West Seattle, Washington
08 Monday
(WSB photos)
What are the challenges and concerns facing businesses in West Seattle, and what resources are available to deal with them?
That’s the subject of a project on which our area’s two biggest business-related organizations, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and West Seattle Junction Association, are teaming up. As part of it, a roundtable-discussion event was held last night in The Triangle.
Consultant Allison Carney talked about some of what she’s seen in the data gathered over 30 meetings with people involved with the local business community. Concerns include:
*Parking (self-explanatory)
*Availability of commercial space – with businesspeople worried about what happens if the building where they are a tenant is sold, what happens if their rent is raised beyond affordability – is there anywhere else in West Seattle where they can go?
*Transients in business areas – how that relates to feeling safe/unsafe
*The cost of doing business – including new city regulations about wages and leave
Speaking of the city, Carney said she heard overall concerns about relationships with it – West Seattle businesses feel neglected, and some see the city as an adversary, while there’s a general feeling of helplessness: Nothing you can do, your voice can’t be heard.
And there are concerns about whether the new residents in West Seattle care about WS. Are they patronizing local businesses or otherwise participating in the community? How to best reach out and get them involved?
Carney said that between the people she’s interviewed and those at the roundtable event, it’s clear that collaboration, using each other’s skills and knowledge, can overcome many of the challenges.
After small-group discussions, tables reported what they had talked about.
Keeping the business areas clean was a major topic. Better lighting, too. And several people suggested that local business proprietors get more involved in existing community groups – for example, taking crime/safety concerns to at least one of the two monthly community meetings at the Southwest Precinct (which are the WS Crime Prevention Council at 7 pm third Tuesdays and the WS Block Watch Captains Network at 6:30 pm fourth Tuesdays, both meetings always open to everyone).
Next step in the project will be an official report laying out concerns, challenges, and potential solutions – that’s due out by the end of November. After the jump, you’ll see highlights of the consultant’s notes from her conversations, as prepared for last night’s discussion – starting with “what’s special” about our area, and including some quotes on the topics mentioned above:
Now that we’re in the heart of Halloween (etc.) season, you might be interested in safety advice – which goes far beyond trick-or-treating! It’s from the Southwest Precinct, whose Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Burbridge shares what you can read below (or here, in PDF):
(Our guide to local activities for all ages, running through next Wednesday, is here.)
(Steller’s Jay, who needs no Halloween costume! Photographed by Mark Wangerin)
It’s Hallo-weekend! So we begin with highlights from the WSB Halloween (Etc.) Guide:
PRESCHOOL TRICK OR TREATING: 10-11:30 am at Holy Rosary School: “We are inviting all children age 5 and under with an adult to come trick or treat INSIDE at our Holy Rosary classrooms! We will have a mix of candy and non-candy items.” (42nd SW/SW Genesee)
SPOOKY CARNIVAL: 5:30-7:30 pm at Alki Community Center, ages 11 and younger: “Spooky fun for the whole family! Carnival games and prizes and a Spooky Haunted Scream Room for brave trick or treaters.” $0.25/ticket or $5/unlimited bracelet. (5817 SW Stevens)
FALL FESTIVAL: 5:30-7:30 pm, at High Point Community Center. All ages, free. “Join High Point Community Center staff and enjoy a family evening of fun. We will have Halloween games, booths, face painting, art and craft activities, and snacks. Fun for all ages. Come one, come all!” (6920 34th SW)
HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL: 6-8 pm at Hiawatha Community Center. “Start your Halloween off with a frighteningly fun-filled evening for the family! Wear your costumes and enjoy carnival games, crafts, and spooktacular activities.” Ages 2-12. $5/child. (2700 California SW)
