangle, please take a few moments to take our short baseline survey here.

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8 for your West Seattle Sunday!
March 10, 2019 6:07 am
|    Comments Off on 8 for your West Seattle Sunday!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(WSB photo, Alki promenade last Tuesday)

Welcome to the first day of Daylight Saving Time! Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SPRING NATIVE ART MARKET: Second and final day of the first-ever Spring Native Art Market at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse, 10 am-5 pm. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm – see what’s new as spring approaches. In the street in the heart of The Junction. (California between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)

GREYHOUND MEET AND GREET: 11 am-1 pm at Admiral Mud Bay, stop by to meet retired racing greyhounds and learn about adoption and volunteering opportunities. (2611 California SW)

BOOK LAUNCH PARTY: Noon-2 pm at Move2Center Studio, “join West Seattle movement and fitness guru Jill Pagano to celebrate the release of her first book ‘Getting Happy with Your Body’.” Admission includes book purchase; info here. (3618 SW Alaska)

CORREO AEREO: Latin American sounds for your Sunday afternoon, at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. No cover. (5612 California SW)

CLASSICAL CONCERT: Free! 3 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, see and hear the Ladies’ Musical Club. Preview the program in our calendar listing. (2306 42nd SW)

HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ BANDS: Performing at The Skylark, doors at 5, music at 6, all ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

TAVERN TUNES: 8 pm at Parliament Tavern, big-band jazz combos 322 and Lord Shambleton. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

PREVIEW THE DAYS AND WEEKS AHEAD … by browsing our complete calendar!

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UPDATE: Vehicle-on-side crash on Fauntleroy Way
March 10, 2019 1:10 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts | WS breaking news

(WSB photo)

1:10 AM: Seattle Fire reports that one person has been extricated from a car that went sideways in the 5600 block of Fauntleroy Way SW. That person’s being evaluated. The road is blocked both ways right now.

1:32 AM: The car is midblock south of Findlay. 1 person is going to the hospital via private ambulance; SFD is leaving the scene, but SPD still has the road blocked – no tow truck yet. At least one parked car is reportedly damaged.

(Texted photo)

1:57 AM: A reader just texted that photo showing the other side of the vehicle – a pickup truck – and says the street has reopened.

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Southwest District Council hears, and asks, about city homelessness response
March 9, 2019 9:16 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Southwest District Council | West Seattle news

Larry Wymer of the Admiral Neighborhood Association, Tess Colby from the Mayor’s office, and Dusty Olson from Seattle Human Services.

Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Tackling tough issues of homelessness and affordable housing were the focus at the monthly meeting of the Southwest District Council, held at the Senior Center of West Seattle on Wednesday night.

Special guests at the meeting were Tess Colby, senior adviser on homelessness from Mayor Durkan’s office, and Dusty Olson, strategic adviser from the Homeless Strategy and Investment Division of the city Human Services Department. (for more information, see the city’s Addressing Homelessness and Homelessness Response pages, and the county’s All Home page)

Olson gave an overview of the city’s activities as it relates to issues of homelessness, as part of this slide presentation (PDF):

Click the image to view a PDF of the full presentation.

Olson said that her group’s primary goal is recent years has shifted to “moving people off the street and into housing,” noting that much progress had been made in King County but that the sheer numbers of homeless individuals are “an increasing problem.” Some statistics from her presentation:

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YOU CAN HELP! YMCA adding cabins to Camp Colman, with West Seattleites among the honorees
March 9, 2019 8:08 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

(Photo from seattleymca.org)

Though it’s more than 60 miles from here, Camp Colman – operated by the Greater Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) – has multiple ties to West Seattle. Many local kids go there for their first overnight camping experience. And now the Y is raising money to add four cabins to the camp – with some of the namesakes locally linked, too. First, here’s the Y’s announcement:

Four new proposed cabins at the YMCA’s Camp Colman means 2,000 more youth and families will have the opportunity to experience the fun and growth that only happens at camp. The Y will name one cabin in honor of former Camp Director, George Nichols. Only through community support can the Y reach their $150,000 per cabin goal. You can give to Camp Colman at seattleymca.org/CampGive.

Camp Colman sits in the southern Puget Sound’s Case Inlet. Each year thousands of campers make new friends, learn responsibility skills, try new things, unplug from screens, enjoy swimming and boating in the lagoon, and skits around the campfire. The four new proposed cabins will allow thousands of more campers to get off waitlists and into the outdoors.

