West Seattle, Washington
21 Tuesday
This morning, we published the citywide call for people to “make a joyful noise” at 8 pm, as a show of appreciation and support for health-care workers, first responders, and others working to keep people safe and healthy. All over West Seattle, people answered the call. This video is from Michelle in Seaview:
We received even more clips via Twitter. (If you have trouble with playback, click the time/date line beneath any tweet to see/hear the clip there.)
Bagpipes in our neighborhood. ❤️#MakeAJoyfulNoise pic.twitter.com/dKz0ngkmYl
— jetcityjen (@jetcityjen) March 27, 2020
Tonight at 8:00, Seattle came together on our balconies and porches and yards to #MakeAJoyfulNoise in honor of our treasured front-line workers. Here's Rob playing his clarinet, & our neighbors are making their own joyful noise in the background. #SeattleTogether #WestSeattleBlog pic.twitter.com/CYUlYNxTFR
— Trileigh Tucker (@TrileighTucker) March 27, 2020
Lots of shouts and music here on Genesee Hill! pic.twitter.com/1bIM81pwcv
— Mac Justice (@macjustice) March 27, 2020
Our musical tribute from Seaview. pic.twitter.com/BipfbMV5tO
— Doug Alder (@SeattleVolFan) March 27, 2020
And Pete on Pigeon Point summarized what happened in his ‘hood: “I stepped outside and heard neighbors banging pots, yelling greetings to neighbors, singing songs, generous amounts of hollering and just general neighborly coming together to support those who are supporting us. Was joyful to hear my neighbors making noise tonight.”
Thanks to Richard in the Fairmount Park area for the video! He explains: “We are blessed in the Fairmount Park neighborhood to have an acclaimed Jazz saxophonist as one of our neighbors. Next Monday he was scheduled to play at Jazz Alley but alas we all know that is not going to happen now. Anton S. is his name and he has decided to play each night at 6 pm a solo for anyone to listen and appreciate from a safe distance, like on my porch. I hope … other muscians in other neighborhoods might be inspired to do same. Community, neighbors, safe personal distancing … We can beat this virus!
10:28 AM: Yes, it’s OK to go out for a walk (or run, or bike ride) during the stay-home order. We’ve featured a few neighborhood displays meant to provide something for neighbors to see on their walks – and this one seems to be gaining traction here as well as across the nation. Sean is the latest to send word of sightings for “teddy-bear hunts” – if you have a bear, put it in your window, so kids walking by will see it. The photos above are from a friend of his who spotted several in Highland Park; Sean has one in his window near 35th/Thistle. What’s in YOUR neighborhood windows? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!
10:57 AM: Thanks to the texter who sent that photo from North Admiral (near 45th/Seattle)!
4:28 PM: Thanks to 6-year-old Tino for the photo from 12th/Holden!
ADDED THURSDAY NIGHT: Three bear photos via text – 20th/Thistle:
31st/Findlay:
And from Julia on 41st in North Admiral:
ADDED: From Valerie near Madison Middle School:
And from Monica on Palm Avenue in North Admiral:
While the weather is still good – if you are in Westwood, you can visit the puzzle/game exchange! Alison sent the photo and says it is in the 8600 block of 24th Avenue SW: “Would like to invite anyone to exchange puzzles or games.” Or if you are not in the area – you might consider one of your own.
Thanks to the texter who sent the invitation to “find joy,” chalked at 54th/Andover. What’s YOUR neighborhood doing? Photos always welcome at westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Thanks to Josie for tweeting the photos and reporting, “Pop-up art walk happening in Seaview on 49th between Dawson and Hudson with kid art at several houses! Bringing a little bright spot to our days.”
What are YOU and your neighbors doing for each other? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 (or via Twitter, we’re at @westseattleblog) – thank you!
