day : 08/02/2022 11 results

ORIGINAL TUESDAY NIGHT REPORT: After five years as a city-supported tiny-house encampment, Camp Second Chance in southeast West Seattle is still trying to get water and sewer connections.

That was the hottest topic at tonight’s monthly online meeting of the Camp Second Chance Community Advisory Committee. The longrunning utility-line effort reportedly had cold water thrown on it by Seattle Public Utilities. Camp manager Scott Harris said SPU reps did a survey that showed the nearest hookups are on the Seattle Fire Department Joint Training Facility site to the north, and said that running the lines to CSC would be too costly. Harris said that didn’t seem like the final word on the matter, though. Committee members are going to contact West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold to see if she can help them get the utilities at the camp, since she had pursued funding in the city budget last year. In the meantime, water will continue to be delivered to the camp.

Harris said January was busy at CSC, with 14 people moving out into housing. The camp’s currently down to 38 people (about two-thirds of its capacity). They’re doing maintenance right now on some of the tiny houses.

The camp had one person who tested positive for COVID in the past month; that person was one of the 14 who have since left CSC for housing.

Camp operator LIHI is looking to hire a fulltime organizer, and has similar job openings at other tiny-house encampments. Anyone interested can check out the listing here.

The Camp Second Chance Community Advisory Committee meets online at 6 pm on second Tuesdays; next meeting will be March 8th.

ADDED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: A clarification from SPU spokesperson Sabrina Register:

The property falls within Water District 20 (for water) and Valley View Sewer District (for sewer), so Seattle Public Utilities does not have the legal right to serve that property. We’ve talked with the General Manager of Water District 20 who indicates they want to serve the parcel with water and are working with Camp Second Chance on what it would take to make the connection to their system.

One of the hygiene (shower) trailers that SPU manages for people experiencing homelessness will soon be deployed to Camp Second Chance, through 2022 funding approved by the City Council.

Aside from which utility serves it, the encampment is on city-owned land (known as the Myers Way Parcels).

Share This

ELECTION 2022: Seattle Public School levies passing in first round of results

February 8, 2022 8:56 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics | West Seattle schools

The first round of Election Night results shows both Seattle Public Schools levies passing in a big way:

PROPOSITION 1 – Educational Programs and Operations Levy
Yes 76.3%
No 23.7%

PROPOSITION 2 – Buildings, Technology, Academics, Athletics Capital Levy
Yes 76.6%
No 23.4%

So far turnout is only 20 percent. Our story from last month includes a list of 10 West Seattle projects included in Prop 2 fundiing.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: Plan scrapped for small shelter at Admiral Church

February 8, 2022 8:04 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

Last fall, we reported on Admiral Church‘s plan to partner with Operation Nightwatch to host an overnight shelter for 10 men. After meetings in October and November to answer neighborhood questions, last we heard was that the shelter wouldn’t start up before December. Two more months have passed, and now the church has publicly announced that the plan is scrapped, via a “community announcement” on its website:

The hoped-for partnership between Admiral Church and Operation Nightwatch to offer overnight shelter to ten men living on the streets of Seattle is unfortunately not going to be possible. After further study, Nightwatch decided that several building issues, including having only two bathrooms and no openable windows in the sanctuary, make Admiral non-ideal for their purposes.

Admiral Church says Operation Nightwatch is pursuing partnerships with other local churches; we’ll be following up on that.

Meantime, separate from that, the church also has announced that it’s again considering “repurposing of at least part of our property” because of a “looming financial crisis,” and it’s having a community meeting at 2 pm February 20th for everyone interested. Pre-pandemic, the church was pursuing potential site redevelopment, but that’s been on the shelf for 2+ years.

Share This

COUNTDOWN: 2 nights until Muse Fest mini-concerts during West Seattle Art Walk

February 8, 2022 5:53 pm

| Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: 2 nights until Muse Fest mini-concerts during West Seattle Art Walk

| West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Video by Mark Jaroslaw)
That’s Reese T, who will perform at Peel & Press (6503 California SW) Thursday night as part of Muse Fest: The Power of Women’s Voices. These mini-concerts are happening as a celebration of women musicians, during the February West Seattle Art Walk. You can read about all the musicians and venues here; all but one of the performances are set for 6 pm-7:45 pm Thursday (Intisaar is performing 7 pm-8:30 pm at John L. Scott, 4445 California SW). The performances are all free to enjoy, as are Art Walk displays and artist receptions (that lineup for Thursday is here).

Share This

FOLLOWUP: Post-snow potholes swamp city with claims, already outnumbering last year’s total

February 8, 2022 3:56 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

During Monday’s weekly City Council briefing meeting, Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda – the West Seattleite who holds citywide Position 8 – told her colleagues that the Department of Finance and Administrative Services was dealing with a high number of claims filed by pothole victims. We followed up with FAS to see just how high the stack was getting. Spokesperson Melissa Mixon looked into it and started her reply with one jaw-dropping, axle-busting stat: “The number of pothole claims for 2021 was 210 and the current count for 2022 is 300-plus.” She adds, “It is noteworthy though that pothole claims from the recent snowstorm already constitute approximately half of all our open claims.” The Risk Management division doesn’t have a geographic breakout, so we don’t know how many of those potholes are in West Seattle. SDOT does have a map showing fixed and reported potholes – here’s a screengrab:

Circles represent recently filled potholes; diamonds represent ones that are “pending.” You can report a pothole here. If you’ve sustained damage from one on a city road, here’s how to file a claim. We asked Mixon how that process works: Your claim is assigned to an adjuster. They reach out to the relevant city department (SDOT) in this case for a formal response. Then they can either close the claim for lack of contact or information, tender it (when another entity is responsible), deny it (if the city isn’t found negligent, or settle it.

