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Councilmembers Gonzalez, Herbold issue reminder of rights after South Park situation
November 16, 2017 4:50 pm
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   South Park | West Seattle news

Just in from Councilmembers Lorena González and Lisa Herbold, after word of an incident at 14th/Cloverdale in South Park today:

As residents of West Seattle, we are heartened by the power of the South Park community in action reported to us earlier today. This morning, U.S. I.C.E. agents were said to have requested access to a residential building to serve a warrant. The owner of this building rightly turned to a trusted advocate in the neighborhood for assistance about responding first. As luck would have it, this advocate was meeting with a City of Seattle employee, and Seattle as a welcoming city took swift action.

The three individuals – armed with knowledge from a Know Your Rights training – checked for key things that make a warrant legal and actionable. The administrative warrant held by the I.C.E. agents did not meet the legal threshold that would allow them to legally enter the building. Denied entry, the I.C.E. agents stated they would wait in their cars. The three were soon joined by members of the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network’s Rapid Response Team, who helped monitor the situation and photographed the agents’ unmarked cars. The agents soon dispersed. To the knowledge of those on the scene, no one was detained by agents at or near the apartment building today.

What happened this morning is a terrifying reminder that knowing your rights also means knowing what to do if I.C.E. shows up. Knowing what to look for or whom to turn to in the moment is vital to ensuring that legal processes are followed and, thus, preventing a catastrophic outcome.

Unequivocally verifying that an enforcement action is taking place before posting it on social media, is crucial to preventing the unnecessary spreading of fear or panic within our immigrant neighbors and communities. If you believe you are seeing an enforcement action taking place, report it to the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network hotline at 844-RAID-REP (844-724-3737). Resources, in multiple languages, to Know Your Rights can be found at: OneAmerica, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, or with civil-rights organizations like ACLU.

The instinct and care to look out for one another and your neighbors is what makes Seattle a welcoming city. We applaud the bravery and quick thinking of our three community members and Rapid Responders from Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network to help at least one family stay together today.

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: USS John C. Stennis, headed back to Bremerton
November 16, 2017 3:45 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to Jim Borrow for the photo – the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), seen from West Seattle a little over an hour ago as it headed back to Bremerton after 13 days away. According to the Stennis website, it was out for “routine training for future operations” including “damage control and firefighting training, seamanship training, small boat operations, medical training, and exercises designed to maintain technical and tactical proficiency in a variety of warfare areas.”

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Don’t miss your chance to speak out about crime, safety, police
November 16, 2017 2:27 pm
|    Comments Off on Don’t miss your chance to speak out about crime, safety, police
 |   Crime | Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Two weeks left for this year’s Seattle Public Safety Survey – with a holiday right in the middle of those two weeks, so we’re reminding you today: If you haven’t answered the survey’s questions about crime, safety, and police, consider setting aside some time for it before the November 30th deadline. The survey is overseen by Seattle University, which will provide the results to SPD, and also works with the department on analyzing crime trends, via interns at local precincts. The survey starts here and is available in 11 languages.

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VIDEO: ‘It’s going to be an interesting year and a half,’ Sound Transit rep tells West Seattle meeting, and explains why
November 16, 2017 12:16 pm
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

That’s our video of last night’s Junction Neighborhood Organization-hosted Sound Transit light-rail briefing/Q&A session at the Senior Center/Sisson Building.

Toplines:

No revelations in the presentation itself. ST’s Cathal Ridge recapped the overall Sound Transit 3 plan, including the 4.7-mile extension from SODO to the West Seattle Junction that’s scheduled to open in 2030, connecting to a new downtown tunnel opening in 2035 with the northward extension to Ballard.

Key timeline points: “Alternatives development” from now through early 2019, then the environmental-review process, 2022-2025 design, with construction starting in 2025. An attendee asked about right-of-way acquisition; Ridge said that would likely happen around 2023. When concerns were raised about ST taking property via eminent domain, he said they try to use that as little as possible.

