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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: USS John C. Stennis, outbound again
November 3, 2017 6:00 pm
|    Comments Off on SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: USS John C. Stennis, outbound again
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to the texter who sent that photo – the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) has just left Bremerton again. It’s been a month and a half since the Stennis returned from a training and certification mission.

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SATURDAY: Can you be part of building the Sanislo Sprouts Learning Garden?
November 3, 2017 5:49 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Gardening | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Sanislo Elementary students, Judah Nellis and Charlie Kestler measuring an old garden bed during first Sanislo Sprouts event)

So much happening tomorrow, it’s a good thing the next round of possible snow isn’t supposed to arrive until late tomorrow night! We’ve already previewed several major events. Here’s another one that could use your help, happening tomorrow morning at Sanislo Elementary on Puget Ridge. From Rebecca Evans:

The idea was of a school garden, STEM outdoor-learning program, sparked through teacher suggestions in a survey we ran at the end of last year, and a few fellow Sanislo parents recently began seeking ways to make it a reality. Before we knew it, there was an outpouring of support for this idea. Our principal, district projects coordinator, Pathfinder’s Earth Project, and a non-profit organization, Washington Green Schools have partnered with our garden committee and the PTA to literally build us a garden in an afternoon. Washington Green Schools offers two “Days of Service” a year wherein they help make green projects, like school gardens, come to fruition with the help of sponsors like construction companies and corporate donors.

It’s going to be a beautiful space, designed to facilitate hands-on learning, science exploration and curiosity! We also want to use our garden space as an opportunity to explore gardening in a way the matches our school’s diversity by growing herbs and vegetables that resonate with our school’s families and global food culture. We hope to generate produce that can be shared at snack times and harvested by our student community. We are so excited for the endless possibilities this brings for the students of Sanislo.

Our Day of Service will be held on Saturday, November 4th from 9:00 am to 12 pm. This is a family-friendly, all-welcome, garden-building event. Children are encouraged to take part in building their school garden. There will be volunteers from local businesses, Abbott Construction, Washington Green Schools, Pathfinder, Trinity Church and Sanislo Elementary.

We are so fortunate to have support from local partners to create the space, and hope more join in over time so we can create sustainability for years to come.

Sanislo is at 1812 SW Myrtle.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER/TRAFFIC: Friday pm updates, and a Saturday night alert
November 3, 2017 12:46 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(SCROLL DOWN for Friday pm updates – traffic trouble, even though the weather’s improved!)

(Photo texted from High Point)

12:46 PM: As we’ve been tracking with your help since early morning, we’ve been seeing the season’s first snow – not really sticking, but seriously showery at times. The National Weather Service has just issued a “special weather statement” saying tomorrow night could bring a few inches of wet snow in the hillier areas around the city. More to come!

(Video tweeted by @cjbarkbark)

1:57 PM: The snow has stopped, at least where we are. But some of it definitely stuck to yards, planting strips, and cars during the noon-hour shower, as we saw when headed back south from The Junction, through Morgan, Gatewood, and Upper Fauntleroy. We’ll be adding afternoon notes here for a while. Such as:

HELPLINE GALA STILL ON: The folks at West Seattle Helpline called and wanted to be sure that everyone knows their Neighbors Helping Neighbors dinner/auction tonight at The Hall at Fauntleroy IS ON – regardless of snow, rain, whatever the weather.

2:20 PM: A few flakes are back. SDOT has in the meantime sent an afternoon update, saying it’s assessed pavement throughout the city, and:

All pavement is currently bare and wet. And while the city is experiencing light to heavy flurries, road temperatures remain above freezing between 35 and 37 degrees. SDOT has deployed large plows and spreader at high elevation areas throughout the city and will continue to evaluate and monitor.

If you see SDOT snow equipment, let us know/send a pic (206-293-6302 – thanks for the other pics and clips too).

3:16 PM: Thanks to Brian for sending that photo – taken at Fauntleroy/Edmunds around noon. Meanwhile, if you are worried about the drive/ride home – no reason to be. We have just traveled south through Westwood, Arbor Heights, and White Center – the snowiest area we saw was SW White Center but even there, nothing on the roads. We do have word of a crash just reported – 35th and Thistle, blocking northbound lanes.

