West Seattle, Washington
05 Monday
Gatewood Elementary is getting ready for its third annual Gator Fair in May, and student volunteers are an important part of the plan, so the search is on! Here’s the announcement sent to us to share:
Volunteer opportunity for Seattle Public Schools middle- and high-school students to earn service hours:
Gatewood Elementary is hosting the 3rd annual Gatewood Gator Fair on Saturday, May 31st, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., and is looking for volunteers to set up and break down the event, run carnival games, help out at booths, etc.
The event is rain or shine and the community is invited.
Volunteer shift is 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. You will be provided a lunch break and food to eat.
Sign up at signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44AAA92AA3F8C43-56222128-gator#
Questions? GatewoodGatorFair@gmail.com
School address: 4320 SW Myrtle Street, Seattle, WA, 98136. Parking in the neighborhood
Public transportation: Rapid Ride C line stop is Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Myrtle St.
It’s fundraising season for many school groups and other nonprofits. Among them, the Gatewood Elementary PTA, which has just launched an online auction this morning – anybody can bid. The parent who let us know about this points out, “With the significant budget cuts facing Seattle Public Schools, the support of the West Seattle community is more important than ever.” If you skim the auction site, you’ll see a wide variety of items up for grabs, including tickets, gift cards, memberships, more. Here’s the link to browse and/or bid! The auction is open for a week, leading up to the PTA’s in-person fundraiser a week from tonight.
If you’ve heard the booms from Gatewood, Upper Fauntleroy, Westwood, etc., those are fireworks, not gunshots. We’ve heard them all, and police in the area have seen them. We’re just mentioning it because we’ve gotten a few texts and dispatchers/calltakers say they’re getting deluged.
Reader report from Rebecca:
Today around 11:45 am, 36th and Myrtle. Just hanging out, drinking from the puddle. Crows were dive bombing (it)…
That’s right by Myrtle Reservoir Park. Meantime, our standard disclaimer – we publish coyote sightings for awareness, not alarm; here’s expert advice on coexistence.
(WSB photo)
That sighting of brown water flushing from a hydrant is what tipped us to a water outage in Gatewood. We were out walking when we spotted a Seattle Public Utilities worker flushing the hydrant at 39th/Rose [map]; he told us they were clearing the water from a “branch” before restoring service following a break further east on Rose. The SPU water-trouble map says 40+ homes were affected by the break centered near 35th/Rose; we walked past the hydrant again about half an hour after taking the top photo, and the water was running clear.
If you think coyotes only come out at night – think again. We just received that video from Rose in Gatewood, who reports, “At noon today we saw a big coyote walking down 39th Street next to Peace Lutheran Church between Thistle and Rose, going north. Got very close to someone walking their dog too and seemed pretty fearless.”
We’ve had daytime sightings before in our 15 years of coyote reports (scroll through the archive here), but they’re far outnumbered by nighttime/early morning sightings. Here’s succinct advice on what to do if you encounter one – most importantly, experts say, don’t run from it.
Thanks to Krista for the photo and report:
Returning from an early grocery run just before 7 am … three coyotes ran across Holden and down 36th toward Kenyon. I circled around and grabbed a photo of the group!
You can browse past sighting reports here. We publish them for awareness, not alarm, and information like this can help us and them stay appropriately apart.
(WSB photos)
Don’t feel like – or have time to – bake for the holiday(s)? Peace Lutheran Church (39th/Thistle) has you covered. Their “Bake Sale Plus” – raising money for nonprofits/community work – is on until 3 pm. Even a gluten-free table, as shown above. Pies, cookies, brownies, breads, snack mix … if you’re looking for it, they probably have it. Plus – knitted creatios:
And even a “Toy Share” area if you have little ones on your list:
This is happening on the lower level of the church – enter off 39th. One more note: All the baked goods are packaged in compostable material!
