day : 13/02/2020 11 results

Another postseason loss for the West Seattle High School boys’ basketball team, but they have another chance to keep going. At Franklin HS, the Wildcats lost to Rainier Beach HS, 62-43. Saturday night, in a must-win district-tournament opener, WSHS plays Interlake at home (3000 California SW), 7 pm.

VIDEO: For the first time since re-election, City Councilmember Lisa Herbold speaks to West Seattle Chamber of Commerce

February 13, 2020 9:35 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Our area’s City Councilmember Lisa Herbold is now the council’s lead on crime/safety issues, as new chair of the Public Safety and Human Services Committee, and that’s where West Seattle Chamber of Commerce members focused their questions following her presentation to their lunch meeting today..

It was her first WSCC appearance since she won re-election in November, and the two-dozen-plus in attendance included her general-election opponent Phil Tavel as well as local entrepreneurs who actively campaigned for him.

Asked during the campaign about criticism from local businesses, she told us businesses from other parts of the city had reached out for help more than those here, but she offered optimism today for a fresh start, telling the lunch attendees that she has championed neighborhood chambers around the city and “I always hoped I could work more with the West Seattle Chamber. … I will do everything I can to be your champion.” Then she launched into an explanation of her current focuses and how the council works, noting regarding councilmembers’ oversight of city departments – “we don’t tell (them) what to do.” We recorded her presentation and most of the Q&A (minus an added few at the meeting’s very end):

If you don’t have time/inclination to watch, here’s how it went:

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UPDATE: ‘Scenes of violence’ response in Gatewood

February 13, 2020 6:52 pm

| 47 COMMENTS

| Gatewood | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

ORIGINAL REPORT: If you’re wondering about the sizable Seattle Fire “scenes of violence” response in the 6700 block of 36th SW in Gatewood: Police say one person who was “in crisis” is being taken to Harborview Medical Center. No word on his condition.

ADDED: The victim’s father says in the comment section below that he did not survive.

ADDED MONDAY NIGHT: As also noted below, a memorial service is planned next Saturday, and a crowdfunding page has been set up for the family.

ADDED WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Important information we neglected to include earlier: If you are considering self-harm, the local 24-hour crisis line is 866-427-4747..

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UPDATE: Valentine’s Eve West Seattle Art Walk

February 13, 2020 5:59 pm

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| West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

5:59 PM; The Viscon Cellars tasting room (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) is one of the places that’ll warm your heart on this Valentine’s Eve West Seattle Art Walk night. It’s open until 8 pm – and offering pairings with chocolate by Intrigue, with flavors including juniper and jasmine green tea:

Art too, of course, by Dot Lerch:

P.S. You can visit Viscon Cellars on Valentne’s night too – the regular Friday hours are 5 pm-9 pm.

6:49 PM: We’ve also been to Verity Credit Union (4505 California SW; WSB sponsor) where not only do they have chocolate – you can meet its maker!

That’s Chef Michael Poole of Hot Chocolat Artisan Firehouse Chocolates – featured here back in 2014.

He has had a career as a Seattle Fire Department lieutenant as well as a classically trained chef. Also at Verity, artist Christopher Kelleher:

He’s painting as well as creating 3-D art – free glasses with purchases!

8:05 PM: We also stopped by Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW; WSB sponsor),featuring Rachel Austin‘s adorable art this month:

Much of it incorporates local maps, including West Seattle, so it’s a very local gift – miniatures available as well as larger prints. Click! is open on Valentine’s Day (tomorrow!) 11 am-7 pm.

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PROPERTY TAXES: Bills on the way; here’s why they’re generally higher

February 13, 2020 4:46 pm

| 44 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news

Own property? The King County Assessor’s Office sent word today that bills are about to go out, explaining why most will be higher:

Two changes in our state’s school funding formula will lead to a 13.7% increase in property tax collections in King County for the 2020 tax year. Overall property tax collections for the 2020 tax year are $6.3 billion, an increase of $767 million or 13.7% from the previous year of $5.7 billion. Total County value increased by 5.92%, from $ 606.6 to $642.5 billion.

