day : 15/11/2023 10 results

From pickleball to pumpkins to police @ Fauntleroy Community Association’s final 2023 meeting

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Two weeks after Seattle Parks announced a two-week “pause” in the Lincoln Park pickleball-court project, opponents took their case to the Fauntleroy Community Association board.

That was one of the topics at the board’s monthly meeting last night. President Mike Dey facilitated the meeting in the conference room at historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, and it also was streamed. First, other, somewhat briefer topics:

SEATTLE POLICE: The Southwest Precinct sergeant who attended mentioned the recent crime trends on which we’ve reported here, such as armed robberies committed using stolen cars: “We’ve been getting hit pretty hard. … They wear masks, they have firearms, late teens-early 20s, normally hitting between 3 and 4 in the morning” – possibly the same robbers but they’re using different vehicles. He also noted the crash-and-grab burglary trend, including the multiple hits at Global Smoke and Vape (35th/Roxbury). One attendee says stolen cars are being dumped at Barton P-Patch and urges people to report cars that look like they’ve been broken into. Asked if Kias and Hyundais were still the predominant makes of cars being stolen, he said yes, but “we’re seeing others now.” Another trend he mentioned, many reports of suspected gunfire, but many not verified as it’s “really hard to pinpoint.” Did he think it’s a good idea for the city to buy the ShotSpotter gunfire-detection system that’s under consideration? He said yes.

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FOLLOWUP: Aegis Living project for 5252 California SW formally withdrawn

(WSB photo of former project site, last month)

Last month, the city canceled the second Southwest Design Review Board meeting for Aegis Living‘s 5252 California SW project at the last minute, saying the senior-living company had shelved the project. An Aegis executive subsequently told us it was still under consideration and they’d likely decide its fate within “weeks.” According to the newest filings with the city, formally withdrawing permit applications for multiple addresses at the site, that fate has been decided: “Project will no longer be moving forward” was the applicant’ message. Aegis has not responded to our request for further comment, They hadn’t completed their purchase of the site, which was still listed early this year at $7.7 million but does not appear, at least publicly, to be listed now. Before the Aegis proposal, the site – a former strip mall plus two former restaurants – had plans for townhouses.

WEST SEATTLE COYOTES: Brace Point sighting

From Amy in Brace Point:

Saw this on my Ring cam footage (Tuesday) morning. Looks like a coyote trotting through our back yard around 1 am.

The video gets grainy after that clear opening frame but you can see the short clip here. We’ll note again that we publish sighting reports for education and awareness, not alarm; if you’re new to living with coyotes, state wildlife authorities offer info and advice here.

Learn secrets to avoiding burnout – if you can take a noontime break tomorrow!

November 15, 2023 4:55 pm
|    Comments Off on Learn secrets to avoiding burnout – if you can take a noontime break tomorrow!
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

If you can get to West Seattle Coworking (9030 35th SW; WSB sponsor) at noontime tomorrow, you can learn secrets to avoiding burnout – and more – free! Here’s what’s happening:

On Thursday, November 16th @ 12 pm, Chieko Watanabe, a long, experienced motivational coach will share some secrets to avoid burnout and to set achievable priorities and expectations. If you find yourself playing catch up more often than you should, then you will be glad you have attended. Info and (free) registration is available: here!

FOLLOWUP: Holden Natural Drainage System project at ‘mid-design,’ plans Saturday pop-up

The plan to build “natural drainage systems” along a block and a half of SW Holden west of 16th SW is at mid-design, according to Seattle Public Utilities, and the project team plans another informational pop-up in the neighborhood this Saturday (November 18th) for Q&A. That means they’re 60 percent of the way to fully designing the project, which is intended to “capture and treat stormwater runoff before it reaches Longfellow Creek and Puget Sound … to improve water quality in the creek, increase landscaping diversity, and provide roadway and pedestrian safety improvements.” Here’s a narrated presentation of the mid-design updates (which you also can see here):

Whether now or after the Saturday pop-up, SPU is interested in your feedback on the design so far – you can provide it here. You can also share your comments with project-team members at 17th/Holden 10 am-noon Saturday. Construction is still a ways off – now not projected to start before early 2025.

WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAY GUIDE: 2023 version 1.0 is live!

November 15, 2023 12:39 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAY GUIDE: 2023 version 1.0 is live!
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

This year’s WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide is now live! It’s a work in progress all season long, with additions as we get word of them, and removals after events are over, so check it often. It starts with Thanksgiving-related info and continues through lists including holiday bazaars (hint: this Saturday is a HUGE day for those), gift wrapping, Santa photos, Christmas Ship stops, holiday concerts and plays, light shows, celebrations, donation drives, church services, Small Business Saturday sales, and a LOT more. Thanks to everyone who’s already sent information on what they’re offering … if you have something coming up but haven’t sent that info to us, hurry! Whatever you want the community to know, westseattleblog@gmail.com is the best way to reach us so we can get it into the guide (and if time/date-specific, into our year-round calendar too) – thank you!

