West Seattle, Washington
23 Monday
(All photos by WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli)
Meet Bishop Deborah Dinkins from Restoration Worship Center, which has services at High Point Community Center noon-2 pm every Sunday. Bishop Dinkins and church volunteers coordinated the HPCC toy distribution that went awry a week ago because a promised delivery didn’t come – then the call went out to see if they could make it happen today – and a few hours ago, they did, with the help of many WSB’ers and generous folks from all over the area. Look at just one table laden with donated toys, in a room that was full of them:
Families went into the room in small groups – and the kids made their choices:
Not only did they serve the dozens of families who crowded into the community center this afternoon, but church volunteer Tina Taylor (at left in the photo below) told us that they shared some of the donations with three other churches (1 of those churches alone, she said, was helping 80 more families) – and gave four bags to kids in the HPCC gym whose parents, the youth told church volunteers, were hesitant to sign up to be on the list for toys.
They repeatedly expressed their gratitude to everyone who reached out to help. One week ago, they weren’t sure they would be able to help hundreds of families have a merry Christmas – then, both Bishop Dinkins and volunteer Taylor said, there was “a miracle.”
(If you’re still looking for places to give to – we know there are Giving Trees still up all around West Seattle – the one for Hickman House at CAPERS in The Junction, for example, will be waiting through Christmas Eve.)
A new postscript in the saga of the High Point holiday donations: Rebecca Hall from High Point Community Center says that while, as she updated us all last night, they have exceeded the goal of 400 toys overall for Monday’s distribution (backstory here), they still need items for teenagers – and are working with other West Seattle groups that have the same need. They ask you to please drop off the presents for teens during two specific windows TOMORROW and MONDAY. Here are the specifics:
Gifts for teens are still in high demand and can be dropped off at High Point CC on Sunday, 12-2 pm, or Monday at noon. These items will be distributed to various groups in West Seattle that work with teens.
Don’t know what a teen would like? Here are some suggestions:
-sport equipment such as basketballs, soccer and volleyballs
-pajama sets
-hat / scarf / glove sets
-t-shirts
-athletic pants/shorts
-vanity mirrors
-hair accessories/brushes
-nail polish
-the type of metal waterbottles that are so popular this year
-music cd’s
-journals
Rebecca also says they could use “games for older children.” Again, they’ll be able to accept these donations in two limited windows over the next two days – noon-2 pm tomorrow (Sunday) and at noon on Monday – the main distribution is later Monday afternoon. High Point Community Center is at 6920 34th SW (here’s a map). And as for the items donated so far for the rest of the drive, Rebecca says via Facebook, “The turnout has been amazing and residents of West Seattle and the surrounding communities should know that they REALLY are making a difference this holiday season!”
First, WSB’er Celeste called us a little while ago with word that the Marines had landed at High Point Community Center with toys for the toy drive mentioned here earlier this week. Then High Point CC’s Rebecca Hall sent us the photo you see above, with word that they now officially have exceeded the goal of 400 toys for the families who were disappointed on what was supposed to be the distribution day last Monday. So they’ve got everything they need, and then some – if you’ve bought toys to donate, please check out some of the many Giving Trees and other donation drives (we have some listed on our Holidays page and will check around to see if there are any other urgent needs). By the way, High Point CC will be happy to see you and the kids in your life tomorrow morning – they’re making gingerbread houses, 10:30-11:30 am, $5 admission.
Thanks to Kendra for letting us know about this – we’ve just confirmed it with Brian Judd at High Point Community Center: They were supposed to have a Toys for Tots distribution event at the center this past Monday, but Toys for Tots has been having a regional shortage, and didn’t bring toys to distribute to the families. So now they are trying to directly collect enough toys to make holiday wishes come true for the families NEXT Monday at 2 pm. Between now and Saturday afternoon, bring unwrapped toys for any age, 3 through 18, to High Point CC (6920 34th SW; here’s a map; they’re open till 9 tonight, 10 am-9 pm tomorrow, 1-9 pm Friday, 10 am-5 pm Saturday) – they hope to have 400 by the time the families all show up again on Monday. ADDED 5:04 PM: If you have extra donation ability, here’s another request we received, from Maria at DNDA:
We provide affordable housing to low income families and are in dire need of gifts for their families. We have about 17 families that need gifts this year.We have a lot of children that will be needing toys this year and are going with out. If you can provide a toy or donate money please contact Phillippia Goldsmith at
Phillippiag@dnda.org or call at (206) 935-2999
Quick update via Twitter (@curb_cuisine) from Marination Mobile (winner of Good Morning America‘s “Best Food Cart in America” contest) – its regular West Seattle stop (usually 35th/Graham, 11 am-2 pm Saturdays) is canceled today because of frozen pipes. “Hope to see West Seattle and reasonable temps next week,” they say.