HALLOWEEN LIGHT SHOW: Tonight’s the first night of the Halloween Light Show by the folks who bring you West Seattle Yuletide. 6-10 pm nightly through Halloween – probably a little later on October 28th and 31st. (38th SW between Genesee and Dakota)
HALLOWEEN FAMILY SWIM: Free swim 7-8 pm at Southwest Pool! “We will have music and prizes for all the goblins, creatures, and superheroes of the night. Space is limited to 125 people. Anyone under the age of 18 needs to be accompanied in the water by an adult.” (2801 SW Thistle)
THE CABIRI’S ANNUAL SHOW, OPENING NIGHT: The Cabiri in “Ghost Game XI: Beyond The Veil” dessert theater at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, doors open 7:30 pm. Full details here; buy your ticket(s) here. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
And from the year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE GARDEN CLUB: 10:30 am-2 pm, you’re invited to all or part of the meeting – details in our calendar listing. At Daystar. (2615 SW Barton)
PEEL & PRESS’S 3RD ANNIVERSARY: 3 pm to 1 am, dine and drink at Peel & Press (WSB sponsor) in honor of their third anniversary – 10 percent of the proceeds are going to buy turkeys and chickens for the West Seattle Food Bank this holiday season! (6503 California SW)
FALL WINE RELEASE AT VISCON CELLARS: 5-9 pm at the Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) tasting room, stop in to try the newly released fall wines: “We are releasing the 2013 BLACK Red Wine Blend, always a favorite with our customers. The new 2013 BLACK will be sure to live up to the legacy of its predecessors. Also releasing a new wine to our lineup, the 2014 Rhyme & Reason Syrah.” (5910 California SW)
SHNIT SHORT-FILM FESTIVAL: It’s back! 7 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club. 21+. Details in our calendar listing. (1116 SW Holden)
ALAN EHRLICH: “Insightful, original songs” at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
POWER POP ROCK: With The Riffbrokers, The Cheap Cassettes, Llama at Parliament Tavern, 9 pm-midnight. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
Family and friends will gather November 11 to remember Steve Hutchison (Hutch). Here’s the remembrance that’s being shared with the community:
In loving memory of Steven Hutchison. Steve passed away on September 23rd at Virginia Mason Medical Center from complications related to Multiple Myeloma.
Steve was surrounded by his loving family and friends. He leaves behind his wife Edwina, daughter Jennifer, son Tyler, and five grandchildren: Andres, Mariana, Marcelino, Alonzo, and Natalia.
Steve was born and raised in West Seattle, where he lived for most of his life. He graduated from West Seattle High School in 1973. Steve was an active member of the West Seattle Community. He enjoyed coaching boys’ baseball from 1994 to 1999 and boys’ basketball from 1997 to 2000.
Steve really enjoyed and looked forward to his annual vacation to Maui, which was his home away from home. He would say he never felt better than when he was there.
Please join us to celebrate and honor Steve’s life on Saturday, November 11th, from 4 pm to 8 pm at Dakota Place Park. The address is 4304 SW Dakota Street. Everyone is welcome to come and share their stories and memories of Steve.
If you wish to honor Steve’s memory, please consider donating to The American Cancer Society.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
6:59 AM: Good morning! So far, no incidents on the major outbound routes in/from West Seattle. But we have weekend alerts:
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION HARVEST FESTIVAL: On Sunday, from early morning through about 4 pm, California will be closed to traffic between Alaska and Edmunds as well as the usual Farmers’ Market closure between Oregon and Alaska. The festival (full details here) runs 10 am-2 pm.
SW EDMUNDS CLOSURE AT 40TH SW: SDOT plans to continue its paving work starting Saturday morning and potentially continuing through Sunday afternoon.
I-5 REPAIRS TONIGHT: 11 pm tonight through 6 am Saturday, repair work will close three lanes of NB I-5 through downtown, between Yesler Way and Seneca Street.
7:37 AM UPDATE: After-the-fact transit alert:
Transit Alert – Route 56 to downtown Seattle due to leave 61st Av SW & Alki Av SW at 7:19 AM did not operate this morning.