Key process point: ST plans to assemble three “stakeholder” groups for an engagement process starting next year. “We really want people to be involved from the get-go and issues to be identified” early. These groups – one of which will involve elected officials – will have “20 or so” people who are “able to meet periodically.” In Q&A, some worried that too much decisionmaking will be up to people from outside the area; it was pointed out that the Sound Transit board currently includes two West Seattleites, King County Executive Dow Constantine and County Council Chair Joe McDermott.

Open houses are planned in January-February of next year (no specifics yet), and that’s when Sound Transit will come back to West Seattle with more information on where things stand at the start. That includes the roughed-out “representative alignment” of where the West Seattle route and stations might be. While Ridge did not bring the existing maps to the JuNO event, he acknowledged that they had already been shown by the West Seattle Transportation Coalition (as seen below, republished from our coverage of WSTC’s unofficial design workshop back in June):

That’s part of what Ridge described as “a lot of work” that already has happened, even at that early stage, though he added, “It doesn’t necessarily mean that’s what will be built,” while reiterating that ST wants to hear issues and ideas.

Those will, it was made clear by several attendees, continue to include the suggestion that tunneling would make more sense to get to The Junction rather than what’s envisioned now as a much-elevated track. Without getting into the added cost of tunneling, though, Ridge noted that input needs to take into consideration the big picture, such as the project budget.

And in turn, several attendees pointed out that West Seattle – and The Junction in particular – is leery of processes like this because of how others, such as HALA upzoning, already have played out in a less-than-collaborative manner.

One requested that ST “come back early and often” to talk with the community.

Referring to the intensive early planning that’ll continue into 2019, Ridge said, “It’s going to be an interesting year and a half.”

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West Seattle Thursday: 2 dine-out benefits; Design Review for 5242 California SW; Thanksgiving cooking class; more…
November 16, 2017 10:44 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Thursday: 2 dine-out benefits; Design Review for 5242 California SW; Thanksgiving cooking class; more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Dark-eyed junco, photographed by Mark Wangerin, whose photography show continues at the West Seattle YMCA in The Triangle)

Happy Thursday! Here are highlights of what’s up for the rest of today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

DINE OUT TO HELP ROXHILL ELEMENTARY: Through 9 pm tonight, Zippy’s Giant Burgers in White Center is donating a percentage of proceeds to Friends of Roxhill Elementary. (9614 14th SW)

CARMILIA’S 15TH ANNIVERSARY: As noted here last night, the West Seattle Junction boutique Carmilia’s is celebrating 15 years in business, and it’s open late again tonight in honor of that – 11 am to 9 pm. (4528 California SW)

THANKSGIVING 101: Cooking class taught by Kim O’Donnel at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor), 4-5:30 pm. Stuffing and gravy basics. Register in advance. (36th SW/SW Snoqualmie)

NEED SOME BUSINESS HELP? Meet consultants and lenders at the Delridge Library business-resources open house. 4-6 pm; more info in our calendar listing. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

DINE OUT FOR D.C.: Help Hope Lutheran School students raise money for their D.C. trip with a dine-out fundraiser at Great American Diner and Bar, 5-10 pm tonight. Details in our calendar listing. (4752 California SW)

SUPPORT STUDENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH: Special event at West Seattle High School, with education for parents and others who need to know how to approach and support teens, as explained here. 5:30-7:30 pm. (3000 California SW)

DESIGN REVIEW FOR 5242 CALIFORNIA SW: The newest proposal for redeveloping this strip-mall site south of The Junction, 18 townhouses, goes to the Southwest Design Review Board tonight, 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building. This is Early Design Guidance, so the focus is on size/shape – here are the options:

More backstory here; see the “design packet” on the city website. The meeting includes a public-comment period. (4217 SW Oregon)

WEST SEATTLE TIMEBANK PARTY: November gathering is a party at the Senior Center/Sisson Building, 6:30 pm – potluck, so bring a dish to share. All ages welcome, including kids. (4217 SW Oregon)

THREE MORE CHANCES TO SEE ‘LAST CROISSANT’: The world-premiere play “The Last Croissant” continues with a performance at 8 pm tonight at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – details here. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

NIGHTLIFE: Karaoke and live music – see the listings on our complete calendar!