3:58 PM: Heading back north on 35th, the northbound lane is still blocked by a sideways pickup truck. SFD closed out of the call fairly quickly, though, so no serious injuries. No snow or even rain right now, with the cloud layer higher and thinner, so looks like it’ll be an OK drive/ride home.

4:51 PM: Several people have reported being stuck on the westbound bridge. No alerts yet nor crash reports but one camera shows a few vehicles on the shoulder. We’re monitoring.

5:01 PM: This tweet reveals what the problem was:

5:07 PM: Here’s what the backup looks like – Catherine texted this view (thanks!):

5:28 PM: SDOT just sent another update, saying all’s well so far, but it has people and equipment on standby just in case:

•Plows and trucks on standby
•Crews on standby for rush hour throughout the evening
•Night crews staffed (in the event temperatures drop to freezing)

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Swedish clinic in West Seattle closed because of flooding
November 3, 2017 12:05 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Health | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)

Thanks to Diane for the tip. The Swedish West Seattle Primary Care clinic at 3400 California SW is closed right now because of flooding. The note on the door, shown in our photo, say it will be closed tomorrow too. No details about what happened; we have a message out to the Swedish media-relations department.

MONDAY NOTE: Open again.

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West Seattle Friday: 9 highlights
November 3, 2017 11:20 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Friday: 9 highlights
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, for the rest of this somewhat-flaky Friday:

LAFAYETTE ELEMENTARY WALK-A-THON: Until 1 pm, the annual fundraising walk is on at the elementary school in The Admiral District. As shown in our photo above, students got a special “Star Wars”-themed visit from members of the 501st Legion. WSB is among the walk-A-Thon’s community sponsors. They’re taking online donations, too. (26xx California SW)

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, OUNCES! The beer garden/taproom in North Delridge is celebrating its first anniversary, 4 pm-10 pm. See our calendar listing for details on the fun. (3809 Delridge Way SW)

MOLLY RINGLE AT WW&WS: The Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s monthly local-author series Words, Writers, & West Seattle features Molly Ringle tonight. Here’s her video invitation:

Meet Molly by dropping in 5-7 pm at Barnes & Noble/Westwood Village. Free! (2600 SW Barton)

‘NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS’: The West Seattle Helpline‘s annual dinner/auction raises money for emergency assistance – including homelessness prevention. 6 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy. Check to see if any tickets remain! (9131 California SW)

HPIC CORNER BAR: The monthly first-Friday pop-up bar at Highland Park Improvement Club opens at 6 pm. Tonight’s featured musical act: The Yada Yada Blues Band. (1116 SW Holden)

BETH AND FRIENDS: Live music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

‘WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S STAR WARS’: Yes, really! Or, rather, “verily.” See it yourself at the West Seattle High School Theater as the new WSHS production is onstage again tonight at 7:30 pm. (3000 California SW)

‘THE NANCE’: 7:30 pm at ArtsWest Playhouse, “a musical play set in the raucous world of 1930s burlesque,” directed by AW artistic director Mathew Wright. Ticket info in our calendar listing. (4711 California SW)

AT THE SKYLARK: 8 pm-midnight, Wild Wild Mexico, Final Body, P.S., and New Felts. $8 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

THERE’S MORE … on our complete calendar, where you also can preview the weekend, and beyond!

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FOLLOWUP: Bellevue firm buys ‘development site’ at 4501 38th SW for $4.4 million
November 3, 2017 10:21 am
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(King County Assessor’s photo)

Back in June, we reported that 4501 38th SW – long an automotive-business site – was up for sale, listed at $4.5 million, pitched on its own website as a 14,375-square-foot “development site” that could allow “78 multi-family units at an average of 650 SF per unit or a possible 110 hotel units at 420 SF.” It’s been sold for $4.4 million, as first reported by the Daily Journal of Commerce, and verified on the King County Assessor’s Office website. The buyer is an LLC formed for the transaction; names in the state corporation-information file for the LLC trace to Bellevue-based development firm Run Yong Investment. RYI’s website describes the firm as “an active real estate development group, structuring joint ventures with capital partners to conceive and create sustainable, functional, community-centric living spaces throughout Washington and Oregon.” We have a message out inquiring about plans for the 38th SW site, which is zoned NC3-65.