Here’s what’s ahead for your West Seattle Wednesday

(Photo by Jerry Simmons)

Here’s the event list for the rest of today and tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

TODDLER READING TIME: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING: 4:15 pm at district HQ (3rd/Lander) or online/by phone (as explained on the agenda). As we reported last night, the budget-related presentation at this meeting will NOT include school closure/consolidation recommendations – those are now delayed until at least next May, looking to the 2025-2026 school year at the earliest.

FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Broken? Don’t replace – repai! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).

FREE GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the weekly free group run, 6:15 pm.

TRIVIA x 6: Six places to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … there’s 7 pm trivia at West Seattle Brewing (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW) … 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska) … Trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).

LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)

LIVE PIANO MUSIC: Weekly on Wednesday nights, 7 pm at Otter on the Rocks. (4210 SW Admiral Way).

MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

If you’re planning a presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, holiday event etc., and it’s open to the community, please send us info for West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

HOLIDAY HELP: John L. Scott Westwood launches donation drive for Forgotten Children’s Fund

Another West Seattle business is launching a holiday donation drive, and sharing information about how you can help. Today is the first day of the Forgotten Children’s Fund drive at John L. Scott Westwood Real Estate (WSB sponsor). Here’s the announcement:

John L Scott Westwood /The Madrona Group are taking toy donations/money donations from November 15- December 22, 2023. We are working again with THE FORGOTTEN CHILDREN’s FUND, which works to give underprivileged children and their families a truly MERRY CHRISTMAS/ With the support of our West Seattle Community, we are able to purchase, wrap, and have Santa and his Elves deliver gifts every year.

The Forgotten Children’s Fund began when a boy named Craig wrote a letter to Santa Claus in December of 1976. That letter never got delivered to Santa’s North Pole, but it did reach a restaurant in Seattle called Francisco’s. The letter immediately captured the heart of Mr. Dick Francisco, and the Forgotten Children’s Fund was created to help others in similar situations. The FCF currently operates in King County, Lewis County, North Counties (including Skagit, Island, Snohomish and Whatcom Counties) and Chelan Counties of Washington State.

Visit forgottenchildrensfund.org to donate, volunteer or just learn more about this organization.

The kids are under 12 years old. The most-requested items are Legos, LOL dolls, Barbies, action figures, Sonic, Paw Patrol, Lincoln logs, Hot Wheels, unicorns, sport balls, arts & crafts, science projects, etc. We can always
use gift cards for the older kids.

Please bring your unwrapped gifts to: John L. Scott Westwood at 2600 SW Barton Street, Suite A-6 (Westwood Village), Monday-Friday 9 AM to 4 PM. You can also donate at John L. Scott Bothell and John L. Scott Mukilteo.

Checks can be made to THE FORGOTTEN CHILDREN’S FUND – P.O. BOX 365 – MOUNT VERNON, WA 98273. Questions? Contact Natalie Trius at 206-938-5572 or natalietrius@johnlscott.com

The John L. Scott Westwood office is on the breezeway.

Celebration of life Saturday for Kyle ‘Kemo’ Tovar, 1982-2023

Family and friends will gather Saturday to celebrate the life of Kyle “Kemo” Tovar. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing:

Kyle “Kemo” Tovar
Born November 21st, 1982
Died on October Friday the 13th 2023 at the age of 40
.

Those who knew Kyle “Kemo” knew how much of an impact he made on the people around him. He cared deeply about family and taking a stand against injustice or lending a helping hand. He was a creative person, often drawing or building things. He was also an ardent dog lover and patient teacher to his four-legged friends. He was loved and will be missed dearly by everyone.

A special thank you to the Native Communities that welcomed him in their homes and hearts as part of their own family. Charlie and Ben Sittingbull and their children were especially dear to him.

Kyle was preceded in death by his dear friend Ben.

He is survived by his mother Mary Stence, father Moses Tovar, sister Emily Stence, brother Ian Tovar, his three sons (from eldest to youngest): Kyle Jr, Ryden Sol and Joseph Tovar, and our dog Thor.

Kyle’s family would like to encourage those who are troubled to reach out and seek help!

Those who are able, please consider thoughtful support (financial or through power of the vote) programs that help with mental health and drug and alcohol addiction.

Information for Memorial Services are in the photo above.

(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)

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Wednesday arrives

6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, November 15th.

WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Cloudy with a chance of rain early, then becoming sunny, high in the upper 40s. Sunrise today is at 7:14 am; sunset, 4:32 pm.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro – Regular schedule today; check advisories here. P.S. Metro is recruiting for a new Fares Cabinet to discuss the future of fares.

Water Taxi is on its regular schedule too.

Washington State Ferries – The usual 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use Vessel Watch to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.

High Bridge – the main camera:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

Low Bridge:

1st Ave. S. Bridge – southeastern route across the river:

Highway 99: – 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: The @SDOTBridges feed on Twitter/X shows whether 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 that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if applicable). Thank you!