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WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: Got something for the WSB guide?
November 16, 2017 9:45 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: Got something for the WSB guide?
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

With one week until Thanksgiving, it’s time to get Version 1.0 of the annual WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide out – but before it goes live, we’re sending out one more call for info on any holiday-related event, donation drive, open house, bazaar, concert, light show, services, etc., coming up in West Seattle – no posters/flyers needed, just tell us the what/when/where/who, and we’ll get it in the guide – e-mail editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!

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‘New direction’ at The Kenney will bring closure of its skilled-nursing facility
November 16, 2017 9:00 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   The Kenney | West Seattle news

The Kenney has announced that it’s closing its skilled-nursing facility, known as its Health Center. In a news release, The Kenney’s management calls the closure part of “a new direction for care services” and says the center’s “small size … has limited what we are able to offer our residents. … In making this change, the Kenney will be joining a growing number of continuing-care retirement communities nationwide who are moving away from operating their own skilled-nursing facility on-site.”

In response to our followup questions, The Kenney’s executive director René Dumas says 15 people are currently living in the Health Center, which has 20 beds, and that almost half of them are there for “short-term stays … for rehabilitation prior to discharge to home.” The facility says the center’s residents “are being offered assistance with the transition.” That’s also what they say they’ll be doing with an unspecified number of employees who will be affected. Dumas also says that after its closure on February 1st, the area now used for skilled nursing care “will be used for memory-care services.” Elsewhere at The Kenney, Dumas adds, “We plan to use a wing that has not been used for two years as expanded assisted-living services (more care services than our existing assisted living in Lincoln Vista).”

It’s been more than a year since The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW) announced some other changes, including redevelopment plans for part of its site, still proceeding through the city system.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday watch
November 16, 2017 6:52 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

6:52 AM: Good morning! No incidents in or from West Seattle so far. Only one West Seattle Bridge camera this morning – the other is down.

7:10 AM: SFD is responding to a crash reported on the northbound 1st Avenue South bridge by the Michigan exit.

7:12 AM: Just in from Metro:

7:26 AM: SFD has closed out of the 1st Ave. S. Bridge incident.

8:28 AM: Thanks for the text (206-293-6302 any time) – trouble on the eastbound bridge, just verified by SDOT, which tweets: “Stalled vehicle on West Seattle Bridge EB at Delridge Way SW blocking center lane.”

8:50 AM: Turns out that was fairly short-lived – all clear now.

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PARKING POLICY CHANGES: Proposal allows ‘shared’ parking, expands areas where offstreet parking isn’t required, and more
November 15, 2017 10:09 pm
|      45 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

While many city-government watchers had their attention on the budget battle today, a major proposal was released by Mayor Tim Burgess‘s office – proposed changes in parking policy. The map above, based on 2009-2014 research about carlessness percentages in neighborhoods, was included.

The official news release focused primarily on one component of the proposal, “shared” parking, but there’s much more to it, as summarized in this report that was among the documents made public today:

The proposed parking-policy changes follow low-level “outreach” at city events where other topics took centerstage, such as last December’s the infamous Junction open house for HALA Mandatory Housing Affordability upzoning, primarily held at what was then Shelby’s.

If you don’t have time yet to go through the summary document above, it breaks down what’s proposed into six areas – number 3 is the big one:

Read More

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ANOTHER ANNIVERSARY: ‘Youngstown 100’ in honor of Cooper School centennial
November 15, 2017 8:49 pm
|    Comments Off on ANOTHER ANNIVERSARY: ‘Youngstown 100’ in honor of Cooper School centennial
 |   Delridge | Fun stuff to do | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, WSB file photo)

Two and a half weeks until our area’s next centennial celebration – “Youngstown 100,” in honor of historic Cooper School, now known as Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, opened in 2017. It’s been in our calendar a while and now, with 2 1/2 weeks to go, the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association has sent this reminder:

Built in 1917, the Frank B. Cooper School on Delridge Way has a long and storied history of providing education to youth throughout the years, and more recently is known as the home of local nonprofits and artists alike. The historic building remains a vibrant and thriving place for youth to create, engage and participate in community activities, education, arts and culture. This year, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, as it’s now known, celebrates its centennial on Sunday, December 3rd, 2-5 pm, 4408 Delridge Way SW.