— King County Metr🎃🍂 (@kcmetrobus) October 27, 2017
9:34 AM: WSDOT says tonight’s I-5 lane closures (mentioned above) are canceled. Meantime, we forgot to mention that this is the last weekend for the West Seattle Water Taxi’s seven-day-a-week schedule – next Monday, it starts the five-day-a-week schedule, which also means no midday trips.
It’s division-championship time for high-school swimmers including the girls that West Seattleite Brent Lindblom e-mailed to tell us all about, in case you want to go cheer them on Friday and Saturday:
Though Kennedy Catholic High School is located in Burien, West Seattle has many students attending the school.
The Kennedy girls’ swim and dive team is heading to the WCD III 4A Swimming and Diving Championships being held at Curtis Aquatic Center (8805 40th St W, University Place).
Congratulations to the Lancer girls moving on to Division Championships:
Front: Madelline Kalenius, Lauren Hofford, Anita Shields, Catlin Mazzuca, Krista Markle, Shala Markle, Lynn Nguyen
Back: Jacqueline Southwell, Chloe Dahleen, Elena Stoll
Not pictured: Audrey Porter, Bronte Shirley
Swimming Prelims: Friday, October 27th
Warm-up: 3:30 pm
Meet Start: 4:30 pmSwimming Finals: Saturday, October 28th
Warm-up: 3:30
Meet Start: 4:30The top 7 fastest times/scores from each event (finals night only) will be allocated to the State meet.
If you’re going – there’s an admission charge for everyone except kids 5 and under. It’s cash only, $8 adults, $6 students with ASB ID and senior citizens, $4 elementary students.
Got your ticket(s) yet? Saturday’s the night you can masquerade in the spirit of the season, while also dining, dancing, and bidding to help the West Seattle Community Orchestras support student music. The reminder from WSCO:
Come dance to the great sounds of the West Seattle Big Band and listen to topnotch musicians of the West Seattle Community Orchestras (WSCO) as they get you in the swing of things at this year’s annual gala!
Here’s the general plan:
6:00-7:15: Doors open, cocktail reception, silent auctions, entertainment by WSCO musicians
7:15: Buffet dinner served
7:55-8:40: Live auction, raise the paddle, dessert dash
8:40++: Dancing to the West Seattle Big Band!Generous supporters have donated very special items for our silent and live auctions:
Tray of WSCO “Masquerade Fantasie” Drinks
Alaska Junction Pack (ArtsWest, Matador, Husky Deli, Cupcake Royale)
Canlis and Seattle Symphony
Conducting Opportunity (you’ve always wanted to lead an orchestra!)
Wine Cellar
Dinner and a Play (10 Mercer and Seattle Shakespeare Company)
Coffee, Tea & Chocolate Pack (Ampersand Cafe, C&P Coffee, Caffe Ladro)
Paradise in Cabo!There are many, many more fabulous items to bid on. Here’s a partial list of donors:
Bartells Drug Store | Bakery Nouveau | Seattle Shakespeare Company
Heavy Restaurant Group | Boehms Candy | C&P Coffee | MoPOP | West5 | Fresh Flours | ACT Theater | Pagliacci Pizza | MOHAI | Northwest Symphony Orchestra | Trader Joe’s | Seattle Theater Group | Seattle Symphony | Alki Spud | MarketSpice | Puzzle Break | Philharmonia Northwest | Seattle Thunderbirds |
Photography by Chris Leavitt | Jet City Improv | Emerald Downs | Museum of Flight | 5th Avenue Theatre |
Great Harvest | Grand Central Bakery | Seattle Theatre Group |10 Mercer | Ampersand Cafe | Seattle Seahawks | Elegant Electrolysis | Lake Union Civic Orchestra | Plus Friends of the Orchestras!Your support will help WSCO continue to provide FREE participation and instruction in orchestral and band music for our student musicians.