Three reader reports this morning:
STOLEN VAN: Sent by Greg:
Reporting that my van was stolen last night from our home in the Gatewood area about 9:00 pm in case someone spots it parked in the area. The van is a white 1998 Ford Econoline 150 with a roof rack, license #C74786Z. The van was filled with carpentry tools. Please contact me at 206-234-6402 if you see it!
FOUND TRAILER: Jo spotted this trailer parked, door open, no one around, items inside:
If it’s yours, let us know – we don’t know if it’s been reported to police yet. (Update: It apparently was stolen from a band – we’ve heard from them and told them where Jo saw it.)
HIT-RUN INFO SOUGHT: Sent by Tracey:
My friend was hit and run on his e-bike yesterday afternoon. Details are sketchy as I took him to urgent care and he hit his head (helmet on). He lives on 32nd and Thistle and was on his way home with groceries from QFC. His groceries were scattered all over the street and he lost his glasses. He said there was a roundabout at the intersection he was hit at. No one stopped to help him recover his belongings. Any information from the community would be supportive. And his glasses remain lost.
Until 5 pm, you can visit any or all of 14 West Seattle places where art is made and/or shown. The West Seattle Art Tour is a much-more behind-the-scenes experience than the monthly West Seattle Art Walk. We’re just back from one stop – we went to Gatewood to see the artists featured today at The Building (4316 SW Othello), a former church school converted into artist studios:
Upstairs, you’ll find Rebecca Woodhouse, who’s had a studio at The Building for almost three years. You can also talk with Nichole DeMent, a mixed-media-encaustic artist who’s been creating there for 10+ years, and Stephen Rock, who works in “a variety of processes”:
With more than 50 artists participating at the 14 Art Tour stops, some are hosting visiting artists as well as resident artists. At The Building, Kelly Marshall – a mixed-media painter from Queen Anne – is visiting today:
Throughout The Building, there’s art on the walls and along the stairways, making it a great stop for wandering (the upstairs west-facing windows have Puget Sound views, too). But the 13 other stops have their charms – we chose this one for proximity to HQ, but as the map shows, you have options from Admiral to Roxhill. Find maps and the artist list here; the free Art Tour continues until 5 pm today.
(WSB file photo, fair at Gatewood Elementary)
Got a middle- or high-school student in your household who would be interested in volunteer hours? The Gatewood Elementary PTSA is offering this opportunity:
Gatewood Elementary is hosting its Annual Gatewood Gator Spirit Fair on Friday, September 20, 2024, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., and is looking for volunteers to help run carnival games and hand out free hot dogs and cotton candy. Rain or shine.
Volunteer shift is: 4 – 7:30 pm
** We will work with all time schedules if there is a conflict. **Contact: Sign up here. (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B48A8A629A1F4C34-51155075-gator#/)
Email GatewoodGatorFair@gmail.com for more informationSchool address: 4320 SW Myrtle Street, Seattle. Parking in the neighborhood
Public transportation: Rapid Ride C line stop is Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Myrtle St.
12:07 PM: Thanks for the tips. SDOT crews are installing West Seattle’s newest speed cushions today – including what are, we believe, the first ones ever built on California Avenue SW (not counting the raised crosswalks in The Junction). Above is the newly installed set on California just south of Myrtle, and below is the outline for a set just north of Myrtle:
SDOT also is installing speed cushions/humps on Myrtle west of California. This is all part of Safe Routes to School traffic calming around Gatewood Elementary – we hadn’t received a specific construction notice but found this mention nested in the “current projects” list on the SRTS website:
Speed humps and all-way stops on SW Myrtle St, SW Frontenac, and California Ave SW near Gatewood Elementary (expected in 2024 or 2025)
The all-way stops on Myrtle were already in. We’re checking with SDOT for more specifics.