(WSB photo above; other photos are courtesy neighbor Sara)
On 32nd SW between The Triangle and Luna Park, that is literally a sign of the times. A nearby resident emailed us after spotting those signs in multiple windows while he was out for a walk. We drove over for a look and happened into Sara and neighbors in the midst of what they called a “6-foot happy hour”:
They explained that the “OK” signs were a neighbor’s idea, inspired by disaster-preparedness advice to carry them – they say “HELP” on the other side – and last night they were distributed. Sara tells us about 100 were given out and 33 are already up in windows. Not just for emergency use, she explains: “From benign needs like an elderly neighbor that needs an outside lightbulb changed but can’t climb a ladder, to the needs we can’t yet anticipate such as ill neighbors needing medication or groceries.” But that’s not all yoo’ll see in the windows on 32nd:
They’re displaying window art, so other neighbors can enjoy it. Sara says, “Not sure where this came from but jumped on the bandwagon and are making people’s daily walks more colorful!” There’s even a schedule for a weekly “window art walk”:
What’s YOUR neighborhood doing? Let us know – and send photos if you can (we have to keep our distance too) – westseattleblog@gmail.com
P.S. Here’s a printable OK/HELP sign – (updated) courtesy of Sergio, who says that’s the one they used. (another update) Jesse sent this West Seattle-customized one you can try, too.
P.P.S. ICYMI on Monday, here’s the guide to safely checking in on, and/or helping, neighbors.
Sound Transit and city reps are making the rounds of community meetings with updates on where the light-rail-planning process stands. We’ve covered a few of them already; this past Thursday, the Junction Neighborhood Organization hosted one, so we recorded it on video. Here’s the slide deck that was used by Sound Transit’s Leda Chahim and Jason Hampton:
(Or, see it here in PDF.) While ST reps recapped where the process stands – with the Draft Environmental Impact Statement due out early next year – city reps talked about station development and criteria through which planning will be run, including race and social equity. Questions included how the I-976 situation is affecting planning; so far, it’s proceeding unchanged, while the court action continues to play out.
P.S. If you’re hoping to catch one of these updates/briefings in person, ST is expected to be at the next West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting (March 26th, more details to come).
Toplines from last night’s meeting of HPAC, the community council for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge:
DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS OVERVIEW: Osbaldo Hernandez Sahagun is the South Region community-engagement coordinator for this city department (one of 4, where years ago there were 14). He presented overviews of key DoN initiatives such as the department’s funding opportunities – Your Voice, Your Choice (more on that later); the Healthy Food Fund (funded by the Sweetened Beverage Tax), Small Sparks Fund (for small community-building projects up to $5,000), Community Partnership Fund (up to $50,000, three application deadlines a year). Leadership training, too:
The morning swept by without a chance for our usual daily highlights – you can always check the full WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – but we did want to remind you about one major public event, the February meeting of HPAC. This is the community council recently expanded to span South Delridge and Riverview as well as Highland Park. During the 7 pm gathering at Highland Park Improvement Club (1116 SW Holden), as previewed last weekend, the big topics will include what you need to know about the city Department of Neighborhoods, voting for new HPAC leadership, and strategizing what to propose for Your Voice, Your Choice parks/streets grants. Maybe there’s a community concern you’d like to bring up? Be there!
If you live and/or work, study, shop/dine in Highland Park, South Delridge, and/or Riverview, HPAC‘s for you. Here’s what this month’s gathering has on tap, Wednesday (February 26th) at 7 pm. 3 agenda highlights:
Seattle Dept. of Neighborhoods
Osbaldo Sahagun Hernandez, Community Engagement Coordinator, South and West Seattle
Meet the Seattle Dept. of Neighborhoods Community Engagement Coordinator for South and West Seattle: Whether you want to connect with your neighborhood, learn more about City Services, or share an idea that will benefit your community, the team of Community Engagement Coordinators is here to help. Come learn about New Seattle Department of Neighborhoods programs coming in 2020.Elections! Come elect the 2020 HPAC Executive Committee
Executive Committee consists of three to seven members elected at the annual meeting with at least one representative from each neighborhood (Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge). We are electing a Chair, Vice Chairs, Secretary, and At-Large members. Nominations are still open!Discussion: Your Voice Your Choice
What should we apply for?