The free, family-friendly event will feature an open house of the school, art sales from resident artists, performances from local faves including Seattle’s own Kore Ionz, interactive art for the kids, a 3D time capsule and more.

“This amazing building turns 100 years old this year,” said David Bestock, Executive Director of Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA), the nonprofit organization that owns and operates Youngstown. “It is a center of community, a hub of arts and culture, a safe space for youth of color, queer youth, anyone, everyone.”

As part of the event’s mission to raise 100 donations of $100, people are asked to “buy a brick” in support of the next 100 years of the celebrated building. Those who attend the party will have the chance to decorate their “brick” and add it to the featured time capsule.

Tickets for the event are free, but registration is encouraged. Those who can’t attend are encouraged to donate to support the next 100 years of Youngstown.

If you are interested in donating – with or without going to the party – you can do that here.

P.S. Cooper School is historic not just because of the building, but because of some of what happened there – including the first African-American teacher to work in the Seattle school district, Thelma Dewitty, hired in 1947; Youngstown’s theater is named for her now.

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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! Shop late tonight, tomorrow as Carmilia’s celebrates 15 years in the West Seattle Junction
November 15, 2017 6:01 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Carmilia’s proprietor Linda Sabee, photographed by WSB’s Patrick Sand)

“I hope you’ll come to celebrate this crazy journey with me!” That’s your invitation from Linda Sabee, proprietor of the West Seattle Junction boutique Carmilia’s, celebrating 15 years in business – a big milestone for a small business. As part of the party, tonight and tomorrow, you can shop late – until 9 pm – at Carmilia’s. Here’s how Linda tells the story of how she got started:

Fifteen years ago while roaming Summer Fest with my kids, I realized that there were many women just like me living in West Seattle longing for a chic shop. With no retail experience (I used to be a kindergarten teacher) and just a flash of an idea for a store, I shook hands with Jack Menashe and took over the former Margaret’s Apparel location. With the support of family and friends and an amazing neighborhood customer base, Carmilia’s was born on November 15, 2002, and is still alive and kicking today.

(And that’s due to persistence, and support, as noted in this story we published four years ago.) Carmilia’s is at 4528 California SW, where the party continues through Saturday – open until 9 tonight, 11 am-9 pm tomorrow (Thursday), 11 am-6 pm Friday and Saturday.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gun search; package-theft victim’s question
November 15, 2017 3:33 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes, plus a reminder:

GUN SEARCH: A texter sent that photo and wondered what the King County Sheriff’s Office was doing with multiple units at Don Armeni Boat Ramp much of the day. We checked with Sgt. Cindi West, who says they were searching in the water for a gun – and found one – possibly linked to last Friday night’s White Center shooting death, for which a juvenile suspect has been arrested. (Added: Court documents from the 16-year-old shooting suspect’s hearing today say he told detectives he had thrown the gun into Puget Sound.)

PACKAGE THEFT: From Patrick in High Point:

We had two packages delivered from Amazon at around 11am on Tuesday the 14th, and by the time we arrived home at around 7pm they were gone. An additional package had been dropped off at 4 pm and that was here, so presumably the theft occurred sometime between 11 am and 4 pm. There was a variety of items in the packages, mostly nursery items (crib sheets, wipe dispenser, etc.). The theft occurred at our house on the corner of 34th and Morgan. If anyone has any information or had similar issues yesterday, we’d be interested to hear about it. This is the second time we’ve had a package go missing this year.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: Yes, WSCPC does meet this month! 7 pm next Tuesday (November 21st), be at the Southwest Precinct to hear about crime trends and get answers to your questions about neighborhood crime/safety concerns.

