West Seattle, Washington
23 Saturday
Family and friends will gather August 25th to celebrate the life of Dorothy Wright:
Dorothy Gloria Wright passed away at the age of 93 at Harborview Hospital, on July 28, after being struck by a car in a crosswalk at Jefferson Square on July 26.
Dorothy was born at home in Fairdale Township, North Dakota in 1925, the youngest of 6 children. After graduation from Crookston MN High School, she moved to Chicago to live with her oldest sister and family. She worked as a model at Sears. She met her future husband , Everett, who just happened to be her sister’s brother-in-law, at Christmas, while he was on leave from the Army Air Corp. They wrote for 8 months, became engaged on his next leave, and married two days later (technically their 4th date). They were married for 72 years, until his passing in 2016.
In 1956, they left Chicago with their children Wendy and Brad and moved to West Seattle, where several family members had relocated. They lived in their West Seattle house for the rest of their lives.
Dorothy was a homemaker, active in the PTA, Cub Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, and bowling leagues. When the kids were out of grade school, she went back to work at Sears on First and Lander in the catalog sales department, until her retirement in 1987.
During their married life, Dorothy and Everett went on 28 cruises (Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean and the Panama Canal.) They loved to dance together at White Center Eagles, play the slots, and meet other travelers.
Mom loved playing Copper Dropper slot machines at the Tulalip and Emerald Queen Casinos, having a rum and coke at 5 pm, her water aerobics class at the West Seattle YMCA, happy hour at Salty’s with her 90+-year-old friends, chicken fingers and fries at the Luna Park Café and her family.
Dorothy leaves behind her daughter, Wendy (Michael) Hobson, son Brad (Colette) Wright, and her grandsons, Aaron & Shawn Hobson and Carson Wright. She also leaves her sister Violet Denison and many nieces and nephews in Seattle and across the USA.
A Celebration of Life party will be held on Sunday, August 25, 1-4 pm at the American Legion Hall at 37th and Alaska in West Seattle. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the West Seattle Family YMCA, 3622 SW Snoqualmie St., Seattle 98126.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
(WSB file photo, future park site at 48th/Charlestown)
After five years in landbanked mode, the 48th/Charlestown park site is finally on the path to reality. As part of that, Seattle Parks is soliciting name ideas. The announcement:
SPR purchased .33 acres at 4801 SW Charlestown St. in 2014 for the future development of a park. The corner property had been a small community garden and prior to that a neighborhood grocery store. It has a history as a community gathering space. Osborn Consulting and SPR worked with the community on the design for the new park, which will provide a “neighborhood green” for the people of all ages to meet, eat, play, and celebrate.
The design includes an oval lawn surrounded by a loop path with arching seat walls, imaginative and active play for young children, picnic areas, and a small stage. Native and drought-tolerant plants will express the natural history of this area, and trees will frame the park and provide shade. The new park will be completed in 2021. More information on the project can be found (here).
The Parks Naming Committee will consider all suggestions and make a recommendation to Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent Jesús Aguirre, who will make the final decision.
The Parks Naming Committee is comprised of one representative designated by the Board of Park Commissioners; one by the Chair of the City Council Civic Development, Public Assets and Native Communities Committee; and one by the Parks Superintendent. Criteria the committee considers in naming parks include: geographical location, historical or cultural significance, and natural or geological features. The Park Naming Policy, clarifying the criteria applied when naming a park, can be found (here).
Please submit suggestions for park names in writing by Friday, October 18, 2019 and include an explanation of how your suggestion matches the naming criteria. Send to Seattle Parks and Recreation, Parks Naming Committee, 100 Dexter Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98109, or by e-mail to paula.hoff@seattle.gov.
6:52 PM: “We’ve got some great dancing going on up here!” enthused one of The Highsteppers‘ singers between songs, referring to the youngest audience members:
Most of what they have performed so far is from those kids’ grandparents’ day – classic R&B, Motown, soul hits – but great music cuts across generations, and that’s what they’re doing tonight in the second-to-last Summer Concerts at Hiawatha show:
The Highsteppers @ Hiawatha until 8! pic.twitter.com/BHUXGSXMt9
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) August 16, 2019
This is on at the east lawn of Hiawatha Community Center until 8, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, with community co-sponsors including WSB. Free. More later!
10:12 PM: Special guest audience member – The West Seattle Turkey!
Well … it was nearby. Thanks to everybody who texted and rushed over to the sponsor zone on the east edge of the lawn to tell us in person about the sighting. The Turkey wisely moved on before attracting too much of a crowd. And thanks to the driver who stopped as it, yes, high-stepped across the street.
Back to the concert. Vocalists Samantha Willis and Stacey Meyer shone on a range of songs from “Rescue Me” to “Straight Up,” and the rest of the band rocked too. Here’s part of “Proud Mary”:
Another good crowd, all ages, many with picnic dinners:
One more video clip, just in as we finish this update – courtesy of Mark Jaroslaw:
Summer Concert at Hiawatha / The Highsteppers from JaroslawMedia on Vimeo.