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School-shopping? 2017 West Seattle Education Fair set for November 13
November 3, 2017 9:42 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

If you are considering independent schools for next school year, fall is prime time for fact-finding and decision-making. And that’s why this year’s West Seattle Education Fair is coming up a week from Monday, 7 pm November 13th at the Alki Masonic Center in The Junction (4736 40th SW). It’s one-stop shopping for information about multiple independent schools – both secular and parochial – in and around West Seattle, pre/K-8, with staff members there for one-on-one conversations. Free to attend; all welcome. The list of participants is still being finalized, but in case you hadn’t already seen this in our calendar, we’re mentioning it here – WSB is a sponsor.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT/WEATHER: Little-bit-of-snow Friday updates
November 3, 2017 6:56 am
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

6:56 AM: Good morning! No snow right now (some saw it earlier!) but it’s been raining all night, so you’re in for a wet commute. No incidents reported outbound in/from West Seattle right now, but there is a problem for people heading southbound on 99 – the Battery Street Tunnel’s SB side is closed because of a crash.

TIME-CHANGE REMINDER: Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 am Sunday, when we’ll “fall back” an hour.

7:15 AM: The Vashon Water Taxi has been canceled for the rest of the morning because of wind.

7:24 AM: John sent this photo taken about an hour ago in Upper Fauntleroy:

The National Weather Service says the snow level is rising as the morning goes by but if you see any falling, let us know via 206-293-6302, when you can safely/legally use your phone!

7:35 AM: The southbound Battery Street Tunnel has reopened. Still no outbound incidents reported.

8:16 AM: In comments, no-show buses at California/Admiral were mentioned. Here’s an after-the-fact Metro alert about two:


Meantime, now that it’s light, we’re going out to the highest-elevation parts of West Seattle to see if any trace of the early-early-morning snow remains.

8:21 AM: Also after-the-fact from Metro:

And on the south side:


8:25 AM: And one more:

9:26 AM: Didn’t see anything more serious out there than some snow spots on roofs and planting strips, and of course some on cars. A bit of snow/ice in a shower we drove through a few minutes ago en route back to HQ (which is at 330′ elevation), too.

9:46 AM: We’ll continue tracking the weather here unless things get more serious. Just got a text that 37th/Andover is seeing some snow. (206-293-6302 – text or voice – is always the best way to reach us immediately – thanks for the updates, reports, and tips!)

10:21 AM: Thanks for the texts – light snow reported in areas including The Junction and Seaview. And we’re still seeing a bit here in Upper Fauntleroy, east of Lincoln Park.

10:41 AM: Tamsen reports light snow in Morgan Junction.

AFTERNOON NOTE: PM coverage is here.

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CONGRATULATIONS! Divers from West Seattle advance to district championships
November 2, 2017 9:59 pm
|    Comments Off on CONGRATULATIONS! Divers from West Seattle advance to district championships
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Congratulations to two divers from West Seattle who are headed for district-championship competition this Saturday! From Christine Leahy:

Kate Leahy, a junior at Seattle Preparatory School (left), and Lauren Canto, a senior at Bishop Blanchet High School (right), placed 5th and 4th consecutively in the Metro League Division 3A Diving Championships (1 Meter) last Saturday at Juanita Aquatics Center in Kirkland.

Kate is a graduate of Westside School and Lauren graduated from Holy Rosary.

Both divers qualified for and will be competing in the District Diving Championships this Saturday, 11/4, at 9:30 am at Juanita Aquatic Center in Kirkland.

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TRAFFIC ALERT UPDATE: Eastbound West Seattle Bridge now clear
November 2, 2017 8:19 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

8:19 PM: Thanks to Mark for the tip – SDOT confirms there’s a crash on the West Seattle Bridge. The SFD dispatch is to the eastbound side, parallel with Admiral. SDOT describes it as blocking the right lane, but Mark says he saw, “Multiple cars – some backwards.” So if you’re heading out, heads up. More as we get it.

8:28 PM: The SFD incident log shows the aid car originally assigned to the call was put back into service, which indicates no major injuries.

8:49 PM: SFD has now cleared the scene. Looking at the nearest SDOT camera, it appears SPD is still there. (Lindsay reports on Twitter that the crash bumped out part of the jersey barrier at the center of the bridge.)