If you’ve been following the saga of that distinctive crow rescued by Forest Lawn Cemetery staff before it froze to death the other day, Forest Lawn’s Jeff Jorgenson has been posting updates in comments. Most recent one – looks like a reunion is imminent:
Hello all!! Friday update!
Thanks to someone here on the WSB, the breeder called me from Alabama – Corvid Ranch – just as we were discussing the move to Sarvey. He provided me with the band information and an address that matches up with the cemetery such that there is no question as to who belongs to this crow. I have a call into them and am awaiting their return. So, for the time being, the six month old crow is comfortably resting with private fireplace and blanket until the owner gets home. Thanks again WSBers!!!
This one’s a little too unusual to just go on the WSB Pets page with all the other lost/found critters … Jeff Jorgenson at Forest Lawn Cemetery (east edge of High Point) shared that photo, explaining, “I think it is an African pied crow. It is banded and has clipped wings and is very friendly and loves to hang out on shoulders. We found it this morning next to the flagpole nearly frozen. It’s pretty certain that it wouldn’t have made it through the night.” If you have any idea whose crow this is, 206-932-0050 is Jeff’s office number.
Thanks to Wendy Hughes-Jelen for sending photos from the High Point Community Thanksgiving Dinner that’s happening right now at HP Community Center, till 8 pm. Everybody welcome! (And there are other community feasts coming up – including two on Thanksgiving Day – check the new WSB West Seattle Holidays page.)
About an hour ago, that ribboncutting marked the official grand opening of the High Point Neighborhood Center, the $13 million “heart of High Point” community facility that we’ve been chronicling since even before its August 2008 groundbreaking (WSB coverage here, and here’s the tour we took during construction). Hundreds of people at the celebration this afternoon – which started with an hour of tours before speeches and the ribboncutting ceremony – here’s just one small cross-section of the crowd:
Speakers included executive director Mark Okazaki of Neighborhood House, the organization that led the project, which is already famous for its solar array and LEED Gold certification – he listed some of its other environmental attributes too:
We’ve got other scenes and speeches to add later. If you haven’t been to HP Neighborhood Center yet, you can check it out during Sustainable West Seattle‘s “Money-Free Shopping Spree” pre-holiday gathering, which’ll be happening there 6:30 pm Monday – we also published a detailed preview story last Monday, with photos of some of its amazing art. ADDED SUNDAY: More photos – click ahead!Read More
Story and photos by Christopher Boffoli
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
On the surface of the amphitheater in the park adjacent to the new High Point Neighborhood Center, a representation of a phoenix is carved prominently into the concrete. This ancient symbol of renewal is perhaps appropriate for the continuing reinvention of the High Point neighborhood and its new crowning jewel that is scheduled to open this Saturday.
(A sneak peek inside the center – a closer look at its groundbreaking design – and some High Point history – ahead)Read More
Thanks to Rev. Peg Morgan from the Westside Unitarian Universalists for sharing photos from this afternoon’s Habitat for Humanity dedication at 32nd and Morgan in High Point. Top photo shows Rev. Morgan leading a House Blessing; bottom photo, WSUU members including, from left, Gary Gertig, Viv Monahan, Arlene Borella, President Paula vanHaagen, John Monahan, Fifie Marie, Lynn Williams; Rev. Morgan explains they are shown “receiving a thank you from Habitat for Humanity for a year’s worth of construction volunteers and funds.”
Speaking of WSUU, they invite visitors to enjoy special music during tomorrow’s service – nationally known singer and songwriter Ellis will perform, and will sign CDs following the service. WSUU meets at 10:30 at the Masonic Hall, 4736 40th Ave SW (map).
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
Still working to get more information on this – police and fire units have been in the 6000 block of Lanham Place – police say the Fire Department asked them to assist with a report of “2 small children that fell out of a window.” We have a crew arriving there and also will be checking with SFD for more information – stand by for more details. 4:04 PM UPDATE: WSB contributing journalist Christopher Boffoli is at the scene. Neighbors tell him two children fell from a third-story window. One is said to be 4 years old. We don’t know the other’s age, nor the condition, yet. 4:10 PM UPDATE: Dana Vander Houwen with SFD tells us the children are both 3, one boy and one girl, who fell 25 feet into “soft bark” and both have “non-life-threatening injuries” – both were taken to Harborview Medical Center. 4:55 PM UPDATE: We also have a photo from Tony Bradley, who says the children reportedly were playing near the window just before they fell and may have pushed on the screen.