Next week, last concert of the season – the traditional series-closer, kindie-rock superstar Caspar Babypants, 6:30 pm Thursday, August 22nd – see you there!
As previewed in today’s highlights, you’re invited to enjoy a barbecue on the back lawn at The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW; WSB sponsor). Live music:
The Silverbacks, playing The Kenney’s community BBQ until 7 pic.twitter.com/CR2Av6cFfW
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) August 16, 2019
The theme is Hawaiian, but you don’t need an aloha shirt – although The Kenney’s executive director John Cruz is sporting one:
The barbecue’s on until 7.
A texter noticed city crews working today in an area of Rotary Viewpoint Park (35th SW east of SW Alaska) where there’s been camping for some weeks. We went there and found a Seattle Parks crew cleaning up what they confirmed were the remnants of a campsite. We then asked Will Lemke, spokesperson for the city’s Homelessness Response, about it. His reply:
The Navigation Team did remove an encampment in the area you referenced. There was a woman living unsheltered there and the team has been engaging her for over a month to try and connect her to shelter and/or services. Parks crews were there to restore the site and work on the tree that was damaged. The team’s outreach workers, System Navigators, are following up to see what can be done to connect her to shelter now that she has moved elsewhere.
According to a recent city report, 135 “unmanaged campsites” were cleared around the city in the second quarter of this year.
(From project fact sheet)
After a reader messaged us to say that “crazy vibrations have been rumbling our windows and house on the east side of Hiawatha,” we just verified with the Port of Seattle/Northwest Seaport Alliance that – as per this reminder last Friday – pile-driving has begun for the Terminal 5 project. Today is the first day of a six-month window during which in-water work, such as pile-driving, is allowed; the other six months, it’s prohibited “to minimize effects on migratory fish.” If you have a comment or question:
• Terminal 5 community phone line: 206-787-6886
• Email: Terminal5_Outreach@portseattle.org
Phase 1 of the project, including the north berth, is expected to be finished by early 2021; then the south-berth work starts in Phase 2.
(WSB photo, July 27)
That’s our region’s last surviving Buffalo Soldier, Clyde Robinson, photographed at the Delridge headquarters of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 23 during last month’s Black Veterans Celebration (WSB coverage here). This Saturday, Chapter 23 invites you to a ceremony on his behalf and that of Tuskegee Airman William Booker. From the chapter’s treasurer/service officer Jack Kegley:
West Seattle Chapter of DAV, Chapter 23, is hosting a celebration of Clyde Robinson, the last surviving Buffalo Solder from World War II, with a commemorative plaque. We are also presenting the widow of Tuskegee Airman William Booker (RedTail) with a burial flag, which she was not presented with at the time of her husband’s funeral.
We will also have a speaker on women veterans counseling and a member of OutDoor Life, a recreational adventure series for Veterans and their families. All are invited to 4857 Delridge this Saturday, August 17th, for the ceremony and a fried chicken dinner. From 11 am until about 2 pm.
As work continues on the Avalon/35th repaving-and-more project, here’s the weekly SDOT progress report:
Paving is complete in Zone A and we have begun breaking the road in Zone C.
Zone A (SW Avalon Way from SW Spokane St to SW Yancy St)
To complete work in Zone A, we are continuing work on SW Avalon Way between SW Charlestown St and SW Andover St, including:· Finishing concrete paving work on the new bus island at SW Yancy St this week
· Closing SW Charlestown St as soon as the week of August 19 to complete curb ramp and sidewalk work
· Rebuilding the sidewalk on the west side between SW Bradford and SW Charlestown streets
· Finishing work in Zone A as soon as the week of August 19
Zone C (SW Avalon Way from SW Genesee St to 35th Ave SW)
We are continuing work on SW Avalon Way between SW Genesee St and 35th Ave SW including:· Completing rebuilding the road base on the north side of the road this week
· Paving the north side of the road on Monday, August 19. This work is weather dependent and subject to change.
o There will be no driveway access on August 19
o If you need access to your car, plan to park on side streets the night before. You will not be able to use your driveway while the pavement cures.
· Excavating the south side of the road and moving the SW Genesee St traffic signal as early as Tuesday, August 20
· Maintaining daytime driveway access when safe and feasible during the workday. If you need to leave your driveway, plan for delays of up to 1 hour. We encourage you to speak with our crews to check when excavation will take place near your property.
· Placing steel plates or building temporary driveways between 5 and 7 PM to maintain evening access
· Tentatively paving the south side of the road as early as the week of September 2
Zone E (35th Ave SW from SW Avalon Way to SW Alaska St)
We are continuing work on 35th Ave SW from SW Avalon Way to SW Alaska St, including:· Beginning concrete paving on the west side tomorrow, August 16. This work is weather dependent and subject to change.