One cabin will be named after former Camp Director George Nichols. For many campers and leaders, the Nichols family is synonymous with Camp Colman. Nichols has been a key mentor, role model, and camp director for generations of campers. He served as the Program Director, Physical Director, Camp Colman Director, and Camping Services Executive Director for more than thirty years.

“George Nichols has left an indelible mark on Camp Colman campers,” recalled community member Anne Bentrott-Wise. “All my children and grandchildren went to Camp Colman in part because of his leadership. The time has come to honor George and his family with the building of the Nichols Cabin, and we are excited to offer our support.”

Two other new cabins are named Cruzen and Bosco (Bostrom & Code). Construction is planned to start this spring and reach completion in the fall. In addition to the four new cabins, the Y is raising money for a new marine education center, and purchase of 20 additional acres adjacent to Camp Colman. You can learn more about other Y camp improvements as part of the Opportunities for All campaign at seattleymca.org/new-improved-overnight-camps. Join the Camp Colman fundraising victory event at Fauntleroy Church on March 30 at 9:30 a.m. RSVP by emailing campinfo@seattleymca.org by March 20.

Camp Colman is dedicated to strengthening community by nurturing the potential of youth, promoting healthy living and fostering social responsibility. If you have questions, please contact Director of Philanthropy, Magill Dickerson-Lange, mlange@seattleymca.org.

The Fauntleroy Community Association‘s newest quarterly edition of Neighbors has further explanation of the cabin namesakes’ local links:

Dating from 1912 when the Colman family began inviting Fauntleroy youth to their summer home on Horsehead Bay, the camp moved to its present site in the mid-60s. George’s YMCA tenure was from 1963 to 2002. … Construction will start this spring and include two other cabins funded to honor long-time Fauntleroy families. “Cruzen” is made possible by a generous gift from Adah Cruzen honoring Earl and the Cruzen family. The other, dubbed the “Bosco” cabin, will honor the Al and Pearl Bostrom family and Alki’s Bob and Mary Code family. Al was youth director at the downtown YMCA and Bob currently serves on the Y’s Camping & Outdoor Leadership Board.

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YOU CAN HELP! Scouting for Food door-to-door donation-drive time
March 9, 2019 6:40 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP! Scouting for Food door-to-door donation-drive time
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

It’s time for the door-to-door food drive known as Scouting for Food – many local homes will get doorhangers this weekend with word that Scouts will pick up bags of food left for the drive next weekend (or soon – sometimes the dates very). First to send us an announcement, Pack 284:

On Saturday, March 16th, 10 am to 12 pm, Cub Scout Pack 284 will be collecting donations for the West Seattle Food Bank, in the neighborhood west of 35th Ave, between Othello and Morgan. Scouts will be distributing door hangers the week prior (March 9) to help spread the word.

Anyone in this neighborhood who wishes to donate can simply leave donations by front door by 9:30 am on March 16th, and Scouts from our pack will pick it up!

The most needed items are:
– Low-Sodium Canned Meats
– Canned Fruits (in water)
– Low-Sodium Canned Vegetables
– Low-Sodium Beans
– Peanut Butter
– Canned Tuna/Chicken/Turkey/Salmon
– Rice/Pasta/Noodles
– Low Sodium Soup/Stew/Chili/Tomatoes
– Ensure
– Toiletries (Toothpaste, Soap, Deodorant Shampoo/Conditioner – Sample sizes)
– Pet Food
– Baby Food & Formula
– Diapers (all sizes, but especially 4, 5, and 6)

This annual drive has been a great experience for the Scouts, and wonderful way to help folks in need.

Thank you to everyone who can pitch in to this worthy cause!

– The Parents, Leaders, and Scouts of Cub Scout Pack 284 (West Seattle)

Any other packs/troops? Let us know!

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen black brakeless BMX bicycle
March 9, 2019 4:50 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news

From Norman:

Thursday night or last night, our son’s matte black BMX bike was stolen off our porch. It has been reported to the police. It has whitewall tires and no brakes; he took them off – it’s a bike for doing tricks; we had it shipped from Europe. This happened on the 5600 block of 25th Ave SW.

Please be on the lookout for it.