12:51 PM: SDOT spokesperson Mariam Ali tells WSB that these weren’t expected to be installed until early next year but the crew managed to accelerate. She sent a map of all the new speed cushions in this round:
(Photos by Seattle Bouldering Project’s Caedmon Calbero)
Gatewood Elementary students (the Gators) have something new to look forward to when school starts next Wednesday – a climbing wall, thanks to the Gatewood PTA and Seattle Bouldering Project, whose facilities manager Willy Miller sent the report and photos:
Back in January, one of the parents at Gatewood Elementary School, Robin Rosenberg, reached out to us and asked if we could support their efforts in building a new climbing wall at their school. The PTA did not have enough funds to complete the project. So Seattle Bouldering Project was happy to help bridge the funding gap! After many months, and a lot of hoops to jump through, the wall was fully funded and built. It is ready for the new school year! Attached are some photos we took yesterday of the small ceremony we had to commemorate this new gym infrastructure. Thanks to the warm reception from Seattle Public Schools, the Gatewood Elementary PTA, The Gatewood Elementary staff, and all the students who came out to celebrate!
In the photo are Robin (former PTA president), Sara (current PTA President), Tony (PE Teacher), Kyna (School Principal), Lori (Seattle Public Schools), Nick (SBP staff), Rachel (SBP Manager), and myself (SBP Manager).
You can see another photo from the celebration, with a full view of the new wall, on the Gatewood Elementary Instagram page.
(WSB photos)
Gatewood Elementary is one of the places to be on this busy Saturday – they’re welcoming everyone to this year’s Gator Fair – lots of fun and games:
Other community groups are participating too – the Morgan Community Association is there to remind everyone about the Morgan Junction Community Festival two weeks from today:
The Gator Fair is on until 2:30 pm, at the Gatewood Elementary playground, 4320 SW Myrtle!
Again this year, Gatewood Elementary is planning a community event, and welcoming teenage and tween-age volunteers to help make it happen. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:
Volunteer opportunity for Seattle Public School middle and high school students to earn service hours:
Gatewood Elementary is hosting the 2nd Annual Gatewood Gator Fair on Saturday, June 1st, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., and is looking for volunteers to set-up and break down the event, run carnival games, help out at booths, etc.
The event is rain or shine and the community is invited.
Volunteer shifts are: 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., 1- 3:30 p.m.
Sign up at signupgenius.com/go/10C0B48A8A629A1F4C34-48659222-gator#
Questions? GatewoodGatorFair@gmail.com
School address: 4320 SW Myrtle Street. Parking in the neighborhoodPublic transportation: Rapid Ride C line stop is Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Myrtle St.
4:33 PM: So far we have two reports from Gatewood this afternoon about discolored tap water. No emergencies are showing on the Seattle Public Utilities water map, which means hydrant testing is a possibility – that tends to stir up sediment (rust) in the pipes, and as we reported recently, this is the start of the busy season for testing. If brown water happens to you, be sure to contact SPU’s 24/7 hotline at 206-386-1800 to let them know, even if you think someone else in your neighborhood already has. (And don’t do laundry until you’re sure the water’s running clear!)
8:27 PM: As noted in comments, SPU confirmed hydrants were being tested.
Per a text, discolored water is happening in the 6700 block of 41st SW. No incidents on the Seattle Public Utilities map so far, but if/when it happens to you, it’s always important to report it – SPU’s 24-hour number for this is 206-386-1800 – because your report might be first word of a problem. (Another common cause: Hydrant testing stirring up sediment, aka rust, in the pipes.)
A new sign is up at 7617 35th SW – between Holden and Ida – because the project review for that site has reached a new phase. As announced in today’s city-circulated Land Use Information Bulletin, the developers have applied for a land-use permit, now that they’ve cleared the first phase of Design Review. (That happened in December – here’s our coverage of the meeting.) The project still has to go through the second phase of Design Review, but so far, city files say it’s proposed as “a 7-story, 126-unit apartment building with 3 live-work units and retail (with p)arking for 66 vehicles …” It’s also worth noting that this is at the heart of one of the “neighborhood centers” envisioned in the newly released Draft One Seattle Plan Update. Today’s permit-application notice opens a two-week comment period; if you want to comment, March 27 is the deadline, and this explains how.
