West Seattle, Washington
13 Saturday
Weather looks promising for this Wednesday night event – Cub Scout Pack 284 invites you to a barbecue that’s both to “welcome back returning scouts (kindergarten through 5th grade), and to provide info for folks who are interested in Scouting.” Stomp-rocket launching, too! It’s happening 6:30-7:45 pm Wednesday at Lincoln Park picnic shelter #5, by the wading pool. “The Pack will provide burgers, dogs, and fun. All you need to bring is a side or dessert to share and a friend who wants to learn more about Scouting!” Email (updated) seattlecubscoutpack284 (at) gmail (dot) com if you have questions.
For the second time in a week, Mayor Jenny Durkan and Police Chief Carmen Best were in West Seattle this afternoon. They chose Delridge Community Center as the location for a wide-ranging budget announcement involving everything from police retention to human services. Above, our video; the event was followed by two news releases published on the city website. This one is about plans to improve police retention/hiring (based on recommendations in this report), this one is about money to be spent on “new investments in community safety and building opportunity for young people (to) focus on alternatives to arrest and incarceration at every step of the system, from interactions with law enforcement, to diversion programs before a court filing, to reentry assistance after involvement in the criminal legal system.”
So why make these announcements in West Seattle (as you can hear in our video, we asked the chief what’s in the plans for the Southwest Precinct, and the reply was not ultra-specific)? Some community members were invited to be there in support, including Lora Radford from the West Seattle Junction Association, which has launched the city’s first Business Block Watch.
Meantime, the chief and mayor are continuing their budget-announcement tour tomorrow, when they’ll be joined by Fire Chief Harold Scoggins at Fire Station 2 downtown.
(WSB photos/video)(WSB photo, October 2018)
Almost a year after that house was moved from the future-development site at 1250 Alki SW, the project has yet to begin, with graffiti and weeds marking the rest of the site. But that’s about to change – the developers have just sent official notice that they’ve received their building permit. According to Ming Fung of Vibrant Cities, they expect to start construction within 45 days and “In the meantime, we will move as quickly as possible on the demolition.” The site originally held five houses (another one was moved in January 2018) and was proposed to become a 125-unit apartment building but that has since morphed into a 40-condo project to be called Infinity Shore Club Residences;
(2018 WSB photo)
Got your tickets yet? Here’s a chance to enjoy a well-deserved night out while supporting a vital community nonprofit:
Only 10 days left until the West Seattle Food Bank’s fun party and fundraiser A Grand Affair Cocktail Benefit at the Sanctuary at Admiral (on 42nd across from Admiral Safeway) on Friday evening, September 20th at 6:30 pm.
Tickets are $75/person until Thurs., 9/19 or $85 at the door. This is a fun Roaring ’20s-themed cocktail party featuring casino style gaming with a chance to win prizes (you get $10,000 of play chips with your ticket), hosted wine, beer & food, themed cocktails by Peel & Press and The Bridge, and Husky Ice Cream, served by Jack Miller himself, with a drizzle of Bourbon if you choose.
You can get your pictures taken in the photo booth, get your Tarot Cards read, buy raffle tickets with a chance to choose anything from the live auction, and bid on some fun experiences like a private dinner prepared by the owners of Bakery Nouveau or a tequila tasting and dinner at The Matador! All to help the 12,700 individuals the West Seattle Food Bank serves in our community.
To purchase tickets or check out all the rest of the auction items, click here!
Community co-sponsors of the event include WSB.
(King County Assessor’s photo)
A new tenant for the old market at 7789 Highland Park Way – Crowfoot Café. We noticed an early-stage permit filing, and then before we could even rev up our research, Harvey sent a tip with the restaurant-to-be’s name and website! We contacted proprietors/founders Steven Baird and Maureen Clark and asked for some backstory on what they’re planning. Here’s what they sent:
Maureen and I are both transplants to Seattle. I got to Washington via the Navy and after getting out of the service moved to the Seattle area in 2004. Maureen attended Boise State University and worked at KBSU, the city’s NPR affiliate, before making a change and landing in Seattle. Shortly after meeting each other we moved from the Fremont area to West Seattle, around 2009. We chose West Seattle because we liked the family feel and we were looking for our own nest. We settled in this cozy little neighborhood of Highland Park.
We were disappointed when the Country Deli Grocery store closed last year, as it was our go-to spot for ice cream and drinks.
We had been dreaming of opening our own cafe or restaurant for several years but, with a busy schedule, (school, soccer and work), the launch of this idea seemed impossible. Meanwhile I was conquering another challenge in life, perfecting my pizza!! I have been making pizza from “scratch” my entire life and it wasn’t until about 10 years ago when I started my own family that this passion for making pizza became stronger as I wanted to pass these skills on to my own family. The thought of watching my kids and possibly even grandkids making pizza really makes me happy!! On this mission to perfect my pizza, the key stone was our patio wood-fired pizza oven. This oven allowed me to make professional pizza consistently enough that it led to us hosting several backyard pizza parties. Afterward, I told Maureen “we should just do this, we should make our pizza for everyone to enjoy.” We started making some small plans here and there but everything really was at a standstill until we saw that the old convenience store was available for lease. Returning from our vacation, we saw the sign from the window of the truck and immediately jumped on the opportunity.