Hope to see you there: Saturday, October 28, 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. at Alki Masonic Lodge, 4736 40th Ave. SW. Tickets are on sale online now or at the door ($35 adults 18+, $20 students and seniors):
Oh, yes! This year’s theme is Masquerade for Musicians: A mysterious night benefiting student music in West Seattle. Diners are encouraged to contribute to the fun by donning a costume — Halloween-themed or otherwise. Wear a costume—or not!—but don’t forget your dancing shoes!
(WSB photos and video by Patrick Sand)
One week after their first general-election-campaign forum in West Seattle, the women running for mayor, Cary Moon and Jenny Durkan, returned this afternoon. This time, they answered questions during the West Seattle Democratic Women‘s monthly meeting. Chair Rachel Glass described the race as “compelling and intriguing” in her introduction.
Above is our full unedited video of the forum; the text below represents highlights, not full transcriptions – to see/hear the candidates’ full answers, you’ll have to watch the video. The ground rules, set out by Glass – “this forum is not about anything negative … I want you to see the best of these candidates.” They had two minutes each for an opening statement, for each of four prepared questions, then time for each candidate to ask her opponent a question, then a few audience questions, and two-minute closing statements.
Moon won the coin-flip to give her opening statement first. She says she believes she started as the least-known candidate. She says she came to the campaign with a “list of solutions” for problems including the “heartbreaking” homelessness crisis. “In the past mayoral administration, I don’t think anyone knew where we were headed.”
Durkan opens by saying her staff told her she and Moon have done 85 forums, 50 since the primary. She says three things put her on track to run for mayor, something that a year ago she couldn’t have envisioned herself doing. First thing she mentions – election of President Trump. She says we’re not getting “anything good” out of “the other Washington” right now.
(Both made a point of mentioning they’re moms – Moon with two teenagers and two grown stepkids, Durkan with children 21 and 16.)
Then, the questions:
When we reported in September 2016 on the plan for Soprano’s Antico to open in the ex-Zatz Bagels space in Admiral, they were aiming for “early November.” Looks like the restaurant might make that target – a year later. After a tip from Brad today that the paper was finally off the windows, we stopped by this afternoon in search of information. Crews working inside told us they’re hoping to finally open for sit-down service next week – the restaurant’s been delivering pizza a while, according to its website.
We start this West Seattle Crime Watch roundup with an update on a high-profile recent case:
(October 9th WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
ADMIRAL STABBING SUSPECT ARRAIGNED: Kierra Ward, charged with attacking an Admiral woman who was out for a walk with her baby October 9th, was arraigned today. She pleaded not guilty to first-degree and second-degree assault charges (the second is for allegedly threatening to stab the man who tried to get between Ward and victim Sarah Hanson). Ward remains in King County Jail, bail set at $400,000, with her next hearing November 8th.
P.S. The crowdfunding campaign to help Sarah care for her baby and work from home while recovering has more than surpassed its goal.
Also:
READER REPORT – CAR PROWL: Lori reports a car prowl overnight Tuesday into Wednesday in Arbor Heights: “34th & Roxbury. Broke into our car that was in our driveway, didn’t get much. Sunglasses and handful of change. Other cars in area had windows wiped clean of condensation to see inside. Please advise neighbors to not keep valuables in vehicle.”
And a followup:
ATM REPLACED: We noticed today that the ATM stolen two and a half weeks ago from the Chase drive-up in The Junction is back in business – probably not its first day, since we noticed crews at work several days ago, but didn’t get to check back until now.
While SPD told us the day after the theft that the stolen ATM had been recovered, there’s no word of arrests so far.
