day : 18/01/2024 9 results

If you didn’t get to watch tonight’s public forum with the eight finalists for the 10-month appointment to Seattle City Council citywide Position 8, the Seattle Channel video is already available, and you can watch it above. They were chosen from 72 “qualified applicants” who applied for the job; last Friday, each current councilmember nominated one finalist. The contenders include one West Seattleite, Steve Strand, a Seattle Police captain who was nominated by Council President Sara Nelson; District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka nominated Mark Solomon, a Seattle Police crime-prevention coordinator. The other six finalists are Juan J. Cotto, Neha Nariya, Vivian Song, Mari Sugiyama, Linh Thai, and Tanya Woo. While you don’t get to vote on the appointment – the councilmembers will do that next Tuesday – you do get to tell them who you think they should choose; they’ll take public comment at a special council meeting at 9:30 am Monday (the agenda explains how to participate) and here’s how else to contact them, about this or anything else. You will get to vote on who holds the job next year – the chosen appointee is not obligated to run, but there will be an election this fall, for the last year of what was Teresa Mosqueda‘s term before she moved to the King County Council, and then another election next year for a full 4-year term.

ROAD-WORK ALERT: SDOT says Roxbury/Olson project restarting

January 18, 2024 9:31 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

Announced tonight by SDOT, the Roxbury/Olson crossing-improvement project is restarting and will continue into spring – here’s what they want you to know:

Construction of safety improvements for people walking or rolling at the SW Roxbury St and Olson Pl SW intersection began in May of 2023 and we are set to begin the second and final phase of construction.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE COMING MONTHS

Construction work will resume as early as this week
-Work hours are 7 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday
-East leg of SW Roxbury St will remain closed for equipment staging and safety area and is local access only
-Work includes installation of new traffic signal poles and wiring, pedestrian signals, and work on sidewalk and road panels
-Painting permanent street markings
-New security guardrail on the northeast corner of the intersection
-Expect noise from equipment backup beeping and engine sounds

This project is expected to be finalized as early as May 2024. The work during this first phase included:

-Shifting the crosswalks across SW Roxbury St so they’re better aligned
-New curb bulbs that extend the sidewalk corners for people walking on the south side of the intersection
-Construction of curb ramps for improved ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessibility
-Temporary crosswalks and stop bars
-Temporary barrier at the northeast corner until a permanent guardrail is installed
-Temporary push button pedestrian crossing at the east leg of SW Roxbury St

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BIZNOTE: Sebastiano’s uncorking soon at ‘Hinds Junction’

January 18, 2024 7:03 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

“That’s all I drink, so that’s all I sell.”

That’s how Sebastiano Tecchio summarizes his plan to open a natural-wine shop/bar at 3278 California SW.

It’s where he managed Molly’s Bottle Shop for more than two years. Molly’s closed recently, and Sebastiano’s is taking over the space.

The proprietor explains that “natural wine” – not necessarily organic – is a way of describing both the way the grapes are grown and the wine is produced, without chemicals/additives. Sebastiano says only one percent of wines are “natural,” but that’s still a wide enough selection that he’ll be able to offer a variety of types – frequently changing, because they’re generally small producers whose offerings are in flux.

He was a wine importer in New York for more than decades, and ran a gallery there for a while too – along with working as a fine-art photographer – so he plans to be part of the West Seattle Art Walk. Sebastiano also sees that as a way of showing support for a community that has embraced him already: “What I love about this place is the community that formed here – I’ve made so many friends.”

Some are helping build the bar, in fact. (Other changes to the space will include transforming its little loft into an office area.)

He’s hoping to be able to open in about a month, in the area that’s grown into so much of a mini-business district, he says it ought to be nicknamed “Hinds Junction” (after the nearest crossstreet). Once Sebastiano’s is open, hours are likely to be Wednesdays-Thursdays 2-8 pm, Fridays-Saturdays 3-9 pm, Sundays noon-6, closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

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Here’s what we’ve found out about two vehicle incidents of note

January 18, 2024 5:30 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle police

We checked on these two incidents after getting reader photos/questions:

MAIL TRUCK IN DITCH: This happened on SW 106th near the city-limit line this afternoon; as the photo shows, King County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded. KCSO tells us the mail carrier got stuck in the ditch but was unhurt; USPS sent its own tow truck to pull it out.