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FOLLOWUP: Friends of Roxhill gets $100,000 grant for EC Hughes playground project
November 15, 2017 2:39 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Sunrise Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools


(Playground at EC Hughes, photographed last June)

A big boost for Friends of Roxhill Elementary‘s plan to improve the EC Hughes Elementary playground before Roxhill kids move in next school year, since the playground isn’t part of the school district’s modernization project … the city has awarded Friends oF Roxhill the $100,000 Neighborhood Matching Fund grant they were seeking for the project. That of course doesn’t cover the entire project – Jenny Rose Ryan from Friends of Roxhill tells WSB, “Our community match is almost $60K, and all of that is professional service and other donated time from our leadership team (all members of Friends of Roxhill Elementary). We will accept anything anyone wants to give or pledge in support of the project.” You’ll hear more soon about opportunities for community involvement – for example, she says, “we’re painting a mural as part of the project and would love help from E.C. Hughes neighbors to design and paint it, for example.” We first reported last June about the group’s playground-improvement push.

P.S. Friends of Roxhill does have a fundraiser tomorrow that you can help with – a tasty one, at that – they’ll benefit from a percentage of the proceeds all day at Zippy’s Giant Burgers in White Center (8 am-9 pm Thursday).

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BIZNOTE: Duos expanding, taking over The Sanctuary at Admiral
November 15, 2017 1:39 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)

The Admiral District event venue that also happens to be a city landmark is changing operators. Duos Catering, known for its 2940 SW Avalon Way venue, is about to take over the former church at 2656 42nd SW that’s now known as The Sanctuary at Admiral. It’s not just an operator change – Duos plans to overhaul the interior, too, as we learned from Duos co-proprietor Joshua Cooper, who says they are excited to be getting the keys December 1st. He explained their plan via e-mail:

We will be remodeling the space a bit and couldn’t be more ready for it to start! The opportunity to manage Sanctuary popped up this past January and we knew right away that we had to jump on board. We’ve been part of the West Seattle community for 5 years now and we couldn’t imagine a more supportive community to expand into. We really believe that the space has potential to be one of the best venues in Seattle and we are proud to bring that to West Seattle.

We’ve really taken the time to recreate each room to provide a new kind of special to the venue world. We know that there are a lot of venues to choose from and we feel that our space offers an alternative to the more common open concept venues. Our goal is to create a luxe hotel lobby vibe complete with mid-century furnishings while still retaining the soul of the building. We really want our clients and guests to step inside and be greeted with that wow factor that really sets the mood of their event.

There will be a complete redesign of the interior and it begins with the Foyer the first week of December. We will refurbish the fir and terrazzo flooring and bring in some custom lounge furnishings. When you first enter you will find a really awesome 8ft tall antiqued mirror with these cute little glass floral fasteners. There will be some brass mirrors, tables, and lamps peppered throughout the room as well to act as our pop of color.

From there we are working our way down with new flooring and wall applications into the Speakeasy and Private Green Room. The Speakeasy has a bar and stage as before, but it’s surrounded by
vibrant blue velvet chairs, leather sofas, brass and antique bronze tables, wool Deco inspired throw rugs, and plum colored walls. We are shooting for a whisky bar edge that has a rich luxurious feel with vibrant color accents. The Private Green Room is dressed similarly but has more of a cigar club vibe with an old port hole bar, iron furnishings and a hide throw rug (synthetic of course).

The Main Room and the upstairs Private Suite will also get the full treatment. New carpeting and wall applications will be applied to the upstairs Lounge, Bath, and Dress Room. All will be decked out in new mid-century furnishings and decor. The Main Room stage is still up front and center and we anticipate inviting some great local talent to perform on both stages to continue our community events as we do down at The Lounge venue on Avalon Way.

You’ll find those events online, Cooper says, with a “temporary website” up at thesanctuarybyduos.com until they update the existing website. Meantime, they’re offering special rental rates on holiday parties during December.

P.S. The outgoing operator, Foodz Catering, is having a public decor/furniture sale this Saturday (November 18th) at the venue, starting at 9 am.