(WSB file photo: Halloween Rainbow Bingo @ Senior Center of West Seattle)
Though this Friday’s Halloween Rainbow Bingo at the Senior Center of West Seattle is listed in our Halloween Etc. Guide – it’s sold out. Except for a sudden opening, as Mary Beth Ingersoll messaged us to say:
Our most popular Rainbow Bingo of the year is our Halloween Theme in October, tomorrow night, Friday, Oct. 27th. It has been sold out since September 30th, but we have some tickets! (This will be our 35th sold-out date in a row!)
I just got word that a table for 6 won’t be able to make it and we’d sure like to fill it. The first person to call me – 206.932.4044 extension 4 – with payment of for the 6 seats of $18/ea= $108.00 can have it.
And if you already have tickets:
Additionally, there will be a costume contest for those that decide to dress up with 1st place winner with a prize of 4 free VIP tickets and a party package for 8 people!
New ’round here? The Senior Center is in The Junction at 4217 SW Oregon.
Just last week, when we published an update on Olympia Coffee Company‘s future space in the Rally live-work units (California/Charlestown), a commenter asked about other businesses there. Today, we’ve heard from one that’s planning to open one week from tomorrow – Supply Chain, 3830 California SW. Here’s the announcement:
West Seattle is getting a bit of bling with the addition of new jewelry and accessory gallery Supply Chain, opening on California Avenue November 3rd. Curated by West Seattle resident and proprietor, Katie Meurk, Supply Chain will feature a thoughtful selection of artists and styles handmade in the United States.
Katie is an avid jewelry collector herself. Supply Chain combines her passion for art, community and self-expression through jewelry. “I love the story behind a piece, and jewelry in particular can evolve with each wear. It is an art form that we get to live in every day.”
Carrying a rotating collection of designers including Abacus Row, Future Glory, Lizzie Fortunato, and Hannah Keefe, Supply Chain will highlight the inspiration, production process, techniques and materials of each piece.
Katie looks forward to Supply Chain becoming an active member in the West Seattle community and the lives of its residents; helping shoppers mark special occasions with the perfect gift, enhancing the collections of passionate jewelry buyers, and becoming a destination for style inspiration.
Supply Chain will be open 11 am-7 pm Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; 10 am-6 pm Saturdays and Sundays.
Today’s Land Use Information Bulletin from the city has notices for two West Seattle projects:
DESIGN REVIEW FOR 5242 & 5248 CALIFORNIA: When we reported two weeks ago that a Southwest Design Review Board meeting was set next month for the newest proposal at 5242 California – currently home to a partly vacant strip mall – it was in city files as a 9-townhouse project. Turns out that’s only half the site. The other half, now with the address 5248 California, also is proposed for 9 townhouses, and an underground garage is planned with 18 spaces – in the “preferred” massing (size/shape) option shown above, taken from the early version of the meeting packet, by Hybrid Architecture. As “The People’s Court,” the project is set to go to the SWDRB at 6:30 pm Thursday, November 16th – the official notices for its two halves are here and here. (Both explain how to comment now, or you can wait until the meeting, which will be at the Senior Center/Sisson Building, 4217 SW Oregon.)
COMMENT TIME FOR APARTMENTS @ 6016 CALIFORNIA: Back in August, we mentioned an apartment-building proposal for 6016 California SW, which is already bookended by teardowns, and has one business left last time we checked, the legendary Rick’s (Psychic) Barber Shop. The project is now at a stage where you have two weeks to comment. It’s also increased the unit count to 36 “small efficiency dwelling units” (microapartments) and two live-work units. Here’s the official notice; here’s how to comment.
(File photo: Unloading car full of donations from past drive)
Neighbors in need will be thrilled to get your donation of coats and other winter clothing this fall – and an easy way to give is via the Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency‘s annual drive for West Seattle Helpline, now in its first week. Here’s the announcement:
Week one of our annual clothing drive in support of the West Seattle Helpline is now under way. So far we have one full barrel of much-needed winter clothing to help our less-fortunate friends and neighbors.
Dave Newman State Farm Insurance agency will continue to collect clean donations of clothes, coats, and shoes until January 1st. The dropoff location is 3435 California Ave SW [map].