DRIVER ARRESTED: That was the scene at 47th/Graham around 11 pm last night; the neighbor who sent the photo says, “This guy started hitting cars on Raymond and 46th, then came flying down 47th Ave SW, lost control, then kept flooring it trying to get away.” SPD took the driver into custody; we asked today about what happened next, and a department spokesperson replied, “The 46-year-old male driver was arrested for DUI and will receive the applicable traffic citations as well. After the investigation, he was released from the precinct.”

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FYI: Seattle Housing Authority changes how and when people can apply for rent-help vouchers

January 18, 2024 2:59 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

The Seattle Housing Authority has changed the way people can apply for vouchers that help cover rent costs. Here’s the announcement about how it works now, and that the new ongoing application period has just opened:

The Seattle Housing Authority has opened application to families and individuals for a chance to receive a Housing Choice Voucher (formerly known as a Section 8 voucher), which provides rental assistance for people with low incomes to rent from landlords throughout the Seattle rental market.

Application is available online through SHA’s website at seattlehousing.org. Application is free. If any website asks for money to complete an application, it is not the correct site. To avoid misleading websites, applicants should type seattlehousing.org into an internet browser. Applicants are required to establish an SHA Portal user account on SHA’s website to log in and apply to the voucher list.

The opportunity to apply for a chance to receive a voucher is ongoing, which differs from SHA’s previous process in which registration was open for a few weeks every few years and a single random drawing was conducted to create a number-ordered waitlist for a set number of vouchers.

Under the new process, applicants on the list will be chosen at random when vouchers are available. The number of applicants selected in each drawing will vary, depending on the number of vouchers available. The chance of being drawn is the same no matter when households apply. Random selection ensures that all applicants have an equal chance of being drawn at any time. People may apply to the list whenever they wish.

Application is open to adults 18 years or older or emancipated minors, no matter where they currently live, however applicants selected for a voucher will initially be required to use the voucher within the city of Seattle for a minimum of one year. Applicants with a total household income greater than 50 percent of Area Median Income are not eligible for a voucher.

SHA will review eligibility and verify income at the time applicants are selected from the list. Applicants who meet the voucher program eligibility requirements and meet the program preferences will be served. Those preferences are applicants with a total household income of 30 percent or less of Area Median Income at the time of selection or for the 12 months prior to selection and applicants who are homeless at the time of selection or have been in the prior 12 months. Applicants with a total household income of 31 through 50 percent will be returned to the list until all eligible applicants who meet the preferences have been served. Applicants with a total household income above 50 percent are not eligible for a voucher and will be removed from the list.

Information in multiple languages and answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found at seattlehousing.org. Applicants who need assistance applying online, want a paper application, want to apply in person, need accommodation for a disability, or need translation or an interpreter can contact SHA’s Housing Choice Voucher staff at 206.239.1674 or by email at voucherlist@seattlehousing.org.

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New crosswalk, park ‘all-wheels’ plan, EV-charging lot update, more @ Morgan Community Association’s first 2024 meeting

January 18, 2024 12:01 pm

| 13 COMMENTS

| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The Morgan Community Association‘s first meeting of 2024 was the first one in-person since pre-pandemic, facilitated by president Deb Barker. It was MoCA’s first in hybrid style – about a dozen attendees in person at Westside Unitarian Universalist, roughly an equal number via videoconferencing. As usual, it was a meaty meeting, with lots of news:

MORGAN JUNCTION PARK’S NEW PLAN: In advance of this afternoon’s 1 pm Seattle Design Commission review of the expanding park’s updated plan, with an “all-wheels” area, Susan Melrose of Seattle Parks joined remotely and Matt Johnston and Josh Radick were there in person. Their topic: What’s now known as the Morgan Junction All-Wheels Association. On behalf of the city, Melrose is supporting MJAWA in their part of the project, which has its roots in last year’s community activation of the empty park site as a makeshift skatepark. “The positive thing that came out of that was overwhelming community support for that kind of use of the space … an overwhelming message from the community that we wanted some kind of activation,” Johnston said. So they’re pursuing a 1,500 square foot “all wheels area” in the park for “anybody who wants to roll around” – bikes, scooters, wheelchair athletes, roller skaters, not just skateboard riders. “It’s not going to be an advanced skateboarding area or anything like that.” They’ve received a $44,000 neighborhood Matching Fund grant to bring this part of the design up with the rest of the park expansion. “We just want to get our part caught up with the rest of the park project.” They have a plan for public engagement and public meetings – the Parks team needs to be able to incorporate and use what this team creates. He added that the team is “very multidisciplinary and diverse” – “kids, moms, skateborders, bikers”- and they’re looking for more participation – Radick said they’re also looking to do some site cleanups in the next month or so “so it’s at least respectable to look at.” Johnston said the cleanup parties will start in February and supplies will be provided, all you’ll hace to do is show up.