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WINDSTORM AFTERMATH: Power outage, day 3, for some West Seattleites
November 15, 2017 12:02 pm
|    Comments Off on WINDSTORM AFTERMATH: Power outage, day 3, for some West Seattleites
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

The photo is from Ben, whose home is among the dozen-plus in West Seattle that have yet to get power back after losing it during the Monday afternoon/evening windstorm. Ben tells WSB, “Going on our 3rd day without power! 47th and Hanford. Okay, it was fun for awhile, a little adventure for the kids. But we’re ready for power now! :) What with the home office and all …” The Seattle City Light map shows Ben’s neighborhood as the northernmost, and largest, remaining outage pocket (5 customers):

Citywide, as of right now, SCL still has 39 outages totaling 110 customers. And the utility is requesting that those still out be sure to re-report the outages.

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VIDEO: West Seattle High School hosts ‘State of the District,’ with other local spotlights
November 15, 2017 11:18 am
|    Comments Off on VIDEO: West Seattle High School hosts ‘State of the District,’ with other local spotlights
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

A prestigious showcase last night for West Seattle High School, chosen to host the annual event centered on the Seattle Public Schools superintendent’s “State of the District” speech. Dr. Larry Nyland’s speech was only part of it – students and community leaders were showcased too. We recorded the entire event on video:

Among those welcoming the people who gathered in the WSHS Theater, after a reception outside (our top photo), was Chief Sealth International High School student Lashaunycee O’Cain:

(She is also an artist, featured here earlier this year.) Other students featured included Juan Betancourt-Old Chief, a Chief Sealth IHS Šǝqačib senior:

He was part of the event’s spotlight on Native American Education Identity Safety and spoke of how “welcoming” the Šǝqačib classroom is. Teacher Boo Balkan Foster explained that the name means “to raise hands,” signaling, “I hold you in the highest esteem.”

More local recognition: During the superintendent’s speech, Denny International Middle School was one of three SPS middle schools whose African-American students were lauded for leading the state in math proficiency: “They’re leading the way, and we’re learning from them.”

Another speaker was former King County Executive Ron Sims, who spoke stirringly about teachers who shaped his life.

Among those in attendance, West Seattle/South Park School Board director Leslie Harris, below with newly re-elected board colleague Betty Patu:

This may have been Dr. Nyland’s last “State of the District” speech, as the board is launching a search for a new superintendent, with the help of a consulting firm whose contract is on the agenda for tonight’s board meeting.

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West Seattle Wednesday: Light rail; WordsWest; Delridge District Council; more…
November 15, 2017 9:31 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Keith Davidson for that view of the barred owl who took refuge on his Beach Drive deck during Monday’s stormy weather – and for the bonus closeup photo you’ll see below, toward the end of this list of highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for today/tonight:

CITY COUNCIL BUDGET VOTES CONTINUE: The City Council‘s decisions on changes to next year’s budget continue today, with West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold presiding over the full council meeting as the Budget Committee – public comment scheduled for 9:30 am (but hasn’t yet started as we publish this at 9:31), then reconvening at 11 am to get back to the list. At City Hall downtown, or watch live via Seattle Channel, online or cable 21. (600 4th Ave.)

HAPPY 15TH, CARMILIA’S! Today starts the four-day 15th anniversary celebration for Carmilia’s Boutique in The Junction, promising special deals and more. 11 am-5 pm. (4528 California SW)

WESTSIDE NEIGHBORS NETWORK MOVIE NIGHT: Come meet neighbors and find out more about WNN while also watching and talking about a classic movie, “Dr. Strangelove.” 5:30 pm dinner, 6 pm movie. More info in our calendar listing. (4707 36th SW)

FUTURE SOUND TRANSIT LIGHT RAIL: It’s scheduled to reach West Seattle in 2030 but the planning is under way now. 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building, Sound Transit presents an update, hosted by the Junction Neighborhood Organization. All welcome. (4217 SW Oregon)

DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: Even while leading the exhaustive City Council budget process, our area’s Councilmember Lisa Herbold is scheduled for Q&A tonight with the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council, 7 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club. The full agenda is in our calendar listing. (1116 SW Holden)

WORDSWEST LITERARY SERIES: 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor):

As late autumn gathers its storms and people gather to give thanks, WordsWest Literary Series welcomes poet Sharon Bryan and author Gretchen Schrafft for “Gathering,” an evening of wit and investigation, a close look at how we are coming of age at every age. The event will also feature a bake sale, including apple pie, with 100% of the proceeds going to the West Seattle Food Bank.