Community members brainstorm and submit potential project ideas to be funded throughout the city. Project ideas will be collected February 18 – March 18, 2020.
HPAC meets at Highland Park Improvement Club (1116 SW Holden).
Though the next major milestone in planning West Seattle light rail isn’t until next year, there’s still lots going on, and your next chance to catch up with where things stand is just days away. The Junction Neighborhood Organization is having its winter gathering on Thursday (February 27th), and that’s the major agenda item. 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building (4217 SW Oregon), bring questions and feedback for Sound Transit and the city reps who are helping ensure neighborhoods stay in the loop.
From last night’s Alki Community Council meeting:
FADED BRICKS AT ALKI STATUE OF LIBERTY PLAZA: The inscribed bricks at the plaza are harder than ever to read. Libby Carr, who led the original community campaign to create the plaza more than a decade ago, was at the ACC to discuss the situation. She said many things have been tried and proposed in recent years, since it’s a long-running problem; the bricks were treated in 2018, but that hasn’t stopped the deterioration. Potential coatings will be tried once the weather warms up. However, there’s also a possibility the bricks will have to be replaced. Carr said she had spoken with an Olympia engraver who told her about newer materials and engraving techniques that could last longer.
STONE HOUSE UPDATE: Members of the committee working to save and move the “stone house” from the future development site at 1123 Harbor SW provided an update.
Mike Shaughnessy said that they’re looking toward moving the house in June or July; that will cost about $60,000. It would be moved to a temporary spot on the industrial land east of Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor) and would likely be held there about two years while work on restoration and permanent placement continues, including fundraising. They’ve continued talking with Parks; Shaughnessy says that’s been positive so far. While – as discussed at last month’s Parks Board meeting – a Parks site might be possible for the stone house’s permanent home, the committee is searching for other options too. In Q&A they were asked if the house is holding up well enough to withstand a move. Answer: Yes. The biggest question is its permanent placement, and finding a site that, for example, won’t be underwater in 50 years. The committee, by the way, meets weekly.
POLICE UPDATE: Lt. Steve Strand from the Southwest Precinct was there; he said the formal Alki emphasis-patrol plan will go into effect when the weather warms up. He said they’ve already been dealing with some seasonal problems – noise from vehicle enthusiasts, for example. He urged residents to keep reporting problems when seen/heard. He also noted that officers from here are among those citywide taking turns supplementing patrols downtown, though it’s being done in a way that’s not having much effect on day-to-day resources.
The Alki Community Council meets third Thursdays most months, 7 pm at Alki UCC.
Toplines from last night’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting:
SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: The lineup’s not finalized yet, but coordinator Stephanie Jordan says the dates are – July 16, 23, and 30,and August 6, 13, and 20.
WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: ANA is looking at reviving the series; a committee is moving forward and hoping to show 6 movies on a schedule that would resemble the old one in July and August. Right now they have no set location and are looking at a few different places and studying each for logistics (adequate space, power supply, access). At this point no movies have been selected as the logistics are still being worked out.
BUSINESS SURVEY: The ANA’s planning another try at organizing local businesses. Rob Braby shared some numbers of note:
For the first time since Sound Transit dropped the potential Pigeon Point tunnel from consideration, ST had reps at the Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council meeting on Monday night.
As with every appearance, they recapped how the project got to this particular point – that’s part of the slide deck above (also here in PDF). Many questions followed.
Lots of West Seattle/South Park info was shared at this month’s meeting of the District 1 Community Network. This month, D1CN met at The Kenney, with Cindi Barker from West Seattle Be Prepared/Emergency Communication Hubs as facilitator.
SPOTLIGHT TOPIC – LIGHT RAIL PLANNING: Jason Hampton from Sound Transit recapped the process to this point. Then the city’s Radcliffe Dacanay explained the “different roles” of the city and ST. They’re “co-planning stations,” for one. The city’s accountable for planning housing and businesses around stations, and issuing permits. The city’s working right now to identify early issues, among other things. So after Dacanay ran through city priorities from equity to climate action a, there was time for a few questions/comments.