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Morgan Junction Park review, City Council candidates, Alki CC, WSHS play, school open houses, much more for your Thursday

January 18, 2024 10:48 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Horned Grebe, photographed by Mark MacDonald at Lincoln Park)

Many events happening in the hours ahead -in case you haven’t already seen them in our calendar and/or previews:

FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Open until noon, drop in at the West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd/Juneau).

MORGAN JUNCTION PARK REVIEW: The city-convened Design Commission will get a presentation about the new schematic design of expanding Morgan Junction Park (6400 block of California SW), including an “all-wheels” space. At City Hall or online.

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Open 1-6 pm at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).

WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com for info on where they’re playing today.

STRONG BODIES, STRONG BONES: 2:30 pm movement class at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).

HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: Every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Bella M’Briana.

FREE ECO-ARTS CLASS: 4-7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – drop in!

VISCON CELLARS: The winery’s tasting room/wine bar is open 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle.

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES’ FORUM: The 8 finalists for the appointment to the open citywide seat on the Seattle City Council will make their pitiches 5:30-7:30 tonight at City Hall downtown – you can watch in person or via the Seattle Channel.

SUMMIT ATLAS OPEN HOUSE: The charter middle/high school in Arbor Heights welcomes prospective families to an open house 5:30-7:30 pm. (9601 35th SW)

HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY OPEN HOUSE: Prospective families are invited to visit the school (1012 SW Trenton), 6 pm.

NIGHT HIKE AND OWL PROWL: 6 pm at Camp Long (5200 35th SW), for ages 5+ – check to see if there’s still room.

WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES MEETING: Second and final session of the online systemwide community meeting is at 6 pm – our preview includes how to attend. (Here’s our report on the first session.)

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 6:30 pm, prospective families are invited to come learn about WSHS – see the schedule in our calendar listing. (3000 California SW)

PARENT EDUCATION NIGHT AT MADISON MS: All community members are welcome to this event presenting information on substance abuse and online safety, 6:30 pm at Madison Middle School (3429 45th SW).

HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: 6:30 pm, meet at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) for a 3-mile run through the neighborhood.

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at Future Primitive Beer Bar (2536 Alki SW) at 6:30 pm for a 3-mile run – more in our calendar listing.

BLUES NIGHT: 6:30-9 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), every Thursday you can listen to the blues.

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: As previewed here, the 7 pm meeting is the first of the new year, with new leadership, and they’d love to see you – in person or online, Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds).

YOGA, BREATH WORK, GONG BATH, MORE: 7 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $35.

‘ALMOST, MAINE’ AT WSHS: The West Seattle High School Drama-produced play has two more performances, including tonight at 7:30 pm in the school theater. (3000 California SW)

Planning something that should be on our calendar and in daily preview lists like this? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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YOU CAN HELP: New sport, seeking support

January 18, 2024 9:53 am

| Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: New sport, seeking support

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Last April, in this report on a community-conversation event hosted by then-School Board member Leslie Harris, we mentioned two students who were there to ask her support for creation of a West Seattle High School water-polo team. It’s finally happening, according to reader Jennifer, who sent this update because now they need community help:

The league and district have approved a club team (no district funds) so that the girls can play. The season starts in late February! However, the team has no funds to cover pool time, equipment, or coaching. Please consider supporting them through the West Seattle Booster Club at wsbooster.com/#donate (be sure to put “Water Polo” in the notes!)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Thursday info

January 18, 2024 6:03 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Thursday, January 18th.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

The forecast is for a possible rain/snow mix, high in the upper 30s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:50 am, sunset at 4:48 pm.

TRANSIT NOTES

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you’re wondering where the boat is.

Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.

Washington State Ferries today – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

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

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if applicable). Thank you!

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