(5612 California SW)

34TH DISTRICT REPUBLICANS: Meeting in West Seattle this month – 7 pm at American Legion Post 160. (3618 SW Alaska)

DEADGRASS: Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia tunes, 8 pm at Parliament Tavern. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

THERE’S MORE for today, tonight, and beyond … on our complete calendar!

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NEW HOLIDAY EVENT: West Seattle Track Friday
November 15, 2017 9:01 am
|    Comments Off on NEW HOLIDAY EVENT: West Seattle Track Friday
 |   Fun stuff to do | Holidays | West Seattle news

The day after Thanksgiving has a new title. Yes, it’s already known as Black Friday. But this year, you can get the day going via West Seattle Track Friday. Between 9 am and 11 am on Friday, November 24th, at Hiawatha Playfield/Track (2700 California SW), West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) and P3|Running welcome you to the West Seattle version of what they describe as …

… a community-based movement to mobilize people to support charitable giving. Participants run laps on a nearby track to raise awareness and funds for causes that they care about. Track Friday is held the day after Thanksgiving to encourage people to reunite with old and new friends, burn off some Thanksgiving Day calories, and put a little love and giving spirit back into a day that has become synonymous with commercialism.

P3 owner Michele Pettinger is raising money to fight Parkinson’s Disease, which her mom has, but you can choose your own charity too. You can just show up between 9 and 11 and walk/run whatever you choose to – and/or you can participate in fun events just added to the plan, a 400-meter dash for kids 11 and under at 9:30, an 800-meter dash for tweens/teens 12-17 at 10 am, and a 1-mile race for 18 and up at 10 am. All the details are in our calendar listing for Track Friday.

P.S. Do you have an event to add to our calendar and forthcoming West Seattle Holiday Guide, which covers pre-Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day? Let us know ASAP: editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Rainy Wednesday updates
November 15, 2017 6:59 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

6:59 AM: Good morning. No incidents reported in/from West Seattle so far on this damp morning but this might be the only area in the region without trouble.

Meantime, Susan reports via Twitter that truck backups have returned to the westbound bridge this week.

LIGHT RAIL: Interested in the plan for light rail to come to West Seattle in 2030? Tonight’s the night the Junction Neighborhood Organization hosts a Sound Transit presentation about it, 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building (4217 SW Oregon).

7:37 AM: Sharon reports in a comment below that the chronic flooding of the Delridge onramp to the bridge is back.

7:53 AM: Metro just sent an alert saying the 56 scheduled a few minutes ago did not operate.

8:16 AM: Regional traffic-watchers have described this commute as “a slog.” As Judy noted in comments, the last stretch of Harbor Avenue headed for the bridge is included in that this morning – the SDOT map currently verifies that by showing the road in red. No incidents reported, but we know there are chronic flooding problems on that stretch too.

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Rezone concerns, crime stats, more @ Fauntleroy Community Association
November 14, 2017 9:18 pm
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

The Fauntleroy Community Association board just wrapped up tonight’s monthly meeting at its usual location, the historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, where more than 15 people crowded into the conference room, several drawn by the biggest topic on the agenda – this site about a block west:

REZONE PROPOSAL: We broke the news two weeks ago about an early-stage proposal to rezone and redevelop 9250 45th SW in the heart of Fauntleroy’s Endolyne business district. Since then, two FCA board members have talked with the site’s owners to find out more.

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SATURDAY: See and hear FRED Talks by ‘remarkable volunteers’
November 14, 2017 7:11 pm
|    Comments Off on SATURDAY: See and hear FRED Talks by ‘remarkable volunteers’
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(Photos courtesy Kol HaNeshamah)

Looking for inspiration? You’ve heard of TED Talks … here in West Seattle, progressive Jewish community Kol HaNeshamah is presenting a series of FRED Talks (Fresh, Relevant, Educational, Dynamic). This Saturday (November 18th), you are invited to hear “Stories From Remarkable Volunteers in Our Midst,” 12:30 pm-2 pm. Featured speakers:

*Craig Greenberg is an airplane pilot with Angel Flight, a group of volunteers who fly their own planes and pay for flight costs to help families make critical journeys. Craig will share some of these heroic stories.

