day : 29/10/2021 10 results

ELECTION 2021: One last look at Seattle Port Commission candidates

October 29, 2021 11:56 pm

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| Port of Seattle | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Most of the spotlight this election season has shone on candidates for Seattle city offices. But that’s not all you’ll find on your ballot (if you’re among the 80+% of local voters whose ballots haven’t been turned in yet). You have 17 choice to make – including three races for Seattle Port Commission.

Five commissioners, all elected countywide, comprise the board, serving four-year terms. This year, Positions 1, 3, and 4 are up for election. In each race, the incumbent and a challenger filed for the seat, so there were no primary votes – all six candidates went directly to the general election. Thursday night, five of them participated in an online forum presented by the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition and Seattle Parks Foundation – for Position 1, first-term incumbent Ryan Calkins; for Position 3, two-term incumbent Stephanie Bowman and King County policy adviser Hamdi Mohamed; and for Position 4, first-term incumbent Peter Steinbrueck and state Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs executive director Toshiko Grace Hasegawa.

DRCC executive director Paulina López co-hosted with SPF CEO Rebecca Bear. In opening comments, they pointed out the enormity of the Port of Seattle‘s impact on our region, both seaport and airport operations. The forum was only allotted an hour, so after introductory opening statements, questions were asked randomly of one or more participants. What we’ve written below is our summarizing/paraphrasing of the questions and answers, not direct quotes unless designated as such by quotation marks.

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WEST SEATTLE SCHOOLS: Noose found in tree at Pathfinder K-8, principal tells families (updated)

October 29, 2021 9:14 pm

| 57 COMMENTS

| Pigeon Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

ORIGINAL FRIDAY NIGHT REPORT: Thanks to the Pathfinder K-8 community members who forwarded this letter emailed tonight by the school’s principal, Dr. Britney Holmes:

Dear Pathfinder Families and Staff,

I’m writing to inform you about an incident that occurred today at our school.

This morning about 8:50 a.m. a staff member discovered a noose attached to a tree on our campus. They immediately notified me. I took photos to document the item, and then had the custodian remove it. Discovery and removal took place during student arrival time. We don’t know how many students may have seen it.

We immediately contacted SPS Safety and Security department. We have also made a report to the Seattle Police Department. The incident is still under investigation.

Our school administrative team will be meeting with the central office coordinated school health team to determine next steps in providing supports to our school community. In the meantime, employees can receive free, confidential short-term counseling from the SPS Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The number for EAP is 877-313-4455. Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is committed to ensuring students have safe and welcoming environments for learning.

Neither SPS nor our school will tolerate any symbols of hatred, oppression, or violence. As a community, we are working to be anti-racist. We will continue to build anti-racist systems in our school. We will continue to lift up our families and communities of color and keep them involved in our process.

I hope you can find comfort and joy with family and friends this weekend.

We have no additional information but will be following up with the district and police.

ADDED MONDAY MORNING: This is the only statement from the district so far, via spokesperson Tim Robinson: “A noose was discovered on Friday and the district is offering supports to staff and students. Additional information has come in and, working with the school principal, the district is continuing to investigate in order to gain as much information as possible regarding the use and occurrence of this abhorrent symbol.”

ADDED WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Multiple readers have forwarded us an email that Dr. Holmes sent tonight. It begins:

I’m writing today to provide an update about the recent incident that occurred at our school.

As you know, a noose was found attached to a tree on our campus last Friday. Immediately, this incident was reported to Seattle Public Schools Safety and Security and the Seattle Police Department.

Since the opening of the investigation, a member of the Pathfinder community has come forward to identify the person responsible. That information has been shared appropriately with law enforcement and SPS leaders in order to bring appropriate resolution to the matter. The case remains under investigation by SPD.

Although responsibility has been admitted, I want to emphasize that this does not mitigate the gravity of the incident and its deep impact on those members of our community. Collectively, we must acknowledge that the symbolism used in this incident, regardless of intent, invoked anger and fear in many people, particularly our BIPOC families and staff.

As a result, my immediate hope and goal is to bring our Pathfinder family together to begin the healing process with the following opportunities for understanding and conversation.

The principal then lists three times next week for the school and Pigeon Point community to have that conversation, in “affinity spaces” for white participants at one and BIPOC participants at the other, and a third event for all.

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CONGRATULATIONS! West Seattleite honored as Firefighter of the Year

October 29, 2021 7:51 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

If you don’t know Roger Webber, that video will introduce you to him. Both the Seattle Fire Department and King County Fire Chiefs Association have announced the West Seattle resident as Firefighter of the Year. As explained in the video, he had a pivotal role in SFD’s launch of the Health One service, which, as he explains it, responds to assist “society’s most vulnerable people.” Though he and his family live here in West Seattle, he has been based at SFD’s Fire Station 10 in Pioneer Square for two decades.