9:38 PM: Per scanner, police are still finishing clearing the scene, so you may encounter some temporary stoppages and ramp-blocking until towing (etc.) is complete. SDOT adds via Twitter that they have two different scenes – one closer to Admiral ramp, one closer to Harbor ramp.

9:56 PM: SDOT reports both scenes are now clear.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Trespassers; bicycle found; driver pursues rider on Alki Trail
November 2, 2017 7:16 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes:

TRESPASSING: From Annika:

The vacant homes on the corner of Fauntleroy and Brandon have attracted squatters. Unfortunately, we were informed that this has become a problem throughout the area.

The owners of both vacant properties (5251 Fauntleroy Way SW & 3914 SW Brandon St) have been notified and the police have been out multiple times this week. While an arrest was made on Monday evening, there does not seem to be much that be done to deter this.

As concerned neighbors, we will continue to notify the owners or both houses when we see individuals on the properties and will contact the police.

As reported in our community-meeting coverage, vacant homes are indeed a problem throughout the city. Police have to have permission from their owners to “trespass” people found squatting, so in some cases, they have been able to get that permission in advance so it doesn’t have to be sought anew every time. Meantime, we checked city files for the addresses, wondering about the sites’ future; both have redevelopment proposals on file – 5251 Fauntleroy, for three-unit rowhouse and two single-family houses, and 3914 Brandon for a six-unit rowhouse.

FOUND BICYCLE: Carmine spotted this bike at Lincoln Park:


Abandoned 17” Marin bicycle at far north end of Lincoln Park beach trail. Looks stolen, flat front tire caused abandonment.

DRIVER ON BICYCLE PATH: Yesterday on Reddit, a member reported seeing someone driving a car on the Alki Trail, pursuing a bicyclist with whom they had just had some kind of confrontation. The member reported having recorded it on video, and then posted it in a separate thread today. Caveat: It is shot from a distance, and the narration is full of profanities. We invited the witness – who was planning to take their video to police – to contact WSB, but have not heard from them, so we don’t know the status of the case, and all we can do is link to their posts. (Thanks to the people who flagged us to this – we do read the Seattle subreddits regularly but hadn’t seen this until we got the first note about it.)

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HAPPENING NOW: West Seattle Thriftway’s 2017 Holiday Taste
November 2, 2017 5:15 pm
|    Comments Off on HAPPENING NOW: West Seattle Thriftway’s 2017 Holiday Taste
 |   Holidays | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Three weeks until Thanksgiving but never too soon to plan – and that’s why West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) is hosting its annual Holiday Taste event right now. Above, the samples include lots of cheeses … below, locally crafted ice cream from Sweet Lo’s:

And of course, main-course samples:

About 50 vendors this year, Thriftway tells us! Stop in (4201 SW Morgan) before 7 pm to taste for yourself.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Forecast says we might see a little snow
November 2, 2017 3:22 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

ORIGINAL REPORT, 3:22 PM THURSDAY: The afternoon forecast is out and the National Weather Service put the “s-word” back in for late tonight and tomorrow morning – at least, on the highest hills. Possible rain/snow showers after midnight tonight, with the snow level around 500 feet (that’s the highest point in the city, just southwest of High Point, 35th/Myrtle), dropping to around 400 feet tomorrow morning. And SDOT reminds you it has winter-weather maps – both interactive (showing where salting, sanding, plowing has happened) and printable – linked here.

ADDED FRIDAY MORNING: Some snow did fall on the higher hills, as noted in our morning traffic/weather coverage.

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HOLIDAY COUNTDOWN: It’s a bazaar time of year; some seeking sellers
November 2, 2017 2:17 pm
|    Comments Off on HOLIDAY COUNTDOWN: It’s a bazaar time of year; some seeking sellers
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

bazaarstuff(WSB photo from 2016 Highland Park Improvement Club holiday bazaar)

Along with shopping at fabulous independent West Seattle bricks-and-mortar businesses this holiday season, you have beaucoup bazaars/art-and-craft sales to visit, starting as soon as this Saturday! We have already received (updated) 14 announcements for the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – and if you have something to sell, four are still accepting vendors, so we’ll start with those:

SALVATION ARMY CRAFT FAIR: 10 am-5 pm Saturday, November 11th, at the Salvation Army center in South Delridge. Booths can be purchased via this link or e-mail Capt. Lisa Barnes at lisa.barnes@usw.salvationarmy.org. (9050 16th SW)