The increase in taxes is primarily due to two changes in education funding made by the Legislature; an increase in the statewide education levy, and increased authority for school districts to collect local levies:

The State Legislature passed SHB 2242 in the 2017 legislative session to fully fund the state’s program for basic education (McCleary). The total state rate of $2.70/$1,000 was to be for tax years 2018 thru 2022. In 2018 the Legislature passed ESSB 6614 to temporarily lower the total state rate to $2.40/$1,000. Under the law, the 2020 State School Fund rate is now back to $2.70/$1,000 for the 2020 tax year,
In conjunction with the above, ESSB 5313 authorizes enhancement levies (aka maintenance and operation levies) to increase from the maximum $1.50/$1,000 to $2.50/$1,000 of assessed value, $2,500 per student enrollment ($3,000 for districts with 400,000 TE students or more), or the voter approved amount for the 2020 tax year, whichever is the lessor of the three amounts.

King County Treasury will begin sending out the annual property tax bills February 14. King County collects property taxes on behalf of the state, the county, cities, and taxing districts (such as school and fire districts), and distributes the revenue to these local governments.

About 55 percent of property tax revenues collected in King County in 2019 pays for schools. Property taxes also fund voter-approved measures for veterans and seniors, fire protection, and parks. King County receives about 18 percent of your property tax payment for roads, police, criminal justice, public health, elections, and parks, among other services.

“Property tax policy remains in a state of flux,” said King County Assessor John Wilson. “It’s important to remember changes in the law, or approval of special levies, have much more impact on changes to your tax bill than does the changing value of your property.”

Property taxes vary depending upon location, the assessed value of the property, and the number of jurisdictions levying taxes (such as state, city, county, school district, port, fire district, etc).

A number of levies and other property tax measures were approved by voters in 2019 for collection in 2020. They include: [editor’s note – we’ve edited out mentions of the ones NOT affecting this area]

o King County: Renewal of the EMS regular property tax levy at a rate of $0.265/$1,000 for the first year of the six-year levy, an increase in rate of $0.04738/$1,000 from the previous year.

o King County: Renewal of Parks lid lift at a rate of $0.1832/$1,000 for the first year. Seniors/disabled taxpayers in the Senior Exemption Program are exempt from paying this lid lift.

o City of Seattle: Seattle Public Library seven-year regular property tax levy at a rate not to exceed $0.122/$1,000 in the first year. Seniors/disabled taxpayers in the Senior Exemption Program are exempt from paying this lid lift.

o Seattle Public Schools in King County passed an Enhancement levy.

o SPS passed a six-year Capital Projects levy.

Low-income seniors, veterans and disabled homeowners may qualify for a property-tax exemption offered by King County. Information on how to apply for an exemption, along with other property-assessment-related information, can be found at kingcounty.gov/assessor.

Property owners can find tax levy rates and more property related information by visiting the eReal Property Search on the King County Assessor’s website or by calling 206-296-7300.

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West Seattle YMCA to open new preschool space at Westwood Village

February 13, 2020 2:02 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | Westwood

(Added: WSB photo)

After losing some space in Seattle Public Schools facilities, the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) has been working to find more new preschool space – and is finally ready to announce it’s planning a new Early Learning Center at Westwood Village. Here’s the Y’s announcement:

The YMCA of Greater Seattle is expanding early learning programs in King County with a new center in West Seattle, expected to open in January 2021. The YMCA Early Learning Center at West Seattle, located at 2600 SW Barton Street in the Westwood Village Shopping Center, will serve 124 families from birth to five years.

For over 30 years, the Y’s values-based preschool program in West Seattle has helped kids learn essential cognitive, social, and physical skills that are the building blocks for successful adulthood. The Y is proud to build on their tradition of empowering our youngest learners.

The YMCA of Greater Seattle thanks the Washington State Department of Commerce, in partnership with the Department of Children Youth and Families for funding $800,000 of the construction costs through the Early Learning Facilities Program. The Early Learning Facilities program supports Washington’s commitment of developing high-quality early learning opportunities for children across the State of Washington.

“We already know the impact that quality early education can have on kids, it means they start reading earlier and begin to grasp math and science concepts before they start elementary school so they can hit the ground running.” said Loria Yeadon, President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater Seattle. “We believe that child care shouldn’t bankrupt families, and that child care can, and should be integrated into the family and community circles. By expanding child care in West Seattle, we’re expanding opportunities for kids for years to come.”

The Y is where everyone is welcome. The YMCA of Greater Seattle is committed to access for all kids regardless of financial circumstances and stands behind that by raising funds annually to bridge the gap for families. The Y accepts State of Washington Working Connections Child Care and City of Seattle subsidies with no enrollment caps.

The Y is a leader in youth development and in helping to ensure all kids have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. For more information on the new YMCA Early Learning Center at West Seattle or to sign up for the interest list, please visit seattleymca.org/ws-elc

The space they’re moving into is the two-story former eye-clinic space on the north end of the mall.