For those who have donations but are unable to transport their clothes, coats and shoes to the donation location, pickup may be available. For further information, contact the State Farm office at 206-932-1878.
Dave Newman’s office is open 9 am-5 pm weekdays.
Highlights from the Highland Park Action Committee‘s last meeting until January (since the fourth Thursday conflicts with winter holidays in November and December):
(South Operations Center rendering, from city website)
SEATTLE PUBLIC UTILITIES DRAINAGE & WASTEWATER SOUTH OPERATIONS CENTER: SPU project manager Tom Fawthrop presented details of the new facility at the bus yard at 4500 W. Marginal Way SW. It’s a retrofit/remodel project. SPU wants a center here to “position ourselves to be (on this side of) the bridge in case of The Big One” plus reduce the distance their crews go to serve this part of the city – one-fourth of Seattle, Fawthrop pointed out.
(Glaucous-winged gull at Lowman Beach, photographed by Trileigh Tucker)
Here’s what’s ahead for the rest of your Thursday! First, from the WSB Halloween Etc. Guide:
TODDLER PUMPKINPALOOZA 10 am-noon, for ages 1-5 at High Point Community Center: “Join the center staff and enjoy age-appropriate Halloween games, booths, face painting, art and craft activities, and snacks.” $5. (6920 34th SW)
GLOW-IN-THE-DARK PARTY: 6-7:30 pm at Delridge Community Center. Free: “Our 3rd annual Glow in the Dark Party! Snacks, games, and music are just the beginning of the fun. Come glow with us! Wear your costume, face paint, or anything that will illuminate the party. This event brought to you by the Delridge Advisory Council.” (4501 Delridge Way SW)
And from the year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
HOME SAFETY AND FALL PREVENTION: 10 am class at the Senior Center of West Seattle – info here. (4217 SW Oregon)
COPPER COIN’S 5TH ANNIVERSARY: 11:30 am-11 pm – here’s how the Admiral restaurant is celebrating. (2329 California SW)
MAYORAL CANDIDATES @ WSDW: 11:30 am at West Seattle Golf Course, it’s the WS Democratic Women‘s meeting, with mayoral candidates Cary Moon and Jenny Durkan scheduled to answer questions approximately 12:30-1:15 pm. Open to the public, though it’s too late to get in a lunch order. (4600 35th SW)
MONSTER DASH EARLY PACKET PICKUP: Already registered for Saturday’s West Seattle Monster Dash? Or, still need to sign up? Stop by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) 4-6 pm today. And get a discount on your WSR purchases while you’re there! More info here. (2743 California SW)
BUSINESS RESOURCES: This month’s West Seattle Chamber of Commerce After-Hours features “roundtable discussions that explore the challenges of the business community and the resources available to deal with the challenges.” 5:30 pm at Pershing Hall/American Legion Post 160 in The Triangle. (3618 SW Alaska)
WINE NIGHT AT ENDOLYNE JOE’S: First “Wine Night” at Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor) in Fauntleroy – 6-8 pm. Wine and ticket details here. (9261 45th SW)
FORUM ON TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES: The West Seattle Transportation Coalition is devoting this month’s meeting to a “forum on transportation alternatives for seniors and people with disabilities.” More info here. Special location: Senior Center/Sisson Building. (4217 SW Oregon)
SEATTLE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 7-8:30 pm, the open house at Seattle Lutheran High School on the north end of The Junction “will feature a tour of the facility, as well as interaction with Seattle Lutheran’s faculty and administration.” Enter through the gym. (4100 SW Genesee)
ORGAN & DRUM JAZZ … with The Suffering F-Heads at Parliament Tavern, 8-11 pm. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
MUSIC AFTER FOOTBALL: 8:30 pm-11 pm at Hawks Nest West on Alki, live music with Zechariah Valette after Thursday Night Football. (2806 Alki SW)
5:52 AM: 30th SW is closed for about a block north of Barton [map] right now by a big police response (thanks for the tip). Officers at the scene could only say that someone was assaulted and has been taken to Harborview Medical Center; the Seattle Fire log shows a medical response in the 9000 block of 30th SW just before 4 am. More information as we get it.