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DEVELOPMENT: See design packet for 3010 SW Avalon Way before next week’s review

October 29, 2021 5:58 pm

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| Development | West Seattle news

Next Thursday (November 4th) at 7 pm, 3010 SW Avalon Way [map] goes to the Southwest Design Review Board – an apartment building proposed for eight stories, ~86 units, and 4 offstreet-parking spaces. The design packet for the meeting is now available for an advance look – see it above or on the city website. This is an Early Design Guidance meeting, so the review will focus on massing – size, shape, placement on the site – rather than design details. The meeting will be online at 7 pm Thursday, with a public-comment period; viewing/call-in/commenting info is here. If you have comments but can’t participate in the meeting, email comments to assigned planner Theresa Neylon at theresa.neylon@seattle.gov.

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WEST SEATTLE HALLOWEEN: Trick-or-treat time in The Admiral District

October 29, 2021 3:26 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle news

3:26 PM: The first of four local business-district trick-or-treating events is happening now! Wander around The Admiral District before 6 pm to show off costumes and get treats. Above, the scene inside Alki Bike & Board; below, candy and cider at Arthur’s. . More photos to come.

3:52 PM: Walking around to check on participation – the block of California north of Admiral, both sides; south of Admiral, to Safeway on the east side and to Fit4Mom on the west side. Also a few on the south side of Admiral east of California.

5:39 PM: Here’s some of who we saw – at Circa:

At Bebop Waffle Shop:

At Brookdale:

At Brent Amacher State Farm:

And other sightings in the first hour:

See our West Seattle Halloween Guide for other business-district trick-or-treating in the next two days – starting with Alki Beach, 10 am-noon Saturday!

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ELECTION 2021: Planning to vote this weekend?

October 29, 2021 1:48 pm

| 25 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Tuesday is the deadline to get your ballot in, so this weekend is the perfect time to vote if you haven’t already. So far, only 18.4% of West Seattle/South Park voters have turned in their ballots. As always, the deadlines are 8 pm Election Day (Tuesday) if you use a county dropbox – or earlier, to ensure a November 2nd postmark, if you are mailing via USPS. If you need help voting – including doing it via an assistive device – you can go to a King County Elections Vote Center starting tomorrow (nearest one is at Lumen Field Event Center, open 10 am-4 pm Saturday, 8:30 am-6 pm Monday, 8:30 am-8 pm Tuesday). Still making up your mind? We’ve covered some forums along the way – you can review our coverage archive here – and watch for two reports tonight on the Port Commission and King County Executive forums held by local groups last night. As noted here, you have 17 decisions to make this time around.

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What SDOT heard at HPAC discussion. of Delridge/Highland Park ‘Stay Healthy Streets’ future, and your chance to comment today

October 29, 2021 11:54 am

| 49 COMMENTS

| Delridge | Highland Park | Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

SDOT has proposed a permanent route for the Delridge/Highland Park “Stay Healthy Streets,” with some current blocks to be dropped – but keeping the stretch that’s been the source of the loudest community concerns. They’re nonetheless asking for opinions, and hosting an outdoor “open house” today on 11th SW by Highland Park Elementary, 2-4 pm. In advance of that, SDOT reps were at Wednesday night’s HPAC meeting to talk about the Stay Healthy Streets as well as traffic-mitigation/calming events elsewhere.

STAY HEALTHY STREETS: first, a little backstory. These streets are closed to through-traffic, open to drivers who live, work, study, or otherwise have business on them, and open to people walking/running/riding/rolling in the street. The city launched the SHS concept early in the pandemic as a way to get around with more social distancing, but has expanded the mission beyond the pandemic, and is now making many of them permanent. The Delridge-Highland Park SHS network (designated in May of last year) would be the second in the city (after Greenwood) to be made permanent, SDOT’s Madison Linkenmeyer told HPAC.

She recapped what they’ve heard from the community:

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WEST SEATTLE FRIDAY: Admiral trick-or-treating, vaccination clinic’s first day, more….

October 29, 2021 10:26 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo from Ashley in the 7000 block of 14th SW – one of dozens of displays spotlighted in our Halloween Guide)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Halloween Guide:

VACCINATION CLINIC OPENS: Today is the first day for West Seattle’s new city-sponsored COVID-19 vaccination clinic, at Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way SW), as announced earlier this week. Walk-ins welcome, appointments too, 11 am-7 pm Fridays, 8:30 am-4:30 pm Saturdays.

DELRIDGE/HIGHLAND PARK STAY HEALTHY STREETS OPINIONS? Share your thoughts with an SDOT team that’ll be tabling 2-4 pm on 11th SW by Highland Park Elementary to listen to your comments and answer questions. The city has proposed a permanent route, as previewed here.