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BASKETBALL: West Seattle High School boys’ next playoff game tonight

February 13, 2020 1:57 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Big game tonight for the West Seattle High School boys’ basketball team – it’s not in WS but if you can go, they can use all the support they can get! 5:45 pm, they’re playing at Rainier Beach. The venue is Franklin High School, 3013 S. Mt. Baker Boulevard – here’s a map.

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BIZNOTE: Opening day for Grillbird Teriyaki

February 13, 2020 11:39 am

| 54 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

(WSB photos)

11:39 AM: The most-anticipated West Seattle restaurant opening of 2020 – so far – is today. Thanks to commenter MomOf3Boys for the tip; we’ve just been over to Grillbird Teriyaki at 6501 35th SW to verify that it’s opening at noon.

We first reported back in October that Matt Parker, a restaurant-industry veteran, planned to turn the ex-Pizza Hut into a teriyaki joint.

Though today’s start is at noon, hours will be 11 am-9 pm weekdays, noon-9 pm weekends. No paper menu when we stopped in, so this pic is the best we can do to share a menu with you for now.

1:31 PM: Updated the top photo (standalone sign wasn’t up earlier) and added a photo of proprietor Parker. They’re already busy, so give them some time and patience if you plan to try soon!

ADDED SATURDAY: An update from proprietor Matt Parker:

As we continue to fine tune our process, and in order to give our customers the best food and experience, we are closed for lunch this weekend, and opening at 5:00 pm to 9pm. Additionally we will be closed this Monday for Presidents Day and then be open Tuesday normal business hours.

At this time we will not be taking phone or online orders until we work out some of these normal supply and demand issues. Give us a few weeks and will be good to go on multiple ordering and delivery options, but for now we want to focus our attention on our in-store guests.

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Art, sweets, history, more for your West Seattle Thursday

February 13, 2020 11:06 am

| Comments Off on Art, sweets, history, more for your West Seattle Thursday

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Great Blue Heron photographed at Constellation Park by David Hutchinson)

Highlights for the rest of your Thursday:

CHOCOLATE! 1:30-3 pm, chocolate and food pairings at Daystar Retirement Village (WSB sponsor). Call 206-937-6122 to see if a spot remains. (2615 SW Barton)

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: 5 pm to “late,” as previewed last night. Here’s the map/venue list:

Also tonight:

WINE AND MACARONS: Galentine’s Night tasting, 6-9 pm at Sound and Fog. (4735 40th SW)

WORDS, WRITERS, SOUTHWEST STORIES: Love history? Don’t miss this talk by Philip Hoffman, author of “Town of Alki: Great Hopes & Fountainhead of Tears,” 6 pm at Southwest Library. (9010 35th SW)

OPEN MIC: 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), open to musicians and singers of all genres. (5612 California SW)

THE SANDBOX: Funk/jazz improv at Parliament Tavern with Bob Heinemann, Joe Doria, Ben Bloom, and Grant Schroff, 9 pm. $7 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

AND MORE … see all our calendar listings here!

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DEVELOPMENT: 3417 Harbor SW project’s Design Review Board meeting officially announced

February 13, 2020 10:20 am

| 13 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

10:20 AM: As we first reported last month, the 3417 Harbor SW apartment project is scheduled for its first Southwest Design Review Board meeting on March 5th, as confirmed by the city’s official announcement today. The description of the project has changed – now the city summarizes it as “an 8-story, 143-unit apartment building. Parking for 140 vehicles proposed.” That’s 3 more stories and twice the parking mentioned previously – we’re checking with the city on that, as the draft “packet” with the previous description is still the newest one on record. The meeting is at 6:30 pm March 5th at the Senior Center/Sisson Building (4217 SW Oregon) in The Junction. The meeting will include a public-comment period, but if you can’t be there, you can also send in comments – today’s notice (PDF) explains how.

11:28 AM: The project’s assigned city planner Crystal Torres just replied to confirm the notice is wrong – “The description got mixed up with another project. The 5-story 140 units is still proposed. We are on it, and will re-notice.”

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday watch, with reminders

February 13, 2020 6:56 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)

6:56 AM: Good morning! No incidents/alerts so far. Reminders:

CLOSURES AHEAD: Friday night/Saturday morning, 10 pm-8 am, the southbound Highway 99 Tunnel will be closed for maintenance. Also overnight Friday into Saturday, 9 pm-8 am, and again Saturday night-Sunday morning, 9 pm-8 am, the southbound 1st Ave. S. Bridge will be closed.

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