When SDOT confirmed the extended Fauntleroy Way bike-lane work one week ago, you may recall they also mentioned Sylvan Way. Just got this from Stacy, who’s concerned about the Sylvan work:
I wanted to share with you correspondence I received from SDOT regarding the road work on SW Sylvan Way. I sent SDOT an e-mail regarding my concerns about the recent work on Sylvan Way SW.
While I am very excited that they’ve added a long overdue bike lane and much needed re-striping (especially with bad weather approaching), I expressed my disappointment that this work was completed on a street which desperately needs resurfacing and/or at a minimum urgent pothole repairs – which I believe are dangerous to both bicyclists and motorists. I also found it interesting that in light of the lack of funds, most of this work was completed last Sunday, which has to cost SDOT an arm and a leg (have they never heard of time and a half on Sunday)?
As Mr. Hathaway pointed out, I plan on contacting the pothole hotline until the problem is addressed. With the increased number of condominiums and homes in the area, I can’t be the only person who uses this street on a daily basis. Hopefully more community members will also call this hotline.
*********
(reply that Stacy received from SDOT)Thank you for contacting the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) regarding the bike facilities being laid down on Sylvan Way SW from Delridge Way SW to 35th Ave SW & SW Morgan St.
SDOT recognizes that portions of Sylvan Way SW are in poor condition. Let me provide some background on how Seattle prioritizes its paving needs, and then directly address where Sylvan Way SW stands in the queue.
On November 7th, 2006, voters passed the Bridge the Gap Levy (BTG), which provides new funding to address Seattle’s basic transportation maintenance needs. BTG is designed to address a backlog that has over $300 million in deferred street maintenance. These are streets like Sylvan Way SW and others nearby, where the road conditions indicates a need, but no funds have been available for years to provide re-pavement.
Unfortunately, it has taken a long time to accumulate this maintenance backlog, and it will take some time to work it off. SDOT cannot meet all the needs immediately, so work is prioritized. We recognize Sylvan Way SW as a need; however, it is prioritized below other major arterials which have higher traffic volumes. In 2009, SDOT has rehabilitated First Avenue South, Second Avenue South and Fourth Avenue South, as well as Fauntleroy Way SW. Major corridors on the list from 2008 include Boren Avenue, 15th Avenue West, and First Avenue South. To make sure we get the most benefit out of the funds available, we focus on repairing the busiest streets first, taking into account condition, cost, transit, volume of traffic, and several other criteria. Our goal is to deliver the greatest area of improvement to the highest number of users.
Even though Sylvan Way SW is not in optimal condition, it is an important connection and there is still a benefit to cyclists by providing the facilities. Installing bicycle lanes and sharrows on Sylvan Way SW is part of a larger effort to implement the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan which was adopted in the fall of 2007. The plan calls for installing over 400 miles of new bicycle facilities. There are many bicyclists who prefer to use Sylvan Way SW since it provides a very direct east/west connection. These new bike lanes & sharrows will benefit these bicyclists.
If you are a cyclist considering the use of Sylvan Way SW, we recognize that there are many different types of bicyclists with varying skill and comfort levels. If you do not feel comfortable riding on Sylvan Way SW, there are alternative routes. You may want to look at our bicycling guide map which can be found on our web site at http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/bikemaps.htm.
In the mean time, SDOT will continue to make spot repairs along Sylvan Way SW as requested and identified. You can request pothole repairs to specific locations by calling the SDOT hotline 206-684-ROAD (7623) or visiting www.seattle.gov/transportation.
Sincerely,
James Hathaway, Manager
Street Maintenance Division
Seattle Department of Transportation
Jennifer Cobb from the High Point Neighborhood Association shared this urgent call for help:
The Youth Tutoring Program provides tutoring for at-risk youth living in the High Point public housing community.
Volunteers are needed to help students achieve academic success!
TUTORS ARE STILL NEEDED for the 2009-2010 school year!
· Tutors volunteer an average of 2 hours a week.
· The school-year program runs from September-June and serves students in grades 1-12.
· New tutor orientations are held twice a month!Tutoring sessions schedule:
Monday & Wednesday 4:20-5:20pm
Monday – Thursday 5:30-7:40pmNeed SERVICE LEARNING HOURS for High School graduation?
High School students with grade averages above 3.0 encouraged to apply!!
