West Seattle, Washington
12 Tuesday
Seattle Initiative 135 was approved by voters in February. Then in March, the Seattle Renters Commission sent out a call for people to help turn the measure’s vision of “social housing” into reality. Now the Seattle Social Housing Developer board’s been appointed, and its members gathered today for the first time in an introductory visit with a City Council committee (video above). You can read about them here. The board has 13 members, appointed by organizations and officials as stipulated in I-135:
Seven board members appointed by the Seattle Renters’ Commission
One board member appointed by the Martin Luther King, Jr. County Labor Council
One board member appointed by El Centro De La Raza
One board member appointed by the Green New Deal Oversight Board
One board member appointed by the mayor
Two board members appointed by the Seattle City Council
Though most of the bios don’t mention where the appointees live, this document shows that four of the 13 live in City Council District 1 (which now includes West Seattle, South Park, Georgetown, and part of south downtown) – Ebo Barton, Kaileah Baldwin, Devyn Forschmiedt, and Brian Ramirez. As recapped during this morning’s council-committee meeting, the Social Housing Developer’s startup costs are to be city funded, but where it’s going to get money to start building housing – publicly owned rental housing for multiple income levels – is an open question. The date has not yet been set for the board’s first official meeting, but it has to happen before the end of May.
That was the scene on Alki, looking east from just past the Bathhouse, not long before sunset. First almost-summer night of the year; the restaurants were hopping, too. Tomorrow will likely be the same, with the temp due back in the 70s, before a cloudy cooldown on Sunday.
The World’s Fossils and Minerals – which had show/sales in a local driveway during the pandemic, and has since opened a SODO shop – sent us the pic because they’ll be part of this weekend’s West Seattle Rock and Gem Show. All ages are invited to come see the rocks and gems on display, plus demonstrations and kids’ activities, during this annual event at Alki Masonic Center, 40th/Edmunds in The Junction. This is a long-running West Seattle attraction – the 55th presented by the West Seattle Rock Club! Admission is free.
We got multiple messages Thursday afternoon from people wondering about the smaller boxes that have replaced the previously standard larger boxes outside both of West Seattle’s post offices. After verifying the change (our photo above shows the one outside the Westwood Village post office), we asked regional USPS spokesperson Kim Frum about it today. Her answer, in short: These smaller boxes are more secure. The long version:
The increase in crime throughout the country over the past several years has resulted in escalating criminal incidents against United States Postal Service (USPS) employees and the mail. Every postal employee deserves to work in safety and to be free from targeting by criminals seeking to access the public’s mail. In an increasingly challenging environment, the USPS and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) are highly focused on protecting postal employees and property and ensuring the secure delivery of the nation’s mail and packages.
Recognizing these ongoing safety threats, we have been – and will continue to- implement an engaged, robust nationwide initiative to harden blue collection boxes, enhance collection box key and lock technology and institute dual authentication for change of address protocols. These measures not only protect the integrity of the mail but offer additional safeguards for our carriers and other employees. Furthermore, USPS and USPIS are partnering with federal and local authorities to enforce the laws and bring criminals to justice.
We will continue to adapt to evolving security threats and implement expanded measures to safeguard our employees and preserve the security of the mail that our customers expect and deserve.
The Postal Service will be releasing and implementing additional preventative, protection, and enforcement measures later this spring.
While we don’t know about specific measures involving these two mailboxes, this type of box isn’t entirely crime-resistant – as evidenced in Admiral back in January.
What was Daystar Retirement Village at 2615 SW Barton is now Village Green Senior Living (WSB sponsor). We photographed executive director Eva Thomas and CEO Monte Powell at a reception this week celebrating the change:
The company’s Federal Way complex also is named Village Green: “We feel that branding both campuses under one name promotes continuity within our organization and our philosophy, which is simple – we believe that all people deserve to be treated with kindness and respect, especially when needs change and a helping hand is needed.” The company notes that the Powell family, rooted in regional home construction, founded the company after they “began to take notice of the lack of services, community, and opportunity available for seniors.” Village Green in West Seattle offers independent living, assisted living, and short-term care. Signage changes are planned soon – permits are pending.
