West Seattle, Washington
03 Sunday
Last reminder — 5 pm today, Fauntleroy Creek overlook (here’s a map; it’s across from the ferry terminal and up the bank – you can take the 54 bus and get off at the terminal, or park at Lincoln Park‘s south end and walk down – nearby street parking is somewhat spotty), come help drum (makeshift drums welcome too) and sing to summon the spawners. It’s been a tough year for salmon runs up and down the coasts (and those who rely on them, like Puget Sound’s resident orcas) so the fish need all the help and welcoming they can get.
Fresh pies and Christmas bunny, spotted at The Kenney‘s holiday bazaar/bake sale, which continues till 4 pm today and then again tomorrow, 10 am-4 pm. To the east, across Fauntleroy SW, Gatewood Elementary is awash in greenery today for Earth Summit III, continuing till 3 pm – we popped by a little while ago to have a look at some brand-new trees and the people getting ready to plant them:
Last year during Earth Summit II, kids from Gatewood and other West Seattle schools planted trees with the help of a Nobel laureate (WSB coverage here).
Isn’t there some way to save The Kenney‘s century-old original building, Seaview, as part of the redevelopment project? That was one question heard repeatedly Thursday night from both Southwest Design Review Board members and concerned neighbors, dozens of whom packed the project’s first official SWDRB review. After two hours of presentations, questions, criticisms, concerns, and suggestions, reviewers told The Kenney’s CEO and consultants to try again, ordering a second round of “early design guidance.” Board chair David Foster pronounced the situation more “complicated than any (he’d) seen in (his) 3 1/2 years on the board,” but in the end, the meeting was more constructive than confrontational — read on:Read More
Detailed report to come. Bottom line, though, after two hours laden with thoughtful public comments and concerns about the major redevelopment project at The Kenney – the Southwest Design Review Board (with only two of its five members in attendance) asked The Kenney to come back for a second round of “early design guidance” — that means at least two more meetings before it passes all the way through Design Review.
We’ve reported several times in the past two months about The Kenney‘s major redevelopment proposal (here’s our first in-depth report from August; here’s our coverage of last month’s community meeting), which has stirred some concern because one of the buildings is proposed to be six stories high. This Thursday night, it’s one of two projects going before the Southwest Design Review Board for “early design guidance,” and the city has posted the presentation submitted by The Kenney and its consultants. You can see the full 20-page presentation here (including side views of the three proposed alternatives); the third option is the one closest to what was presented at the community meeting, including a re-creation of part of its “park-like” northwestern corner:
The design-review meeting for The Kenney’s proposal is at 8 pm Thursday, in the Madison Middle School library, following reviewers’ 6:30 pm look at 4106 Delridge (5 stories of residential and retail; city project page here; that project’s presentation is not online yet – we’ll let you know when it turns up).
Who says pumpkins have to be orange? Those creations were made by kids attending the Fauntleroy Community Association-presented Fauntleroy Fall Festival this afternoon – which enjoyed a terrific turnout by all accounts, with lots of other activities spread across three venues, Fauntleroy Church and YMCA (both WSB sponsors) and the schoolhouse; volunteers helped get people safely back and forth across the street:
Behind the schoolhouse – pony rides:
More scenes from the Fauntleroy Fall Festival, including a video clip from the Seattle Civic Concert Dancers‘ mini-performance of their fall ballet “Magical Doll Maker,” just ahead:Read More
FARMERS’ MARKET: Goat chops and “fried chicken” wild mushrooms – just two of the items on the long list of what’s fresh at West Seattle Farmers’ Market today (10 am-2 pm, 44th/Alaska) – see the list here.
FAUNTLEROY FALL FESTIVAL: One of the biggest events of the year, in the neighborhood that’s got a lot more going on than a ferry dock and megapark. As the FFF page on fauntleroy.net puts it, “free activities, cheap eats, and beautiful fall weather – guaranteed!” Pony rides and a dance performance are among the activities. It’s all happening in three close-together venues – Fauntleroy Church and YMCA (WSB sponsors) and the schoolhouse across the street. 2-6 pm; here’s a map.
That’s not all that’s going on today – more West Seattle events (including the AfterGlow shopping extravaganza and West Side Presbyterian‘s open house), in the Weekend Lineup.