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HAPPENING NOW: Post-puppets, preschool’s pizza and ice-cream fundraiser
March 9, 2019 3:33 pm
|    Comments Off on HAPPENING NOW: Post-puppets, preschool’s pizza and ice-cream fundraiser
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The photo is from Ellen, who says this morning’s Puppets Please marionette shows at Fauntleroy Church, benefiting Lincoln Park Cooperative Preschool (as showcased in our West Seattle Saturday highlights), drew showgoers from 8 weeks old to 94 years young! There are two ways you can still support LPCP before the night’s out: “We still have Proletariat Pizza supporting Co-op today! Dine in, carry out and delivery! Then head over to Full Tilt to have an ice cream. Just mention Co-op at both places to support Lincoln Park Co-op Preschool.” Both are in downtown White Center, across the street from each other – Proletariat at 9622 16th SW (open until 11 pm) and Full Tilt at 9629 16th SW (open until 10 pm).

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THINK SUMMER! Big change for 2019 Arts in Nature Festival
March 9, 2019 2:02 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from 2017 Arts in Nature Festival)

Another big West Seattle summer event has an announcement: Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association will present the 20th annual Arts in Nature Festival early in the summer, rather than the usual August dates. Here’s the announcement to get it on your calendar:

20th annual Arts in Nature Festival
June 29-30, 2019 at Camp Long
(5200 35th Ave SW)

The 20th Arts in Nature Festival: Harmony exists at the nexus of art, nature, and community.

The festival offers an eclectic experience of art and performance in the woods of Seattle’s only campground, Camp Long. Rather than rows of vendors and merchants, you’ll find four intimate performance stages, mixed media art installations in 8 rustic cabins, interactive hands-on activities, and winding hiking trails through the great outdoors. Local artists are celebrated for their creativity, ingenuity, and invaluable contribution to Seattle culture.

Past elements of the Arts in Nature Festival have included live musical performances, poetry and spoken-word workshops, interactive dance performances, instrumental workshops, nature printmaking stations, Indigenous crafts and storytelling, educational nature walks, live mural painting, theater in nature, and many more. Each year a new cohort of local artists takes up residency in Camp Long’s rustic cabins to create durational, interactive art installations. Transforming each cabin space into a unique adventure, the Arts in Nature Festival provides a weekend of family-friendly activities and performances across a variety of artistic disciplines.

Join us on June 29-30 at Camp Long!

We’re working to update the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar with the big spring/summer events as well as what’s happening in the nearer future, so we welcome any advance info you can send – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Self-described ‘unruly artist’ wins this year’s West Seattle Garden Tour art competition
March 9, 2019 12:15 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Gardening | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The sun’s out, clocks “spring forward” tonight, and it’s time to think about the warmer seasons. Above, you’ll find inspiration – this year’s winning West Seattle Garden Tour artwork, just announced:

West Seattle Garden Tour announced today the artwork titled Garden Girl in Red Shades by West Seattle artist Sheila Lengle has been selected as the winner of this year’s annual art competition.

Ms. Lengle is best known for her exuberant, color-infused paintings. Working primarily in acrylics, her creations are often whimsical, playful, and exhibit a vibrant joie-de-vivre. Not painting “by the rules,”, Ms. Lengle says. “I just absolutely love, love, love painting…creating shapes and using incongruous color combinations with the goal of making me and anyone who sees my work happy. I have unbridled freedom to paint whatever I want, however I want, with whatever I want. I am an UNRULY ARTIST.”

Ms. Lengle was also the winning artist in WSGT’s 2012 call for artists.

Garden Girl in Red Shades (30” wide x 20” high; acrylic) will be featured on the 2019 Garden Tour’s official poster and ticket book. Ms. Lengle will also receive a $500 cash prize. West Seattle Garden Tour will conduct a silent auction of the artwork during the May 2019 West Seattle Art Walk (at Capers Home store) and on the day of the tour, Sunday, June 23, 2019, where bids will be taken in one of the gardens from 9 am to 5 pm. Proceeds will benefit the year’s designated beneficiaries, which will be announced in early April.

Garden Girl in Red Shades will be on view along with works by six WSGT Art Competition finalists will be on view at Capers Home Store during the West Seattle Art Walk on May 9.

Tickets for the June 23rd WSGT itself are already on sale online.

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Ways to spend your pre-time-change West Seattle Saturday
March 9, 2019 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on Ways to spend your pre-time-change West Seattle Saturday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sanderling, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Happy Saturday!