VOLUNTEER at High Point TODAY!For more information contact Rebecca at (206) 328-5659 or volunteerytp@ccsww.org
Apply to become a volunteer online at www.ccsww.org/ytp
(WSB photo from 10/1, by Kathy Mulady)
The folks at High Point Market Garden (32nd and Juneau; map) had said that their Tuesday farm stand might be open a little later into the fall than first planned – and indeed, Wendy Hughes-Jelen e-mailed to share the news that the farmers told her the stand will be open today, 3-7 pm.
(EPA’s Ann Carroll, red coat, and Oklahoma City mayor Mick Cornett, crouching, check out the garden)
The U.S. Conference of Mayors‘ Leadership Committee is in town – and more than 20 of them came to High Point for a visit this afternoon (before it started to rain!). WSB contributing journalist Kathy Mulady was there – she says the High Point Market Garden (32nd/Juneau; map) was one stop on a tour Mayor Nickels (who is the Conference of Mayors’ president) was leading while the visitors were here. He posed with some of the gardeners:
Hien Nguyen is the Market Garden Master at High Point:
He told Kathy that neighborhood residents are welcome to stop at the garden any day (bring cash) to purchase whatever vegetables are ready to harvest. The farm stand has been open Tuesdays from 3 to 7 pm; Julie Bryan from the city’s P-Patch program, which manages the market gardens, tells WSB that next Tuesday is scheduled to be its last official day. (The market garden also offers produce subscriptions with weekly pickups – find out more here.)
Full house Thursday night at High Point Library for Gatewood author Lyanda Lynn Haupt as she discussed and read from her buzzed-about new book “Crow Planet.” From two nights earlier — we forgot to share one of the photos we got during the “Faces of High Point” mural shoot at Commons Park Amphitheater:
With more than an hour to go during the shoot, they’d already had 50 people show up, and more were in line. The photos of High Point residents will be incorporated into a mural at the new Neighborhood Center, scheduled to open November 14th.
Story and photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The High Point Neighborhood Association (HNPA) held its quarterly meeting tonight at the High Point Commons Park Amphitheater under clear skies and with a higher-than-usual turnout – including young attendee Elena, who rode her new bike to the meeting, with dad Jeff (above photo).
Andrew Mead (left), immediate past president of the HNPA (who will be stepping into the role of Vice President) introduced new Board Trustees and the new executive members of the Board. New Trustees are: Eleanor Hall, Chris Smithco and Ayan Jama. The new executive committee is: Jennifer Cobb, President; Andrew Mead, Vice President; Miranda Taylor, Secretary; and Chris Smithco, Treasurer. Trustees are representatives elected by their neighbors in one of four “voting groups” that High Point is divided into. These Trustees serve two-year terms.
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: Tonight, 6-9 pm, all around West Seattle. We previewed some of the featured venues/artists on Wednesday (like The Paint Ball at Feedback Lounge [WSB sponsor]); more to mention today – The Kenney is excited about belly dancer Nadira, resident photographer Phil Gelpi, guest artist Josh Miller, jewelry by Penguina Designs’ Johanna Lindsay, and food; at Capers in The Junction, Banana Blossom Press is donating proceeds from sales of its cards (more here) to 2 breast-cancer-related causes, including Northwest Hope and Healing (WSB sponsor) and its upcoming Alki Beach 5K Run/Walk (Sept. 27 – registered yet?). Get your Art Walk map and more previews at the official Art Walk site.
HIGH POINT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Come to Commons Park Amphitheater at 6 pm for HPNA’s quarterly meeting – topic, how to be a good neighbor, and a good neighborhood. Refreshments!
SOUTHWEST SEATTLE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN: They meet in Burien, but West Seattleites are part of the group and you’re invited to join them too. Tonight, 5:30 pm at Yo’s Bistro (205 SW 152nd; map), $10 cash/check at the door, RSVP to Jan at 206-244-7016 or Kay, kbk.bpw@hotmail.com
(Photos by Christopher Boffoli)
We checked this week on the progress of the new High Point Neighborhood Center, the community facility that Neighborhood House is building at 34th/Morgan (our previous reports include the groundbreaking a year ago, the Nucor-side sign about its big solar array, and a construction tour in May). NH’s Ray Li tells WSB it’s “about 85% of the way there” and that the grand opening is currently scheduled for Saturday, November 14th – invitations are in the works now. Here’s a closer look at part of the roof, with the solar panels:
In addition to the solar component, the $13 million project has a multitude of other “green-built” components (detailed during the May construction tour), with a LEED Gold certification hoped for. In addition to community-gathering space, it also will be headquarters for social-service workers and Head Start education; here’s more info from the Neighborhood House website.