Last week on the Nisqually earthquake anniversary, we reminded you about Emergency Communication Hubs – the volunteer-powered meeting places pre-designated in case of catastrophe, places you can go for information/resources if something big takes down the usual means of communication. One of West Seattle’s 20+ hubs is hoping nearby residents will come to a gathering this Thursday (March 7), 6:30 pm – the one for South Gatewood and Upper Fauntleroy residents, at Peace Lutheran Church (39th/Thistle). Here’s the announcement from organizer Joel:
The Emergency Hub located at Peace Lutheran Church is meant to provide community-run support efforts in the area of Cloverdale up to Othello, and 35th to California in the event of infrastructure related disturbances such as a major snowstorm, extended power outages, or the big earthquake/ tsunami/ volcanic eruption/ Guadalajara type of disaster.
If you are, or you know anyone, in the area that may be interested in doing some tabletop role-playing exercises that’ll cover several information gathering and resource distribution techniques to help us be better prepared for managing our local needs in a time of crisis, please feel free to join us. All are welcome. No prior knowledge or training is needed. Enter on the west side of the church.
For detailed info on how hubs are supposed to work, go here
From a reader via text: “Brown water alert just south of Gatewood Elementary. No known fire hydrant activity on our street (Woodside).” Nothing on the Seattle Public Utilities water-trouble map, either. If this happens at your home/business/etc., be sure to report it to SPU at 206-386-1800, even if you think someone else already has.
5:40 AM: Thanks for the tip. Seattle Fire is at a house in the 3700 block of SW Austin. The fire is described as under control. Updates to come.
(Reader photo via text)
5:52 AM: Firefighters have just declared the fire “tapped” (out). The call log indicates they’ve been on scene since about 5:25 am. We’re on our way over to check on injuries and extent of damage.
(WSB photo)
6:01 AM: Just as we arrived, firefighters told dispatch that reptile pets mentioned earlier as being in the house have been “extricated.” Meantime, SFD’s investigator has arrived to start looking into the fire’s cause. We’re waiting to speak with an incident commander.
6:16 AM: Firefighters tell us at the scene that no one was hurt, and the rescued pets – snakes – are OK. Since the fire is out, some of the responding units are starting to leave.
11:47 AM: Still missing from the house, Auzzie the cat:
The photo was forwarded by a neighbor who asks that if you find Auzzie, call Jeff (206) 612-9558. (We’re also adding to our Lost/Found Pets page.)
ADDED FRIDAY AFTERNOON: According to SFD spokesperson Kaila Lafferty, “Investigators ruled the fire was accidental, likely caused by an overheated power strip. It’s important to remember to plug high powered appliances such as space heaters and toaster ovens directly into the wall outlet, never into an extension cord or power strip.”
ALSO: Here’s a crowdfunding page set up to help the victims.
The holiday spirit abounds at the Peace Lutheran Church Holiday Bazaar in Gatewood, happening both days this weekend in the church’s gathering hall (enter off 39th just north of Thistle). Lots of treats, too:
You’ll also find a table with fair-trade coffee, chocolate, and tea for sale. Jewelry too:
And you or someone on your gift list can combat cold feet with these slippers:
We also noted plants, poetry books, and suet for your backyard birds. The bazaar continues until 3 pm today and will be open tomorrow too, noon to 3 pm. Proceeds are benefiting local nonprofits including the Westside Neighbors Network Shelter (and thanks to bazaar organizers for sponsoring WSB this week to get the word out).
Once again this year, at the same time as the regional Walk to End Alzheimer’s downtown, an unofficial mini-walk is planned in West Seattle. Here’s the invitation:
The local Alzheimer’s Caregivers’ Support group invites anyone who wants to join us for an easy, fairly level walk around the neighborhood, staying on sidewalks. Meet up with the West Seattle group if you don’t want to go downtown.
Meeting at 39th and SW Holden
Saturday 9/30 at 10:00 am
FREEAll are welcome. Wear purple if you can!
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