FREE GROUP RUN: Start your weekend on the run with West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor). Meet at the shop at 8 am. (2743 California SW)

GIANT GARAGE SALE, DAY 2: 9 am-3 pm at West Side Presbyterian Church, the first mega-sale of the season, final day! (3601 California SW)

WHITE CENTER REPAIR EVENT – AND DONATION DRIVE: 9:30 am-12:30 pm:

Free! Bring in your small household items and clothing, and our experienced “fixers” will try to repair and mend them. Join us at the White Center Community Center gym (aka “the Log Cabin”) in Steve Cox Memorial Park …

And we have a couple special features this time! Separate from our repairs, the White Center-based non-profit WestSide Baby will be collecting donated new and used children’s items to distribute free of charge to local families in need. WestSide Baby, in partnership with the community, provides essential items to children in need by collecting and distributing diapers, clothing, and equipment. Here’s their list of most-needed items and other acceptable items to donate.

(1321 SW 102nd)

‘LETTING IT GO, LETTING IT GROW’: 9:30 am-2:30 pm workshop about prioritizing, decluttering, and more, as explained in our calendar listing. $10 suggested donation. At Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center. (35th/Myrtle)

PUPPETS PLEASE: 10 am and 11 am marionette shows, with proceeds supporting Lincoln Park Cooperative Preschool. Full details in our calendar listing. At Fauntleroy Church. (9140 California SW)

DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE SPRING NATIVE ART MARKET: Love the holiday market at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse? For the first time, they’re hosting a spring version. 10 am-5 pm. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

BASEBALL: 10 am at Southwest Athletic Complex, it’s the first regular-season game for Chief Sealth International High School, hosting Mt. Rainier HS. (2801 SW Thistle)

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES, WEEK 2: Find your nearest cookie sellers – they’ll be out morning through night, midway through the 2-week cookie-booth time period.

BABY STORY TIME: 11:30 am at High Point Library, bring the littlest member(s) of the family! (3411 SW Raymond)

5917 CALIFORNIA ‘EARLY OUTREACH’ DROP-IN: 2-3 pm at High Point Library, stop by to talk with the project team for the townhouses planned at this site. (3411 SW Raymond)

MUSIC FUNDRAISER: Bands at The Skylark raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, doors at 8, music at 9. $8 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

JAM BANDS: Swindler and Far Out West. 9 pm at Parliament Tavern. $7 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

And a reminder …

(Friday night sunset photo by Ted Ellis)

‘SPRING FORWARD’ ONE HOUR TONIGHT: Very late tonight – 2 mm Sunday – we jump an hour ahead and launch this year’s Daylight Saving Time.

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VIDEO: ‘Unique opportunity’ pitched by parks in Lowman Beach post-seawall design
March 8, 2019 9:53 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Imagine Lowman Beach Park with a stretch of currently undergrounded Pelly Creek running through it to meet the Sound. That’s part of the preliminary-design plan shown at last week’s community meeting about the park’s seawall-free future. In case you couldn’t be there, we recorded video:

David Graves from Seattle Parks led the meeting – as he did back in June 2017 – with members of the design team from Environmental Science Associates. Here’s the slide deck they used.

They recapped the problem – the remaining seawall on the north side of Lowman Beach Park is sliding; it started failing in 2015. The south seawall failed in the mid-’90s. At the 2017 meeting, three possibilities for the beach’s future were detailed, and they are moving ahead with the one that involves removing the remaining seawall and restoring the beach to more of a natural state.

More controversial is the plan to also remove the asphalt tennis court that’s just behind the seawall. Graves acknowledged that it’s much-loved and well-used. He said they’re looking at the possibility of “restoring the tennis function” elsewhere in the park, perhaps its open area toward the southeast side – the top right of this rendering:

Or, suggested one team member, pieces of the old court could be repurposed as a memorial of sorts.

They won’t have more details until the plan reaches the 60-percent-design milestone. But Graves and the designers/consultants stressed how rare this is, to have a stretch of beach that is eligible for this type of restoration: “There’s a unique opportunity here, nowhere else in West Seattle … when this is done, you’ll be able to put a blanket on the grass and watch your kids play on the sand.” One attendee later wondered aloud whether driftwood was likely to eventually get in the way of that, as had happened on the south side of the beach, and Graves acknowledged that was possible. Still, the project team rhapsodized about how good this could be for salmon habitat – connecting that to endangered orca whales’ need for more food – and how it would even position the shoreline to be able to better handle future expected sea-level rise.