ALKI MASONIC CENTER HOLIDAY BAZAAR: 9 am-4 pm Saturday, November 25th. Potential vendors can e-mail Sue at alkict21events@gmail.com or use this form. (4736 40th SW)

FAUNTLEROY SCHOOLHOUSE HOLIDAY MARKET: 4-8 pm Friday, December 1st, and 9 am-3 pm Saturday, December 2nd. Potential vendors can e-mail denise@fauntleroyschoolhouse.org. (9131 California SW)

THE KENNEY HOLIDAY BAZAAR: 10 am-3 pm Saturday, December 2nd, at The Kenney. Handmade items! Potential vendors can call Danette for more information and to reserve a space, 206-937-2800. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

Other bazaars/fairs we have received notice of, so far:

C & P HOLIDAY ARTS FAIR: Just two days away! 8 am-2 pm Saturday, November 4th, at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). Unique local arts & crafts. (5612 California SW)

FAUNTLEROY FINE ART & HOLIDAY GIFT SHOW: 5-8 pm Friday, November 10th; 10 am-4 pm Saturday, November 11th; 11 am-2 pm Sunday, November 12th, at Fauntleroy Church. (9140 California SW)

HIGHLAND PARK IMPROVEMENT CLUB HOLIDAY BAZAAR: 10 am-3 pm Saturday, November 11th, at Highland Park Improvement Club, with more than 20 vendors signed up. (1116 SW Holden)

SHOREWOOD HOLIDAY BAZAAR: 10 am-4 pm Saturday, November 11th, at Shorewood Elementary. 60+ vendors, and more – details in our calendar listing. (2725 SW 116th)

THE MOUNT’S BAZAAR AND BAKE SALE: 9 am-4 pm, Friday-Saturday, November 17-18, at Providence Mount St. Vincent – details in our calendar listing. (4831 35th SW)

TIBBETTS UMC HOLIDAY CRAFT BAZAAR: 10 am-2 pm Saturday, November 18th, at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor). Bake sale as well as art, crafts, gift baskets, more. (3940 41st SW)

PEACE LUTHERAN HOLIDAY CRAFT BAZAAR: Arts and crafts, silent auction with themed baskets, fair trade/global gifts, bake sale at Peace Lutheran Church … 10 am-4 pm Saturday, November 18th, and noon-3 pm Sunday, November 19th. (39th SW/SW Thistle)

ARROWHEAD GARDENS HOLIDAY CRAFT BAZAAR: 10 am-4 pm Saturday, November 18th – details in our calendar listing. (9200 2nd SW)

OLG FAIR TRADE SALE: 9:30 am-1 pm Sunday, November 19th, at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center – details in our calendar listing. (35th SW/SW Myrtle)

DUWAMISH NATIVE HOLIDAY GIFT FAIR: 10 am-6 pm Friday-Sunday, November 24-26, at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse in West Seattle. Details in our calendar listing. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

Having a bazaar, art/craft fair, or other holiday-related sale this season, but haven’t sent us info yet? Please do that as soon as you can! Nothing fancy needed, no graphic/poster, no attachment, just write the basics in the body of your e-mail to editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Sound Transit briefing confirmed for November 15th
November 2, 2017 12:55 pm
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

As mentioned in our coverage of last night’s Southwest District Council meeting, Sound Transit reps will be in West Seattle in two weeks for a presentation and Q&A about where the light-rail project stands. We’ve just confirmed with ST that the meeting is set for 6:30 pm Wednesday, November 15th, at the Senior Center/Sisson Building (4217 SW Oregon). Though the line to West Seattle is not scheduled to start running until 2030, planning is under way, and this is the time to get your comments in. The Junction Neighborhood Organization notes, “This is a great opportunity for the community to voice their support for an underground light rail station at the West Seattle Alaska Junction.”

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SEEN FROM WEST SEATTLE: Go, Sounders!
November 2, 2017 11:54 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

In case you didn’t happen to be looking at the view across Elliott Bay last night – thanks to Carolyn Newman for the photo. The Russell Investments Building, famous for putting “12” in lights in honor of the Seahawks and their fans, had one for Sounders FC, hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps for a playoff match tonight. The theme: “Born in ’74” (founding year of the original Sounders team, part of the North American Soccer League). According to this mention on the Sounders FC website, the lights will be up tonight too (the game’s at 7 pm).