· No driveway access from Thursday to early Saturday to allow the concrete time to cure
· SW Snoqualmie St remaining closed for staging
We are monitoring the worksite on the weekends and will implement traffic control as needed.
While we are not conducting work in Zone B until we return to complete final paving, you may see private projects restricting parking and utilizing traffic control.
SDOT adds, “In early September, there will be multiple weekend closures of the intersection of SW Avalon Way and 35th Ave SW to allow us to rebuild the concrete panels in the intersection.” Plus, the weekly Q&A:
Things we’ve heard from the community
Each week, we’ll plan to address a few common questions we’ve heard from your neighbors.When will you pave SW Avalon Way?
We anticipate paving SW Avalon Way (Zones A, B, and C) in mid-September. We will return to the corridor in late spring to complete final striping.Are there noise permits for projects doing work at night?
Yes, there are permits to allow crews to conduct work at night. We cannot make impactful noises or jackhammer after 5 PM unless we have permission from the City’s Department of Construction & Inspections or need to complete emergency work.Cars are cutting through my neighborhood at unsafe speeds to avoid construction. What can I do?
We have heard a lot of concerns about speeding and cut-through traffic. People driving, please be mindful of your neighbors and follow posted speed limits through the corridor and neighboring streets. If you are concerned about cut-through traffic, we can provide Vision Zero signs to post in your neighborhood. If you’re interested, please email us at avalonpaving@seattle.gov.
ORIGINAL THURSDAY REPORT: In the spirit of Block Watch, you might call this Bark Watch. Seattle Police Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Danner sent this announcement that they are launching a new program called Paws on Patrol:
You can help prevent crime while you are walking your dog!
Paws on Patrol encourages dog walkers to serve as extra eyes and ears for the Seattle Police Department.
This program trains pet owners to prevent crime, as well as recognize and report suspicious activity.
Get a free SPD Paws on Patrol dog tag when you join (while supplies last)!
The SW Precinct will be hosting the Paws on Patrol launch event on Saturday, September 21st at 10 am.
So if you are interested – save the date!
ADDED FRIDAY: A clarification from CPC Danner: “I have received a lot of inquiries about Paws on Patrol (yay!). Thank you everyone for your interest! Just wanted to clarify- at this time there is no link to join, please plan to attend the launch event on Saturday, September 21st, to join! I will send out more details as we get closer to the event!” This will be the first precinct to test the program, by the way. And yes, you AND your dog will be welcome at the September 21st meeting.
(Spotted Towhee ready for takeoff, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
POSTCARDS TO VOTERS: Until noon, drop in at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) to join in. (5612 California SW)
WADING POOLS & SPRAYPARK OPEN TODAY: Seattle Parks says afternoon sun and 70+ temps are expected, so it will open the pools: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open 11 am-8 pm, Hiawatha (Walnut/Lander) is open noon-6:30 pm, South Park (738 S. Sullivan) is open noon-7 pm – last day of the season for that one. And the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open 11 am-8 pm.
ARTS & CRAFTS STUDIO: Parents/caregivers and kids 2-10 are welcome to drop in at Delridge Library 1-3 pm to work on a weekly art project. Free. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: As previewed here, 4-6 pm, the new West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor)-operated half-day preschool location at Hallows Church welcomes prospective families. (3420 SW Cloverdale)
FREE BARBECUE: The Kenney (WSB sponsor) welcomes you for a summer barbecue on its park-like back lawn, with free food and live music, 5:30-7 pm. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)
SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: 6:30 pm on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center, the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s series of free Thursday night concerts continues with The Highsteppers. Bring your own chair/blanket! (Walnut/Lander)
PLAY GAMES WITH WEST SEATTLE TIMEBANK: 6:30 pm at Meeples Games, the Timebank invites you to a fun meetup. RSVP required as there’s a space limitation – info’s in our calendar listing. (3727 California SW)
CEPHALOPOD: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern – “Charlie Akeley’s superstar funk/jazz jam band featuring Thaddeus Turner, Joe Doria, and Chris Poage plus guests” – $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
MORE! Continue on to our full calendar to see what else is happening.
As the new school year gets closer, we have another announcement – this time from West Seattle High School golf coach Joel Snow:
If you are interested in playing golf for the West Seattle High Golf Team for the 2019-2020 season, please contact Coach Joel at wshsgolfteam@outlook.com.
Our season runs from September to the end of October. We have both varsity and junior varsity teams. Golf is a non-cut sport so there are no tryouts and all skill levels are welcome.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7:02 AM: Good morning! No outbound alerts/incidents reported in our area so far.
BUSES REROUTED TODAY: Reminder that Metro is testing a reroute for southbound buses on the south end of downtown today, until 5 am Friday. Here’s the map again:
7:21 AM: “Unplanned maintenance” for MV Kitsap is causing some cancellations on the Fauntleroy- Vashon-Southworth route this morning.
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