As mentioned in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup (and elsewhere), the Fauntleroy Fall Festival is tomorrow – with activities spread out among the Fauntleroy Church and YMCA (both WSB sponsors) and schoolhouse for four jampacked hours, 2-6 pm. Among the entertainers: Seattle Civic Dance Theatre, which is presenting a series of miniperformances of its ballet “The Magical Doll Maker,” starting with one during the Fall Festival, 4:30 pm tomorrow in the church Fellowship Hall. (The full “Magical Doll Maker” performance is set for December 21st at Highline Performing Arts Center; more info at civicdancers.org or 206/938-3062.)
Just back from The Hall at Fauntleroy, where U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell headlined a pep rally before hundreds of Democrats hit the streets of West Seattle, White Center, and beyond in a weekend blitz of Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) doorbelling. (That first clip shows the end of the rally, with Sen. Murray offering a few last words, then inviting two local D’s — State Sen. Joe McDermott and County Councilmember Dow Constantine – up to the stage; McDermott is on the ballot but, like the two other 34th District state legislators, running unopposed.) Local Republicans were fanning out from Westwood Village at about the same time, and supporters of Sound Transit Proposition 1 are also on the street (came home to find one of their doorhangers). This weekend is considered crucial because many people who vote by mail have just received their ballots and will be voting long before the official Election Day on Nov. 4. ADDED SATURDAY AFTERNOON: More from this morning’s rally — and why it wasn’t just about the presidential race:Read More
Congratulations to Redmond’s Mike Town, who won the webpoll portion of the “Cox Conserves Heroes” competition in which Fauntleroy’s Judy Pickens was also among five people in Western Washington honored for their work to lend nature a helping hand. Thanks to everybody who voted for Judy, not just because she does great work, but also in hopes her chosen nonprofit, EarthCorps, would get the $5K donation in the winner’s name; you can still help EarthCorps right this second with an online donation. And you can help Judy and the Fauntleroy Creek coho by being at the creek overlook (across from the ferry dock) later this month for a special event – here’s her latest update:
The annual drumming to call the salmon home to Fauntleroy Creek needs a lead drummer or two. The event will be Sunday, Oct. 26, 5-6 p.m. at the fish-ladder viewpoint (SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way SW) and typically draws 40-60 people of all ages to sing, act out salmon stories, and enjoy spirited drumming. If you’d like to set the beat, e-mail Judy_Pickens@msn.com. In case of rain, instruments will have canopy cover.
FIRST SIGHTING OF WEST SEATTLE REGULAR GAS IN THE $3.10s: A short time ago at Gasco (35th/Henderson), it was down to $3.19. That’s a dime drop from their price at weekend’s end.
NOT EXACTLY ROSE-COLORED GLASSES: West Seattle entrepreneur Nate Eddings sent us his press release too, but we hadn’t gotten around to digitizing the profanity on his main product. Daily Weekly is PG-13 so they are showing his glasses in their full, um, glory.
AND THE WINNER IS … Channel 7’s 5 pm news tonight is scheduled to include the announcement of who won the Cox Conserves Heroes web vote. Thanks to everybody who voted for Fauntleroy’s Judy Pickens (and therefore for EarthCorps, which gets a $5K Cox donation if Judy wins).
A week ago tonight, we brought you word of a milestone in the Fauntleroy Community Service Agency‘s negotiations to purchase the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, agreement on a “term sheet.” Last night, two FCSA reps joined the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s monthly meeting, at the schoolhouse, for an informal presentation about the latest developments, and Q/A. Read on for the newest information, including school board action expected tonight, plus a statement on the latest developments from the Fauntleroy Children’s Center director Kim Sheridan, which we received just before last night’s FCA meeting:Read More
The folks running the “Cox Conserves Heroes” competition say voting ends at 8 o’clock this morning our time – so this is the last chance to get out the vote for Fauntleroy’s Judy Pickens, who’s being honored in the contest (along with four other regional conservation volunteers) for her work at and for Fauntleroy Creek. Note that the results page was misbehaving for much of last night, so don’t assume anything – just vote if you haven’t already. What’s at stake: The winner gets $5,000 to donate to her/his chosen nonprofit – and Judy has chosen the restoration heroes of EarthCorps.