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West Seattle Thursday: Holiday Taste at Thriftway, Shakespeare/Star Wars at WSHS, Dia de los Muertos events, more…
November 2, 2017 10:30 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Thursday: Holiday Taste at Thriftway, Shakespeare/Star Wars at WSHS, Dia de los Muertos events, more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Townsend’s Warbler, photographed by Trileigh Tucker)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

CONSTRUCTION STORY TIME: 11:30 am at the High Point Library, which is close to the only construction site in West Seattle that has a tower crane – though probably not for long, as it looks to have topped out. Construction workers read to the kids! (35th SW/SW Raymond)

THRIFTWAY’S HOLIDAY TASTE: Always a hot ticket. Actually, no ticket required – it’s free to go sample the annual West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) Holiday Taste, 4-7 pm, to get ideas for your holiday celebrations. (4201 SW Morgan)

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS @ MISSION: At Mission Cantina in The Admiral District: “Light a candle at our ofrenda (altar) to honor departed loved ones. Pig roast & drink specials start @ 4:00 pm, Mariachi Fiesta Mexicana @ 7:00 to 8:00 pm. For more information, see our website.” (2325 California SW)

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS @ WHITE CENTER LIBRARY: Sugar Skull Decoration at White Center Library, 4-5:30 pm:

Learn how to decorate a pre-molded sugar skull, the making of ‘papel picado and a small banner in honor to a loved one. A significance of the Altar will be discussed, where sugar skulls play an important part, among others elements such as: marigolds, candles, photos, pan de muerto, etc. Class will be illustrated with books, photos and colorful memorabilia about Dia de los Muertos.

(1409 SW 107th)

ALKI ELEMENTARY PTA: 6:30 pm meeting. (3010 59th SW)

NORTH HIGHLINE UNINCORPORATED AREA COUNCIL: The community council for White Center and vicinity talks tonight about marijuana. 7 pm, North Highline Fire District HQ. (1243 SW 112th)

‘WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S STAR WARS’: What do you get when you blend The Bard with The Force? See for yourself in the West Seattle High School Theater as the new WSHS production debuts tonight at 7:30 pm. (3000 California SW)

‘GHOST GAME XI: BEYOND THE VEIL’: While no longer available online, this page for The Cabiri‘s show suggests tickets might remain for tonight’s show, 7:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

‘THE NANCE’: 7:30 pm at ArtsWest Playhouse, “a musical play set in the raucous world of 1930s burlesque,” directed by AW artistic director Mathew Wright. Ticket info in our calendar listing. (4711 California SW)

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THANKSGIVING COUNTDOWN: You’re invited to The Hall at Fauntleroy’s 19th annual community dinner
November 2, 2017 9:18 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

tday16long(WSB photo, Thanksgiving 2016)

Thanksgiving is three weeks from today and it’s time to start talking holidays. If you haven’t already seen the listing in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, this year will be the 19th for the free, open-to-all Thanksgiving dinner at The Hall at Fauntleroy. It’s a chance to give as well as receive, as explained in the announcement:

Expect a full sit-down meal, from salad to unlimited trips to the dessert bar. Hours will be noon to 3 pm, with seating whenever you arrive.

This meal is for all comers. If cooking is too much for you this year or your plans change at the last minute, come. Many guests arrange to meet friends or family members there.

A feature of this dinner in the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California Ave. SW) is the giveaway table for guests in need. Donations of kids clothing are encouraged, with an emphasis this year on new socks (any size) and blankets. Pies, cookies, and other desserts are especially welcome.

Bring donations to The Hall at Fauntleroy on Thanksgiving 10 am – 1 pm or call 206-932-1059 to arrange your drop-off the afternoon before.

P.S. If you have a holiday-season event to announce, please send us the information as soon as you can (editor@westseattleblog.com – plain text in the body of your e-mail) so we can get it into the calendar and the forthcoming WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – thank you!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates; NB 99 crash
November 2, 2017 7:06 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates; NB 99 crash
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

7:06 AM: The city’s cameras are back. Meantime, SFD has just been dispatched to a two-car crash reported on the left side of NB 99 just north of the West Seattle Bridge.