ADMIRAL DISTRICT TRICK OR TREATING: The businesses in The Admiral District have decided to welcome trick-or-treaters this year after all, and it’s happening 3-6 pm today. Look for participating merchants (with this sign) mostly along California and Admiral radiating out from that intersection.

SPOOKY INTERACTIVE ART GALLERY: 5:30-10 pm tonight and tomorrow; you have to text to get the location – the number is in our calendar listing,

NIGHTFALL ORPHANAGE: 7 pm-10 pm, the haunted experience at 2130 Alki SW is open again tonight. Info (and video trailer!) in our calendar listing.

HALLOWEEN BINGO & COSTUME CONTEST: 8 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), with prizes.

LAST DAY FOR HOLIDAY GREENERY FUNDRAISER: Today’s the deadline for orders in Seattle Lutheran High School’s holiday-greenery fundraiser – details and ordering link here.

Something for our calendar, Halloween Guide, daily previews, forthcoming Holiday Guide … or a possible news story? westseattleblog@gmail.com, or text/voice 206-293-6302 if it’s urgent … thank you!

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HOLIDAY GIVING: West Seattle businesses invited to donate a decorated tree

October 29, 2021 9:35 am

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| Holidays | How to help | Rotary Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

The senior-living complex Brookdale Admiral Heights is planning a Festival of Trees this holiday season and looking for businesses to donate decorated trees. Here’s the announcement:

You can help us celebrate our first ever magical community event by donating a decorated holiday tree to the Brookdale Admiral Heights Festival of Trees. Your beautiful and creatively decorated tree will be displayed for over two weeks and viewed by many of the West Seattle community (and also showcased online).

Whether you’re advertising your business, promoting your organization, showcasing your children’s creations or decorating a tree for yourself or your family, you’ll be proud to be an important part of this exciting annual event. Deadline to donate a tree and be a part of the festival is November 6th. Please note we are capping our tree donations at 12 this year, so sign up ASAP! Also send your business logo.

If you have questions about donating a tree for 2021, please call 206-512-7730 or email a member of the 2021 Tree Team at tmeade@brookdale.com leaving your name, address, email, and telephone number. Your tree theme is up to you and a name for your tree is required.

Your decorated tree is a tax-deductible donation which will be auctioned off as part of the fundraising efforts of the West Seattle Rotary. The West Seattle Rotary is a 501(c)(3) private non-profit organization as defined by the US Internal Revenue Service code. The Festival will provide you with a donation verification letter should you desire it for tax purposes.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Pre-Halloween Friday notes & weekend alerts

October 29, 2021 6:02 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:02 AM: Good morning!

WEATHER

After a very rainy night, drying out today – the forecasters promise – just in time for Hallo-weekend.

WATCH OUT FOR TRICK-OR-TREATERS

From the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide, Admiral District businesses welcome trick-or-treaters 3-6 pm today, Alki Beach businesses do it 10 am-noon tomorrow, The Junction 10 am-2 pm Sunday, and then of course there’s Halloween night everywhere … everybody be careful!

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

587th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are views of other bridges and routes:

South Park Bridge:

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

The 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):

Are movable bridges opening for boats or barges? The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed has stalled again, but 1st Ave. South Bridge openings are tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.

See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also on this WSB page.

ROAD WORK – TODAY, THIS WEEKEND, BEYOND

26th SW – Ongoing closure between Roxbury and Barton for RapidRide H Line prep work, at least a few more weeks, the county says.

THIS WEEKEND: Here’s the multi-location SDOT advisory:

This weekend, we’ll be completing the concrete street panel work started a few weeks ago on 16th Ave SW and SW Austin St in the northbound direction. This work is anticipated to begin as early as 7 AM Saturday and is expected to be completed by 5 PM. You can expect to see some travel lane closures throughout the day on Saturday, but traffic will be maintained in both directions. After completing the work, we will place steel plates Saturday evening to allow the concrete to fully harden. You can expect minor traffic impacts on Sunday afternoon as concrete crews remove the steel plates.

We’ll also be working on updating the painted street striping at the intersection between Corson Ave S and S Michigan St. This work is anticipated to last from 6 AM to 11 AM on Saturday. The left turn lane will be affected north of S Michigan St and the southbound through lanes will be affected south of S Michigan St for removal of paint lines and installation of new ones to support a slightly different operation.

In South Park this weekend, we’ll also be completing some minor street pavement repairs in various locations on Saturday from approximately 7 AM to 5 PM. We do not anticipate any major closures or detours for travelers.

NEXT WEEK: More RapidRide-related work at 26th/Roxbury, starting as soon as Monday. This flyer has full details.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Regular Metro schedule, except for the rerouting in RapidRide H Line work zones – on 26th and 15th SW in particular. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of trip cancellations.

For ferries and Water Taxi: WSF continues a two-boat schedule on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run. Check here for alerts/updates. The Water Taxi continurs on its new schedule (no weekend or off-peak shuttle buses).

Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

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