Share This

YOU CAN HELP: Be part of the Presidents Day flag crew in The Junction

February 8, 2022 2:23 pm

| Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Be part of the Presidents Day flag crew in The Junction

| Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

Monday, February 21st, is Presidents Day – the next holiday for which dozens of American flags will be placed around the West Seattle Junction, If you can help – all ages welcome! – in the morning placement and/or afternoon removal, Chris Mackay from the Junction Association is recruiting volunteers right now:

Two shifts: 9-10 or 4-5. Fun for families.

Please click on the following web link (or copy it into your web browser if clicking doesn’t work) to go to the signup sheet:

volunteersignup.org/BB3TK

To sign up, just follow the instructions on the page. It only takes a few seconds to do.

Thank you for volunteering!

Share This

City Council to hear from business owners about crime, safety concerns

February 8, 2022 12:55 pm

| 51 COMMENTS

| Crime | Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Tomorrow (Wednesday, February 9th) at 9:30 am, the City Council’s Economic Development, Technology, and City Light Committee, chaired by new Councilmember Sara Nelson, will devote its meeting to a roundtable of business owners and neighborhood leaders. The topic: Public-safety concerns and recommendations. Announced participants (as shown on the agenda) include two with businesses in West Seattle – Kamala Saxton of Marination and Dan Austin of Peel & Press – but the committee invites comment from others too. From the announcement circulated by business groups including the West Seattle Junction Association:

Councilmember Nelson has requested that business owners across the City take part in the public comment process to share their experiences as well. This is important as it has been far too long since a Councilmember has specifically asked to hear from businesses.

Provide public comment at the Wednesday, February 9th Meeting at 9:30 AM

Registration opens two hours prior to the meeting at 7:30 AM. Plan to go to the council website exactly two hours before the meeting to register online.

Send an Email:

Take a moment now and send an email to City Council and the Mayor.

Whether you are a business owner, property owner or an employee, it is more important than ever to share an experience you’ve had that articulates the need for an increased emphasis and new strategies to keep our city safe.

Contact your Councilmembers by emailing council@seattle.gov

Contact Mayor Bruce Harrell by emailing bruce.harrell@seattle.gov

Other members of the committee holding tomorrow’s roundtable include West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold. Like all council meetings, this one will be streamed live via Seattle Channel, and available for viewing later.

Share This

SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Northbound submarine

February 8, 2022 11:05 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

11:05 AM: Thanks to M for another photo of a notable U.S. Navy vessel headed northbound past West Seattle – a northbound submarine they describe as Ohio-class.

4:30 PM: Adding a view from Danny McMillin:

Share This

Voting deadlines, light rail, community meetings, nightlife, more for your West Seattle Tuesday

February 8, 2022 10:12 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Clouds last weekend, photographed by Stewart L.)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:

ELECTION DEADLINES: It’s your last day to vote in two elections – the Seattle Public Schools levies, for which you should have a paper ballot to send in or get to a dropbox by 8 pm (details here), and the King Conservation District supervisor election, for which your ballot is online (details here), same deadline.

DEMONSTRATION FOR RACIAL JUSTICE: 4:30-6 pm at 16th/Holden, Scott leads the weekly demonstration for racial justice. Signs available if you don’t have your own.

WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: The Community Advisory Group convened by Sound Transit gets briefed on the just-released Draft Environmental Impact Statement 5-7 pm online tonight, and you’re invited to watch/listen. Here’s the agenda; here’s the livestream. link.

DISCOVER SEATTLE COLLEGES: 5:30-6:30 pm tonight, online, learn about business and accounting studies at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) and its sibling Seattle Colleges. Go here to get the link.

CAMP SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: 6 pm online, your monthly chance to hear updates, and ask questions, about West Seattle’s only city-supported tiny-house encampment. Attendance info is in our calendar listing.

ARBOR HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY ONLINE OPEN HOUSE: 6:30 pm – you’re invited if the student(s) in your family might be attending Arbor Heights Elementary this fall. Our calendar listing has the RSVP/attendance link.

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm online, the FCA board meets for a variety of updates. Community members are welcome – here’s how to register to attend.

TRIVIA X 2: Two venues to play tonight – 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7:30 and 8:30 pm at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).

BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!

There’s more on our calendar – and if you have something to add for the future, email us the info at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Share This

YOUTH SPORTS: Signup time for Southwest Little League

February 8, 2022 9:00 am

| Comments Off on YOUTH SPORTS: Signup time for Southwest Little League

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Time to look ahead to this year’s youth-sports seasons. Southwest Little League baseball is registering players for spring! You can sign up at southwestlittleleague.org or in person Saturday (February 12th(, noon-3 pm, at the Little Log Cabin in White Center’s Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd).

Share This

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Tuesday morning notes

February 8, 2022 6:03 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM Good morning!

WEATHER

Clouds are the main feature in today’s forecast, with another high near 50.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of reroutes/cancellations.

West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxi routes are on regular schedules.

Ferries: WSF continues the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

686th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras are still 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.)