With the new school year less than 2 weeks away for most local students, it’s also time for a lot of volunteering to rev up again – and some organizations are looking for new help, like this tutoring program that asked us to help get the word out again this year – here’s the announcement:
Become a volunteer tutor with the Youth Tutoring Program! A great volunteer opportunity in West Seattle!
Catholic Community Services’ Youth Tutoring Program (YTP) is an after-school educational enrichment program for at-risk students in first through twelfth grade. These students live in low and mixed-income public housing communities in Seattle. Begun in 1991 as a partnership with the Seattle Housing Authority, YTP provides youth with a safe, positive, and stimulating environment to explore learning and experience academic and personal success.
Students attend the centers voluntarily and enjoy working with volunteer tutors-the heart of the program. Tutors work with an individual student for the one-hour tutoring session. In addition to offering academic support, volunteers serve as positive role models to the students and help strengthen their sense of self-esteem and self-respect.
During the tutoring session, tutors spend time helping the students with reading, homework (all subjects), and building math and language arts skills. No specific background is necessary, and there are a variety of resources at the tutoring center if you’ve forgotten the formula for the slope of a line or the difference between a gerund, participle, and infinitive! Volunteers must be currently enrolled in high school or have obtained a high school diploma (or equivalent).
Tutoring Centers are open 4:20-7:40 on Monday and Wednesday; 5:30-7:40 Tuesday and Thursday.
Volunteers tutor 1-3 hours per week on the same night every week.
Ideally, tutors work with the same student(s) every week.
There is a tutoring center close to you-in the High Point neighborhood of West Seattle!
Please visit our website to learn more about our program, how you can get involved and APPLY ONLINE TODAY! http://www.ccsww.org/ytp
Or call (206) 328-5659 or email volunteerytp@ccsww.org to request an application.
Many West Seattle neighborhood/community groups skip August meetings because it’s such a busy time for vacations, back-to-school prep, you name it, but now they’re about to rev up again. Here’s some of what’s coming up:
HIGHLAND PARK ACTION COMMITTEE: Tomorrow night, 7 pm, HPAC meets at the Highland Park Improvement Club building (address/map – Google Street View above). On the agenda, from the preview sent out by HPAC chair Dan Mullins today, “a presentation from a local youth group that has been cleaning up Westcrest Park and the greenbelt, AND, former HPAC Chair and Seattle City Council candidate, Dorsol Plants will tell us about his election campaign experience and answer your questions …” This is also the only regular neighborhood-group meeting with a business spotlight (Cafe Rozella this month) AND a raffle.
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: This Thursday is the grand finale in its first-ever series of six Summer Concerts at Hiawatha – and they’re meant to be a neighborhood-building opportunity as well as good old-fashioned outdoor fun. Come enjoy the West Seattle Big Band, free, at 6:30 pm Thursday, east lawn of Hiawatha Community Center, meet the ANA reps who’ll be on hand (and then join them at the regular September meeting, 7 pm 9/9 in the basement meeting room at Admiral Church).
NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: Next regular meeting is Wednesday 9/2 (6:30 pm, Delridge Library) but we’re reminding you again about the Ice Cream Social THIS Thursday, all neighbors invited, with games as well as treats (here’s the invite). 6:30 pm Thursday, Cottage Grove Park (address/map).
SOUTH DELRIDGE/WHITE CENTER COMMUNITY SAFETY COALITION: Crime and safety news for southeastern West Seattle and beyond, St. James Place, 9421 18th SW (map), 6 pm Thursday (free dinner).
Looking a couple weeks into the future, this meeting was just announced today:
HIGH POINT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION’S QUARTERLY MEETING: 6 pm September 10th, Commons Park Amphitheater. Topic, according to Jennifer Cobb – how to be a good neighbor(hood), by getting involved, pitching in, etc. Refreshments! RSVP via Facebook.
On this day when Seattle Police are asking for help in solving a West Seattle bicycle crash that has left a woman fighting for her life — there’s news of a court decision related to the West Seattle bicycle crash that killed 27-year-old Susanne Scaringi almost three years ago.
The crash happened at 35th and Graham (map) on September 27, 2006; we took the photo at left on the first anniversary. Scaringi died after hitting the side of a van that made a left turn in front of her. Months later, the driver was charged with, and convicted of assault, under a city law that made certain traffic violations crimes if they resulted in death or serious injury. But in a ruling made public yesterday, rooted in an appeal of that conviction, the state’s 1st Court of Appeals agreed with an earlier ruling that the law in question is invalid; see the ruling here; read more at seattletimes.com. (Thanks to Todd for e-mailing to let us know about this.)
| 6 COMMENTS