Early door-to-door alert: You might find a senator on your doorstep this Saturday. With ballots arriving in mailboxes this week, a major get-out-the-vote Democratic door-knocking effort starts with a rally at The Hall at Fauntleroy at 9:45 am Saturday, and our state’s U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell are scheduled to join them. More info here (it’s also on the 34th District Democrats‘ website; disclosure, they’re a WSB sponsor this month to get out the word about their “sample ballot” with 34th DD endorsements). By the way, if you are not currently registered to vote in WA, you can still register if you do it in person at county elections HQ in Renton – here’s a map – and this page has info on extended hours on deadline day next Monday. ONE MORE NOTE: Statewide Initiative 1000, “Death With Dignity,” will be the topic of a West Seattle forum Thursday 10/23; local churches opposed to I-1000 are sponsoring it but have invited advocates from both sides and are inviting you too — 7:30 pm 10/23 at West Seattle High School. More info on I-1000 and other races/ballot measures on the WSB Election page.
It’s not entirely clear how many days remain for voting in the Cox Conserves Heroes competition so we’re operating as if it could close at any time — just checked the results; Fauntleroy’s Judy Pickens is a VERY close second! If you or anyone you know hasn’t voted yet, vote now! Not just because of all the work Judy has done for helping bring Fauntleroy Creek back to life, but also because if she wins, EarthCorps gets $5K. Vote here. 9:02 PM UPDATE: Watch the comments – now a tie for first – keep it up! TUESDAY MORNING UPDATE: Just received word that the voting ends tomorrow (Wednesday 10/15) morning, 8 am.
Have you voted yet in the “Cox Conserves Heroes” competition? Fauntleroy’s Judy Pickens is now in second, and there are just a few days left to vote — if she wins, EarthCorps (which works on greenspace restoration in West Seattle and elsewhere) gets a $5,000 donation. Judy is shown at left in the photo above with some of the many visitors young and old who come to Fauntleroy Creek, for which she has worked tirelessly (we won’t soon forget spending some time with her by the creek in March, when a few tiny salmon fry were clearly visible, fighting the current). Take a minute – go here to vote – tell your friends. Two weeks from today, by the way, you can join Judy and other friends of Fauntleroy Creek, drumming to call the salmon home, 5 pm 10/26 at the overlook across from the ferry dock. P.S. There’s a new creek update on fauntleroy.net – a grant application to restore “the last degraded reach of the creek” – read about it here.
At the first of two community meetings about the $150 million plan to “reinvent” The Kenney, the century-old retirement center in Fauntleroy, management and consultants revealed two big changes since the plan was first previewed over the summer (not only in this WSB article, but also in meetings with Kenney residents): There’s more “park-like” space planned for the northwest section of the site, which is famous for its greenery now, but in order to make that happen, The Kenney wants to double the height of one new building in the middle of the complex — that means six stories, and it would require rezoning, if the City Council approves. Tonight is the second of two community meetings to discuss the latest plans for the project – here’s our full report on what happened at the first meeting:Read More
Last month, we brought you in-depth details of the $150 million redevelopment project on the drawing board for The Kenney, the longtime retirement community in Fauntleroy. (Read our story here.) Today, we get word from The Kenney’s CEO Kevin McFeely that two meetings are set next week to discuss the project with, and answer questions from, neighbors and other area residents/community leaders: 6 pm Wednesday at Fauntleroy Church (with official invitations going out to everyone within a half-mile radius), 6 pm next Thursday (9/18) at The Kenney (targeting local neighborhood associations and business groups). The project also is tentatively scheduled for its first Design Review Board hearing — which is a public meeting too — at 8 pm October 23rd (location TBA); here’s the city’s project page.
This morning, we finally heard from Fauntleroy Church (UCC) leadership regarding the Tent City 3 proposal, which, as we reported on Sunday with reader assistance, is now tabled. Rev. David Kratz forwarded a letter to the community dated Sunday, and added a few additional comments. First, the letter, in its entirety:
Dear Neighborhood Friends,
During the first week of October, a small group of men and women from Tent City 3 (TC3) came to our church to present information, and to ask if we would consider hosting them from December through February because of their pressing need for somewhere to live at that time. Because of their need, we agreed to have TC3 make a similar presentation to our congregation last Sunday. A majority of church members at the meeting favored exploring the possibility of hosting TC3, but there were many concerns about whether we are well-positioned to explore this question right now.
Homelessness and housing is a multi-faceted issue that seriously concerns us. The growing gap between the rich and the poor, the diminishing of the middle class, the rapid loss of affordable housing across the nation and in Seattle, and more importantly coming to know individual homeless people prompt us to discern how we should respond as followers of Christ.