What is the city doing to help Sound Transit inform residents about light-rail planning? That’s a spotlight topic at tomorrow’s monthly meeting of the District 1 Community Network, open to everyone interested in working on/hearing about key issues in West Seattle and South Park. This month’s meeting is in the lower-level community area at The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW), starting at 7 pm Wednesday (February 5th). You can see the full agenda in our calendar listing. (Our coverage of January’s D1CN meeting is here.)
The new date for the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s next meeting – postponed last month becauese of weather worries – has just been announced. So set your calendar for the new date, same agenda as originally planed:
The Admiral Neighborhood Association’s next meeting is coming up on Tuesday, February 11th from 6:30-8:30pm.
Location: Admiral Congregational UCC, 4320 SW Hill St.
At this month’s meeting:
1. 2020 Census Information and Recruitment; and
2. Admiral Neighborhood 2019 Survey Results.Come and meet your neighbors and discuss issues and events in our area!
Live, work, shop, and/or play in the Morgan Junction area? Check out what the Morgan Community Association talked about on Wednesday night:
FIGHTING CRIME: Though package-deiivery lockers are a potential solution to porch thefts, Cindi Barker discovered they are in short supply in West Seattle. So they’re asking Amazon for one in the Morgan area, for starters.
MORGAN JUNCTION PARK EXPANSION: A Parks rep for this project will be at the April MoCA meeting. A focus right now is the soil-remediation plan for the site, which should be ready by month’s end.
(Bubbleman at 2019 Morgan Junction Community Festival)
MORGAN JUNCTION COMMUNITY FESTIVAL: “It’s a go!” This year’s festival is set for June 20, 2020, and MoCA’s looking for volunteers to help make it happen.
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: Like Admiral, Morgan Junction is joining the WS Art Walk. MoCA’s Tamsen Spengler announced that a coordinator’s been found and they’re signing up businesses to participate, starting in the second quarter.
As we head into midweek, it’s usually the busy time for community meetings, but we have word this afternoon of two changes due to the potential for snow tonight:
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: The every-other-month meeting scheduled for tonight is postponed, according to ANA president David Hancock. No new date yet – we’ll publish a revised announcement when that happens.
DELRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL: This meeting planned for Wednesday night is canceled, according to chair Mat McBride, to avoid the possible need for a last-minute cancellation. Next meeting is expected to happen February 19th.
Tuesday night, you’re invited to the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s next meeting. The announcement (which you might already have seen in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar):
The Admiral Neighborhood Association’s next meeting is coming up on Tuesday, January 14th from 6:30-8:30pm.
Location: Admiral Congregational UCC, 4320 SW Hill St.
At this month’s meeting:
1. 2020 Census Information and Recruitment; and
2. Admiral Neighborhood 2019 Survey Results.Come and meet your neighbors and discuss issues and events in our area!
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“We made it to a new decade,” declared David Hancock, opening this year’s first meeting of the District 1 Community Network.
He’s the president of the Admiral Neighborhood Association and served as this meeting’s facilitator – D1CN rotates who leads each meeting. The group is a relatively new coalition of reps from groups and organizations throughout West Seattle and South Park, open to unaffiliated community members too; more than two dozen people showed up for this meeting, held at the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center.
Participants were asked, in around-the-table intros, to mention a New Year’s goal. Hancock started with “Increase participation to bring in more voices.” D1CN is working on that, as evidenced by two agenda items:
Here’s one of your first chances for community involvement in the new year! The announcement:
The District 1 Community Network is a meeting open to all community groups and interested individuals who would like to work together on topics of interest within District 1.
Date: Wednesday, January 8
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center (4705 W Marginal Way SW)Featured topics:
Transportation Electrification discussion with Seattle City Light
Review results of D1CN’s community survey
Sneak peek of D1CN website
And more!
District 1 encompasses West Seattle and South Park.
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