7:13 AM: SDOT says the crash is blocking the left lane. Via scanner, SFD says the scene is about half a mile north of the bridge.

7:18 AM SDOT says 2 lanes are blocked.

7:36 AM: Crash scene cleared.

9:43 AM: Multiple-vehicle crash on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge at the high rise.

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HAPPY MOVEMBER! West Seattleite Mat McBride’s invitation for you
November 1, 2017 11:47 pm
|    Comments Off on HAPPY MOVEMBER! West Seattleite Mat McBride’s invitation for you
 |   Health | How to help | West Seattle news

It’s not just November – it’s Movember! Maybe a man you know is taking part in this fundraiser. If not, West Seattleite Mat McBride would be happy to have your support. His before-and-after pics from just the other day:

Mat’s pitch:

Ever notice that in the month of November there’s a spike in per-capita mustaches? It’s not a trick of the light, it’s a real thing known as Movember.

Movember, in case you were not aware, is a foundation that raises money for men’s health – specifically prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health/suicide prevention. The last item is why I’m participating this year. A young man I know took his life not too long ago, after some bad luck came his way. This happens too often, it doesn’t have to be that way, and rather than feel powerless about it I’m growing a dang mustache.

Why the mustache? Because people tend to say things like “Dude, what’s up with the ‘Stache?” And then, I’ll tell them. Start a dialog, and maybe raise some money for good causes as well (the Movember Foundation is aiming to reduce the rate of male suicide by 25% by 2030, and I want to help them get there).

You can join Mat’s team – and/or donate to Mat’s team – by going here.

P.S. If you don’t know Mat, he is a prolific community giver/advocate – many current and past projects, including the renovation of the “castle” playground at Roxhill Park, and his continued service as chair of the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council.

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CITY BUDGET: Mayor Burgess, department heads argue against restricting encampment removal authority
November 1, 2017 9:17 pm
|      33 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics


(WSB photo: March cleanup under the West Seattle Brige)

As the City Council’s budget review/change process approaches its crescendo, the biggest battles are over items related to homelessness – especially whether to restrict how and whether unauthorized encampments can be removed. An overnight camp-out outside City Hall downtown right now is urging city leaders to “stop the sweeps.” But Mayor Tim Burgess has sent the council a memo – embedded below (we requested and obtained it after seeing citywide outlets’ reports earlier tonight) – saying that would be dangerous.

Some key points in the memo (which you also can read here, in PDF) – first, he begins:

After consulting with Fire Chief Scoggins, Police Chief O’Toole, and Public Health Director Hayes, I want to warn the City Council that adoption of proposed budget proviso GS 240-1-A-1-2018 blocking unauthorized encampment removals will create an elevated public health and safety risk to the people of Seattle. Many of the estimated 400 unauthorized encampments inside the city presently pose health and safety risks to the residents of these encampments and adjacent neighbors. The city government cannot ignore or tolerate these risks.

Advocates say that the removals are inhumane. The mayor counters: “The removal practices being implemented by city workers are humane, well planned, and effective.” His document also contains memos from department heads that further argue the case for removals:

As of Oct. 18, 2017, the Customer Service Bureau has received 4,389 complaints related to unauthorized encampments this year. The current average of 462 complaints a month is on pace to nearly double the total amount of complaints from 2016 (2,719) and quadruple the amount of complaints (1,245) the City received in 2015.

It says the city is having more success moving people to better circumstances:

As of mid-October of this year, the City has removed 143 unauthorized encampments. Through the Navigation Team’s intensive one-on-one engagement, 1,484 individuals have been engaged, with 581 individuals living in encampments accepting referrals to safer living spaces, including people who were required to leave when an encampment was cleaned up, and those who took advantage of City outreach-only efforts.

This 2017 acceptance rate is significantly improved from 2016, when outreach workers made 4,548 contacts and only 213 people accepted offers to move to a safer location.