Since we are pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps, we decided the best course was to start with a setup where we can make and sell pizza right away. We are starting out small, operating a pizzeria kitchen on wheels from the parking lot with outside covered seating, while we are securing the (change of use) permit to allow people to sit inside the building. As soon as we have the permit, we will have real inside seating! After a year or two we will build a kitchen and while celebrating the history of the building, transform the space. We are working through the kinks getting the trailer finished and submitting our plans to Labor & Industries and Department of Health. We plan for a soft opening – “The Pizza Tasting” – in early November.
Crowfoot Cafe’s Mission: To provide great pizza in a family-oriented environment where everyone feels welcome. To give back to our community that has nurtured us, we want to extend a discount to Seattle Public Schools employees, First Responders, and contribute to West Seattle Soccer Club.
A cafe in our growing neighborhood has been long in coming and we are excited to step up and give back.
Just back from a media briefing that was held steps away from that view of the section of Alaskan Way Viaduct that will be demolished starting Thursday. Also discussed: Getting around in south downtown.
That’s Heather Marx, SDOT’s downtown mobility director. She says Alaskan Way will be temporarily opened to two lanes each way for the Dearborn demo period, Thursday through September 21st. You’ll still be able to get off northbound 99 there, but since Dearborn will be closed, you’ll have to take Alaskan – your first opportunity to turn into downtown will be Alaskan to King Street. 1st Avenue will remain open during the demolition but will be narrowed in the Dearborn vicinity to one lane each way.
That’s Bill Bryant of Metro. He reiterated that NB buses will be temporarily rerouted during the Dearborn closure. He and Marx (a West Seattleite who rides the bus) stressed the importance of keeping up on announced bus stop moves. We asked Bryant about early reviews on the new SB reroutes that started Monday; he said the first day looked good (Marx said her 21X ride went well) but it’s only one day, so they’ll be watching closely for the next few weeks.
As for the Viaduct – WSDOT before-and-almost-after photos above – demolition is now 92 percent complete. Teardown is expected to be over by early October, with cleanup continuing the rest of the month.
P.S. – TUNNEL CLOSURES: Also coming up this weekend, both directions of the Highway 99 tunnel will be closed 10 pm Friday to 8 am Saturday; the NB direction will close again 10 pm Saturday, reopening by 8 am Sunday.
12:18 PM: Thanks for the tip – a truck incident has closed the 4th Ave. S. exit from the EB West Seattle Bridge.
1:20 PM: Just passed the ramp a few minutes ago; a tow truck’s now onscene.
2:43 PM: Open.
Thanks to the texter who sent that photo (and also to Mel, who sent a photo from just before it went up). Signage is going up for West Seattle’s Whole Foods Market, which WFM has said will open next month (exact date TBA) at 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW. It’s been 13+ years since WFM first declared West Seattle intentions (originally for the site that now holds LA Fitness across the street), 7 years since the announcement it would be part of what became The Whittaker.
In the spirit of alliterative social-media spotlights, we’re declaring this #TurkeyTuesday, with two cool recent pics sent by readers. The one above is courtesy of Lauren; the one below, from Evelyn. Now, four highlights for today/tonight:
NURSING INFORMATION SESSION: Find out about the nursing programs at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) by attending this 11 am session in Cascade Hall Room 202. (6000 16th SW)
DINE-OUT BENEFIT: The Sanislo Elementary PTA will help students with a share of the proceeds from tonight’s dine-out benefit at The Skylark, 5-8 pm. Kids’ talent show, too! (3803 Delridge Way SW)
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Meeting at 6:30 pm at Admiral Congregational Church. Agenda info’s in our calendar listing. All welcome. (4520 SW Hill)
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Board meeting at 7 pm in the conference room at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse. Agenda info’s in our calendar listing. Community members always welcome. (9131 California SW)
MORE! See our complete calendar here.
West Seattle’s Colton Fukano has been riding BMX since he was 3; we first featured him when mom Shawnda Fukano sent word of his championship at age 4, and he’s still succeeding in a big way three years later. Her latest update:
Colton Fukano earned second place overall in the Washington State BMX Championship for the 2019 season in the 8 expert category. We are so proud of all of his hard work this season as he moved up to racing in the much more difficult expert category.
Racing is still happening at the North SeaTac BMX track on Thursday nights and Saturday afternoons if anyone wants to try it out. The Halloween costume race is especially fun!
Here is a link to one of Colton’s favorite races this season. He is in navy blue with a white helmet.
(Find out more about the BMX park here.)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7:02 AM: Good morning!
BUS REROUTES: Second day of the south-downtown SB reroutes.
DEARBORN CLOSURE STARTS THURSDAY: The section of Alaskan Way Viaduct that remains over Dearborn, by 1st, will be demolished starting Thursday, and that means a week-and-a-half closure. We’ll be covering a media briefing about it later this morning.
STADIUM ZONE TONIGHT: Mariners vs. Cincinnati, 7:10 pm, so the Water Taxi runs into the late evening.
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