This area was identified as a priority for restoration more than a decade ago, Graves added, so it’s likely to get the grant funding that will be needed for the project.

Other questions and concerns beyond the tennis court involved the absence of a restroom in the plan – talking about families coming to picnic, it was suggested, made no sense if there wasn’t going to be one – plus fears that removing the seawall would lead to further compromising of the bulkheads protecting waterfront homes to the north, as also aired at the 2017 meeting.

One person asked about the park’s swing set. It’s staying, said Graves, and they’re also mulling whether the play area could be expanded.

WHAT’S NEXT: The 60-percent-design milestone is expected as soon as next month, and 100 percent design by year’s end. Project construction would happen next year, assuming the funding is found, and would last three to six months.

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UPDATE: Driver hits drugstore at Westwood Village
March 8, 2019 6:42 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Westwood | WS breaking news

6:42 PM: That crash is the reason for a sizable emergency response at Westwood Village. Police tell us early indications are that the driver lost control of the car for some reason while heading toward the Rite-Aid store, and ran into it. Two people were being checked out by medics. The store is closed for now because there’s some cleanup to do inside.

6:49 PM: SFD tells us two female patients will be taken to the hospital by private ambulance, which indicates neither has major injuries.

6:58 PM: SFD’s technical-rescue crew is evaluating the scene, which is likely to be blocked off for a while.

8:26 PM: Just went back to check. Car’s gone; store remains closed.

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YOU CAN HELP! Volunteer drivers sought, because ‘rides change lives’
March 8, 2019 5:42 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP! Volunteer drivers sought, because ‘rides change lives’
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Joyce and Rick have been doing this for a decade and asked if we could help get the word out:

Volunteer drivers are needed for Sound Generations Volunteer Transportation program. Using their own vehicles, volunteer drivers help older adults maintain their independence by taking them to necessary medical appointments. Clients appreciate their improved access to medical care, meaningful interactions with caring volunteers, and increased peace of mind.

Unfortunately, the program does not have enough drivers to meet the demand for transportation from vulnerable seniors. If you have the “drive” to help others, a clean driving record, and some daytime availability, call (206) 748-7588, email Diana at dianas@soundgenerations.org, or visit soundgenerations.org/get-involved/volunteer to find out more. Discover why rides change lives!

Sound Generations is a nonprofit that serves seniors in a variety of ways and places around King County, including at the Senior Center of West Seattle.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen maroon Nissan pickup truck
March 8, 2019 3:43 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen maroon Nissan pickup truck
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

From Michelle: “My dad’s car was stolen last night/early this morning from the street in front of his house in the Alaska Junction area. It is a 1989 maroon Nissan king cab pickup truck with license plate number B17456G.” She says it looks a lot like the one in this photo. If you see it, call 911.

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DEVELOPMENT: 5917 California ‘early outreach’ reminder, plus 3 more project notes
March 8, 2019 1:54 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

4 development notes:

5917 CALIFORNIA SW ‘EARLY OUTREACH’ TOMORROW: First, a reminder that the 5917 California SW project – 9 townhouses and 4 offstreet-parking spaces to replace the demolished Charmannn Apartments – has a drop-in community meeting tomorrow (Saturday) as part of the Early Design Outreach process. Just visit the community room at the High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond) between 2 and 3 pm.

(King County Assessor’s Office photo)

5600 25TH SW: An application has been filed to replace the 84-year-old house on this Lowrise-1-zoned corner lot at 25th and Findlay with six townhouses and six offstreet-parking spaces. A comment period is now open through March 20th; this notice explains how.

7141 FAUNTLEROY SW: The five townhouses and five offstreet-parking spaces proposed for this lot adjacent to, and as part of, The Kenney (WSB sponsor) have received key city approvals. That opens an appeal period; this notice explains how.

2749 CALIFORNIA SW PROJECT UPDATE: A reader asked how much longer West Seattle’s only current tower crane would be up – the one at the Luna Apartments and PCC Community Markets (WSB sponsor) project site, 2749 California SW. A spokesperson for Madison Development Group tells us it’s expected to be taken down in May; the project is on track for completion in November.

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