6:01 AM: Just talked to SPD spokesperson Det. Mark Jamieson. He is still working on getting details, including whether someone is in custody, but says this started as “some kind of disturbance or argument between two men, and one was assaulted by the other.” The victim has life-threatening injuries.
6:07 AM: SPD confirms a suspect is in custody.
8:10 AM: Police have just released more information via SPD Blotter:
Detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding an early morning assault incident in West Seattle. An adult male has been taken into custody and transported to police headquarters where he was interviewed, along with three other witnesses.
Just before 4:00 am two men, acquaintances, were in the 9000 block of 30th Avenue SW. One of the men jumped on the back of the other man attempting to take his cell phone. A struggle ensued, and the man who attempted to take the phone experienced a medical emergency. Officers arrived on scene within three minutes, located the victim, and rendered aid. Seattle Fire responded and transported the man to Harborview Medical Center, where he is in stable condition, expected to recover.
30th SW had reopened when we checked around an hour ago.
The next West Seattle business to mark its anniversary by giving gifts instead of receiving them is Peel & Press (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction. The announcement is from the always-community-minded proprietor Dan Austin:
We are so thankful for all of the support that West Seattle has shown Peel & Press the last three years. Building up this restaurant with the help of many fantastic employees has been incredibly rewarding. We feel blessed to be embraced by our community and to be shown so much love and encouragement. We recognize that earning your support is more than providing great food, drinks, and during service every visit, but is also giving back. During our Three-Year Anniversary Weekend (October 27-29th) we will be giving back 10% of our sales to the West Seattle Food Bank in the form of turkeys and chickens. Last year we did this for one day and were able to buy a quarter-ton of turkeys and chickens. Let’s see what we can do with a whole weekend to provide a great holiday meal for those in need!
Peel & Press is at 6503 California SW – see its hours here.
Thanks to Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark for sharing this letter that he and Chief Sealth International High School principal Aida Fraser-Hammer sent to families tonight, so that we can share it with the wider community:
Dear Denny and Chief Sealth Families:
We are continuing to actively share any safety information related to any of our scholars when they are out in our community on their way to and from school.
Today, three middle school scholars were getting off the Metro bus at 35th Ave. SW and SW Elmgrove St. An adult male followed them off the bus and continued following them in a suspicious way. A neighbor observed this and called the police, who responded right away and are now investigating. We are very proud of how our scholars responded to this situation and appreciative of the neighbor who called the police.
Please be assured that the safety and security of our scholars is a top priority at both Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
THURSDAY MORNING NOTE: The helpful neighbor’s wife has added more information via this comment.
(WSB file photo from Admiral District trick-or-treating)
Less than a week until Halloween – and only two days until trick-or-treat events begin! From the WSB West Seattle Halloween Etc. Guide:
PRESCHOOLER TRICK-OR-TREATING: All kids 5 and under are invited to Holy Rosary School 10 am-11:30 am on Friday, October 27th, to trick or treat in the school classrooms, with “a mix of candy and non-candy items.” (42nd SW/SW Genesee)
JUNCTION TRICK-OR-TREATING: Noon-2 pm Sunday, October 29th, during the second half of the West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival
ADMIRAL DISTRICT TRICK-OR-TREATING: 3-6 pm on Halloween (Tuesday, October 31st) – look for the sign featured in our preview
WESTWOOD VILLAGE TRICK-OR-TREATING: 4-6 pm on Halloween
Any Halloween/harvest/fall events missing in our guide? Not too late to let us know – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
ORIGINAL OCTOBER 25TH REPORT: After a reader tip, we just confirmed this with a staffer at the West Seattle Papa John’s Pizza: It’s closing as of the end of the week – last day Sunday, October 29th. We’re also told they’re closing earlier each night until then, at 9 pm.