The signups are over and mapmaking has begun for the 17th almost-annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day on Saturday, May 13th – for the first time, more than 400 sales are signed up, from North Admiral to North Delridge to North Shorewood and every west-of-the-Duwamish River neighborhood inbetween. If you are among those who registered, watch your emailbox for the next day or so because we’re reviewing all the listings right now and will be emailing you if we have a question. As promised, the map and sale list will be available, in both clickable and printable formats, one week before sale day, so look for that announcement here (it’ll be linked in our navigation bar/menu once available too) on Saturday, May 6. Any questions, please send to our main mailbox, westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Thursday’s sunset, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
For the rest of your Friday, you can expect clear skies, warmth, and these highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ALKI KAYAK TOURS: The season truly begins today, and you’re invited to visit AKT at 1660 Harbor SW for tours, classes, and rentals all weekend. Today’s hours are 10 am to dusk.
LAUREN’S JEWELRY ANNIVERSARY SALE: Everything at Lauren’s Jewelry (in Westwood Village; WSB sponsor) is on sale, 10 percent to 50 percent off, final weekend! Open today from 10 am to 6 pm.
GARDEN CENTER OPEN: In the mood to get going on (or continue) spring planting? Second Friday this season that you can shop at the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Garden Center, open with a wide variety of plants, until 3 pm. (North end of campus, 6000 16th SW)
SCRABBLE CLUB: Come play 12:30-1:30 pm at Margie’s Café in the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM: 1-6 pm, open for visits at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: 2-6-year-olds welcome 3:30-5 pm at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW).
AT HIGHLAND PARK CORNER STORE: “Abstract Nature” art and music, 4-6 pm, as explained in our calendar listing. (7789 Highland Park Way SW)
TIDEPOOLING MEETUP: 5-7 pm – free, all ages, explore Constellation Park (63rd/Beach Drive) as part of the Seattle Tacoma City Nature Challenge.
COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: Originals and covers with Levi Said at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7=9 pm.
AT THE SKYLARK: Mountain Holler, Smoky Topaz, Fairground, doors at 7 pm, music at 8 pm, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering Jon Jameson and sharing this remembrance with the community:
Jon Jameson, a West Seattle son, passed away on January 8, 2023. Jon was born October 9, 1966 to Helen and Paul Jameson. Jon grew up in Fauntlee hills, not far from the Fauntleroy YMCA and the deep woods around Fauntleroy Creek, where he had many adventures as a youngster. He first attended Fauntleroy Elementary School and later Our Lady of Guadalupe and John F. Kennedy High School (now Kennedy Catholic). Jon played youth sports and was a stellar catcher for Ebberts Aerialist baseball and tackle for West Seattle youth football. He graduated from Kennedy in 1984, earning a Merit Scholarship.
Jon attended Seattle University, ultimately receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. While attending Seattle U., Jon worked in Loss Prevention at the Sears and Roebucks on 1st and Lander (now Starbucks headquarters), where he made many friends. Jon always knew he wanted to help the less fortunate and started out volunteering at residential shelters and transitional housing for the unhoused community and those with substance abuse and mental-health challenges. He was later hired on by Community Psychiatric Clinic and Catholic Community Services, where he met, fell in love and married his co-worker, Mary McDonough. Jon and Mary welcomed their daughter Emily in 2000. The family moved to Ireland in 2002 to be closer to Mary’s extended family.
Jon continued his work with the homeless in Dublin and later in Sligo. Jon was a voracious reader, and loved politics and current world events. He loved playing guitar, listening to the Rolling Stones, fishing for trout and salmon, and was a wonderful cook. He had many dear and loyal friends who shared in the adventures and hilarious stories of his younger years. Jon put up a courageous, 18-month fight against cancer and died peacefully surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by loving wife Mary, adoring daughter Emily and several half brothers and sisters in other parts of the U.S. He leaves a legacy of kindness and caring for the many people he touched and was able to help during his nearly 30-year career. Jon will be missed greatly by all, leaving us heartbroken without him and yet grateful that he was a part of our lives and giggling when we recall those stories. Godspeed, Jon. You live on in our hearts.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, April 28th.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Warm forecast for today: Sunny, high in the low 70s. Sunrise was at 5:57 am; sunset will be at 8:17 pm.
UTILITY WORK ALERT
Harbor Avenue has extensive no-parking signage for City Light work today and tomorrow. (We’re checking with SCL to see what the work’s about.)
TRANSIT
Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations are still happening, so watch for alerts (if you’re not signed up to get them, check channels like this).
Water Taxi – Now on the spring/summer schedule, which means this is the second week of added Friday/Saturday night runs.
Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule but with the chance of sailing cancellations, so check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the camera at the top:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – east-end vicinity:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:
Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!
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