*Everyone knows breastmilk is the most superior food for babies, but breastfeeding doesn’t necessarily come easy to everyone. Betsy Hoffmeister has spent more than 15 years as a volunteer leader and an on-call specialist for La Leche League, an international organization with the sole purpose of helping families and their babies.

*Henry, a clever canine and certified therapy dog lives with Lou and Janet Manuta and volunteers by bringing joy to people of all ages. He visits schoolkids, seniors, and so many others, sharing his tricks. Henry has agreed to do some tricks while Lou talks about how Henry got so good at what he does.

Refreshments will be served in the lobby prior to the FRED talks.

Suggested admission is $18, or $12 for seniors/students. Kol HaNeshamah requests that you RSVP online, by going here.

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NEW HOLIDAY EVENT: Christmas Ship viewing party with SW Seattle Historical Society, ‘Seasonal Sounds on the Sound’
November 14, 2017 5:38 pm
|    Comments Off on NEW HOLIDAY EVENT: Christmas Ship viewing party with SW Seattle Historical Society, ‘Seasonal Sounds on the Sound’
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB reader photo by Candace from Christmas Ship’s past visit)

As we continue assembling this year’s WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – we’ve received this announcement of a brand-new West Seattle holiday event, a fun(draiser) for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. Reservations required, and the announcement explains how:

If you have ever wanted to watch and listen to the Argosy Christmas Ship Cruise in comfort and hang out with some super-awesome people, please join with us for “Seasonal Sounds On The Sound” at Harbor Park Condominium complex, 1727 Harbor Avenue SW, on Saturday, December 9th, 2017!

This 21-and-older event is from 3 pm – 6:30 pm and includes live holiday music on site, beverages, and food, along with a FRONT ROW seat for the Argosy Christmas Ship stop along Harbor Avenue!

This hosted holiday fundraiser benefits the SW Seattle Historical Society.

You may know about the Log House Museum on Alki Beach, but there are many other things that our local historical society does to promote the heritage and history of this area. (Most recently, think “We ❤ The Junction” campaign which successfully landmarked both the Campbell and Hamm buildings at the Alaska Junction, “Words, Writers & West Seattle” on the first Friday of each month at Barnes & Noble, ongoing school assembly programs, and more.)

A suggested donation of $50 per person is appreciated and will be a wonderful opportunity for you & a date to ring in the holiday spirit and still leave time to enjoy other holiday activities that day!

Details below – and remember… all proceeds benefit the SWSHS! Space is limited so RSVP by emailing director@loghousemuseum.info right away!

While “Seasonal Sounds on the Sound”is a special one-time only event, December 9th is one of two days this season with Christmas Ship stops off the West Seattle shore – three stops that night, one stop on December 14th, all listed on our calendar and on the official Christmas Ship website.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen silver CR-V; gas thieves hit school buses
November 14, 2017 3:01 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports today:

STOLEN CAR: Mariana reports her silver ’99 Honda CR-V, with Yakama Nation plate 2535, has been stolen from the 7300 block of California SW, where it was last seen at 9 pm Sunday.

She adds, “Unique plates, but my original Washington plates are in car and could have been switched out. I don’t know my WA state plate number. It has studded snow tires, painted feather and beaded bag in window. Police Incident Report # 17-422184.” Call 911 if you see it.

MORE GAS-TANK PUNCTURES: We’ve published previous reports of gas tanks being punctured, apparently to steal gasoline. Now the thief/thieves are hitting schools. Sometime between last Wednesday and Sunday, they hit Hope Lutheran School‘s bus: “One of our teachers went to fill the bus and realized at the gas station that there was a pencil sized stream of gas from the tank. We took it to West Seattle Autoworks and it was the 4th incident they had seen of this type this month.” The Seattle Lutheran High School bus parked next to Hope’s bus (on the north side of The Junction) also had gas stolen, but via siphon, not puncture. (We had multiple gas-tank-puncture reports last month, including this one.)

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