ADDED OCTOBER 30TH: As of today, the location is indeed closed, with this note on the door:
No word yet what’s next for the building/site at 5252 California SW.
We took that photo this morning before 8 am at 59th/Admiral, where, after weeks of concern over the effects of SDOT changing it to an all-way stop, a crew showed up pre-dawn and changed it back without warning or even a “traffic revision” sign (as subsequently reported in our morning traffic coverage). Then at noontime, we got a tip that a crew was back to add signs and do some other work, so we went over and found this:
Before that, we had asked SDOT’s Dawn Schellenberg this morning what’s next for the intersection now that it’s suddenly been “changed back” – which doesn’t answer all the safety concerns that parents at nearby Alki Elementary had voiced. Her reply just arrived in the form of a copy of the following e-mail to them and other concerned parties:
Many of you have followed the SDOT ‘Signal to All-way Stop’ pilot project at SW Admiral Way and 59th Ave SW, installed August 31. As part of our Vision Zero efforts, the Department is considering alternative crossing designs at various intersections throughout the city. The SW Admiral Way and 59th Ave SW location was selected for an All-Way Stop, curb bulbs and additional marked crosswalks based on community input received through the SW Admiral Way Safety Project during the SDOT Walk and Talk last August; and a review of traffic volumes, operations and crossing use.
Once installed, we committed to monitoring the crosswalk for up to six-months to determine whether the new All-Way Stop design was a good fit for the intersection. Over the past month and a half, we collected feedback from community members as well as the Traffic Safety Task Force at Alki Elementary regarding their concerns on how drivers and pedestrians are adjusting. Through our evaluation of the new design we concluded that the benefits of the All-Way Stop are similar to the original Pedestrian Signal. With that in mind, coupled with some community members’ concern, we decided to revert to the original design.
Unfortunately, an internal snafu within in the Department resulted in the premature start of the work. The community should have been alerted prior to the installation and ‘traffic revision ahead’ signs placed. We deeply regret any inconvenience this caused drivers and pedestrians this morning. Signs are now in place.
Going forward, here’s what you should except as we install phase 2 (see graphic below):
· Two decorative paint and post curb bulbs
· One decorative paint and post median at 59th Ave SW
· Two new crosswalks
· Two Flashing ‘School, 20MPH’ signsAs promised, we’ll accelerate installation of the curb bulbs, median and crosswalks to get them installed within the next two months, weather permitting. The flashing signs are expected to be installed during first quarter 2018, once equipment has arrived.
Councilmember González (Citywide, Pos. 9) and Councilmember Herbold (District 1) have engaged with us on this matter, and both continue to advocate for pedestrian safety along SW Admiral Way. We have committed to maintaining good communication with both Councilmembers, their staff, and the community; and they have conveyed the expectation that we work towards implementing solutions in lockstep with community.
We can note firsthand that the change without warning was a little more than “inconvenience” – going through the intersection both ways on Admiral at noontime, we experienced near-collisions both ways involving people turning and expecting us to stop. Meantime, here’s the graphic Schellenberg mentioned:
The initial change to an all-way stop was also installed pre-dawn, but that was with four weeks of warning that the change was going to happen. It’s all a followup to the rechannelization of much of Admiral west of California, with initial work done a year-plus ago.
(King County Assessor’s Office photo)
Back in July, we told you about a proposal for the land holding that 109-year-old house at 7111 California – four townhouses, each with an accessory dwelling unit, for a total of eight units. Now that’s been revised to five townhouses – two facing California, one behind it, two behind that, with four offstreet parking spaces on the alley, according to the newest “site plan” on file with the city. The parcel is zoned Lowrise 2.
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