Fauntleroy Church has a long history of service on behalf of the poor. One of the things we’re most proud of is having helped found the original First Avenue Service Center in downtown Seattle (now called the Family and Adult Service Center). FASC is a program that provides the homeless with basic human services, such as nutritious meals, a place to shower, laundry facilities, access to phone and computer services, as well as case management, assistance finding safe and affordable housing, vocational training, and much more.
This morning our Church Council decided not to host Tent City 3 in the near future. We do plan to continue educating ourselves on the issue of homelessness. We directed our Outreach Ministry to create a Homelessness Task Force, with the charge to explore the whole range of theological, biblical, social, and psychological dimensions of homelessness and seek appropriate responses for our church. We plan to start this effort in 2008. We will keep you apprised of our process. Perhaps you may want to join our conversations and learn with us–we would welcome your wisdom and questions. We honor our relationship with you just as much as we do our call to serve the “least among us.”
Sincerely,
David Kratz, Senior Pastor
Susan Towner Larsen, Associate Pastor
Steve Sundquist, Moderator, Church Council
Rev. Kratz added in his e-mail to WSB that he has read the comments on our previous posts and, “I would invite anyone who would like to participate in a broader conversation about how to respond to people who are homeless to become part of a mailing list we are starting. As the letter states in the winter we will take a broader
look and would welcome the wisdom of concerned folks.”
In case you don’t catch it in the comments on our original report, WSB reader Bonnie just posted:
I just returned from the Fauntleroy Fall Festival and was told that they have decided NOT to host the tent city. There was a meeting this morning where it was decided.
That’s all we can tell you – still haven’t heard anything from the church.
This big bright banner on the side of the Corner Inn (Fauntleroy/Cali) says it all:
Events are planned at The Hall at Fauntleroy, Fauntleroy Church (full lineup in last Sunday’s bulletin), and Fauntleroy YMCA. Many great local performers are participating, including the West Seattle Big Band (4-6 pm @ The Hall).
This is a sensitive issue, obvious since we first heard about it Wednesday. Within the span of a few hours, we received several notes from WSB readers asking if we had heard a rumor about Tent City 3, the rotating-site church-sponsored homeless camp, possibly coming to Fauntleroy Church (UCC) later this year. Our first stage of research quickly turned up a mention on the church website, saying that it was under discussion. Knowing the movements of other Tent City camps have led to community concern and questions elsewhere around Western Washington, we decided to seek comment and context rather than just slapping something up here on WSB. We left messages Wednesday afternoon for leaders at Fauntleroy Church, and also contacted the Church Council of Greater Seattle. While the Church Council did respond to our queries and after some discussion ultimately decided to take an official “no comment” position, we still have not heard back from Fauntleroy Church. Yet this is clearly being talked about in the community — yet more local residents have contacted us to inquire; one has forwarded a letter that the church-based Little Pilgrim preschool has sent to its families; another has forwarded a letter that was sent to the church on behalf of concerned neighbors. So in hopes of helping calm rumors, we want to share what we have found out so far:Read More
Sunday marks 10 months since the raucous rainstorm that preceded the wild windstorm. One of the first effects of the pounding rain on December 14th of last year was the Upper Fauntleroy sinkhole at Thistle/Northrop (above photo shows the site today). Save for a little cleanup, and a temporary bridge built in January so walkers could still use the Thistle hillside stairs, plus improvements to city storm drains nearby, the sinkhole has remained, gaping, barely cordoned off, ever since. But not for much longer; flyers have just appeared in the Seattle Public Utilities sign by the sinkhole, saying that “we have resolved the outstanding property issues and are ready to commence with the repair project. We are currently waiting for authorization from the State/FEMA … We are anticipating on receiving authorization within the next week.” The flyer says the sinkhole, which the city calls a “gully,” will be filled in with “structural fill.” It’s accumulated some unofficial fill over these long months:
As for how this work might affect you if you use this area — the city says it may start “quickly and on very short notice,” will take 4-5 days, will involve some traffic restrictions at that sharp corner, and most significantly (the city flyer puts it in bold, so we will too): The stairs will be temporarily closed during the duration of the repair work. Very popular for people walking to and from Lincoln Park, so plan alternate routes.
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