The department heads’ memo points out that allowing people to live in unsanitary conditions raises the risk of an epidemic like the one with which San Diego is currently grappling:

As recently advised by Public Health – Seattle & King County, an ongoing hepatitis A outbreak in San Diego highlights the sanitation and hygiene concerns. As of mid-October, San Diego reported 18 individuals dead, 386 hospitalized and at least 578 individuals infected. The conditions in San Diego’s unmanaged encampments encouraged the spread of this entirely preventable disease

The document goes into extra detail related to city parks, contending that “prohibiting the removal of unauthorized encampments would open City parks and green space to unauthorized camping.” Listing the potential risks of that, this section mentions the recent peat fire at Roxhill Park and for the first time reveals its cause:

(WSB photo from last month’s Roxhill Park peat fire)

Fire is another hazard for park environs linked to homeless encampments. Residents of homeless encampments often use wood stoves or camp fires for heat and cooking. If left unattended, these fires can burn out of control and burn down camp structures, destroy vegetation and wildlife habitat and endanger people. Additionally, on Oct. 12, 2017, a fire started at the peat bog at Roxhill Park; it was caused by people using sterno cans. An area of 30×40 feet, 7-feet deep, was dug up as the Fire Department sprayed hundreds of gallons of water over a three-hour period to put out the hotspot that reached 150 degrees. Parks staff had to remove several trees to clear a path for SFD.

Also mentioned, “Had it been worse, the 2017 fire at an encampment at the west end of the Spokane
Street viaduct could have resulted in a long-term closure of the West Seattle high bridge.” Back to Parks:

The impact of encampments on parks and SPR park maintenance staff has been significant, and encampments or encampment-related issues have been the primary complaint we receive from the public. SPR crews this year have hauled away tons of trash. Even so, garbage, needles and feces continue to pile up in our natural areas and greenbelts across the city.

Preventing SPR from removing unauthorized encampments from City parks would undermine both the authority of the Superintendent to fulfill his role as steward of public lands and his responsibility to make policy decisions for the park system

The document also says that state grant funding received for many parks might have to be refunded if parks are allowed to be used as encampments, in effect converting them to a “non-park use.” The list of such grant-funded projects includes West Seattle locations such as Don Armeni Boat Ramp, Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook, Fauntleroy Park, Longfellow Creek, Puget Creek, Roxhill Park, E.C. Hughes, Ercolini Park, and the Alki Trail. Restricting removal, the memo says, could also mean “SPR would need to establish dedicated camping zones in a significant portion of City parks and greenspaces.”

The exact document to which the mayor refers at the start of his memo was presented last week – see it here – then amended before Councilmember Lisa Herbold presented her “initial balancing package” earlier this week as budget chair. The new version focuses on accountability rather than defunding. But nothing’s final for a few more weeks.

Next steps in the budget process, if councilmembers want changes in what was presented this week, they have to get them in by tomorrow afternoon. Changes will then be discussed next week. If you have feedback, council@seattle.gov is the address.

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Southwest District Council: New leadership; Fauntleroy rezone proposal; Sound Transit light-rail meeting…
November 1, 2017 7:28 pm
|    Comments Off on Southwest District Council: New leadership; Fauntleroy rezone proposal; Sound Transit light-rail meeting…
 |   Southwest District Council | West Seattle news

From tonight’s Southwest District Council meeting, just wrapped up at the Sisson Building/Senior Center:

FAUNTLEROY REZONE A ‘MONSTER’? Mike Dey and Bruce Butterfield from the Fauntleroy Community Association board told the SWDC they’re working to find out more about the proposed rezone at 9250 45th SW (first reported on WSB earlier this week) to facilitate a 5-story, 32-residential-unit project. They noted how the Endolyne Triangle, where the building is located, had transportation/traffic improvements recently – including the change of Brace Point to one-way on the south side. They are trying to set up a meeting with the property owners “to see if we can find out more detail about what they are proposing,” said Dey.

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Why transit-stop improvements alongside Roxhill Park are only half done
November 1, 2017 5:51 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | Westwood

(WSB photo)

The days are getting shorter, and lighting matters more than ever – especially at transit stops. But the very-long-awaited lighting improvements for the area along the north side of Roxhill Park aren’t in place yet, even though the other part of the project – an upgraded sidewalk – is complete. Community advocate Amanda Kay, who fought for the improvements as a founder and co-chair of the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Coalition, asked Metro why. The explanation arrived this week: The four “pedestrian-scale” lights that were to be installed were damaged during shipping. So they’re now awaiting replacements. They’re hoping to have the lights in place before the end of the month, along the stretch between the layover area and the passenger waiting area.

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