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!

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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 neighborhood

Public transportation: Rapid Ride C line stop is Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Myrtle St.

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8:27 PM: As noted in comments, SPU confirmed hydrants were being tested.

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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.

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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

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(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.

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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).

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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
FREE

All are welcome. Wear purple if you can!

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Abandoned burgundy KIA found on 27th and Kenyon. Obvious signs of being stolen (broken windows, ignition, etc.) and signals of drug use. This has been reported to police and assume it will be towed soon. Also footage from camera shows multiple people and cars involved during the dump.

The second one is a little more of a mystery. The reader report came in Saturday; we looked about an hour ago, and the truck is still there, so we’re publishing this:

Appears to be abandoned at 41st and Ida. Half in parking strip. Side work door attempted to be pried open.

It’s also parked facing the wrong way. The person who emailed said they’ve reported to police. Also of note – that’s the same Gatewood intersection where a stolen Hyundai was dumped earlier this week.

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By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Tree advocates who helped save “Luma“ are branching out.

Tonight in West Seattle, they led a “gratitude gathering” that drew more than 40 people to pay tribute to two Douglas Firs that are among 16 trees planned for removal on a Gatewood lot where a house is to be built.

Organizer Sandy Shettler of Tree Action Seattle said they’re not sure these two can be saved as was “Luma” – she hasn’t even contacted the builder who owns the lot to plead the case – but she doesn’t want to see them go without at least a round of awareness-raising.

The trees – measured at diameters of 43″ and 27″ – are on a 4,200-square-foot lot in the 4100 block of SW Southern that, records show, had the same ownership as the house to its east until last year, when the house got a new owner, followed this past April by the separate sale of the lot to a West Seattle builder.

Shettler says she and her group were not there to vilify the builder and that they are not against housing – but they are against losing more “exceptional” trees to do it. (The Tree Action Seattle website declares, “The future is about housing and tree equity for all. Housing vs trees is a false dichotomy of the Old Way of unintelligent planning and short term profits for the few. We reject this limited thinking and embrace housing and tree equity for all.”) She says this project was cleared because the trees couldn’t be spared without the house being less than 15′ wide at one spot, but she contends the city has many homes that don’t fit the criteria, and showed a roughed-out sketch of how this lot could hold a home and accessory dwelling unit while sparing the two big trees.

Losing trees like these, lot by lot, is an ecological crisis, Tree Action Seattle contends. Leaders were joined in speeches tonight by West Seattle wildlife biologist Kersti Muul, who stated flatly, “If we don’t have trees, we don’t have whales” – trees cool and clean the air by the waterways that raise the salmon Southern Resident Killer Whales in particular need to eat.

While the two Gatewood trees may not be next to a salmon stream – though Fauntleroy Creek is only about a mile away – they are important to birds, she added, showing a photo of a mating pair of Merlins that she found nesting in the area seven years ago, with their offspring seen nearby ever since. Her photo even appeared in the book “Magical Merlins” by Bruce A. Haak; she sent us this photo post-event:

The Merlins need tall evergreens for nesting – “mostly Douglas Firs.” She offered one more point for contemplation: “We have wants, Wildlife has needs.”

We recorded her remarks as well as those of the Tree Action Seattle leaders:

Shettler said they’ve been hearing from so many local people about doomed trees, she’s planning a West Seattle section on their website. (Friday update: That page is now live.) They’re also fighting for changes in the city’s new tree ordinance, which they say actually reduces protection possibilities for exceptional trees by giving the city less leeway in considering their fate. They’re hoping to make this an issue in the seven City Council campaigns and urged attendees to ask council candidates – Rob Saka and Maren Costa in District 1 – where they stand. “Our best hope is the new council.”

As the setting sun cast a golden glow on the trees, the “gratitude” part of the gathering began; Tree Action Seattle brought a basket of flowers and created a mandala on the pavement for people to pause to contemplate the trees and offer thanks for their existence.

Some then left; many of those who stayed gathered for a group photo.

WHAT’S NEXT: The newest version of the tree-removal notice filed today for this site says removal might start as soon as a week from tomorrow. Unlike the “Luma” saga, Shettler didn’t expect “direct action” in this case, but each spotlight shone on a situation like this, she said, could plant a seed of inspiration for housing plans that spare trees.

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If you walk or run in Gatewood, you’ve probably seen the chalked messages now and then, inviting you to “Art on the Corner” at 39th/Holden. Today Megan sent photos, including the chalkboard above with the schedule. Here’s the artist, Bonnie Bennedsen:

Megan explains: “All of the paintings are watercolors made by Bonnie herself. Ships, flowers, birds, ferries, Seattle landscapes and cityscapes and more. She also sells hand-painted greeting cards. Every penny goes to the West Seattle Food Bank.” Look for the chalkboard and banner to find Bonnie’s house “on the corner.”

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Thanks to Brandy for the photo! Another event happening right now, spotlighted in our daily list, the Gator Fair at Gatewood Elementary (4320 SW Myrtle). Brandy notes, “Lots of booths, music, prizes, and fun. Goes until 2:30 pm. All welcome!” Indoor science fair and art walk too.

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John on the 7100 block of California Ave SW reports taking a “mineral bath” and recommends checking your water before doing the laundry.

Also just out of the inbox, T reports, “I want to let you know about brown water in Gatewood (41st and Holden) this morning. It’s been reported to SPU. … Apparently someone has operated a hydrant in the neighborhood which stirred up sediment. It should be clear by 6:00 p.m.” If your water turns up discolored, always report it to SPU, 206-386-1800, so they can track it; they recently explained that a change in hydrant-testing procedures is apparently stirring up more sediment – mostly rust – in the lines. (Thanks to the commenter who provided the initial tip about that change!)

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